Topic: Building Strong Communities: An Appreciative Approach

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17 – STRONG COMMUNITIES
Join us for a transformative workshop on building strong communities through an appreciative approach to community ministry. Move beyond traditional charity models and embrace an abundance mindset, leveraging the gifts and assets within our communities to create lasting positive change. Discover how to tap into the resources already present and cultivate a sense of empowerment and resilience within our neighborhoods.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 28 – RESILIENT COMMUNITIES
Join us for an in-depth exploration of building resilient communities to thrive in the face of future challenges. In this workshop, we’ll analyze community challenges on individual, associational, and institutional levels, to leverage our strengths and assets. Discover how to harness the power of community collaboration and innovation to create a resilient foundation for the future.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7 – BELOVED COMMUNITIES
Join us for this rich theological discussion about building the Beloved Community. Delve into a rich theological framework for community ministry, drawing from biblical themes. Discover how the concept of the beloved community serves as a contemporary language to articulate the aspirations of the “Kingdom of God.”  This workshop serves as the foundational theology for our community ministries, guiding our efforts towards building inclusive, thriving, and transformative communities.

Facilitator: The Rev. Michael Anthony Howard

Michael has been serving as the Minister of Faith in action since March 2019. From the wooded knobs of Kentucky countryside, Michael is a teacher, community organizer, and prophetic Christian leader. He has taught and served around the world, including Peru, Brazil, India, and Ethiopia; along with Kentucky, Virginia, and New Jersey. In addition to traditional pastoral ministry, Michael has coached and co-founded a number of community organizations, nonprofits, and small businesses. Michael is an ordained minister in the UCC and has an MPA from Morehead State University and an MDiv from Drew Theological Seminary.