You can now register for the workshops being offered from April to June. We’ve changed the time of the workshops so they now all begin at 12 noon. This will enable lay people to participate during their lunch hour, and will also enable many clergy to participate, since many attend parish meetings in the evenings.
Register now for the spring workshops!
You do need to register in advance to take part in these workshops. Registration will close the day before each workshop.
Spring workshops
We’ve got a wonderful line-up of workshops planned for April to June. As requested by a number of people, we’re moving the time of these workshops to run from 12 noon to 1 p.m.
April 24: Starting Something From Nothing: How to Grow a Youth Ministry
When There are No Kids in the Pews
with Cormac Culkeen
Youth Ministry is a hot topic these days. In an era where we are worried about dwindling church attendance, and disconnection with our neighborhoods, church leaders are acutely aware of the need to attract young people to our congregations. But where to start? This practical workshop will examine some of the “whys” and “hows” of Anglican Youth Ministry while providing useful methods for ANY congregation that wants to deepen their commitment and connection to the young people in their neighborhood.
April 29: Education for Ministry: taking experience seriously- and introduction to EfM
with Carol Kysela and Annette Cowan
- Would you like to deepen your faith?
- Do you wonder how personal experiences and beliefs bring you closer to God and God’s people?
- Do you find yourself wanting to understand your faith so it connects better with how you live?
- Are you preparing for lay leadership or the diaconate in your church?
- Do you want to create a community of seekers within your parish?
This introduction to Education for Ministry engages participants in the practice of thinking theologically through a formation programme based on in-depth study of the Christian Tradition, theological reflection, and small group community life. EfM enables participants to discover the ever-present activity of God in their lives (past and present) and to discern God’s call to them. Join us in an exciting journey of faith discovery!
May 1: Ministering to the Outliers: What Ministering to Kids Who “Don’t Fit In” Can Teach us About the Kin-dom of God
with Cormac Culkeen
Sometimes it can look like our little Youth Group or Sunday School is something like an Island of Misfit Toys! Anglican church ministries for youth and families often include kids of disparate ages and stages, kids on the spectrum, kids with disabilities, and some kids who just seem to march to the beat of their own drum!
Sometimes it might be tempting to compare ourselves to the giant Sunday School or Youth Group Program at the big Evangelical church next door, but this workshop will examine the strengths and possibilities of small programs that minister to families that might not thrive in other environments.
May 6: Repairing the Breach – Social Justice and Spirituality
with Elin Goulden
All too commonly, social justice and Christian worship and spirituality are seen as having little to do with one another. In this workshop, we will see how such a view is not only unbiblical, but deprives both spirituality and justice-seeking of their full vitality. We will explore ways in which spirituality and seeking justice can inform and strengthen each other.
May 7: Reimagining Evangelism
with Jason Persaud *12:00-1:30pm
Jason is the National Director of Church Experience for Alpha Canada and in “Reimagining Evangelism” we will explore eight key strategies for churches to strengthen evangelism, from personal invitations and digital outreach to reaching the next generation and leveraging AI. The goal is to connect leaders, spark conversation and inspire prayer for a renewed approach to sharing the Gospel.
May 8: Especially for Lectors: Offering a Beautiful Ministry of the Word
with Judy Paulsen
The goal of this workshop is to encourage and further develop all those who read the Scriptures as part of their church’s worship services. Together we’ll explore a biblical basis for the public reading of Scripture, delve into the importance of this task, and provide tips on some of the ways lectors can be spiritually, intellectually, and physically prepared for this key ministry.
May 13: Spiritual Journalling for Groups & Individuals
with Neil Mancor
Journalling is a powerful tool to aid in our spiritual lives. Through journals we can work out our thoughts, interact with the Scriptures, and form prayers to God. Sometimes we need a tangible way to express our spiritual selves. This holds true both on our own and in groups, when we can share our insights together.
In this workshop, we will explore the art of spiritual journalling through self-reflection, scripture, writing prayers and doodling, in a group setting. The aim is to help develop tools for us in our own spiritual practice and think about how we can use this in group.
