Special Events

Nurturing Pastoral Leadership & Development

Educational Retreats & Colloquies

These annual events will offer all clergy the opportunity to join together with partners from different backgrounds to learn and reflect on transitional times in their ministry. During the event, there will be opportunities for discussion, reflection and learning. The TWT Program Coordinator is open to suggestions for questions and topics to be addressed at a future event.

January 26 & 27, 2021
Nurturing Clergy Resiliency, Creativity & Wellness

with Rev. Dr. Sarah Lund

Pastors & Chaplains, when was the last time you found time to take a deep breath and tend to your body and your spirit? With the extra demands of ministering in the midst of a pandemic, many ministers are in need of respite and self-care. Join us for presentations, workshops and conversations around building resiliency, attending to mental wellness, and nourishing the spiritual life of faith leaders. The event will also include opportunities to participate in spiritual practices and other forms of hands-on self-care.

Rev. Dr. Sarah Lund is the author of the widely regarded book Blessed are the Crazy: Breaking the Silence About Mental Illness, Family and Church (Chalice Press, 2014) and blogs at sarahgriffithlund.com. In addition to serving as the Senior Pastor of First Congregational UCC in Indianapolis, she is the Minister for Disabilities and Mental Health Justice on the UCC's Wholeness Advocacy Team of Justice and Local Church Ministries.

Registration

Dates: January 26 & 27, 2021

Tuesday, January 26th - 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Wednesday, January 27th - 8:00 am - 1:30 pm
In order to create space for renewal, rest and attention to spiritual health, participants are encouraged to take 2 full days of continuing education time.

Cost: $45
Register Today!
Registration Deadline: January 19, 2021

Coming in May 2021

Leading in a Liminal Season - Susan Beaumont

Rev. Susan Beaumont is a coach, consultant and the author of How to Lead When You Don't Know Where You are Going: Leading in a Liminal Season.

Tuesday, May 4, 2021

Details: Breakfast & Registration 7:00 am-8:00 am, Program 8:15 am-4:30 pm (6 Contact Hours)

Location: Southbridge Hotel & Conference Center, 14 Mechanic Street, Southbridge, MA

Costs: $125 (includes full breakfast, full day with Susan Beaumont, lunch buffet & snacks)

For Complete Details: Leading in a Liminal Season with Susan Beaumont Flyer or visit the event page: Susan Beaumont Event

Registration Form: www.togetherwethrivegrant.org/beaumont2020

Affinity Groups

Clergy Affinity Groups are facilitate by a topic expert and will provide the opportunity for meaningful relationships between similarly-positioned clergy around a topic or theme. Groups will be formed and programming will be crafted based upon each group’s own unique ministerial focus. These Affinity Groups are conducive to creating a safe space in which clergy can learn and grow through deep sharing and honest reflection.

Upcoming Affinity Groups

Early this past spring, the launch of our initial Affinity Groups were postponed to the Fall, in hopes of being able to launch as expected. Since then, the impact of the global pandemic has expanded beyond what we had imagined. Like many organizations, we have had to reassess the structure of many of our programs. Traditionally, the model of Affinity groups has been centered on quarterly in-person gatherings. With the safety measures around COVID-19, our approach to these groups has changed. With the major shifts in how ministry happens, the needs these groups are intended to address have also changed. We will be taking the summer to revamp our Affinity Groups with the hope of launching new groups later this year.

Stay tuned for new offerings and a reimagined way of gathering and learning together.

The Art of Preaching

Focus: The discipline and art of preaching as a way of touching lives, addressing today’s spiritual hunger and nourishing the preacher's soul. The group is open to all styles and experience levels.

Group Leader: Rev. Susan Cartmell

Location: TBD according to geography of participants

Costs: $250 per year (for 4 gatherings)

Preaching Affinity Group Information Flyer

Anti-Racism in Ministry

This Group is full and no longer accepting participants.

Focus: Learning, support and accountability for pastors engaged in Anti-Racism work in their ministry setting.

Group Leader: Dr. Donique McIntosh & TBD