A group of about 35 people meet at St. Paul's in Watertown for a day of training, workshops, idea sharing resource gathering and prayer.  Participants were youth leaders, Sunday school teachers, artists, and clergy. 
 
The morning was broken up in two different tracks.  Track one had several presentations one session was on Breath Prayers and teaching young people how to pray.  Another session was a hands on presentation of "An African Model for Reflection" in which the group used St. Luke 2:41-52, Jesus as a twelve year old in the temple.   Another session was a look at cooking ministry and how it can be used as a tool in youth work. Deacon REGS Scheeler, Bishop's Deacon for Christian Formation presented this track.
 
Bishop Steven Miller visited the workshop and interacted with the group as they prepared lunch.  He share with some of the group observations and experiences he had from General Convention.
 
Track Two was Safeguarding God's Children (Abuse Prevention Training). This training will be repeated throughout the year so that everyone working with children and youth in the church can take it.  This training is a must for all Sunday school teachers, choir leaders, vestry members, youth leaders and clergy.  Jim Stanley from St. Luke's, Madison led this track.
 
Throughout the day there was a prayer/meditation room for the day's participants to spend some quiet time away from the busyness of the day to help with focus and generate ideas on how visible art can be use to inspire us in our ministry and life.  Roberta Karstetter, Christ Church, Delavan created the art and set up this room.
 
Both groups were able to come together for Noonday Prayer followed by a meal prepared by the morning group session on cooking ministry.
                                              
In the afternoon there were nine different workshop presentations the participants could choose to attend.  These workshops were short introductory sessions to give the participants some ideas of different things available for them to use in their ministry back in their parishes.  The first workshop session was on Godly Play, led by The Rev. Deborah Woolsey, from St. Albans, Sussex.  Judy Ohm, St. Andrew's, Madison, led the Missions trips session.  The Rev. Shannon Kelly; Bishop's Assistant for Christian Formation did the Bible study and Prayer with Youth presentation.
 
The next group of workshops was Catechesis of the Good Shepherd; Laura Noel from St. Bart's was the leader for this presentation.  The Rev. Carla McCook, from St. Thomas of Canterbury did the workshop on Confirmation Curriculum.  The Rev. Shannon Kelly conducted Learning New Games.
 
The third workshop grouping was on Intergenerational Sunday School lead by Darby Puglielli, DRE, Grace Church Madison.  Bible Study and Prayer with Children, this was led by the Rev. Shannon Kelly.
 
A large group session was held on the building, use and needs of the Resource Center.
The day ended with some Brainstorming of future presentation needs for both Youth and children age groups.
 
If you were not able to attend this workshop, but are interested in exploring these presentations contact the Christian Formation office and The Rev. Shannon Kelly or Deacon REGS can help you with your needs.