May 14: The Hybrid and the Holy
with Cynthia Majewski, Elizabeth McCaffrey and Tim Ralph
Many of you broadcast services over the internet, reaching out to a diversity of online congregants. Given the large and growing number of Anglicans who choose to attend online, the Diocese’s volunteer-led Hybrid Ministry Working Group will share what we’ve learned about engaging our online communities through an exploration of burgeoning best practices and innovations. Discussions will include ideas around how parishes might create online offerings that are indeed holy.
May 15: Theological Reflection: finding meaning and direction
with Carol Kysela and Annette Cowan
Theological Reflection (TR) is one way to find meaning in daily life in relation to God. Education for Ministry (EfM) provides a systematic, dynamic method for practicing this essential life skill. TR as practiced in EfM brings Christian tradition into conversation with experiences of the world and challenges us to respond in some way to the commitments of our Baptismal Covenant.
May 20: Sing a new song: helping your community find their voice
with Dan Norman
In this workshop we will explore ways to invite our communities to express themselves in liturgy, especially through congregational song. We will discuss social and technical barriers to singing, and examine repertoire through the lenses of inclusivity and scalability. We will engage with music from our rich, ancient traditions, as well as music that may break barriers and taboos. We will touch on the spirituality of music and how song is integral to our contemporary liturgical expressions.
May 21: Connecting with Families in the neighborhood
with Elizabeth Achimah
The Church has good news to share with the neighborhood. But how do we do that? Join us for stories and practical ideas on how to connect with our neighbors.
May 22: Alpha Course Leaders Training
with the Alpha Canada team *12:00-1:30pm
Hosted by Alpha Canada staff, this live Alpha Leaders Training will provide the foundations for running an amazing Alpha, while also envisioning leaders to use Alpha as a tool that can help shape a culture of prayer, radical hospitality, and invitation within the church. The training will be followed by live Q&A and prayer ministry.
June 12: Praying our Song, Singing our Prayer
panel discussion led by Tom Bell
Tom Bell will be joined by panelists Swee Hong Lim, Sarah Hicks and Archbishop Linda Nicholls to discuss the spiritual life of choirs.
Past workshops
Sept. 11: Scripture Engagement for Spiritual Renewal: Tools to Support the Church’s Ministry
Kevin Schlechter
Discover some engaging tools to help you and your church family know the Bible better.
Sept. 17: Disability and the Life of the Church
Maggie Helwig and Sarah Erik Sackville-McLauchlan
Many parishes, without meaning to, limit access for Disabled people to worship activities and, especially, to leadership roles. Our spiritual experience is poorer for this, both because Disabled individuals all bring unique gifts and because a disability perspective can enrich our theology and spirituality. This workshop will explore ways to overcome some of the barriers of which parishes may not be aware, and some of the benefits that will result.
Sept. 24: Small Group Ministry and Parish Renewal (Cantonese) *1:00-2:30 p.m.
Philip Der
Join us as we learn how Small Group Ministry can be a critical part of your community’s discipleship path (you can learn about that too!) and how it can nurture parish revitalization. Hear real-life examples and gain practical tips on how your parish can get this life-giving ministry started.
Sept. 24: Equipping Leaders for Engaging and Effective (Adult and Youth) Small Group Bible Study (6-week workshop series) *7:30-9:00 p.m.
Jane Turcot, Eirene Wee, Denise Byard and Philip Stonhouse
God’s Word is His love letter to us, so Scripture is the best way to discover who God is, what He’s like, why the world is the way it is, and why we can rejoice in hope. Being part of Bible study small groups can be an attractive, accessible and life-transforming disciple and community building experience. This interactive “learning-by-doing” equips leaders to become God’s shepherds and agents to make this happen.
Sept. 26: Prayer 101
Eirene Wee
Learn about some practical tools (such as ACTS) to help strengthen your prayer life.
Oct. 1: Healing in the Landscape of Prayer; What is Anointing?
Joanne Davies
This workshop will discuss the unbreakable bond between healing and prayer. We will explore our faith story of anointing and the inclusion of anointing in worship.
Oct. 2: Everyday Witness: how to use this resource to build a culture of faith-sharing
Stephen Hance
Every Christian has a faith story to share, and we live in a world that loves stories. This workshop will introduce a resource to equip the whole people of God to tell our faith stories so that others want to know more.
Oct. 9: Small Group Ministry and Parish Renewal *1:00-2:30 p.m.
