Presenter (via Zoom) - Aaron Scott, Staff Officer for Gender Justice

Explore subtle and not-so-subtle ways to intentionally become a more welcoming and inclusive parish. Whether you are thinking about this for the first time, or well on your journey, this workshop will challenge you to consider new and creative ways to welcome all of God's beloved

Presenters - Deacon Kathy Townley, Trinity, Michigan City and Joe Walker, Diocesan Treasurer, St. Paul, LaPorte

Each year when completing our annual Diocesan report we commit to either an independent certified public accountant audit, an internal review (years 2 & 3 only) or a mutual financial review. This workshop will explain the differences between these options, the diocesan requirements for each, and help you better understand the process for a Mutual Financial Review. We will also touch on the spiritual aspect of acting with integrity and seeking to protect all people involved in the handling of money given to the glory of God through the church.

Presenter - The Rev. Rochelle Stackhouse, MDiv, PhD, Senior Director, Partners for Sacred Places

Has your parish thought about the fact that your property is a vehicle for the mission of the parish? When the parish considers how it carries out its mission, the use of the property should be part of that consideration. How does the property fit into the parish’s understanding of its purpose/mission/vision? If the property were fulfilling its mission, what would be happening at that property on any given day? A Property Mission Statement can fulfill three purposes: guiding the parish in making decisions about the use of the property, interpreting the parish’s understanding of how the property\ can be used to potential space sharers, and forming the core of a case statement for any fund-raising to support the property. In this workshop, we will discuss property as mission and begin the process of creating a Property Mission \ Statement for your parish.

Presenter - The Rev. Jennifer Fulton, St. Michael and All Angels

Have you ever wondered how to implement creation care practices if your church doesn't have a lot of land? Explore small changes that can decrease your parish's carbon footprint while honoring the beautiful world God created.

Facilitator - Karen DiLossi, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Partners for Sacred Places

Note: This is an interactive sharing of ideas. Please bring your best practices related to: music, building management, evangelism, worship, stewardship, and more.

Smaller parishes are often well positioned to implement changes and react to the changing world around them quickly. Join this workshop if you'd like to brainstorm and share best practices with other like-minded people on topics ranging from music to administration to property management and more.

Presenter - The Rev. Nathaniel Aram Warne Adishian, PhD, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Mishawaka

In this session, we will look at the historical and theological foundations of an ethics of gratitude. Where gratitude is typically conceived as a duty or emotion, in our short time together, we will focus on thinking of gratitude as a virtue that can be cultivated over time and has significant connections with justice. In the final portion of our time together, we will think together about the many ways that the cultivation of this important virtue can have for parish health and life.