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Fire is transformative, fire gathers people, but it is can also be a space of contention. We do not have to look very far for moments that feel heated, controversial or challenging. In congregations, coffee shops, online and in our homes we can use fresh tools and approaches to being truthful and faithful when the differences are sharp.
PNEUMA 2017 is excited to welcome the Reverend Dr. Leanne Hadley to help us explore ways to be in transformative conversations even when the circumstances are complicated and passions are hot. Our 2017 conference will convene at the amazing Bishop's Ranch (in Healdsburg, California) October 9-12, 2017. Come join us around the fire, and be renewed by our ecumenical and compassionate community. We look forward to seeing you there. |
To BE A Blessing: Leanne HadleyLeanne is an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church and was the founder of a non-profit, First Steps Spirituality Center. Her early service with traumatized children led her into the healing potential of ritual and symbolism. Leanne created a deeply holy space to enable wounded children to find the courage, safety, and trust so that they might discover the words necessary to begin their healing.
Leanne developed a model for children’s Christian education called “Blessed to be a Blessing” that utilizes many of the same symbols and rituals she used in her work with traumatized children. Now she is exploring ways of using this model with youth and adults by experimenting with fresh ways to create sacred space and developing tools for adults to have meaningful, even radically difficult conversations. Churches that are using “Blessed to be a Blessings” are experiencing the vast potential to take help adults share their authentic feelings and have more transformative conversations across all types of difference and division. At PNEUMA, we will participate in Leanne’s evolving work with adults as she teaches us to practice these Blessing modalities through experiential small group work in addition to presenting her original research. Our goal is for you to experience the possibilities of transformational ministry for all ages, and be prepared to practice this method in your setting. We are building our workshops around this crucial practice and other needs of congregations just like yours. |
Gather round: Holy Conversations
Are you finding it hard to have conversations in your congregation about the news? In the aftermath of a contentious political season a number of churches have begun using Living Room Conversations as a tool for navigating this difficult territory.
Living Room Conversations are a simple way that anyone with an open mind can engage with their friends in a friendly yet meaningful conversation about topics we care about. These conversations increase understanding, reveal common ground and allow us to discuss possible solutions. When people of all walks of life begin to care about one another, they can begin working together to solve the wicked problems of our time. Come and Listen to the founder, Joan Blades, and experience Spiritual Director and Episcopal Priest, Linda Taylor, introduce this concept and how it can be used in a parish context for deepening engagement between those who share a love of each other but find themselves diametrically opposed politically. These two dynamic leaders will teach a special session on Living Room Conversations on Tuesday Night during our PNEUMA Conference. Their session will have elements that will be immediately applicable to ministry as soon as you get home. Do not miss this opportunity. |
registration IS OPEN
Now people can REGISTER using the link: http://cwngui.campwise.com/Customer/tbr/browser-check-reg.html to create an online account and register for PNEUMA 2017. We have a new registration system as part of our expanded relationship with the Bishop's Ranch. This system is a little more complicated the first time someone signs up, and/but it then saves information in the network so that future logins and registrations are much, much simpler. If you have any questions please contact the Bishop's Ranch.
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