Upcoming Webinars
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
11:00 AM
Immigration Concerns and Sanctuary Congregations
JAs immigration enforcement concerns remain a pressing reality, it is vital that we come together to support vulnerable individuals, families, and communities. We invite you to join Amanda Craft, Manager of Immigration Advocacy for the Office of the General Assembly, for two essential gatherings addressing Post-Election Immigration Concerns and Sanctuary Congregations on December 3, 2024, 10:30am-Noon and January 7, 2025, 11am-12:30pm.
This will be a compassionate space for expressing concerns, sharing experiences, and building resilience.
Amanda trains leaders in immigration advocacy policy efforts tailored to their unique contexts. Her work is guided by immigrant-led organizations and interfaith coalitions, ensuring that advocacy remains rooted in lived experiences. Amanda’s dedication to this mission is informed by her time living and serving in Central America and along the U.S.-Mexico border. Currently based in Kentucky with her husband and two sons, Amanda is also pursuing a Doctor of Ministry at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
December 3 Webinar Highlights
The impact of immigration enforcement on individuals and families.
Creating family care plans and rapid response strategies.
Understanding how the Office of Immigration Issues can provide ongoing support.
January 7 Webinar Highlights
Identifying and addressing the unique needs of your community.
Advocacy actions and organizing for care and support.
Developing actionable rapid response and care plans.
Exploring ways the General Assembly-level Office of Immigration Issues can assist.
Who should attend?
Individuals directly affected by immigration enforcement and their families.
Pastors and leaders with members who may be impacted.
Mid Council Leaders
All who are ready to stand in solidarity with immigrants in your congregations, mid councils, or communities?
These conversations are pivotal to organizing, advocating, and providing care for those most at risk. Together, we can take actionable steps to ensure our congregations and communities are sanctuaries of support and hope.
For more information, don't hesitate to get in touch with Rev. Dr. SanDawna Gaulman Ashley via email:
We look forward to standing in solidarity with you as we care for the most vulnerable among us.
- POSTPONED -
Creating a Culture of Community Partnerships Webinar
Learn how to build strong, sustainable community partnerships from the success stories of The Tree of Life Center (TOLC), The First Jamaica Community and Urban Development Corporation (FJCUDC), and the Bluestone Organization Project.
Speaker: Rev. Patrick O'Connor
Lead Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica
Chairman of First Jamaica Community and Urban Development Corporation
Join us for an inspiring webinar where Rev. Patrick O'Connor will share:
Best practices for creating impactful community partnerships
Lessons learned from successful projects
Practical steps to implement in your community
Valuable insights and strategies on fostering meaningful collaborations that drive community growth and transformation
Just In Case You Missed It
Tuesday, September 10, 2024
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Webinar: Courageous and Compassionate Communication for Contentious Times
How can we have meaningful dialogue in the midst of seemingly impassable divides? How can we treat others with respect and uphold their humanity even when we vehemently disagree? In this webinar, we will explore the basic skills of Nonviolent Communication to assist us in communicating with courage and compassion.
Facilitated by Reverend Dr. Theresa Latini, Executive Director of Mount Olivet Conference & Retreat Center, and co-author of Transforming Church Conflict: Compassionate Leadership in Action. Theresa has consulted with congregations and conflicted groups for over a decade and applied the skills of nonviolent communication to a wide range of situations and contexts.
January 23, 2024
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Book Study Webinar: The Risk of Being Woke
Curtiss Paul DeYoung is the Co-CEO of the Minnesota Council of Churches. Its twenty-seven member communions come from Historic Black, Mainline Protestant, Pentecostal, and Greek Orthodox churches in Minnesota. DeYoung previously served as the Executive Director of the historic faith-based racial justice organization Community Renewal Society in Chicago, IL. Dr. DeYoung was the Professor of Reconciliation Studies at Bethel University in St. Paul, MN.
Rev. DeYoung is an ordained minister in the Church of God (Anderson, IN). He has served congregations in Minneapolis, New York City, and Washington, DC.
DeYoung earned a Doctor of Education from the University of St. Thomas (MN), a Master of Divinity from Howard University School of Theology (Washington, DC), and a Bachelor of Arts from Anderson University (Anderson, IN).
He is an author and editor of thirteen books on racial justice, reconciliation, and cultural competency. With South African anti-apartheid theologian Allan Boesak, he co-authored Radical Reconciliation: Beyond Political Pietism and Christian Quietism (Orbis). He was on the editorial team for The Peoples’ Bible (Fortress). His most recent book is The Risk of Being Woke: Sermonic Reflections for Activists (Judson).
Curtiss DeYoung has been married to Karen since 1984. They have three adult children.
