Region 8 Stewardship Training and Education

Stewardship has been described as the “third rail” of congregational life: Touch it at high risk! But it needn’t be that way. Education and training can help leaders to instill their congregations with good stewardship practices and ideas. Here are some free or low-cost opportunities for training around Region 8:

DEADLINE IS AUG. 7:  Mission Interpretation: Keith Mundy and others at Churchwide are hoping to get a half-dozen or so folks from every synod to participate in the upcoming Mission Interpretation Conference on Aug. 15.  The conference serves as  a launching pad for Mission Interpretation training that follows through the rest of 2020. It’s all done virtually this year and is free of cost.  Click here for a flyer that lists the agenda for conference and trainings. Click here for the registration link.

Thursday, Aug. 6, at 8 p.m.: Retirement and Taxes. Free Zoom webinar. Thrivent Financial hosts Ed Slott talking about tax implications on retirement investments, how to balance retirement security with the impact of taxes. Click here for info and to register.

Thursday, Aug. 13, at 9 a.m.: Stewardship Campaign Basics. If your congregation has not had an annual campaign, or if it has been quite a while, this one-hour webinar will review some basics on how to plan and run an annual fall stewardship campaign. Rob Blezard of the Lower Susquehanna Synod staff will also review two relatively easy and low-cost options that can get your congregation moving. Click here to register and receive advance materials.

Thursday, Aug. 20, 8 p.m.: Social Security – Money Left on the Table. Free Zoom Webinar. Thrivent Financial hosts consultant and former Social Security employee Jim Caulder speaking about how to make the most of your Social Security benefits. Click here for info and registration.

Tuesday, Aug. 25, from 4-5:30 p.m.: Align Your Budget with Ministry of this Time. Webinar, $10 cost. Delaware/Maryland Synod partners with Scott McKenzie of Horizons Stewardship for this workshop to remind us that this time of disruption and change provides an opportunity to evaluate ministry and align budgets with the mission God is calling us to in this new normal. Webinar explores communication, evaluation and budgeting strategies. Cost will be $10. Click here to learn more and register

Thursday, Sept. 17, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.: Generosity and Partnerships in the Urban Context. Webinar, $25 cost. Delaware/Maryland Synod hosts the Rev. CeCee Mills from the North Carolina Synod to help congregations explore, uncover, and unleash resources by creating clarity in mission, a renewed sense of identity and clear spirit-driven action plans. The $25 fee entitles you to participate in three Fall virtual gatherings with Pastor Mills to continue exploration, further connect and share best practices. Click here to learn more, listen to a message from Pastor Mills, and register.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

The Stevenson School for Ministry: Stewardship is offered in two courses this fall through the SSFM, a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Pennsylvania that has been collaborating with the Lower Susquehanna Synod. Missional Stewardship and Stewardship Best Practices are each five-week courses that run back to back beginning Aug. 31. Click here for information and registration. Save