District Workshops May 7 - All Welcome

. . . on Saturday, May 7, 2011, at Eliot UMC, Eliot, ME.   BECAUSE GOD FIRST LOVED US… workshops to help us reach out with the Love we have experienced   Tri-State District offers six dynamic workshops. After lunch, the afternoon session begins with a brief worship at 1:15 p.m, followed by two sets of workshops. Session A: 1:45-2:30 and Session B: 2:45-3:30. Lunch ($7.00) and childcare are provided.  If attending, please notify tri-state@neumc.org along with following information:  Name/s,  lunch count/ and childcare if needed.   Descriptions of  workshops follow:   Cancer Prayer and Support Group Ministry: cancer ministries at the local level Den Morton, a Christian cancer survivor, presents A Cancer Ministry at our District Ministry Team workshop in May. Hear what Cressey Road United Methodist Church in Gorham, Maine is doing in a ministry for those touched by cancer. Den’s presentation includes the “whys and hows” of bringing this ministry home to your church, including cancer support group dynamics, support group start-up kits, The Natural Church Development connection, resources and training, and more.   Non-violent Peacebuilding: conflict resolution is a work of faith Bethany Queior presents. This workshop explores the role of facilitator in peacebuilding conversations, some dynamics for managing group discussion, resources for training for peacebuilding, identification of our own biases, the usefulness of reactivity and/or mindfulness, and more.   Mission Opportunities in Guatemala: explore the beauty of the people, the land, and the culture Linda Brewster shares the experience of an immersion team that traveled to Guatemala in January 2011. Come to know the beauty of the land and the people and culture of Guatemala. Hear how cross cultural experiences can transform hearts. Learn about mission opportunities to Guatemala in January 2012.   Reaching out in Love: Stories of Success. Learn how Tri-State churches are reaching new people in new ways! In this session we will hear from several church communities in our district about what has worked well for them to connect with people and communities outside their doors. Prepare to be inspired and go home with new ideas about how to move from "rethink church" to action!    Rethink - Resource - Revitalize Your Church!  Alexx Wood presents a workshop to show how to involve everyone in your congregation in serving and supporting the mission of Christ in your community and the world. An overview of the denomination-wide Rethink Church campaign and mission focus is presented in this session, including information and materials to help you connect with agencies, resources, and ideas for “rethinking church” in your context.   Want to do local mission but don’t know where to start? Learn how to assess your community needs and recognize the assets in your community. Then, put them together to extend your gifts in mission and outreach. Cat Jansen, from the District Mission Team, will  lead this workshop. She has tremendous experience in local mission through Joyful Harvest in Biddeford, ME.