The following workshop will be presented at diocesan convention on Friday, Oct. 17:

9:45 a.m. to noon:

Greening Our Congregations
Presenters: Deacons of the diocese

This workshop will be built around hands-on ways to make Millennium Development Goal # 7 – environmental sustainability – a reality in both our homes and family lives and in our congregations. We'll ask the following three questions and we'll brainstorm answers:

• Why should we care?
• What does this have to do with our everyday lives?
• How has God mandated us to care for the creation with which God has gifted us?

We’ll break into small groups to talk about how protecting the environment is faith, hope, and love in action; the link between nature and spirituality; and how we can become examples for the world. Our scriptures begin with the story of the creation of this lush and pristine planet. How have we treated that creation? How can we
protect "this fragile earth, our island home"? We’ll have handouts with lists of ideas and many other good things for you to take home.

To Know Is To Be Reponsible: A Workshop on Human Trafficking
Presenters: The Rev. Canon Gigi Conner, St. Peter's Cathedral; the Rev. Ray Bonoan, Holy Spirit, Safety Harbor; the Rev. Jackie Means, St. Hilary's, Fort Myers; Kip Corriveau, Salvation Army, Clearwater; Giselle Rodriguez, victim advocate with the Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking  in Clearwater.

In our own diocese, in the state of Florida and throughout the United States, thousands of people are being forced into modern-day slavery, held for labor trafficking, involuntary servitude, and sex trafficking. Eighty percent of them are women and children. Learn about this violation of human rights; hear what is already going on in this diocese and how you and your congregation can be involved in creating a world free from slavery. Our keynote speaker for this workshop is Anna Rodriguez, founder and CEO of the Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking. Participants are invited to "Be Carded' -- bring a gift card to a major retail chain, grocery store or a phone card. A basket will be available during the workshop and throughout convention where these cards may be deposited, to be given to those freed from trafficking so they live into new and whole lives.

What's New about Growing Old
Presenters: Karen Patterson, the Rev. Canon Michael Durning

More than 72-million Baby Boomers are moving into their retirement years. Are they ready? What about their aging parents?

This workshop will talk about decision-making by and for elders (the decisions we'll all have to make someday, or someone will make them for us: living wills, health-care directives). We'll hear about the forthcoming training on "Safeguarding all God's People" -- not just children -- and the ways in which we need to be sensitive to the potential for elder abuse and exploitation in our congregations. And we'll hear about some of the mental and psychological changes as we age.
 

Behind the Scenes with the Altar Guild in the State-of-the-Art Sacristy at Christ Church, Bradenton
Presenters: Thelma Wallis (Christ Church Bradenton) and Sarah Hill (St. Peter's Cathedral), co-directors of the diocesan Altar Guild.

Come explore the sacristy at our host church, Christ Church, Bradenton. We'll see some of the state-of-the-art faciities and equipment that you might incorporate in your own parish and tallk about what's new in this timeless ministry.

1-5 p.m.

Safeguarding All God's Children, Safe Church Training
Presenters: Bonnie Jean Durning and the Rev. Marcia Tremmel
Attendance will satisfy Safe Church requirements of the diocese from 2009 through 2014.
 
Anti-Racism Training
Presenters: Dain & Constance Perry
Attendance will satisfy the Anti-Racism requirements of the diocese for 2009.

This year, the diocesan Anti-Racism offering will be a screening of Traces of the Trade, a far reaching personal documentary examination of the slave trade. Producer/Director, Katrina Browne, tells of the story of her forefathers, the largest slave-trading family in U.S. history.  Given the myth that the South is solely responsible for slavery, viewers will be surprised to learn that Browne's ancestors were Northerners. The film follows Browne and nine fellow family members on a remarkable journey which brings them face-to-face with the history and legacy of New England's hidden enterprise.

2-4 p.m.

Stewardship in Tough Times: How to run your pledge drive when the economy is tanking
Presenter: The Rev. Chris Gray, St. Mark's, Venice
Sky-high prices for gasoline and groceries. Home foreclosures. Layoffs. These are difficult economic times for all of us, and some are predicting that 2009 will be even worse.. The tough times are readily apparent when we count the offerings from the weekend services. Now we're about to start our fall pledge drives. How do we talk about giving – and giving more – when people are having trouble making ends meet (and so are our churches!)? How can we energize our stewardship.