Child In Our Hands Conference

Friday, October 25 – Saturday, October 26, 2002, Williamsport, PA

Main keynote speakers:

David and his wife, Gloria, celebrate the gift of life in Christ with their children, Kirsten and Jeremy.  David is the Director of Faith Formation Education at the Youth & Family Institute of Augsburg College.  His love for theology has led him to teach Pastoral Theology at both Luther Seminary and St. Paul Seminary.  David is also adjunct faculty with the Center for Youth Ministries of Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa.  His studies of Luther's understanding of the role of family and the nurturing of faith will provide wonderful insights into faith development.

Linda Staats, M.S. is an associate with the Youth & Family Institute of Augsburg College in MN and adjunct faculty for the Center for Youth Ministries at Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa.  Currently, Linda is assistant to the bishop of the Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA and director of faith formation for the synod.

With 30 years experience in marriage and family life enrichment, Linda's portfolio also includes counseling, college teaching, directing the Arizona Ecumenical Council's statewide "Building Assets in Youth" efforts and serving the ELCA churchwide office as a Partner in Education.

Linda's deep roots in the Lutheran church and her experience with families through all of life's stages fuel her passion for a vital partnership between the church and the home for passing on the faith.

Keynotes
Keynote 1
David Anderson - The Home is Church Too.
Research has shown that the home is slightly more influential than the
programs of the congregation in faith nurture. In this keynote presentation, David Anderson will lead you through an understanding of faith nurture in the home and congregation in partnership. We will hear how mentors, friends, grandparents, godparents, siblings, aunts, uncles and parents all play a vital role in faith nurture.

Keynote 2
Linda Staats - Habits of the Heart
How do we intentionally practice faith nurture in the home? Linda will take
you through a simple formula called The Four Keys. You will hear how
faith is caught through Caring Conversation, Family Devotions, Rituals
and Traditions, and Family Service.

Keynote 3
David Anderson & Linda Staats -
The Conceptual Model: The Child In Our Hands
In this keynote presentation, you will hear how congregations actually
practice the Child In Our Hands Model. Eight strategies outline how a
congregation becomes a Child In Our Hands Congregation. Led by both
Linda and David, you will hear the theory behind the model and how it is
lived out in practice in an intergenerational setting.

Keynote 4
David Anderson - Home and Congregation in Partnership
Now that you have heard much of the theory and modern research
supporting the Child In Our Hands model, David will lead you through the
biblical and historical foundations. See how the church has been living
this out since the beginning of creation.

(Pseudo-Keynote) Hand In Hand: Getting Started In Your Congregation David Anderson & Linda Staats Start to think about the next steps your family and your congregation can take to support faith nurture. Make attainable goals highlighting partnership between home and congregation. David and Linda will guide you through the process.

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Friday – October 25, 2002 

8:30 – 9:30 AM – Registration (Resources Center Open)
9:30 – 10:00 AM – Opening Worship
10:00 – 10:15 – Welcome & Introductions

Keynote 1 – Friday Morning (10:15-11:15 am)
David Anderson - The Home is Church Too.
Research has shown that the home is slightly more influential than the programs of the congregation in faith nurture.  In this keynote presentation, David Anderson will lead you through an understanding of faith nurture in the home and congregation in partnership.  We will hear how mentors, friends, grandparents, godparents, siblings, aunts, uncles and parents all play a vital role in faith nurture.

11:15 – 11:45 AM - Small Group Reflection & Response
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM – LUNCH (Provided) (Resources Center Open)

 1:00 – 2:15 PM  - Workshop I - Choose from:

• Family Wellness as Spiritual Wellness – David Anderson
• Living the Baptismal Promises through Milestone Ministry - Linda Staats
• Parenting as a single person - Dr. Timothy Bryant
• Strengthening the Faith in Youth with Steve Court – Program Administrator Kamp Krislund
• The College Years – Sue Saunders (Dean of Students at Lycoming College)

 2:15 – 2:30 PM – BREAK
 2:30 – 3:45 PM – Workshop II - Choose from:

• David Anderson – Family Wellness as Spiritual Wellness
• Linda Staats - Living the Baptismal Promises through Milestone Ministry
• Dr. Timothy Bryant – Parenting in a Blended Family
• Strengthening the Faith in Youth with Steve Court – Program Administrator Kamp Krislund
• The College Years – Sue Saunders (Dean of Students at Lycoming College)

 3:45 – 4:00 PM – BREAK
 4:00 – 5:00 PM -  Keynote 2 – Friday Afternoon

Linda Staats - Habits of the Heart, How do we intentionally practice faith nurture in the home?  Linda will take you through a simple formula called The Four Keys.  You will hear how faith is caught through Caring Conversation, Family Devotions, Rituals and Traditions, and Family Service.

 5:00 – 5:15 PM Small Group Reflection & Response
 5:15 – 7:00 PM – DINNER (Provided)
 7:00 – 8:00 PM - Keynote 3 – Friday Evening

David Anderson & Linda Staats - The Conceptual Model: The Child In Our Hands In this keynote presentation, you will hear how congregations actually  practice the Child In Our  Hands Model.  Eight strategies outline how a congregation becomes a Child In Our Hands Congregation.  Linda and David will present the model and explain how it is lived out in practice in an intergenerational setting.

