Session 1   Friday 2:00 – 3:15

Letters of Forgiveness

Presenter: Denice Hazlett

“...even if s/he...turns to you seven times and says...I am sorry, you must...give up resentment....” Luke 17:4, Amplified. (gender modification mine.)

Who harbors resentment against you? Who are you unable to forgive? How does this affect your relationships with family, friends, and God? How does it affect you? In this fun yet introspective creative writing workshop, we’ll delve into others’ and our own writings as we seek to understand--and offer-- forgiveness.

§         Materials Participants should bring: Writing paper and pens/pencils/crayons/markers in various colors.

§         Cost per Participant for materials provided: donation--$3 or so.

Leading and Nurturing Artists

Presenter: Rory Noland

Your worship team keeps improving, the choir is growing, and the congregation is experiencing meaningful worship. In other words, you’re working hard to build an effective worship ministry. But are you building community among your artists? A community of grace? Join us as we discuss scriptural guidelines for building authentic community.
 

Know the Source of Light

Presenter: Patricia Walker

A well-drawn figure breaks its object down to component parts and puts them back together (2 Timothy 2:15), correctly placing light and shadow to identify its light source (Matthew 5:14-15).  When you know the 5 elements of shading in drawing and in Spirit, the Source of Light is as plain as the nose on your face. 

§         Materials Participants should bring:  pencil & paper

Drama, Dance, and Song—The Power of Expression Through the Arts

Presenter: Linda Clark

During our time together, we will have an awesome opportunity to learn more about the art of worship using song, lyrical dance interpretation and drama.  After exploring our options on how to deliver a powerful message through these arts, we will create a presentation for our Saturday audience combining our new found talents. No experience necessary- just an open heart and mind!

§         Materials Participants should bring:  Pen and paper

Friendly Fire—Aesthetics versus Ethics — panel discussion — room L-41

Panelists will be exploring many questions about some very challenging issues for people of faith. Sometimes a social sense of entitlement squelches creativity with narrow definitions of what it can be. People have definite opinions about what Sunday morning should look and sound like. There’s comfort in the familiar, but what happens when we become so self-absorbed that we gun down anyone who challenges that comfort? Have you ever been a target? Have you ever been a gunner? Making room for both tradition and the New Song (no matter how it looks or sounds) takes a conscious openness of spirit and mind. The scriptural directive to, as much as possible, be at peace with everyone can be mighty hard, but it’s awfully worthwhile.

 

Session 2   Friday 3:30 – 5:00

This Canvas Called My Life

Presenter: Jennifer Olin-Hitt

Perhaps we have never picked up a paint brush, a poet’s pen, or a potter’s clay.  However, the simple act of living is an opportunity for creative potential.  Rev. Jennifer Olin-Hitt, a United Methodist pastor of fifteen years, has preached, taught, counselled, and encouraged many to recognize each opportunity in life as a gift from God on which to build a beautiful life.  Using scripture and life experience, she will help participants recognize their own creative potential to choose a life of meaning and purpose at each unfolding opportunity.

§         Materials Participants should bring:  journal (if they have one), notebook for notes

Toward a Theology of Worship Arts

Presenter: Barry Wilson

It seems that many worship leaders have jumped on the musical band-wagon that most closely resembles their tastes in music and the worship practices of whatever mega-church is hot this year.  In this session we’ll help you begin the journey toward developing a foundation for a biblically-based approach to worship.

Introduction to Drawing in Colored Pencil

Presenters: Hannelore Brown and Cathie Fithian

Description:

Encouraging the Young or “Budding” Artist

Presenter: Tricia Wilson

How do we as parents, mentors, and friends encourage our young artists?  Come and discuss: Talents and Gifts are Different: Interest vs Real Talent;  In His Image vs The Secular Industry Image;  Truth and Beauty From the Inside Out;  Self-Esteem of the Young Artist;  Staying Grounded;  Living Your Dream Through Your Artist.”

Epiphanies and Cultural Madness—Finding Christ in Modern Cinema — Panel Discussion — room L-41

Why is it important to talk about how we, as the corporate body of Christ, interact with the mainstream culture on such topics as popular films produced by Hollywood? What assumptions can be made about such films up front? What are the elements of film at the screenwriter's disposal that cause what is "illuminated" on the screen to impact viewers so powerfully? Do films cause social or personal change? When is it time to walk out of a film, or stop watching a DVD? What is your tolerance level for violence, sexuality and profanity? How do we set the internal monitor to allow for artistic license? Do we encourage mediocrity by attending movies just for something to do?

 

Master Classes   Saturday 9:30 – 11:30

Rory Noland

“The Worshiping Artist”

So much of a church artist’s time goes into important tasks like rehearsing, practicing, and/or setting up, leaving little or no time for spiritual preparation, especially for the average volunteer with family and job obligations. Unfortunately, you can’t lead others in an experience that you yourself aren’t having. This session will offer practical suggestions on how to prepare one’s heart and soul for leading others in worship and is intended for your worship team, band, choir, techies, dancers, drama people, visual artists and all other church artists.
 

