"Upside Down Inside Out"

Selections for Topics on Adult and Young Adult Education

Morning Classes

Disciple Leadership Mini-Training   This is an all-day class

• Jill Krone, Chair, TX Conference DBS Task Force

Available to persons, lay or clergy, wishing to gain insight about how to bring these life-changing studies to your church and community.  Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the study format, explore various ways in which Disciple Studies might be offered, scheduled and funded, and discuss advertising and registration details that might benefit their particular group.  Training is encouraged as a way to prepare and strengthen those in your church who will assume leadership roles. 

Strengthening the Adult Sunday School Class

• Rev. R. Lee McKinzie, Broadmoor UMC, Baton Rouge, LA

Rev. McKinzie will bring his expertise and creativity to participants who wish to strengthen and vitalize their Sunday morning classes. 

Financial Peace

• David Brand, Sue Highfield, John Wesley UMC, Houston

The presenters will share their experience with Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University.  David has been the driving force behind Financial Peace University at John Wesley.  He strongly believes that this 13-week common sense program is a “kick in the pants” to motivate and give practical tools to change the spending, buying and saving habits of your congregation. 

How to Lead a Small Group

• Dixie Jarrett, Woodville UMC, Woodville

As Director of Discipleship and Caring Ministries, Dixie will bring her experiences of teaching Bible studies, Disciple and small groups to help you learn to lead and grow your small groups ministry. 

The Forgotten Generation:  Our Graying Congregations

• Rev. Cathy Meyenberg, Terrace UMC, Houston

Many congregations are graying!  This workshop will be based on the General Board of Discipleship’s “S.E.N.I.O.R.S.” ministry model: “Spirituality, Enrichment, Nutrition, Intergenerational, Outreach, Recreation, and Service” to help integrate multigenerational ministries. 

Ministry to the Hispanic Community

• Mireya Ottaviano, Gethsemane UMC, Houston

Mireya Ottaviano is Director of Children’s Ministries at Gethsemane UMC working with families in the church and in the community.  She is a former university Psychology Professor and Psychologist, and member of the Association of Licensed Professionals and Associate of Psychologists, Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

Health Care Reform and the Faith Community

• Dr. George Atkinson, retired United Methodist Minister

Dr. Atkinson is active with a group of Health Care professionals seeking to reform our health care system.  He has been a teacher and administrator.  A scholar with a Bachelor and Master’s from Columbia University and B.D. and Ph.D. from SMU, who edited Outler’s works on the Holy Spirit, he now luxuriates in providing day care for two young grandchildren. 

Ministry to People Who Don’t Like Church

• Rev. Holly Ebel, Midtown Spirituality Center, Houston

Come hear the story of this emerging ministry to young adults and people who don’t like church.  We will share ideas and experiences of reaching people who have been bored or burned by the church. 

Walking Contemplative Prayer

• Kathy Barrow, Karolyn Larimore, First UMC, Conroe

Inside out and on the edge: How can walking a path be prayer?  Whether you’ve never seen or walked a labyrinth before, or you’re an old pro with the path of prayer, come discover the paradox of prayer in motion! 

Real-Life Prayer:  Praying the Psalms

• Ann Paxton, First UMC, Conroe

Afternoon Classes

Disciple Leadership Mini-Training  Continuation of all-day class 

100 Sure Fire Things That Work in Adult Christian Education

• Rev. Lee McKinzie, Broadmoor UMC, Baton Rouge, LA

Rev. R. Lee McKinzie, Minister of Adult Education at Broadmoor UMC, Baton Rouge, LA will share ideas for your church 

“What will we do next?” is Not the Right Question

• Marvin Cropsey, UM Publishing House, Nashville, TN

This class will discuss how to create a comprehensive and effective curriculum for adult Christian Education, focusing on knowledge for spiritual transformation.  While reviewing curriculum resources available from UMPH, Marvin will demonstrate best practices for program and course planning and matching resources with class needs.  Marvin Cropsey is editor of Mature Years and Adult Study Resources, and managing editor, The New International Lesson Annual, UM Quadrennial Resources, and The Daily Christian Advocate. 

Who Is My Neighbor?

• Rev. Heidi McGinness, Christian Solidarity, International, Denver, CO

Join Pastor Heidi McGinness, ordained Presbyterian minister with Christian Solidarity International, as she identifies our “neighbors,” especially those persecuted in Sudan.  The story of South Sudan will be woven into the fabric of this workshop, revealing ministry and mission opportunities. 

Ministry to Friends at Home

• Dr. Marcella Manning, Catherine Clark; St. Luke’s UMC, Houston

How does your church family minister to members who are not able to attend church regularly or easily?  This includes mostly homebound older members, and younger members with disabilities.  Come and meet with these two dedicated volunteers and find out how they keep in touch.  They will explain how they developed a list of members who benefit from regular visits, cards and/or phone calls, then put together a network of volunteers and support.  Dr. Manning is a retired OB/GYN and Catherine Clark is a former corporate executive now stay-at-home mom. 

Using Media and Technology in the Church

• Mark Eaves, St. Luke’s UMC, Houston

This class will be a general overview of options for utilizing technology and media applications to help communicate within the church and beyond the walls into the community.   

The Everyday Sacred:  A Look at Celtic Christianity

• Rev. Glynden Bode, Spirit’s Call Ministry

We will reflect the ways Celtic Christians understood everyday life to be sacred, filled with God’s Presence.  This workshop will include sharing of information, time for reflection, music, Celtic prayers and writings. 

Simplicity:  A Lifestyle Choice

• Rev. Sandra Londa, Chaplain, The Methodist Hospital, Houston

Examining the biblical and spiritual foundations of living a simpler life and the implications for the environment and the economy. 

Re-Tool Your Spirit

• Rev. Beverly Tune, Grace UMC, Baytown

Discovering avenues to restart, refresh and renew your devotional life.  A variety of “tools” will be used, so come prepared to enter deeply into the presence of the Holy. 

The Radical Hospitality of Welcoming the Stranger:  Immigration and the Faith Community

• Rev. Kevin Young, Wesley UMC, Huntsville

Young Adult – Morning Classes