This is the workshop schedule for Friday, Oct. 8:

Morning session (9:30 a.m. to noon):

Stewardship 101 — In this troubled economy, who isn’t interested in stewardship? In the first of several workshops on this topic, Terry Parsons, longtime national stewardship leader for The Episcopal Church, will focus on the basics, a good choice for first-time stewardship leaders or anyone — clergy and laity — for whom stewardship “has more uncertainty than is comfortable,” Terry says. It includes a few bites of foundational theology and a quick look at the most practical implications, like the annual financial commitment program. Presented by the diocesan Stewardship Committee.

The Church as a House of Healing — The prophet Isaiah declares that “God’s house shall be called a house of prayer for all people,” and the Gospels call us to lay hands on the sick in the name of Jesus Christ and they will recover. Join with us as we share how churches become houses of healing … places where the broken-hearted are healed and those held captive by past traumas are set free in Christ. Experience the healing touch of Christ in your own life. Presented by the Rev. Sharon Lewis, executive director, Amazing Love Healing Ministry.

Property and Liability Insurance: What Your Church Needs to Know — In years of economic challenges, we scrutinize every expense, especially the big ones. Who hasn’t looked at that insurance bill and wondered what can be done to reduce the cost? This workshop will provide a greater understanding of how property coverage amounts and insurance premiums are determined, what adjustments can be made to impact cash flow, and how your specific coverage affects your future cash needs in the event of an unplanned event. Hear more about the Diocesan Safety Program, a free service that will reduce those unpleasant surprises. The workshop will cover directors and officers, and employment practices insurance policies. Presented by Bill Bullock, vice president for client services from Florida to Alabama, Church Insurance Co.

Anti-Racism Training — We continue our commitment to hold a time to reflect on and to discuss the sin of racism. This gathering is open to all interested parties and it is a requirement for those seeking ordination through the School for Ministry Development. Presented by Dr. Navita Cummings James, associate professor in the Africana Studies department at the University of South Florida.

Afternoon session A -- (1-5 p.m.)

Safeguarding God’s Children — This is the “platform” training for anyone undertaking a ministry in the diocese. It is offered at every gathering of diocesan convention. The program is produced by the Church Insurance Group through Presidium Inc. Presented by the Safe Church Committee.

Afternoon session B (1-2:50 p.m.):

Will Our Children Be Stewards? — The commercial culture bombards our children with millions of advertising messages encouraging them to spend, spend, spend and encouraging them to become, in one author’s words, “prodigal sons and material girls.” Where is the voice in the village inviting them to a belief that “all things come of thee, O Lord” means ALL things, including all of our time, talent, and money and to the discovery of the rewards of giving and generosity? If it is not the Church, that invitation may not exist. This sessions outlines the scope of the issue and proposes some congregational strategies for becoming that alternative voice. Presented by Terry Parsons, national stewardship leader for The Episcopal Church. (You can sign up for this workshop even if you did not attend the morning stewardship workshop.) Presented by the diocesan Stewardship Committee.

The Paradox and Possibilities of Endowment Funds — Conversations about rates of return, hedging, alternative investments, interest rates and much more dominate many of our church endowment committee meetings. How does that square with who we are as Christians? Endowments challenge us in ways we don’t expect: They can be both a blessing and a curse; a valued resource and a crutch; all about business and all about spiritual journey; a treasure on earth or a treasure in heaven. So why have an endowment to begin with? Then managing an endowment is a whole other matter — what policies do you need? How can you protect principal? What does the law say about donor restrictions? How to invest wisely, spend wisely? Finally, how to talk about endowments in a way that encourages legacy giving? From organizing and investing to growing an endowment fund, learn what this critical area of stewardship can mean for your church today and for generations to come. Presented by Kenneth H. Quigley, director of endowment management services, Episcopal Church Foundation.

Greening After the Oil Spill: What’s Next? — The worst environmental disaster in U.S. history is unfolding off our shores. What does this mean for us? Rob Wright, a parishioner at St. Margaret of Scotland who works for Sarasota County Water Planning, will offer his predictions on the likely future effects here. Anne Castellina, a parishioner at Christ Church, Bradenton, will share her experiences as a superintendent of a national park in Alaska during the Exxon Valdez spill and what she has seen at Gulf Islands National Park in Pensacola this summer. Hear how St. Andrew’s, Spring Hill, has “gone green” with Florida-friendly landscaping. Learn what green representatives at churches throughout our diocese are doing on energy audits and other sustainability measures. Share your responses to the Gulf oil disaster that blemishes this fragile earth, our island home. Presented by the diocesan Green Team.

Mutual Ministry Review — Most Letters of Agreement between rectors/vicars and vestries in the Diocese of Southwest Florida contain an expectation that the agreement be reviewed annually. The Deacon’s Customary contains three examples of such a review. How do we get from theory to practice when looking at a review? The goal of this workshop is to help clergy and lay leaders to see and embrace the natural cycle of ministry that includes reviewing the ministry we mutually do together. In order to get to the “review” part, we will also look at the nature of mutual ministry, planning our mutual ministry and doing the work of that ministry together. Presented by the diocesan Fresh Start team.

Afternoon session II (3-5 p.m.):

The Episcopal Church Welcomes You. Really! — What do you say after you say, “Good morning! Welcome to St. Swithin’s!” We all like to think of ourselves as welcoming congregations, and we all know we could do more and better. The Revs. Glad McCurtain and Carolyn Kirk Biggs offer a fast-paced session of ideas you can put into practice starting the morning you get back from convention. Be prepared to do some role-playing, share your successes, and learn how to attract, welcome, follow up and incorporate new members into your congregation.

Hands-On Outreach: Let’s Get It Started! — So you’re thinking of starting a new outreach ministry: a food pantry, say, or outreach to veterans, or Haitians, or a clothes closet or after-school program. Your colleagues around the diocese who are already doing those ministries offer a roundtable discussion about rolling up your sleeves and getting your hands dirty. Learn about their successes and failures, get their practical, experienced, how-to (and how-not-to) advice, ask questions of the people who are really doing the work, find resources and support. Presented by the Rev. Kyle Bennett and ministry leaders from around the diocese.

Real Men Eat Quiche: But Where Have All the Men Gone? — How to develop and sustain a ministry to men in your congregation. This session will offer an overview of “why a ministry to men” and its vital role today in drawing men back into the life of the church; what a ministry to men looks like in action; the basics on how to develop the infrastructure for a ministry to men in a local congregation; and a review of the comprehensive process of “a journey in disciple-making.” Participants will get a packet of take-home information and a slice of freshly baked quiche! Presenters: Scott Brewer, director, and Jay Crouse, director of strategic projects, Episcopal Men’s Ministries.