Summer Gathering 2023 Workshops

Workshop A

Friday, June 9 - 10:45 am - 12 pm

  1. PW Horizons Bible Study Workshop (*Hybrid): Rev. Dr. Olive Mahabir, 2023-2024 Horizons Bible Study author, Sacred Encounters: The Power and Presence of Jesus Christ in Luke-Acts. This interactive workshop allows participants to delve into the ancient Christian community as seen through Luke, the writer of both the gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. The workshop is designed to help leaders facilitate Bible

    study sessions

Workshop C

Saturday, June 10 - 10:45 am - 12 pm

  1. A Conversation with the PW Moderator: Opportunities and Challenges for Presbyterian Women Post COVID19 (*Hybrid) - Kathy Reeves, Moderator, Churchwide PW

Workshop B

Friday. June 9 -1:45 - 3 pm

  1. USA 2019 Mission Experience Highlights (*Hybrid): Avys Massey, PW of the Synod of the Mid-Atlantic representative to the 2019 USA Mission Experience. Standing

    on the Shoulders of Empowered Women was the theme of the 2019 USA Mission Experience which met in the Finger Lakes Region, New York. The mission trip explored the rich history that PW have in the women's and civil rights movements

  2. Finding the Spirit - Joan Berry, CRE, Baltimore Presbytery~ Sometimes we seek God, but simply can’t feel the presence of the Spirit. We’ve been taught to do that by

    sitting quietly in meditation. If this doesn’t work for you most of the time, perhaps walking or tracing a labyrinth would work for you. It’s safe. You can’t get lost. You can only find or get found. Such things are encountering God. It may not be like the transfiguration of Christ for you, or it might (that still does happen to some). But feeling the guidance of the spirit in your life is part of what faith is about. Come, find out how this happens for you.

  3. Book Discussion: Nancy Long, Moderator, PW SMA. This year’s book discussion is American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins. This choice brings with it some controversy over the merits of the book. It is a novel about Latinx immigrants struggling to reach the American border written by a white woman. Join Nancy as we discuss the merits of the book as well as what many view as the novel’s cultural appropriation. Whether you end up loving the book or hating it—there will undoubtedly be lots to discuss. If you have time, you may also want to read The Devil’s Highway: A True Story by Luis Alberto Urrea. Both titles tie in nicely with the upcoming USAME trip to the border.

  4. Quilting: Kathy Peebles, Moderator, Presbytery of the James. Bring your creativity to learn how to take some fabric to make a useful item for your home or to give as a gift. Supplies provided. Minimal skills are required. Will share ways to use the skills in your future mission project. (limited to 8)

Options (In-Person Only)

Friday and Saturday, 3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

1. Choir Rehearsal: Jayne Sneed and Pam Snyder will lead and direct the Gathering choir in preparation for providing worship music for the closing worship service. Choir participation both Friday and Saturday strongly encouraged.

2. Shopping, Reading, and Conversation in the Resources Room: Stop by Calvin to shop and learn about opportunities to help others in the Mid-Atlantic area.

3. Talking and Rocking on a Porch: Bring a book, craft, or other interests to a porch rocking chair and strike up a conversation, share your talent, or rest your eyes.

4. Take a Walk and Pray, Prayer Walking: Pack your walking shoes and plan a self-guided walk around Massanetta Springs Camp and Conference Center.

Workshop D

Saturday, June 10 - 1:45 - 3 pm

  1. The 7 R's of Restorative Communication (*Hybrid): The Racial Equity Dialogue (RED) Team. What does effective communication look like, sound like, feel like? Come, join us during this session and find out for yourself as you interact with others in a communication circle! Participants will discuss the 7 R's of Restorative Communication and apply them to scenarios.

    2. Sacred Pages: Caroline Smith, PW Historian, Berwyn Presbyterian Church. We all have had encounters in our lives and some of these we would like to remember and share with others. Scrapbooking is a medium that is used to record one’s experiences, beliefs, and accomplishments. Through creative layouts, photos, and journaling we share our story of who we are and what we have done. You will use paper to create a beautiful scrapbook page that looks like a quilt square when it is finished. (For beginner and seasoned scrapbookers.) Please bring: a paper cutter and repositionable tape in a dispenser (tape runner), one or two pictures (or add at home)

    3. Leadership Workshop: Susan Jackson-Dowd, Executive Director, PW in the PCUSA and Catrelia Hunter, former Churchwide Moderator. Susan will share leadership resources available on PW Churchwide website and Horizons resources

    essential to all Presbyterian Women.

    4. The YAV Encounter: Come hear more about the Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) program, an ecumenical, faith-based year of service for young people (ages 19–30) in sites across the United States and around the world.