2024 Workshop Options

Each workshop will have 3 parts taking place at our Mar 2, Apr 6, May 4 trainings

Our topical workshops are a time to dig deeper into specific topics that help us prepare for practical action in our communities. This year, you can participate in the following workshop options:

Love Your School

Damien Howard & Kimberly Harshman, Together Chicago

The Together Chicago Education Department exists to help churches and other organizations adopt schools to remove the barriers that disrupt a quality education for Chicago students. Join our Workshop to hear how you can get involved.

  1. PRAY – Pray faithfully for and at your local School with “Love Your School Prayer”
  2. CARE – Support Children and Families through the Care Portal
  3. SUPPORT – Mentor, tutor or support an Enrichment Program
  4. LEAD – Work to address the top 1-3 needs of your local School
  5. CONNECT- Join the monthly Village of Support meeting to connect with others

Recordings: Part 1 – Mar 2

Circles & Spaces

Gabriel Lerma, Alpha

As we practice peaceful presence in our communities and neighborhoods, Alpha can be a powerful next step for someone to start or continue exploring a relationship with Jesus.

What is Alpha? Alpha is a multi-ethnic, cross-denominational tool that helps churches, organizations, and individuals create safe spaces for people to have open and honest conversations about life and faith in a gentle, disarming, and hospitable way.

Whether you use Alpha or not, this workshop will show you how to mobilize your faith community to host circles and spaces of healing and spiritual growth in your neighborhoods.

Recordings: Part 1 – Mar 2

Ready to Respond

Dr. Donovan Price, Solutions & Resources

Violence In Chicago: A practical guide for the Church (When it happens on your church’s block).

Victim Advocate/First Responder Pastor Donovan Price gives practical information for Churches on Crime Scene Logistics

  • What you see and why you see it…and Crime Scene Population
  • Who you will see and meeting their level of need from a Christian perspective

(Deuteronony 21 1-2: If someone is found slain, lying in a field in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess, and it is not known who the killer was, 2 your elders and judges shall go out…)

Recordings: Part 1 – Mar 2

Networked for Flourishing

Tim Soerens, Parish Collective

More than ever we need everyday Christians and churches that are adaptive and flexible, responding to the complex challenges and opportunities in our neighborhoods with faithful presence. Discover the pathway to catalyze your church towards the shalom of your neighborhood.

Session 1: Presence Over Programs: Why we need to recover the purpose of the Church and discern the task of faithful presence.

Session 2: Already Here: Why the assets and gifts of our neighborhoods are the path to sustainable change.

Session 3: A City Connected: How thinking and acting like a growing network allows us to adapt to the shifting challenges and opportunities

Recordings: Part 1 – Mar 2

Supporting Our Migrant Neighbors

Ruth Gossell, One CollectiveChris Ophus, New Life Centers

Learn from local leaders who are on the front lines of welcoming and supporting our newly arriving migrant neighbors. This workshop will share stories, practical examples of how anyone can get involved in supporting migrants in Chicago, and help you get connected to local partners.

Some questions that will be discussed:

  • How can I help migrants if I don’t speak Spanish?
  • How can I connect with new neighbors who are resettled in my community?
  • What does being an advocate look like?

Recordings: Part 1 – Mar 2