January 24, 2024
10:00 AM
Webinar: Grow Your Church In 10 Days
Webinar outline
How The Church Leap Program Works and Church Growth Case Studies
First 3 Days - Choose Your Growth Activity/Touchpoint and Success Indicators
Next 3 Days - Get the Word Out, WOM Campaigns, RSVP, Promotion
Last 3 Days - Intentional Follow Up, Checklist
10th Day - How Many Visitors, Free additional support
Q&A
FEBRUARY 13, 2024
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Ask, Thank, Tell: practical steps towards a year round stewardship/generosity program
Right size the creation of a year-round generosity/stewardship program for your congregation!
While it may seem that stewardship is a once-a-year campaign to raise money for the church budget, it should be more than that. It should be a joyful spiritual discipline that is practiced throughout the year. But the question is how to transition to that approach? This 90-minute webinar, offered by the Presbyterian Foundation, will equip church leaders with the tools to launch a year-round generosity/stewardship calendar rooted in relationships, mission, and vision. Come away with specific steps to build a program unique to your congregation.
The webinar will:
Introduce and explore valuable resources such as :
Ask, Thank, Tell: Improving Stewardship Ministry in your Congregation by Charles R. Lane
A Spirituality of Fundraising (Workbook Edition) by Henri J.M. Nouwen and Nathan Bell
Church Financial Leadership Academy: www.churchfla.com (password PCUSA)
The Stewardship Navigator: www.stewardshipnavigator.com
Introduce practical steps to build your annual response campaign into a year-round program building generosity.
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
10:30 am
Storytelling as a Vital Tool for Vibrant Stewardship
How do you make your church’s stewardship season new, and different, and truly engage your congregation? You invite them to participate by sharing their own stories.
Robyn Davis Sekula and Rose Niles from the Presbyterian Foundation will join us for an interactive, 90 minute webinar that will invite you to think about the role that storytelling can play in inviting your congregation to participate in generosity. We’ll give you time to think about the core mission of your church, and guide you through identifying the storytellers in your congregation.
You’ll walk away with ideas, tips, and inspiration for your next campaign.
Agenda
Welcome and theological grounding – Rose Niles
Introduction of the topic – Robyn Davis Sekula
Tell me about your church: small group discussion time
Robyn’s story
Who are the storytellers?
Examples of stories
Groups and silos: how to reach everyone
Where to share stories, and how
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
10:30 am
Dr. William Yoo
What Kind of Christianity: A History of Slavery and Anti-Black Racism in the Presbyterian Church
Dr .William Yoo, the author of What Kind of Christianity: A History of Slavery and Anti-Black Racism in the Presbyterian Church, will share his motivations for writing the book, the research findings along the way that inspired and surprised him, answer reader questions, and invite collaboration discussion with participants as we seek to actively learn from history and apply lessons in our ministries today.
The book may be purchased from online book sellers or Presbyterian Publishing.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2023
10:30 AM
creating A Culture of Generosity
Facing the challenges of our post-pandemic world in your church? If your congregation’s approach to stewardship is stuck in a rut, the Presbyterian Foundation can help church leaders create a culture of generosity that celebrates the resources God has given us and understands the spiritual impact that giving away those resources has on individuals and congregations. Rev. Dr. Rose Niles, our Ministry Relations Officer in the Northeast Region, will bring an interactive Culture of Generosity workshop to us in a webinar on February 7, 2023 to help churches move from conducting a traditional stewardship campaign to building a year-round, spiritually-based culture of generosity. Register now and plan to join us!
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
10:30 am
Equipping Your Mission Through Legacy
Developing Planned Legacy Giving
Endowments and legacy giving are joyful opportunities to support the long-term ministry of congregations. There is a “right size” program for your church! Join us to be inspired and equipped! Legacy giving is a healing ministry!
• Legacy-giving conversations can be transformational for the church and
for the member!
• Legacy giving can unlock the generosity of your church!
• Remember and honor family and church members’ joy in mission!
• Legacy giving is an educational ministry!
• Legacy giving may fund ministry which is not funded by the budget!
You may start from scratch, or you may need to jumpstart an ongoing program.
Come consider the possibilities and explore the “How-To” with our Ministry Relations Officer from the Presbyterian Foundation, Rev. Dr. Rose Niles!
Tuesday, April 19, 2022
10:30 am
Values, Mission and Vision: Building Cultures of Generosity Through Community, Clarity, and Communication
Mission and vision statements are not just a checklist, they are the foundation for the generosity and stewardship work of your church. Join us to explore setting the foundation in place that inspires joyful stewardship of time, talent, treasure, and testimony. This webinar will provide examples and resources from the work of the Presbyterian Foundation.
