First and foremost, this in-person workshop celebrates the recent publication of Rev. Donna Mann’s new book, Faithful Choices in Church & Mission. Donna’s book was just shortlisted for the national ‘Write Canada Awards’ by The Word Guild, which receives hundreds of applications from across Canada. Donna wrote Faithful Choices to honour all those voices and faithful stories, especially among lay congregants, that are seldom heard.
Second, Paul Knowles reminds us in his article “Older and Wiser” (United Church Observer) that new research confirms what we’ve always suspected: people grow more astute as they age. While it’s certainly no guarantee, he suggests that we’d be smart to take advantage of their wisdom. This workshop focuses on recognizing and gleaning the wisdom of those faithful Christian elders. Leaving behind is all about legacy.
Sadly enough, though, many of us experience isolation and grief when our young people leave our communities and churches. In the past rural congregations and small churches were typically intergenerational. Though ageism in general dismisses and disses older people, ageism goes both ways. For those of us who are older, it would be wise to listen to and learn from younger generations—and not just for helping us with our computers and smart phones😊.
In addition to hearing from our three speakers, everyone will be participating in the World Café—akin to visiting in a rural coffee shop—so people can greet, meet and listen to each other while sitting at tables of four. Read about it and come ready to meet new people and hear the testimonies of three elders—Donna Mann, Roxanne Bale, and Marvin Lee Anderson—who have been active in ordered and lay ministry in the United Church and offered international leadership in rural ministry.
This workshop will show how the World Café can be used by lay people, as Donna suggests, in claiming their voices in making the necessary decisions facing their home congregations. Finally, it will remind us that in following Christ we are called to be spiritual elders in our own communities. For more information on the World (Rural) Café, refer to the website for the United Church Rural Ministry Network; https://ucrmn.ca/resources/ and Rural Cafe Process for In Person.