Learn and Lead Event Series
An initiative of the Congregational Development Committee (CDC), each Learn and Lead is a day full of workshops, speakers, and sharing, to help your parish leaders (clergy and lay) learn new tools to improve parish life.
2013 Learn and Lead: Hospitality for Evangelism
June 1st 2013 9am-4pm (doors open at 8 for registration & continental breakfast)
St. Mary's Episcopal Church Parish House
Register Below
Our sign says “The Episcopal Church Welcomes You”! But do we really? When people venture in our doors, how can we make them feel welcomed and want to join our communities? Church growth studies show that visitors decide within the first two minutes whether or not they will return. How can we ensure that guests experience the radical hospitality of God’s Kingdom? Come learn how the spiritual practice of invitation can enrich your life and grow your church.
This year we've invited Mary Parmer to speak with us about tools and resources to form a systematic, intentional newcomer ministry. Mary is a congregational coach and speaker who serves as the director of "Gathering of Leaders" which empowers young clergy, and is a consultant to diocesan newcomer ministries across the nation.
Also speaking will be Linda Grenz, our Canon to the Ordinary, who has spent much of her career as a consultant as well. Linda will share her Open Doors program and ideas for how we can move from being a welcoming church to an inviting church.
Participants will also have their choice of three of the five breakout sessions. Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided and very parish who sends participants will receive a hospitality swag bag!
Breakout sessions:
• Practicality of welcoming newcomers
• Open Doors – Inviting Families to Church
• They’re Here, Now What?
• Using your facilities hospitably
• Feeding with food, nourishing the spirit
We hope each church will bring a short phrase or description of the best hospitality idea they have used or seen or heard of. We will incorporate these ideas into a visual presentation during the event. We are going to be playful! Please also bring samples of any welcoming materials that you use (Welcome Packets, Pew Cards, Brochures). These will be displayed for all participants to view, and if you would like to share, bring a bunch!
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