AI for Ministry

Jim Thomas

This workshop will explore the exciting world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it can revolutionize the way you serve your congregation and community. We'll delve into practical AI tools that can streamline administration, enhance outreach, and deepen connections.

This workshop will provide an overview of AI tools and their potential applications. It is not intended to replace human judgment or the importance of personal relationships within the church.

Blue Theology Mission Station

Rev. Elaine Schoepf

Come and join our Program Director and experience what it means to be a Blue Theologian. The Blue Theology Mission Station is an outreach of The Christian Church of Pacific Grove. At Blue Theology current science in marine biology meets a spirituality of creation justice. Each summer we host groups who engage in experiential learning, eco-service projects, and contemplative practice while building a relationship with God's marine creation. We pray for the health of our ocean as we explore tide-pool life, or learn to monitor the biology in rocky inter tidal and sandy beach ecosystems. We practice ocean conservation as a spiritual practice. Blue Theologians (faith-charged advocate for a healthy ocean) engage in scientific data collection, or kayak alongside otters and sea lions, taking part in local sand dune restoration, and collecting trash on the beach. In the evening we build community around the table, as we process our experiences and explore our spiritual relationship with our Creator.

Growing the Churches Presence in the Community

Rosario Ibarra

This workshop will discuss the importance of developing strategies to connect with the community by reevaluating congregations' identity, mission, values, assets, and budgets. Come and listen to congregations' stories that have learned to live out their call to serve the neighborhood either by themselves or by connecting with community partners.

Emmanual Gospel Bracelets Workshop

Rev. Gloria Kwon, Ms. Han Jeong Choi, and Ms. Nancy Chon

If you are looking to organize a team-building activity or holiday gathering, why not make this bracelet with a mission in mind - Spreading the Gospel? Ten participants will have fun crafting beads with three Korean women disciples (Rev. Gloria Kwon, Ms. Han Jeong Choi, and Ms. Nancy Chon), who are instructor-led parties, making the bracelet shown in the picture. The workshop provides each person with a kit of enough material to make 10 bracelets to guide them through the crafting. Participants can take the unfished project home. The craft kits are donated by the New Spring (Korean) Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Santa Clara. Seats are limited to 10 people.

Called As Partners In Christ

Rev. Jesse Kearns

Historically speaking, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has been a leader in ecumenical ministries. In 1989 we became full ecumenical partners with the United Church of Christ, but our local congregations have forged other non-official ecumenical partnerships to address ministry needs in their communities. Many churches have had to scale back their ministry efforts in order to focus on institutional survival. Come to this workshop and hear stories from congregations who have pooled their resources together to establish partnerships with other communities of faith.

Immigration workshop

Peggy Bristol Wright

We are inviting dialogue from everyone on the topic of immigration and elicit your feedback regardless of your position on this issue. What issues, if any, are you seeing in your community and/or your congregation? Is there anything that should be shared so that other congregation's benefit? We want to get ideas of what would be good to discuss in this workshop. What, if any, problems are you seeing in your community?

Revelation Remix: What if the End is Just the Beginning?

Dr. Sharon Jacob

The Book of Revelation is often misinterpreted as a cryptic prophecy of the world's end, but at its core, it is a powerful critique of empire, oppression, and systemic injustice. This workshop will explore how Revelation's imagery, symbolism, and rhetoric confront imperial power, particularly in the context of Rome, while also offering a vision of resistance and hope for marginalized communities. We will examine how Revelation speaks to contemporary struggles against empire and consider its implications for justice, liberation, and communal resilience today. Participants will engage in discussion, critical reflection, and strategies for reading Revelation as a text of radical resistance.

The Paths Toward Retirement

Jonathan Beckham Brink

Finding the right path for retirement regardless of your age or place in career can be a daunting process. What path do you take? What options do you have? Can you retire? At Pension Fund, we are working hard to help create paths toward retirement that fit where you are in your career. Whether you are just getting started or you just don’t think retirement is for you (and everywhere in between), I invite you to join our conversation. We will be looking at the programs and products that Pension Fund offers to help you find your path and creating space for open dialogue to help you take the next steps toward a strong, smart, and secure retirement. *This workshop is focused on New Church Planters, but all are welcome.*