Transformed and Renewed: 2023 Member in Discernment Gathering
Hosted by Ministerial Excellence, Support & Authorization (MESA)
1I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:1-2 (NSRV)
Agenda
Thursday, October 5
Unless otherwise specified, all activities will happen in Conference Room A.
- 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. – Travel & Hotel Check-in
- Location: Holiday Inn Express Cleveland Downtown
- 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Welcome, Overview of Agenda, Meet the MESA Team
- Location: Mezzanine at the hotel
- 7:00 p.m. onward – Dinner on your own
Friday, October 6
Meals will be served in Conference Room A at 1300 E. Ninth Street, 1st floor. Unless otherwise specified, all activities will happen in Conference Room A. Worship leaders are sought for music and liturgy. Please volunteer in the afternoon if you would like to assist with leading Friday evening worship.
- 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. – Pick up registration materials
- Location: Outside of Conference Room A
- 8:00 – 8:45 a.m. – “Welcome to Sacred Space”
- 8:45 – 9:15 a.m. – “Community & Relationship Building”
- Location
- Discovery (1 year or less) and Progressing (2 years or more) meet in Conference Room A
- Transformative Phase (nearing completion) meet in the Justice Conference Room
- Location
- 9:15 – 9:30 a.m. – Sharing/Reflections
- Location: Mission Central
- 9:30 – 10:00 a.m. – Greetings from the UCC Officers
- Location: Mission Central
- 10:00 – 11:15 a.m. – “Taking the Long View”
- Discovery Group meets in Peace Conference Room
- Progressing and Transformative Groups meet in Amistad Conference Room
- 11:15 – 11:30 a.m. – Break
- 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – What Every Minister Needs to Know
- Location: Conference Room A
- 12:30 – 1:15 p.m. – Lunch
- 1:15 – 2:30 p.m. – Tour of UCC Offices (sign-up required), wellness break, or visit area venues
- 2:30 – 3:15 p.m. – What Every Minister Needs to Know Continued
- Location: Conference Room A
- 3:15 – 4:00 p.m. – Phase Group breakouts
- Location
- Discovery (1 year or less) and Progressing (2 years or more) meet in Conference Room A
- Transformative Phase (nearing completion) meet in the Justice Conference Room
- Location
- 4:00 – 5:15 p.m. – What Every Minister Needs to Know Continued
- Location: Conference Room A
- 5:15 – 6:30 p.m. – Dinner
- 6:30 – 7:15 p.m. – Worship, Blessing, & Dismissal
Saturday, October 7
Unless otherwise specified, all activities will happen in Conference Room A.
- 8:00 – 8:30 a.m. – Check-in/Devotion (Music selection: “Gonna Be a Lovely Day”)
- 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. – Phase Group break-outs
- Location
- Discovery (1 year or less) and Progressing (2 years or more) meet in Conference Room A
- Transformative Phase (nearing completion) meet in the Justice Conference Room
- Location
- 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. – Concurrent Workshops Part 1
- Lessons Learned from Pastoring (White People) – Rev. Dr. Malcom Himschoot, Location: Peace Conference Room
- Planning For Successful Bi-Vocational Ministry – Rev. Anissa Glaser-Bacon, Location: Amistad Conference Room
- Relational Support for your Ministry – Rev. Tara Barber, Location: Justice Conference Room
- Negotiating your first call – Rev. Jeff Nelson, Location: Mission Central
- 10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Concurrent Workshops Part 2
- Faith in the Public Square: Advocating with the UCC Office in Washington D.C. – Rev. Michael Neuroth, Location: Love Conference Room
- Love is Louder: Communal Care for Trans &Non-Binary Siblings – Rachael Ward, Location: Amistad Conference Room
- Professional Chaplaincy – Rev. Melody Ruffin Ward, Location: Justice Conference Room
- Transforming Lives through Service: The Ministries of CHHSM and its Member Agencies – Jamar Doyle, Location: Peace Conference Room
- 12:00 – 1:15 p.m. – Lunch
- Location: Conference Room A
- 1:15 – 2:30 p.m. – Concurrent Workshops Part 3
- Where Everybody Knows Your Name: The Joys and Challenges of Small Church Ministry – Rev. Dr. Ruth Shaver, Location: Amistad Conference Room
- Disabilities Ministry – Rev. Dr. Sarah Lund followed by discussion with Stephanie Niemela Location: Peace Conference Room
- Marks for Vital Church – Rev. Melanie Oommen Location: Mission Central Conference Room
- 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. – Break
- 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Reflections from Phase Groups
- Location: Conference Room A
- 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. – Dinner
Sunday, October 8
Unless otherwise specified, all activities will happen in Conference Room A.
- 9:00 – 9:30 a.m. – Devotion (Music selection: “Total Praise”)
- 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. – Closing Reflections with Dr. Jackson
- “I feel further grounded in my Call because…”
- “What I take with me today is…”
- “I have hope for the Church because…”
- Continuing Connections Opportunities
- 10:30 – 10:45 a.m. – Prepare for Worship (Music selection: “Let’s Do the Work”)
- 10:45 – 11:45 a.m. – Worship with Communion
Be in the Know
Recommended Reading
Blessed Are the Crazy: Breaking the Silence about Mental Illness, Family and Church by Sarah Griffith Lund
The Church Cracked Open: Disruption, Decline, and New Hope for Beloved Community by Stephanie Spellers
How To Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman
Where the Edge Gathers: Building a Community of Radical Inclusion by Yvette A. Flunders
Mental Health Basics for Spiritual and Religious Leaders by Awa Jangha, PhD
From the author: A free eBook that has helpful information on various concepts of mental health (such as crisis and trauma, substance use dependence, grief, when to refer to a counselor, self-care, etc.). It also includes reflection questions and mental health resources. While written for leaders with spiritual communities (those currently serving or those in training/discernment), it can be also be helpful to persons generally interested in mental health. Please feel free to share it with others.