FriDay, April 8, 2022
Building a Preferred
Narrative of a Shared Future
PART II
Tuesday, March 15, 2022
Building a Preferred Narrative of a Shared Future
We live our lives in story form. The way we tell stories, listen to stories, and live storied lives are shaped by narratives of which we are most often unaware. This 90- minute webinar will introduce participants to the distinction between the stories we tell and the background narratives that shape our lives.
About the Presenter:
David Anderson Hooker, PhD, JD, M. Div.
David Anderson Hooker is the Founder and Principal Narrator for CounterStories Consulting, llc. CounterStories engages as a conversation and visioning partner with international, national, and local civil society organizations and religious groups. Hooker is a former Assistant Attorney General for the State of Georgia. He is the author of The Little Book of Transformative Community Conferencing (SkyHorse 2016), co-author (with Amy Potter-Czaijkowski) of Transforming Historical Harms (Eastern Mennonite University 2012) and several chapters and articles considering the mechanism and results of multi-generational trauma, identity narratives and restorative justice.
He is a graduate of Morehouse College (BS); Washington University in St. Louis (AM); University of Massachusetts in Amherst (MPH & MPA); The Emory University School of Law (JD); The Candler School of Theology at Emory University (M. Div); and University of Tilburg in Tilburg, Netherlands (Ph.D.). Hooker is also an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ (UCC).
TUESDAY, February 1, 2022
The Joy of Stewardship: Tell Your Ministry Story
With Rev. Rose Niles
While it may seem that stewardship is a once-a-year campaign to raise money for the church budget, it should be more than that. Grace. Gratitude. Generosity. Stewardship should be a joyful, life-giving spiritual discipline that is practiced throughout the year. We will explore pathways towards the renewal of the joy of stewardship of time, talent, treasure, and testimony (storytelling) through resources offered by the Presbyterian Foundation.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2022
UNMASKING THE POST-COVID CHURCH:
WHAT GOD HAS TAUGHT US ABOUT THE CHURCH THROUGH
THIS PANDEMIC EXPERIENCE Part 2
W/ REV. DR. ROSS A. LOCKHART
Together we will explore the challenge and opportunity facing local church leaders as they look towards maintaining their own mental, physical, and spiritual health while leading a “hybrid church.” We will explore what new “missional metrics” might be needed in this new season of ministry and how best to discern with Elders what changes to our ecclesiology may have been temporary or permanent in light of the pandemic experience.
Unmasking the Post-COVID Church Follow-up Questions:
Rev. Dr. Ross Lockhart engaged the Synod in a conversation about the Post COVID Church. Below are questions we encourage you to discuss with your congregations.
What are the most significant changes in the church's life on a Sunday morning during COVID?
What is the most effective initiative started during COVID and will continue?
What will you continue after the pandemic?
What is one thing that you hope the congregation will not pick up and start doing again after the pandemic is over?
What has COVID taught you about the nature and necessity of your church building?
What new dreams has God been planting in your congregation during COVID about how you might better use your property for mission engagement?
Describe your spiritual practices at home. How have these changes been adapted during COVID to strengthen your relationship with Jesus and the people around you?
How did your congregation prepare you for discipleship in isolation? What is one thing the congregation could do more effectively to equip its people for faithful practice when scattered?
What has the COVID experience taught you about human nature, and how might you respond effectively with an evangelistic witness?
Tell a story about a sign of hope that you've witnessed during this challenging time that might be evidence of God's light breaking into a darkened world?
How has your understanding of incarnational ministry been transformed during this pandemic?
What do you think God is trying to teach us about how we form community in person or virtually?
What metric do we need to use to evaluate the impact of our ministries doing the pandemic?
Tuesday, January 11, 2022
Unmasking the Post-covid church:
What God has taught us about the church through
this pandemic experience Part I
with Rev. Dr. Ross A Lockhart
An opportunity to reflect on the challenges and opportunities for Christian ministry throughout the challenging lived experience of the global pandemic in local churches. What did God reveal to us as followers of Jesus, in community with others, about the nature and necessity of the Church?
Resources to continue the conversation:
Byassee, Jason and Ross Lockhart. Better Than Brunch: Missional Churches in Cascadia. Eugene: Cascade, 2020.
Fitch, David. Faithful Presence: Seven Disciplines that Shape the Church for Mission. Downers Grove: IVP, 2016.
Fitch, David. Seven Practices for the Church on Mission Downers Grove: IVP, 2018.
Lockhart, Ross, ed. Christian Witness in Cascadian Soil. Eugene: Cascade, 2021.
