Workshops

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27
SELECT ONE WORKSHOP. YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO COORDINATE SELECTION OF SESSIONS WITH YOUR DELEGATION FOR LEARNINGS IN VARIOUS AREAS.

Click here to download flyer.
Click here to register.

FEAR FACTOR
‍This workshop facilitates a conversation around the number one thing that keeps us from moving forward in our life with God, both as individuals and as church communities. The Bible uses the words “do not fear ”numerous times. How do we live fearless lives? Is that even possible? How do we move forward when our fears are very real? Most importantly, what are we afraid of and why? Asking and answering these questions can set us on a course to fully live out our calling as the Body of Christ! Join us as we wrestle with our fears!

Led by: The Venerable Mike Besson, Archdeacon of the Diocese of West Texas 

FROM WELCOME TO BELONGING: STARTING AND SUSTAINING A LATINO MINISTRY
‍Many congregations want to engage more deeply with their Latino communities but aren’t sure where to begin, especially when clergy and lay leaders may not be fluent in Spanish. This practical workshop offers realistic, faith-filled pathways for starting Latino ministry rooted in relationships, hospitality, and shared leadership. Participants will explore how to invite Latino neighbors into the life of the church, engage in ministry across language differences, and plan intentional next steps. Attendees will leave with a simple mini-planning sheet to help them identify concrete actions they can take when they return home.

Led by: The Rev. Nancy Frausto, Director of Latinx Studies and Lecturer in Multicultural Ministry, Seminary of the Southwest

FUNDRAISING FOR KINGDOM WORK
‍In this session, the Rev. Mike Michie will focus on how to plan for and execute a capital drive for new construction, debt reduction, or campus improvements, and the Rev. James Derkits will share about the transformation of his church after hurricane Harvey and the support they and their community received, leading them to budget and organize regular fundraisers with their community to support other communities hit by natural disasters.

Led by: The Rev. Mike Michie, Rector at St. Thomas, San Antonio, and the Rev. James Derkits, Rector at Trinity, Port Aransas

KEEPING OUR LAMPS LIT
PREPARING TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR IN TIMES OF DISASTER
Disasters and emergencies often arrive without warning—if we are prepared to respond, can we live out our mandate to love our neighbor more fully? Facilitated by Episcopal Relief & Development, this engaging, scenario-based workshop will invite participants to talk through realistic emergency situations together, reflecting on how a church might respond when a major disaster impacts the community. Participants will leave with the foundational building blocks of a church disaster response plan, better equipped to care for one another and serve their neighbors with calm, clarity, and compassion.

Led by: Race Hodges, Program Officer, Global Disaster Response & Resilience, Episcopal Relief & Development

PLANTING SEEDS OF CHRISTIAN FORMATION + NURTURING GROWTH 
‍Suzanna Green, Director of Christian Formation at the Diocese of West Texas, will share an overview of diocesan formation plans for 2026, followed by discussions focused on two stages of formation:

Stage 1: formation beyond worship or have only clergy-led formation offerings and are ready to try something new. The leaders will share some ideas of where to start, how to start, and how to tend to your new growths as they begin to take root.

Led by: Jena Baldridge, Family Minister, St. Nicholas Bulverde, and Suzanna Green, Director of Christian Formation, Diocese of West Texas

Stage 2: Tending to Christian Formation Growth: This session is for churches who have Christian Formation programming on Sunday mornings or during the weekend want to think about how to enhance what they are already doing. In this break-out, the leaders will shareideas of how to set up formation spaces for all learners, how to build on current programs, and how to let thingsgo that have run their course to allow for new growth.

Led by: Jenny Ligon, Family Minister, St. Peter's Kerrville, and Tamara Talasek, Director of Family Ministry, Reconciliation, San Antonio

RECLAIMING SPIRITUAL ATTENTION IN AN AGE OF DIGITAL DISTRACTIONS 
Jesus said, “You are worried and distracted by many things.” We are an anxious generation held captive by an attention economy that makes it hard to focus on what matters most. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by notifications, regretted time wasted mindlessly in front of a screen, or been unnerved that new technology might be making us less human, then this workshop is for you. Together, we’ll consult modern experts and the wisdom of the Christian tradition to find practical ways to renegotiate our relationship with technology. Can we cultivate a spiritual discipline of attention to reclaim the life we’re looking for?

What’s at stake is more than another Lenten practice, but an evangelical opportunity for our churches to be known as communities that choose a better life.

Led by: The Rev. Brian Fox, Rector, St. Paul’s, San Antonio

SO, YOU’VE BEEN ELECTED WARDEN! NOW WHAT?
WARDENSHIP 101
In this workshop, the basic canonical guidelines, expectations and roles of the senior warden of a vestry and the bishop’s warden of a bishop’s committee will be reviewed. Current and prospective future wardens will learn tools for their unique leadership position and have the opportunity to engage in discussion about what it means to be a Diocese of West Texas warden in the Church today. As time and space permit, small group break-outs will be facilitated, according to church size, for conversation and mutual learning. Leave the workshop with not only new knowledge but with connections to other wardens that provide the opportunity to support and help each other with your work going forward.

Led by: The Rt. Rev. Dr. David G. Read, D.D., Bishop of West Texas and the Rev. Canon Leyla King, Canon for Mission in Small Congregations, Diocese of West Texas

STEWARDSHIP OF TIME, TALENT AND TREASURE
‍AN APPROACH TO GETTING PEOPLE TO OFFER UP THEIR TIME AND TALENT AT THE SAME LEVEL THAT MOST CHURCHES WORK ON TREASURE 
Are you tired of the 80/20 rule (Pareto Principle) where 20% of the people do 80% of the work. In this workshop, one approach will be shared that may be able to eliminate this principle, but more likely will get more than 20% of your people active in lay ministry.

Led by: The Rev. Ripp Hardaway, Rector, St. John’s, New Braunfels