Facilitator: Marg Van Herk-Paradis As the awareness of mental health challenges grows in the church, church leaders require skills and tools to navigate the intersection between mental health and conflict. This two-morning workshop addresses such questions as, “How does mental health impact how we approach conflict?” and “What strategies and tools can be deployed when …
View course details “Mental Health and Conflict in Faith Communities–ONLINE”

Facilitator: Marg Van Herk-Paradis or Betty Pries This highly interactive and educational workshop invites you to consider the building blocks that create conflict and those that assist or detract in conflict’s resolution. This four-morning workshop includes reflection, conversation, and exercises as conflicts are studied and models for addressing conflicts are considered. Significant time will be …
View course details “Understanding Conflict Foundations–ONLINE”

Facilitator: Dr. Betty Pries While giving and receiving feedback is difficult in the workplace, it is even more challenging in the congregational context where the desire to be kind can outweigh a commitment to honesty and where most of those to whom feedback might be given or from whom feedback might be received are volunteers. …
View course details “Courageous Conversations: Speaking Truth in Love”

A New Year’s Retreat Online with Valerie Brown Exhale deeply and savor this very special time of year with a retreat designed to reset your body, mind, and spirit with practices that you can apply in your daily life.  This retreat includes mindfulness meditation, small and large group discussion, periods of rest and renewal designed …
View course details “What Love Requires: Heart-Opening Practices for Mindful Awareness, Peace, and Compassionate Action”

We are children of God. In this self-portrait painting adventure, we will explore what we see and feel when we gaze at our reflections with unconditional love.  We are strong, and brave, and beautifully fallible. We are on a life journey with divinity, to divinity. At this threshold of a brand new year, we will …
View course details “Co-Creation: Painting Ourselves in God’s Love”

What: A two-year certification program for the formation of spiritual directors in the Christian tradition and for our time. Who: Those who have discerned a sense of call to offer spiritual direction or spiritual companionship are invited to apply. This program is open to laity and clergy. When: 2021-2023 Cohort starts coursework in March 2021 …
View course details “Spiritual Direction Training Program”

We often think of gratitude as thanks for something after it happens. But what does it mean to live a life of thanks in anticipation of our deepest hopes and longings? Advent invites us into this holiness practice. Online presentation and Q&A with Diana Butler Bass, award-winning author, popular speaker, inspiring preacher, and one of …
View course details “Anticipating Gratitude: Living Our Thanks in Advent Q&A with Diana Butler Bass”

Do you yearn to reconnect with your original call and passion? Are you searching for a more grounded way of embracing and responding to the challenges and blessings of ministry? Would you treasure a supportive and caring colleague group with whom to share your journey? Are you looking for a new way to live and …
View course details “Going Deeper: Clergy Spiritual Life and Leadership”

Saturday, January 16, 2021, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Online via Zoom $75 ($65 early bird price available until 12/18/20) Should I choose this path rather than that one? What is the meaning of the experience I am having? How can I follow Christ more faithfully? What would that even mean? Start your new year …
View course details “Listening for God: A Workshop on Discerning Vocation in Everyday Living”

Companion Café: Sustenance for the Journey by Virginia Theological Seminary $90 Actions and Detail Panel $90 Event Information Join colleagues in ministry in guided conversation groups for connection during pandemic isolation. About this Event Offered through Lifelong Learning at VTS in partnership with The Retreat House at Hillsboro Are you feeling weary? Would you like …
View course details “Companion Café: Sustenance for the Journey”