During Saturday at Council, our Presiding Bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori will be the keynote speaker. One set of workshops will also be available for attendees and visitors. The Presiding Bishop will hold a second plenary session in the afternoon.

Saturday@Council Workshops

WHY MDGs?

1. “Answering the Call: MDGs and Scripture” In this workshop, Darla Schumm, Trinity, Buchanan, and Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Hollins University, will lead us in exploring together the Biblical mandate to care for the poor and marginalized. We will explore Old and New Testament texts in an effort to articulate a Christian response to the Millennium Development Goals. LEARN and PRAY

MDGs 101

2. “ERD and the MDGs: More than Alphabet Soup” Learn what the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are and what Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is doing to meet the goals. Nick Moga, Emmanuel, Covington, and a representative from ERD will share the programs and the stories of the people that are being helped by ERD efforts. Learn about ERD’s new inspiration fund and how you can be a part of this worthwhile program. LEARN

3. “What Is the ONE campaign?” The ONE Campaign is rallying Americans, ONE by ONE, to fight the emergency of global disease and extreme poverty. ONE is a growing coalition of over 2.4 million people and over 100 well-known and respected advocacy and humanitarian organizations. Ranna Lanagan, the ONE representative for our area, will explain how anyone can take simple actions on a weekly or monthly basis to free the world of poverty that kills. LEARN

WHAT WE DO ON A LOCAL LEVEL

4. “Practical Parish Programs for Education and Fundraising for the MDGs” This workshop will examine the issues and resources available for parishes who want to begin their support of the Millennium Development Goals and work toward the designation as a ONE parish of the diocese. Educational models and fund-raising ideas will be shared by the Rev. Stephen Stanley, Christ Church, Roanoke, and Jenny Fife, St. Elizabeth’s, Roanoke. LEARN and ACT

5. “Building Relationships: Fair Trade and EcoJustice” We will share the blessings of Fair Trade purchasing by connecting the lives of producers and consumers through examples of EcoJustice travel. Jim Bier, St. Peter’s, Callaway, will share experiences of connections with Nicaraguan coffee- producing cooperatives from his trips in 2007 and January 2008. The workshop will encourage participants to organize Fair Trade availability in their communities and to participate in EcoJustice travel. LEARN and ACT

6. “Mission Possible” Do you dream of going on a mission trip or organizing one? Ann Vest, St. John’s, Lynchburg, will discuss her experiences of her trips to Central America. Ann was in Nicaragua to observe the presidential elections in 1990, in Honduras just after Hurricane Mitch hit, in Nicaragua just after the volcano collapsed, and more recently working on ERD projects in El Salvador and Belize. ACT

7. “How Green Is My Faith: The Environment and Christianity” Should Christians be concerned with the future of the planet and its people? Is caring for our environment the natural extension of loving our neighbors as ourselves? Michael Bentley, St. James, Roanoke, and Paul Bugas, Trinity, Staunton, will discuss what is going wrong in our care of the earth. Specific things we can do as followers of Christ and participant discussion will be important elements of this workshop. LEARN and ACT

WHAT'S HAPPENING OVERSEAS

8. “Sudan and the MDGs” Our diocesan commitment to support the Episcopal Church of Sudan (ECS) includes our 2007 St. Nicholas Day offering for the physical improvement of the ECS Guesthouse in Juba and the 2005 offering for the Marc Nikkel School. The Rev. Kim Webster, St. John’s, Waynesboro, will facilitate presentations by the Rev.Bol Deng, Bor Diocese, ECS, and the Rev. Dr. Richard Jones, Professor of Mission and World Religions at Virginia Theological Seminary. LEARN and GIVE

9. “The Eco-Diocese of Bradford” Bradford was once famous for its dark satanic mills belching pollutants into the atmosphere and turning all its buildings black. Now the Diocese of Bradford is aiming to become the first eco-diocese in the Church of England. Is this a joke, or can we really save the planet and smile at the same time? Bishop David James LEARN

BECOMING SPIRITUALLY EMPOWERED FOR MINISTRY

10. “How2, Y2, U2: How and Why To Host a U2charist” By looking closely at lyrics of several U2 songs, we will discuss how and why the U2charist is a powerful worship experience that raises awareness of the MDGs. Nina Salmon, St. John’s Lynchburg, will present practical “how to’s” for hosting a U2charist. The workshop will also help participants heighten their own U2charist experience for the closing worship service at Council. LEARN and PRAY

11. "A Spiritual Perception: Focusing on the Divine” Beth Crow, St. Peter’s, Callaway, will share from her research how different individuals--Jews, Christians, and Muslims--experience the presence of God and how God has transformed their lives, even in extremely painful situations. Participants will be encouraged to identify the sacredness in their lives, to discover the extraordinary within the ordinary. PRAY

12. “East Meets West: Seeking God Through Yoga and Meditation” Jill Loftis, Christ Church, Roanoke, will lead us in a discussion of the mind, body, and spiritual blessings that come from a Yoga and meditation practice. The workshop will also explore the possibilities of taking these practices out into the world for service. PRAY and ACT

FINDING THE MEANS TO FUND MINISTRY

13. “The Stewardship Campaign Is not a Dirty Word” An interactive presentation of unique concepts for conducting stewardship drives, with Harry Tatum, St. Barnabas, Lynchburg, debunking the Every Member Canvass of old. Participants will develop a list of do’s and don’ts and a positive campaign checklist. GIVE

In answer to WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP? Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) answers: PRAY, LEARN, ACT, GIVE. Each of our workshops will offer ways to grow in one or more of these areas.