Leader – Cesie Scheuermann 

Legacy giving is often called “low-hanging fruit.” People usually – once they have gone to their great reward – want to leave a gift to an organization they love but they don’t know how. Or worse, they aren’t asked. Universities, hospitals, and animal shelters do a great job of reminding and asking people to leave a gift in a will. But what about the church? In this one-hour webinar, you’ll learn how to start a basic legacy program for your congregation. It’s easier than you think.

Cesie Delve Schuermann –  As a consultant in stewardship, development, and grant writing, Cesie has helped raise more than three million dollars for numerous non-profit organizations. For more than 20 years, she’s been working with churches and non-profits to increase and celebrate generosity.  She is a Senior Ministry Strategist with Horizons Stewardship and her Inspiring Generosity blog helps clergy and lay people learn about fundraising and overcome their fear of asking for money, and she loves thanking donors 

Leader – Jeff Rabe 

Designed to help adults better understand the rapidly evolving spectrum of GENDER, this workshop uses the UCC-commissioned Our Whole Lives (OWL) Sexuality Education Curriculum for Adults, as well as interviews with members of the Trans community, to explore biological sex, orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and pronouns. The program explains terms such as cis / trans / non-binary; and introduces participants to the history of the fluidity of sexuality. 

Jeff Rabe, Director of Christian Education at First Congregational UCC in Madison, WI, shares his 30+ years of Children & Youth Ministry in small town/rural and large city churches, along with two decades as an OWL Facilitator, to lead a workshop focused on a topic laying heavily on many hearts today.    

Leader – Jim Ozier
Most pastors agree that their church’s culture is the key to being a vibrant, healthy congregation! It is the key to building a dynamic staff and to making a difference in your congregation and community. It is the environment that allows guests to connect with your church. A compelling culture enables a church to go beyond spinning its wheels and to become clear in its identity, purpose and mission. Yet, many pastors don’t even know where to begin to assess their church’s culture, or how to change the culture in productive ways. Are you looking for ways to connect with new people, grow and make an impact? You will learn how in this webinar. And good news… The audible version of “Church Culture: How to Assess it, Shift it, and Shape it” is available now!
Jim Ozier is a church coach, consultant, author of three books and workshop presenter who has trained more than 20,000 pastors and church leaders in the areas of church culture, accelerating growth, and Passing the Baton of leadership.  He has keynoted numerous major church conferences and spoken at many of the largest churches in the country.
Jim is the founder and CEO of “Church Difference Makers” which He retired from the United Methodist Church after 51 years of active service.  Leading up to retirement he served as the Director of New Church Development and was on the Appointive Cabinet of the North Texas Conference for eight years.  Prior to that appointment he was senior pastor of Trietsch Memorial UMC in Flower Mound, a 4000 member church that birthed three successful new congregations.
Jim is well known for his fast-paced, interactive, engaging workshops in which he shares practical tools that can be utilized in any congregation to train and inspire churches to accelerate their ministry’s impact and to see real results.
In addition to his current book, “Church Culture: How to Assess it, Shift it & Shape it”, … He is also co-author of “Clip In Risking Hospitality in Your Church,” and, “The Changeover Zone: Successful Pastoral Transitions, all published by Abingdon Press.  His work has appeared in numerous religious publications. 

Leader – Karl Vaters
We have an unhealthy relationship with bigness in the church. Especially in the American church. And it’s killing us. The rate of church closures, departing members, and pastoral burnout is growing exponentially. And our relentless chase for bigger! faster! is hurting, not helping.
Bigness is not about size, it’s a dangerous mindset that both big and small churches struggle with. In this session, based on his book, De-sizing the Church, Karl Vaters will talk about how we became so obsessed with bigness in the church, why it’s dangerous, and what we can do to change course.
Karl Vaters produces resources for Helping Small Churches Thrive at KarlVaters.com. His heart is to help pastors of small churches (up to 90 percent of us) find the resources to lead well, and to capitalize on the unique advantages that come with pastoring a small church – something virtually every pastor will spend at least some of their ministry years doing. He also believes that big and small churches can and should work together more often – to the benefit and blessing of everyone.
Karl also hosts a bi-weekly podcast, The Church Lobby: Conversations on Faith & Ministry. Episodes feature in-depth interviews about the topics that concern pastors, especially those who minister in a small church context.
Karl has served in small-church ministry for over 40 years, so he speaks and writes from decades of hands-on pastoral experience. He and his wife, Shelley have three children and two grandkids. 

Leader – Callie Swanlund
In this one-hour webinar, we’ll explore the realities of burnout and its unique challenges, drawing from the themes of From Weary to Wholehearted. Rooted in embodied spirituality and grounded care, this session offers practical tools and spiritual nourishment for those seeking to move through weariness toward a more wholehearted way of living and leading.
Callie Swanlund is an Episcopal priest, retreat leader, spiritual companion, and coach who helps others know their belovedness and find their Spark. Her new book, From Weary to Wholehearted, is a restorative resource for overcoming ministry burnout. Callie is a creative minister and leads individuals and groups in the work of Dr. Brené Brown as a Certified Daring Way Facilitator. Her How2charist: Digital Instructed Eucharist film has reached Christians and curious individuals around the world, and her Wholehearted Wisdom movement invites others into deeper reflection and connection across social media. Callie is an Episcopal Church Foundation Fellow and has keynoted such conferences as: Kanuga Christian Formation Conference, Episcopal Communicators Annual Conference, and Episcopal Camps and Conference Centers Annual Conference. She lives in Philadelphia with her co-dreaming partner Jeremy, their two tween/teen children, and a rescue pup named Rufus. 

