Working and Worshiping Together:
Next Steps in Engaging in Multi-Cultural Ministry With the Poor
October 29 - November 1, 2011
Columbus, Ohio

            This seminar is designed to focus on specific strategies and proven methods to start a new multicultural faith community, which is an exciting and continuing challenge.  Participants will gain insight into the unique dynamics of life in a multicultural faith community that impact ministry in that setting.  The seminar will provide valuable information about effective strategies for launching ministries that will reach diverse groups of people. Special emphasis will be given to engaging in ministries with the poor.
            This experientially-based seminar will include direct interactions with the wide variety of people who worship at the Church for All People, and representatives of the thousands who participate in the outreach ministries.  This action reflection approach begins Saturday afternoon, includes Sunday worship, plus several opportunities to engage the community in discussions and common meals.
            Presentations, workshops, and the ministry practicum are designed to address your next steps in developing intentional relationships with those on the margins, developing a multicultural, multi-class faith community, and transforming the community in which you serve.

Why Attend?  Take your ministry to the next step by immersing yourself in an experiential learning situation with others who are exploring ministry with people different from themselves.  Come to a place which is learning how to share insights around starting a community out of direct service to, for, and with those on the margins.

Who will benefit from attending?  Those who desire to:
            Engage more effectively in ministry with poor and marginalized people in their community.
            Start a worship service or congregation which is multicultural and/or multiclass.
            Identify and leverage their assets for community transformation.
            Explore the dynamics, joys, and stresses of multicultural ministry and community.
            Take their ministry to the next level.

Sessions will include:
            Interaction with a wide variety of people from the community.
            Best practices for offering radical hospitality to people who are different from oneself.
            Worship and music which are shaped by and celebrate unity in the midst of diversity.
            Insights from high quality ministries which authentically engage in ministry with people on the margins.

Host Leader and Church

            The seminar will be led by staff and members of the United Methodist Church for All People (C4AP).  The sessions will draw heavily upon the knowledge gained from development of this diverse urban new church start.  C4AP was launched in 2003, emerging out of a series of direct service ministries to low income and marginalized folks on the south side of Columbus.  The lead pastor is Rev. John Edgar with George Howard on staff.
            The congregation is composed of a rich mixture of people and draws its life from the diversity of the people who live in the surrounding area.  About half of the congregation is African American; the other half is Caucasian, many of whom have strong Appalachian roots.  The multicultural aspects of the church include wide diversity in the socio-economic characteristics of the people who form this body of Christ.  Approximately two thirds of the church members have incomes well below the poverty level and about 15% of the members are homeless.  More than half of the adult men have spent some time in jail.  New members come from a variety of faith backgrounds and the majority have joined the church by profession of faith.  C4AP welcomes everyone regardless of sexual orientation.
            The church emerged from the United Methodist Free Store, which was formed ten years ago, and has provided clothing and household items to more than 100,000 low income persons.  The church now operates a community development corporation, Community Developent for All People (CD4AP).  CD4AP partners with a variety of groups to provide a broad range of services to low income persons.  The ministries include affordable housing, health care, community meals, recovery groups, and advocacy.
            For more information about the UM Church for All People or this seminar, contact George Howard at ghoward@4allpeople.net.

Registration and Cost

Along with "Renewal of Old Downtown First Church" and "Boot Camp Tune Up", "Working and Worshiping Together: Next Steps in Engaging in Multicultural Ministry with the Poor", is one of a series of conference-sponsored seminars; registration costs vary depending upon your membership.  See the table below for registration fees.

Registration for Working and Worshiping Together: Next Steps in Engaging in Multicultural Ministry with the Poor includes materials and lunches.  Additional meals, transportation, and accommodations are not included.

* Sponsoring conferences for this seminar are:
          East Ohio Conference
          Iowa Conference

Location and Travel

United Methodist Church for All People
946 Parsons Avenue
Columbus, OH  43206
614-445-7342

Directions

Contact the church for driving directions or find United Methodist Church for All People on the United Methodist website at www.umc.org and use the mapping feature.

Schedule

October 29, 2011 (Saturday)
Begins at 4:00 p.m.

November 1, 2011 (Tuesday)
Ends at 12:00 noon

Accommodations

Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodations.

If you have any questions, please contact us.