Mandee Radford and Cristi Johnson (Alathea)

“Songwriting, Storytelling, and Faith”

The table is set, the food is made, the candles are lit and our friends have arrived.  Over the course of an evening, the house will be filled with laughter and maybe even tears.  What drives these moments is storytelling.  Storytelling connects us to each other and to the narrative of both our lives and the lives of people we love.  Our lives are a story.  Woven in, out and through the moments of the every day are the things that connect us to each other and to God.  Through the work of journaling and dialogue, we can remember the faithfulness and tenderness of God.  Through the art and expression of poetry and songwriting, we can announce His nearness to the world.  In this class, we will explore the elements of story through journaling, discussion, and examining Old-Testament stories, Psalms and the parables of Jesus.  We will also listen to songs by some of the great present-day songwriters and consider the impact of their art on our own faith narratives and our culture.

Roxanne Anderson

“Illuminare—Illuminate and Enlighten Yourself Artistically”

Create your name’s initial like the ancient illuminated manuscript page. Learn to embellish your page with a basic ornamental design, add color and a gilded gold technique. A brief history of the tools, methods and techniques with demonstrations given.

§         Materials Participants should bring: pencil, eraser, ruler, Baggie (7” x 8”)

§         Cost per Participant for materials provided: $5.00

L.I.O.N. Players

“Improvise a Dance Design”

Fusion of Heart & Mind: Symbols and Symbolic Acts in Worship

Presenter: Barry Wilson

Spiritual reality is far too great to be limited by propositional statements.  In order to close the head and heart gap, worship needs both words and symbols.  In this session we’ll explore gestures, images, rhythms, metaphors, ceremonies, and rituals in worship.  But we won’t talk about The DaVinci Code!

More of Me in the Monitor

Presenter: Travis Hileman

Great worship experiences happen when everyone involved communicates well. In this session, guidance and discussion to cover interaction of worship team and worshippers, as well as using right-brained ability to do left-brained work designing and running audio, video, and lighting

Wish I Knew How to Draw That!

Presenter: Polly Rebstock

So, you wish you could draw, but there is not an artistic bone in your body? (a beginner class)

Bring a black color pencil, a white color pencil, a good eraser, a sketch book. I will provide an electric pencil sharpener and one or two surprises. This class is for those who do not draw but wish they could. You will do several exercises to get you started, and ideas to develop your skills on your own. We will discuss a little about having an artistic attitude in all we do. We will have fun, and you will be surprised at how the artist in you is eager to emerge.  

• Materials Participants should bring: black color pencil, white color pencil, good eraser, sketch book
• Limited enrollment for this session

Healing Movement

Presenter: Mara Schwendiman

This workshop will give you an opportunity to learn to express your emotions through dance (“Dancing from the inside-out”).  We will discuss how dance can be used to experience emotional and physical healing.  We will also explore using movement as a form of worship to the Lord.

§         Materials Participants should bring: Comfortable clothing in which you can move easily

Outside of Brick & Mortar Churches—Doing Art in the World — Panel Discussion — room L-41

How are we to understand the directive to be in the world but not of it? All art mediums are stuff in the world—tangible objects and substances, written and spoken languages, sound and physics, human bodies. Working artists are already working in the world, but what of our subject matter? What of our exhibit and performance spaces? Do we have to be connected to churches when they so often are disinclined to embrace our creative vision? How do we handle relating to people in a Christian way when we are working in public space, sometimes funded by public money, and are more or less forbidden to make explicit faith claims?

Session 4   Saturday 3:30 – 5:00

Essentials of Good Writing

Presenter: Charita Goshay

Tips on how to generate ideas for stories, how to do research, writing versus re-writing, how to avoid writer’s block

§         Materials Participants should bring:  notebook & their favorite book

§         Limited enrolment for this session

Improvisation as a Way of Life

Presenter: Martin Nielsen

You may already have it, but might not trust it

3 Main Things Participants can gain:

•  Eagerness to pursue improvisation

•  Willingness to fail

•  Persistence in trying.

•  Trust in the ability to build vocabulary

Multimedia: Contrast in Creativity

Presenters: John and Sue Collins

This multimedia workshop is designed with YOU in mind.  God has built us into creative beings and as the CREATOR, He delights in seeing our imaginations at work!  Creativity runs the gamut and encompasses all manner of medium, technique and talent. Everyone is creative in one form or another regardless of talent or experience.  As human beings, we have a need to express ourselves. What better way to do it, than through art.

With that in mind, participants will be provided with a 12” X 12” X 3/4” thick art canvas, a plethora of media (ei: acrylic paint, buttons, matchsticks, twigs,glue, nails yarn,etc) and........TURNED LOOSE TO CREATE!!

§         Materials Participants should bring: Scissors a MUST!   Also, feel free to bring your own small multi-media items.

§         Cost per Participant for materials provided:  $10

Springboards

Presenter: Londa DiSabatino

Workshop Description (30-50 words):  Most artists have experienced “roadblocks” in ideas, media, or direction. We hope to show you the ways to jump those roadblocks, shedding light on your artwork. What fun to follow the Lord in our art worship and our life’s journey. Come join us!

§         Cost per Participant for materials provided: $5

 Youth and Arts—Does the Torch Pass Up or Down? — Panel Discussion — room L-41

When a parent raises up a child in the way it should go, it doesn’t always go to the same concerts the parent would. Sometimes the grown-ups frown, but more often the grown-ups say, “Wish I had all that energy…” So how do we all work together? In what forms do youth need to receive encouragement? What’s the best love language to keep the doors open for free expression while letting the young ones know that God wants to use both them and their art? How do we mentor? How do we get mentored? Is Youth Sunday a token gesture preventing young voices from being truly integrated, truly woven into worship? Are youth isolated from adults by desire or by design?