Break Out Sessions
Following each main presentation, a selection of break out sessions will be offered.
Bring your entire youth ministry team so you don't miss out on any experience.

Thursday Breakout Sessions
Thursday, May 13, 2010, 4:00 to 5:45 pm


CHOICES:
Developmental Assets: High School Focus
Presented by Jane Simmons
How can an asset-based foundational approach to positive development in teens help to foster creative, energetic and committed youth leadership? Join Jane Simmons as we explore together options designed to strengthen effective young leaders through developmental assets.

Developmental Assets: Middle School Focus
Presented by Eileen Patra
Middle school is a time of profound change in our pre-teens. Programs and experiences that help them to identify and build assets can be life changing. Join Eileen as she leads an exploration into enhancing the assets we are already addressing in our programs and a "how-to" on incorporating additional assets.

Developmental Assets: Elementary Focus
Presented by Diane Venzera
How are asset building experiences showing up in the programs we currently have and how can we create experiences that will draw forth additional assets? Together we will explore all the ways we can empower our elementary students and assist them in developing their assets.

Developmental Assets: Preschool Focus
Presented by Kathy Kellogg
It is never too early to help our children build assets. Through discussion and interaction we will explore how to create programs and experiences that assist our youngest children in identifying and developing their assets.

Friday AM
Break Out Sessions
Friday, May 14, 2010, 10:30 am to 12:15 pm


CHOICES:
Storytelling and the Art of Imagination
Presented by Diane Venzera
It is through the mind that we first create our life experiences. We share our life experiences with others through the use of story. Our lives are then impacted by the stories we tell. This seminar will be a personal exploration of how we can use our imaginations to unlock the mysteries contained within our stories. We will also explore creative ways to help our children use their imaginations to create the lives they long to live.

Godly Play: The Use of Story in Opening the BIble
Presented by Kathy Kellogg
Godly Play is a Montessori-based approach to religious education. We use it in New Thought as a way of opening up the stories of the Bible in such a way that invites the child’s own understanding to come out and play with the wisdom and mystery inherent in each story. Using manipulatives and  “I wonder” questions, Godly Play is a creative way to unlock the universal truth in the Bible and explore where the stories intersect with our daily living. 

Bringing Story to Life
Presented by Jane Simmons
Story comes to life when it is used to illustrate spiritual principle. Drawing from a variety of forms such as Bible metaphysics, fairy tales, movies and folk tales, we will look for ways to use story to inform our lesson planning.

Move Your Soul
Presented by Eileen Patra
Are you ready to move your soul? Are you ready to experience a new pace of spiritual unfoldment? Are you ready to live spiritual principles every day? Preparing lessons and working with youth can bring your spiritual practice to a new level and inspire you to grow in ways you may never have thought about before. Learn how to feed your own spiritual needs through your commitment to youth ministry. Join us for this exciting workshop and find out how youth ministry can become your spiritual practice and Get Ready to Move Your Soul!

Friday PM
Break Out Sessions
Friday, May 14, 2010, 3:00 to 5:00 pm


CHOICES:
Trends in Thriving Teen Ministry
Presented by Jane Simmons
Explore the current trends arising in teens as our young people learn to use spiritual principle to help navigate the world they live in.

Trends in Children's Ministry
Presented by Kathy Kellogg
Looking at four views of children’s spiritual formation that are active and thriving in the mainline and evangelical churches today, we will explore whether these models can be adapted for New Thought and what is happening in our churches that are riding the wave of recent trends.

Tribes: A New Way of Being Together
Presented by Lisa Rose
Welcome to the 21st century - a time categorized by rapid paced, unprecedented change! On Sunday mornings, we are often looking into the eyes of children who have had their families and whole sense of safety and well being restructured. More than ever, to meet their needs, we require the skills to create and maintain nurturing, safe communities where children:

  • feel included and appreciated by peers and teachers
  • are respected for their different abilities, cultures, gender interests and dreams
  • are actively involved in their own learning
  • have positive expectations from others that they will succeed. 
In our “Tribes” workshop, we will explore these concepts more deeply through discussion, and community building exercises and we will walk away with skills not only to build better communities for our children on Sunday mornings but for the loved ones in our personal lives as well. Others don’t care how much we know until they know how much we care

Saturday
Break Out Sessions
Saturdayday, May 15, 2010, 11:15 am to 12:15 pm

CHOICES:
Creating a World That Works for All
Presented by Jane Simmons
How are our young people involved in spiritual social action? Jane Simmons reports on ways our teens are making a difference in the world through peace programs, interfaith service, environmental projects and global projects.

He's Got the Whole World in His Hands
Presented by Fionna Bezaire
Bring the power of song into your world and share it with others you love. Fill them with joy by giving them movement and music to the words that mean so much. This session will engage you through hands-on demonstrations concentrating on using music to enhance your current teachings. So get on your comfy clothes to sing, clap and dance in joyous celebration. 

Getting the Word Out: Growing & Promoting Your YFM Programs
Presented by Denny Balish
Have you built it but they do not come? Do you have a great program but can’t seem to get enough people involved? Perhaps what’s missing is a solid marketing plan. Yes, that’s right…a marketing plan! Your Youth & Family Ministry program won’t work if no one knows you exist. In this workshop, you will learn three key steps to marketing your program with heart, and develop a clear and effective plan to promote your ministry from the inside out.