The 2023 Leadership Training Day hosted by Miami Valley and Ohio River Valley districts will feature Rev. Dernard Newell, Director of Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging for West Ohio Conference. Workshops examine different aspects of diversity, inclusion, and belonging.
Keynote: The Pathway to Belonging
The words Diversity Equity and Inclusion can elicit a variety of responses, thoughts and feelings. Recently, a new word Belonging has been added to the DEI equation. Belonging is not an action it is a feeling. A feeling that you are connected to a people and or a place and or an organization for a special purpose. Dernard D. Newell, the Director of Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging for the West Ohio Conference of the UMC, share his insights about the importance of establishing “Cultures of Belonging” for the making of Disciples for the transformation of the world.
Schedule for the Day
8:30 Gathering
9:00 Welcome/Worship
9:20 Keynote with Dernard Newell
10:00 Q&A
10:30 Break
10:45 Workshops
Workshops
The Invisible Becoming
Presenter: Dave Mack and Jami Nathan
Description: In Mathew 25 Jesus speaks about those who are Lost. People who are incarcerated are not only lost but find themselves as invisible people in our communities. Kairos ministries and others seek to fulfill the scriptures found Matthew 25 by recognizing the plight of these pilgrims and inviting them into a journey where they become not invisible, not lost, but rather these pilgrims become Beloved through the unconditional love of God expressed through Kairos and prison ministry. Join us to discover ways we can create a community where ALL are included.
Immigration Ministry and Ministry with Immigrants
Presenter: Scott Hicks
Description: This workshop will be about the need for ministry to immigrants and how local churches and individuals can participate. It will give an overview of what is occurring in immigration and how we cah help meet the spiritual and legal needs of immigrants.
Five Loaves, Two Fish, and Jesus: Community Ministry The Teacher's Method
Presenter: David Meredith
Description: This workshop on Asset Based Community Ministry will explore the Biblical approach of Jesus and Paul for congregational ministry that develops the community and geographical parish in its context. It is focused on capacity, built on relationships, and secured by resources from within. It works in rural and urban settings. Learn more. Examine some examples.
Workshop with Dernard Newell
Presenter: Dernard Newell
Listening Circles: a tool for belonging
Presenter: Karen Cook and Wendy Lybarger
Description: The circle process is one of the oldest and simplest of all group processes. Circles assume a universal human wish to be connected to others in a good way and symbolize the belief that all people are embody the image of God. A Listening Circle is a way to gather personal perspectives and experience and to allow participants to hear others’ point of view. This workshop will provide background and structure for Listening Circles, explore areas of church life and ministry where Listening Circles may be used, and provide experience in participating in a Listening Circle.