Lockhart, Ross. Beyond Snakes and Shamrocks: St. Patrick’s Missional Leadership Lessons for Today. Eugene: Cascade, 2018.
McClenahan, Brendan and Nick Warnes. Faithful Innovation: Beginning a Conversation for a Post-Covid Church. Los Angeles: Cyclical Publishing, 2020.
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
What Every CPM Should Know Part II
with Rev. Dr. Tim Cargal
Building on a review of how American cultural trends regarding professional formation and leadership are impacting attitudes about training future pastors, the webinar will review the specific responsibilities of those under care, their sessions, and the presbyteries in the PC(USA) preparation for the ministry process.
Please share this information with your CPMs and all those that you feel would benefit from this training.
Thursday, November 11, 2021
Justice + Love = Advocacy as a Spiritual Discipline with Rev. Jimmie Hawkins
Join us for a conversation with Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, Director of the Presbyterian Church (USA) Office of Public Witness in Washington DC. on Advocacy as a Spiritual Discipline
Thursday, October 28, 2021
How to Build a Narrative Budget
with Rev. Rose Nile
Ministry Relations Officer, The Presbyterian Foundation
A Narrative budget tells your church’s story. What you value, what your priorities are, who you are. It gives a vision of ministry rather than just a spreadsheet of line items. It reflects how the congregation spends its time, talent, and resources rather than paying the bills. A narrative budget is a theological statement; reflecting your understanding of what it means to “be church." Your beliefs about God, and your commitment to God’s redemptive mission. A Narrative Budget tells the story of how your church practices good stewardship of the gifts entrusted to it. It provides a vision of where the church hopes to be in the coming budget cycle. The leadership of your church still needs to build and use a line-item budget. In fact, a line-item budget completes the first step in creating a narrative budget. You still want to make copies of the approved line-item budget available to members of the congregation who like to see that level of detail, and it shows a church's transparency and accountability. A narrative budget tells your story and celebrates the impact of the dollars you dedicate to the mission of the gospel! What a great way to motivate giving to the mission of your church Join us to learn how to develop this great additional resource for growing your stewardship/generosity initiatives!
Resources
Tuesday, September 7, 2021
Viruses, Variants, and Vaccines,- Oh My with Lisa Allgood
Trained as an immunocytochemist and a graduate of the University of Medicine and Dentistry NJ, Lisa spent 36 years as an executive in the pharmaceutical industry. She is a CRE currently serving as Executive Presbyter for the Presbytery of Cincinnati.
Additional Resources
COVID Resources
Facts on the Coronavirus
UNDERSTANDING mRNA and OTHER VACCINES
Impact of Community Masking on Covid-19
Transmission Delta Variant
COVID-19 mitigation strategies for Choir developed from the research done at the University of Colorado and the University of Maryland in the Aerosol Study. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aesWEkmHYYc
Tuesday, July 13, 2021
CPM Basics: What Every Committee Member Should Know
Building on a review of how American cultural trends regarding professional formation and leadership are impacting attitudes about training future pastors, the webinar will review the specific responsibilities of those under care, their sessions, and the presbyteries in the PC(USA) preparation for the ministry process. Particular emphasis will be placed upon the centrality of individualization within covenantal relationships with inquirers and candidates.
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
Virtual COM Training
Led by our own Synod Transitional Leader, the Rev. Dr. SanDawna Gaulman Ashley.
The training included:
- COM Oversight and Authority
- Communication, Polity, and Procedures
- The Call Process
- Managing Pastoral Transitions
- Advocacy and Support
- Flexible and innovative models of COMs
Training Resources :
WEDNESDAY, May 6, 2020
Online Giving
with Rev. Ellie Johns-Kelley. Join us to learn about the online giving platform available through the Presbyterian Foundation. The presentation will provide a demonstration of what donors see when making a gift.
WEDNESDAY, April 29, 2020
Stewardship, Benefits & Finances During the Pandemic
with the Rev. Ellie Johns-Kelley of the Presbyterian Foundation and the Rev. Dr. Carrie Mitchell of the Board of Pensions.
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Building Communities of Faith Online: Worship, Fellowship & More
Learn about strategies for moving the traditional ways of fellowship and worship into the digital space and new non-traditional opportunities for building community; while maintaining a focus on essential connections rather than the technological platform.
Creating Community Online - Connect. Faith
Rev. Debra Bronkema and Bryan Bardin
Rev. Casey Carbone,
Mahopac Presbyterian ChurchTips and Tricks for Creating Community on Zoom
rev. abby mohaupt, Greenfaith
Webinars
Interested in learing more about Synod webinars or suggesting a webinar topic, contact Nichol Burris, Administrative Coordinator for the Synod.