Spring 2025 Thriving Congregations Workshop
Doing Church in the Age of Low Energy
During the first weekend of April, twenty-four bi-vocational leaders from nine Episcopal churches, along with six representatives of Episcopal dioceses from across the country, gathered at the Maritime Conference Center in Baltimore, MD, for the Iona Collaborative Spring 2025 Thriving Congregations Workshop. Focusing on the theme: Doing Church in the Age of Low Energy, Iona Programs Director, Rebecca Hall, along with a team of spiritual directors, guided workshop participants through a range of discernment practices--originally created for individual spiritual direction, re-designed by the Iona team for use in group settings--as they explored current trends, congregational charisms, asset-based community opportunities, and more.
Surrounded by the Maritime Center's motif of navigational tools used by masters, mates, and pilots in the shipping industry, these intrepid leaders considered what it might mean to chart new paths to worship, congregational care, and community outreach in their local church settings.
After two days of program time, fellowship time, and space for intentional moments of rest, workshop participants facilitated an asset-based worship service, using the supplies and skills available within the group and location. Every participant left with new resources, and the ability to facilitate the use of these resources within their individual congregational contexts.
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