We are excited to offer three workshops at this year’s Preaching WELL. The first two days will open with workshops designed to help us connect with our creative side as we prepare to see and hear scripture with fresh eyes and ears in our generative sessions. Our workshop presenter, Lauren, will also enliven the scripture reading during the generative session with drawing and painting as she visually responds to the Word. Then, on Wednesday, we will spend time with Sarah Heath, focused on how we use those fresh eyes and ears to speak a new and authentic word to our congregations.
Sermon Planning with Sarah Heath
Wednesday, April 29, 9:30-10:45am
Sunday is always coming, and often those of us asked to share something meaningful each week feel overwhelmed and uninspired. Podcasts and other mediums can compound the pressure as we feel a sense that we’ve got to live up to a standard of storyteller/preacher/motivational speaker. Add to that the text we have to mine is familiar to many—so how does one offer anything “new” that inspires the masses? Together we will talk about ways to cultivate curiosity, creativity, and share the one thing that no one else can bring to your messages… your story.
A Practice in Seeing
Monday, April 27, 1:45-2:45pm, with Lauren Wright Pittman
Our world is a saturated visual landscape. Inspiration abounds, if we pay attention. Participants will be invited into an extended version of the ancient, Benedictine practice of Visio Divina. Each step of the process will be broken down in order to practice intentional engagement with images. Through this prayerful, visual meditative practice, participants will recalibrate their vision and spiritual awareness, while also learning tools to enliven the sermon writing process.
A Poetic Experience
Tuesday, April 28, 9-9:45am, with Lauren Wright Pittman
Prophetic speech is poetic speech. We will will look together at how poets use language to expand our prophetic imaginations. Participants will be invited into a creative writing exercise utilizing poetry to explore an issue facing their particular community. We will look at prominent works and craft our own in response to our own contexts.