Molly Finlay and Philip Der
Join us as we learn how Small Group Ministry can be a critical part of your community’s discipleship path (you can learn about that too!) and how it can nurture parish revitalization. Hear real-life examples and gain practical tips on how your parish can get this life-giving ministry started.
Oct. 22: Preaching through Advent
Judy Paulsen
Join with other preachers to plan four Advent sermon outlines, exploring how these sermons relate to spiritual renewal in our churches.
Nov. 6: Christian Meditation and the Jesus Prayer
Stephen Kirkegaard
The ancient practice of Christian meditation roots one’s life in Christ and brings a deeper experience of God, enrichment of faith, serenity, greater energy, improved health and relief from stress.
Nov. 14: Silence, Stillness, Simplicity: An Introduction to Leading Christian Meditation
Julie Meakin
We will learn about and experience this way of contemplative prayer as taught by Fr. John Main, as well as how to lead and begin a Christian meditation group in one’s parish. “Our aim in Christian prayer is to allow God’s mysterious and silent presence within us to become more and more not only a reality, but the reality which gives meaning, shape and purpose to everything we do, to everything we are.” John Main, OSB – The Gethsemani Talks 1976
Nov. 21: Equipping Parents as Spiritual Nurturers
Tiffany Robinson
A practical toolbox for growing as a family in the practices of the Christian life (prayer, worship, reading the Bible, service, and generosity).
Jan. 16: Renewing our Relationship with Creation
Susan Spicer, Carole Giangrande, Karen Turner
How can communities grow in creation-informed, Christ-centered discipleship?
This workshop will explore creation care as a spiritual practice, share stories, resources and ideas to do this in your parish context.
Jan. 21: Ways to Include Children and Teens in Worship
Stephanie Douglas
Traditionally churches have silo-ed children and teens into their own Sunday programing. Research shows, however, the developmental importance of young people learning to worship with the whole Body of Christ. In this workshop, Canon Stephanie will share her discoveries from implementing All Ages Services and will lead a conversation drawing on the experiences of others.
Jan. 28: Including Parishioners’ Stories of Grace in Worship
Jennifer Schick, Stephen Kirkegaard, Andrea Christensen
If we believe that God is active and present in our world today – then it makes sense that God is active and present in the people around us. Come and learn from others a variety of ways to encourage your parishioners to share their testimonies of faith. These stories of grace not only strengthen personal faith, but also work to encourage and inspire the faith of others and lead to new ways to serve God in the world.
Jan. 29: Thinking Theologically about Music in Worship
Ian Koiter
In our hoped-for season of spiritual renewal, where does musical worship fit in? How do we understand the role of our churches’ music and musical communities? What might change about how we pick and lead music, and what might stay the same? Join us for a discussion of these questions, as well as an exploration of how such elements as lyrics, idiom, genre, acoustics, and instrumentation affect our decisions in choosing music for church.
Jan. 30: How to Lead a Book Study: A practical guide and approach
Mary Bell-Plouffe
This workshop will cover what you need to do to first prepare for a book study, and then provide a practical and proven method for leading one.
What the workshop will cover:
- how to choose a book
- how to promote/advertise
- how to prepare for and organize sessions
Feb. 11: Introducing the Christian Foundations Discipleship Resource
Judy Paulsen
This workshop will introduce participants to the Christian Foundations workbook, being used across Canada to ground people in the faith. We’ll see how this resource introduces people to an overview of the gospel message, the story of Israel, who Jesus is and what he taught, how the church got started, and basic practices of the Christian life. Participants will also be introduced to the facilitator’s tip sheet, to help them use this workbook in a small group setting.
Feb. 12: Telling Our Story: Working with the Holy Spirit to Build Up Our Congregation
Louise Dightam
Sometimes the Spirit invites people looking for a spiritual home to come through the doors of our churches. This workshop explores practical and inexpensive strategies to work with the Spirit to inspire more seekers to come and see what God is doing in your congregation. We’ll look at sharing the Gospel outside our walls, promoting events and worship services, welcome ministry, and managing the reputation of our congregation in the community.
Feb. 18/20/26: Training for Leading the ‘Being With’ course *
Being With is a course designed to help people explore the meaning of life together and discover the Christian faith in a positive and inclusive group. No special knowledge or religious language needed. Just what you have learned in life so far. If you are interested in leading a ‘Being With’ course in your church, then this training will prepare you for that.