Faith leaders and faith communities face a series of complex and interrelated challenges that require nimbleness and creativity: polarization, loneliness, mental health, burnout, and shifting economic structures. If left unattended, these and other challenges can isolate faith leaders and faith communities instead of creating space for collaboration and community. In this webinar, Dr. Dustin D. Benac will introduce a field-tested model to build collaborative teams that allow faith leaders to serve and equip their communities during times of transition, change, and uncertainty. As the author of Adaptive Church: Collaboration and Community in Changing World, the co-editor of Pathways to Belonging, and the Director of the Program for the Future Church, Benac’s work combines empirical research with a theological vision for leadership, community, and the future of faith. 

Dustin D. Benac (ThD Duke University) is a professor, educator, and organizational strategist. He teaches at Baylor University as a Clinical Assistant Professor and the Director and Co-founder of the Program for the Future Church. As a speaker and advisor to faith leaders, congregations, and organizations, he guides individuals and communities that are navigating uncertainty and change. His books include Adaptive Church: Collaboration and Community in a Changing World, Pathways to Belonging, and Crisis and Care: Meditations on Faith and Philanthropy. You can find him across social networks @dustindbenac. 

Join Rev. Amy Johnson, UCC Minister for Sexuality Education & Justice and Dr. Melanie Davis, UUA Our Whole Lives Program Manager, for an engaging webinar about Our Whole Lives sexuality education in faith communities. Benefit from their wisdom about lessons learned after 25 years of this interfaith partnership doing this sacred work. Now, more than ever, this ministry is vital!  

Rev. Amy Johnson (she/her) serves as the Minister for Sexuality Education and Justice in the National Ministries of the United Church of Christ. She is the co-author of Our Whole Lives for Grades 4-6, 2nd Edition. Amy is a trainer for all levels of Our Whole Lives/Sexuality and Our Faith nationwide and internationally, where she has been a partner in interfaith efforts to bring faith-based sexuality education to both Christian and Muslim communities. She is passionate about supporting people in organizations and faith communities to create healthier, braver spaces in which people can thrive as their authentic selves. 

Dr. Melanie Davis (she/her) is the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Our Whole Lives Program Manager. She is the author of Our Whole Lives Sexuality Education for Older Adults and Sexuality and Our Faith: A Companion to Our Whole Lives Sexuality Education for Grades 7-9, 2nd edition. Her masters and doctoral degrees are from the Widener University Center for Human Sexuality Studies and she is a certified sexuality counselor and educator through the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists. She has been a UU lay preacher across the US and Canada for 20 years. 

Leader – Patti Berner

This annual training includes an explanation of sexual harassment, church-based case studies of unlawful sexual harassment, information concerning employees’ rights, information addressing conduct by church leadership and the responsibilities of the church’s leadership, information on the documents the church must have in place, and information concerning the federal and state statutory provisions concerning sexual harassment. This is an online and interactive 90-minute session which meets New York State Standards for Sexual Harassment Prevention Training.

Patti Berner has a MBA in Organizational Leadership, had a successful career in the staffing and recruiting industry, and is owner of Johnston Solutions, founded in 2005, a HR consulting practice dedicated to small businesses and faith-based organizations. Currently, she is the Clerk of Session and has served for many years as the HR Team Chairperson at EPC (Elmhurst Presbyterian Church) in Elmhurst, Illinois.

Leader – William McManus 
In this webinar, an overview of the process for dissolutions of religious corporations in New York, specifically the considerations and information necessary for Plans of Dissolution, will be provided.  Other topics include: reviewing dissolution provisions in a religious corporation’s corporate document, dispositions of assets in connection with a dissolution, and legacy planning.
William McManus’ practice focuses on advising not-for-profit, religious, and tax-exempt entities on matters of corporate governance, compliance with state and federal not-for-profit regulations, internal investigations and regulatory enforcement actions. William is experienced in guiding New York not-for-profit and religious corporations in their formation and governance, and regularly advises clients on tax-exemptions and regulations of tax-exempt organizations. Before joining Capell Barnett Matalon & Schoenfeld, William worked as a Special Assistant Corporation Counsel in the Economic Development Division of the New York City Law Department. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Auburn University and his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law.

Leader – Patti Berner

This annual training includes an explanation of sexual harassment, church-based case studies of unlawful sexual harassment, information concerning employees’ rights, information addressing conduct by church leadership and the responsibilities of the church’s leadership, information on the documents the church must have in place, and information concerning the federal and state statutory provisions concerning sexual harassment. This is an online and interactive 90-minute session which meets New York State Standards for Sexual Harassment Prevention Training.

Patti Berner has a MBA in Organizational Leadership, had a successful career in the staffing and recruiting industry, and is owner of Johnston Solutions, founded in 2005, a HR consulting practice dedicated to small businesses and faith-based organizations. Currently, she is the Clerk of Session and has served for many years as the HR Team Chairperson at EPC (Elmhurst Presbyterian Church) in Elmhurst, Illinois.

Leader – Patti Berner

This annual training includes an explanation of sexual harassment, church-based case studies of unlawful sexual harassment, information concerning employees’ rights, information addressing conduct by church leadership and the responsibilities of the church’s leadership, information on the documents the church must have in place, and information concerning the federal and state statutory provisions concerning sexual harassment. This is an online and interactive 90-minute session which meets New York State Standards for Sexual Harassment Prevention Training.

Patti Berner has a MBA in Organizational Leadership, had a successful career in the staffing and recruiting industry, and is owner of Johnston Solutions, founded in 2005, a HR consulting practice dedicated to small businesses and faith-based organizations. Currently, she is the Clerk of Session and has served for many years as the HR Team Chairperson at EPC (Elmhurst Presbyterian Church) in Elmhurst, Illinois.