8:00 – 8:30 PM - Small Group Reflection & Response
8:30 – 8:50 PM – Evening Devotion
8:50 – 100 PM – Hospitality – Resource Center Open

Saturday, October 26, 2002

8:30 – 9:00 AM - Worship
9:00 – 10:00 AM Keynote 4 – Saturday Morning

David Anderson - Home and Congregation in Partnership

Now that you have heard much of the theory and modern research supporting the Child In Our Hands model, David will lead you through the biblical and historical foundations.  See how the church has been living this out since it’s beginning.

10:00 – 10:30 AM - Small Group Reflection & Response
10:30 – 11:00 AM – BREAK
11:00 AM – 12:15 PM Workshop III - Choose from:

• Peer Ministry - David Anderson
• Blessing of the Generations - Linda Staats
• What’s Next? - Rev. Timothy Dearhamer
• Skills for Parenting Younger Children: Behavior and Discipline – Sally Manning – Alice Weiler (elementary school councilors in Montoursville)
• Faith in the Home – Saturday – Jenny Graybash, Christian Ed. Director at St Marks
• Reaching Out to Children in Need – Saturday – Angelique Conlin (Dir., Trinity’s after school program)

12:15 – 1:15 PM – LUNCH (Provided)
1:15 – 2:30 PM - Keynote / Team Planning -  Hand In Hand: Getting Started In Your Congregation David Anderson & Linda Staats

Start to think about the next steps your family and your congregation can take to support faith nurture.  Make attainable goals highlighting partnership between home and congregation.  David and Linda will guide you through the process.

 2:30 – 2:45 PM BREAK
2:45 – 4:00 PM Workshop IV - Choose from:

• Peer Ministry - David Anderson
• Blessing of the Generations - Linda Staats
• What’s Next? - Rev. Timothy Dearhamer
• Skills for Parenting Younger Children: Behavior and Discipline – Sally Manning – Alice Weiler (elementary school councilors in Montoursville)
• Faith in the Home – Saturday – Jenny Graybash, Christian Ed. Director at St Marks
• Reaching Out to Children in Need – Saturday – Angelique Conlin (Dir., Trinity’s after school program)

4:00 - 4:30 PM – Closing Worship / Follow-up Details

Workshops

Milestone Ministry for Home and Congregation - Participants will learn how to combine family enrichment and corporate worship to partner home and congregation in the vital task of passing on the faith from generation to generation.  It is a strategic way to reach out to not-so-involved parents in the faith life of their children. - David Anderson, Youth Family Institute of Augsburg College

Peer Ministry - Peer Ministry is a way of life.  It affirms the gifts of our youth, connects them to the community and empowers them with the skills needed to help others from a faith perspective.  Learn practical models and resources that can be helpful in beginning a Peer Ministry program in your congregation. - David Anderson, Youth Family Institute of Augsburg College

Living the Baptismal Promises through Milestone Ministry - Are you a hands-on person?  Do you want to feel it, see it, smell it, and hear it?  (Snacks provided for the tasters!).  Then this practical, full of ideas workshop is for you as we explore the hows and whys of an intentional Milestone Ministry that partners the church and the home and involves all the generation in passing on the faith.  – Linda Staats, Youth Family Institute of Augsburg College 

Blessing of the Generations - Discover the untapped potential in every congregation to bring the five generations together to pass on the faith.  In this workshop, experience an intergenerational workshop design you can take home, and preview resources that support intergenerational ministry. – Linda Staats, Youth Family Institute of Augsburg College

Strengthening the Faith in Youth – The middle and High School years present fast changes in the lives of youth and many challenges for parents and youth alike. What is the connection between teens and God? Can that connection be strengthened? What are some ways that family life helps build faith in youth? - Steve Court – Program Administrator of Kamp Krislund, Presbyterian Youth & Family Camp, near State College, PA

Parenting as a Single Person or as a Blended Family – This workshop will explore how to nurture the faith in a single parent or blend family environment. - Dr. Timothy Bryant,  Marriage & Family Therapist, Cornerstone Family Health, Williamsport, PA.

Skills for Parenting Younger Children: Behavior and Discipline – Here are some practical tips to give to parents. The workshop offers strategies for effective parenting and disciplining with love. – Sally Manning & Alice Weiler, elementary school councilors in Montoursville, PA

Faith in the Home – Children are raised in homes. What is a “Christian Home?” This workshop aims at helping the church equip parents to help teach and nurture their children’s faith as they grow up. Here are some practical tools parents can use in the most important faith workshop of all – the home. – Jenny Graybash, Christian Ed. Director at St Mark’s Lutheran, Williamsport, PA

Reaching Out to Children in Need - Several Churches in our area have significant outreach efforts to neighborhoods where there are many needs. How does this work? What good does it do? – Angelique Conlin, Director of Trinity Episcopal, Williamsport, after school program

The College Years - Called the “Critical Years”, young adulthood is a time of significant identity formation and decision making. In what ways can faith enter into the university experience so it is not “left in the past”? - Sue Saunders, Dean of Students at Lycoming College

What’s Next – Rev. Timothy Dearhamer from St. John’s, Erie, PA helped host a Child in our Hands conference last Fall. We’ll hear how their area follow up is going and his recommendations for next steps.

Please pray for this event’s success.

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