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Multigenerational, Multicultural Worship: Reports and Testimonies from Worship Renewal Grant Recipients

When people of all ages and cultures are invited to bring their gifts to plan and lead worship through music, spoken word and the arts, transformation begins. Leaders from diverse congregations offered practical ideas that have engaged people of various ages and cultures and tell us what they have learned.

February 22, 2013
Happy Birthday, Heidelberg!

2013 marks the 450th anniversary of the Heidelberg Catechism. We will explore the unique qualities of this beautiful Reformed expression of the Christian faith and introduce new tools by which the Heidelberg Catechism can continue as a vital tool for faith formation in the church today.

February 22, 2013
Delight in Creation: When Science and Faith Talk

Calvin College and Calvin Seminary have teamed up to bring the voices of scientists into the consciousness of the church. Through “The Ministry Theorem” website and the new book Delight in Creation, Deborah Haarsma and Scott Hoezee have worked to foster fruitful conversations that connect the wonders of what science reveals about God’s creation with the ministries of the church.

February 22, 2013

The Mission of Worship

This workshop demonstrated how worship can both take people where they are and challenge them where they need to go, proclaiming that the Kingdom of God is here, accomplishing reconciliation, justice, and shalom.

February 22, 2013
Worship That Addresses Needs of Veterans with Moral Injuries

This workshop explored how religious communities can help veterans heal from moral injury and support their families during transition into civilian life.

February 22, 2013

Baptism and Lord’s Supper Renewal Stories

Worship Renewal Grant recipients from diverse congregations described what they are learning about sacramental practices that nurture and strengthen faith in people of various ages and cultures.

February 22, 2013
Worship Together for All Ages: Will it work or is it expecting too much?

Many churches today are eager to present themselves as “intergenerational” in their worship. In a society that so easily separates people by age, developmental level, and experience, can the church succeed in keeping the generations together? Is this idea new and novel, or old and tested? What are the considerations and issues we’ll have to deal with? How do we accommodate different rates of faith development? What are the benefits of succeeding? We’ll draw on each other’s experiences and reexamine the conversations that The Church of All Ages started.

February 22, 2013
The New Adolescent and Sticky Faith

Research shows a decline in adolescent and young adult participation in church. An essential first step in responding to this crisis is being reintroduced to the new adolescent that dwells in our homes, schools and church communities.

February 22, 2013

Learning How to Pray from the Whole Body of Christ

In this workshop, Mark Gornik will discuss how he came to a deeper understanding of God and the Christian life through worshipping with African churches in New York City.

February 22, 2013
Baptism in Art, Ritual, and Symbol

Using the resources of ancient texts, architectural remains, and visual art, this workshop aims first at uncovering baptism’s meaning for the first generations of Christians who received it and then at how that information can enrich our teaching about, preparation for, and practice of Christian baptism today.

February 22, 2013