Workshops of the 194th Diocesan Convention
The Innovative Church
Presenter: The Rev. Rick Kautz
If anything, the pandemic has taught us we need to be able to think on our feet in order to handle whatever our rapidly changing world throws at us. We truly live in a VUCA world; volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. As Tim Bolsinger says in Canoeing the Mountains, "The world in front of you is nothing like the world behind you." The Innovative Church can help vestries and ministry teams navigate the rough waters by teaching skills that stimulate creativity, innovation, cooperative teamwork, and fun. Creativity is not a gift, it's a skill and all it takes is practice. The Rev. Rick Kautz has thirty-six years of parish experience and is a member of The Applied Improvisation Network.
Video length: 19:30 minutes
Contact: rickkautz@gmail.com
View video here.
Greening the Creed
Presenter: Dr. Collin Cornell
Episcopalians recite the Apostles’ Creed in worship and study it as a resource for formation (as, for example, in confirmation classes). At the same time, many Episcopalians are awakening to our responsibility of caring for the earth, especially in a time of deepening climate crisis. But seldom if ever are the core commitments of Christian faith brought into deep relationship with the natural environment and nonhuman creatures. The goal of this workshop is to begin to do just that: to “green the creed” by showing its relevance to the whole earth system. The workshop is intended as a tool for forming earth-inclusive Christians. The 60-minute video introduces content, examining the ecological dimension of each of the creed’s three articles. A follow up engagement will take place in the form of a synchronous, facilitated discussion over Zoom.
Workshop leader: Collin Cornell, Coordinator of the Center for Religion and Environment in the School of Theology at the University of the South (Sewanee). Collin Cornell earned his Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible from Emory University and taught for three years as a visiting professor of biblical studies in the School of Theology at the University of the South (Sewanee). He is now the coordinator of the School’s Center for Religion and Environment, where he teaches an online class entitled “Greening the Creed.”
Workshop sponsors: The Center for Religion and Environment is housed within the School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, TN; this workshop proposal is submitted on behalf of the Center and the School of Theology. The Diocese of Kentucky’s Division of Peace and Justice is a further co-sponsor.
Video length: 34 minutes
Contact: crcornel@sewanee.edu
View video here.
An Impossible Choice: The Dilemma of Ministering Via Social Media
Presenter: Ed Cyzewski, author and Vestry member at St. John’s, Murray
Social media has become a social square where people gather to share ideas and information, and it has become an essential communication medium for churches during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, academic studies, psychological trends, and whistleblower reports all unequivocally point to the damage social media is doing to society and the mental health of its users. In addition, social media’s immediacy, reactiveness, and addictive nature can undermine the goals of spiritual formation. Can congregations benefit from social media without advancing its dark side? This session will address the attractiveness of social media for ministry, the many downsides and challenges it presents, and how parishes can weigh the benefits against dangers.
Video length: 24 minutes
Contact: edcyzewski@gmail.com
View video here.
The Labyrinth that Prayer Built (During a Pandemic)
Presenter: Ellen van Nagell, board member of All Saints Board of Directors, KY Diocese Daughters of the King, Vice President
Ellen van Nagell will present the unique story of the creation of the new Labyrinth at All Saints especially thanking the DOK & donors throughout the Diocese for making it a reality during a pandemic. She will discuss how creative spirit & love of creation is nourished at All Saints. She will present the basics of discovering the Labyrinth as a Spiritual Tool. The video will be “filmed” at the construction site of the All Saints Labyrinth. Ellen will point out the features of our new 42 foot diameter 11 circuit Chartres Replica Labyrinth & invite everyone to drop by All Saints & walk the sacred path.
Video length: 11:30 minutes
Contact: Ellen@EllensHomes.com or (502)445-0249
View video here.
Episcopal Church Home Master Plan Update from Episcopal Retirement Services
Presenter: Laura Lamb, President and CEO of Episcopal Retirement Services;
ECH has developed a bold vision to reimagine the campus for its current and future residents. ECH will do this by creating more intimate, person-centered healthcare households that meet consumer preferences and will be supported with dynamic programming and therapies. We will also expand the number of independent living patio homes and additional amenities not seen at ECH in the past. This video provides an update on the master plan of the Episcopal Church Home.
Video length: 34 minutes
Contact: Bryan Reynolds, Vice President of Marketing at Episcopal Retirement Services
breynolds@erslife.org or (513) 979-2243
View video here.
The University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee
Presenter: Bess Turner, Director of Development and Alumni Relations for the School of Theology, and the Director of Church Relations for the University of the South
The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee is the only University founded and governed by dioceses of the Episcopal Church. The Diocese of Kentucky is one of the twenty-eight constituent dioceses which own and govern the institution. Bishop White serves as a member of our Board of Trustees, along with Canon Amy Real Coultas, Mac Jefferson, Stephanie Miller, and Leslie Newman.
Sewanee’s College of Arts and Sciences offers an unmatched liberal arts education, is purposefully small–around 1,800 students–and dedicated to building a sense of community. A leading seminary of The Episcopal Church, the School of Theology is educating tomorrow’s Church leaders. Our master of divinity degree offers a rigorous academic and supportive environment that forms students for growing congregations. Innovative master degree programs focus on lay leadership, while the non-degree theological study programs educate bi-vocational priests, and the Advanced Degree Program renews and enhances pastoral effectiveness.
Each year, we provide the Diocese with an annual report which includes, among other things, information about our engagement with the Diocese of Kentucky. In our video, we will provide an overview of the annual report. We will also share recent videos from the University which will highlight what makes Sewanee the unique and special center for learning and contemplation. This will be both a wonderful point of reconnection for those with whom we already have a relationship as well as a great introduction to Sewanee for those who are less familiar with us.
Video length: 15 minutes
Contact: - bessturner@sewanee.edu or 931.598.1460
View video here.
Vision Planning with Evan/Davis
Presenter: Michael R. Davis, President and Chief Executive Officer Evans/Davis Fundraising Counsel
Two brief videos explaining vision planning and how Evans/Davis might be able to assist in long-range discernment for churches. The firm of Evans/Davis provides churches with a number of key services. The most beneficial, the Vision Planning Program, enables faith communities to discern God's call for their future.
Video #1 length: 2:20 minutes
Video #2 length: 2:45 minutes
Contact: mdavis@evans-davis.com or (614) 562-5572
View video #1 here.
View video #2 here.
