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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260624T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260624T160000
DTSTAMP:20260613T074815
CREATED:20260520T200412Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260521T172158Z
UID:34110-1782313200-1782316800@www.gbhem.org
SUMMARY:Webinar: Opportunities for Leaders to Serve the Church and the Academy
DESCRIPTION:Photo courtesy of Bennett College \nAre you a strategic leader who would thrive at the intersection of faith and intellect? Are you an ordained United Methodist clergy person with an advanced degree (MDiv\, D.Min.\, PhD) wondering whether higher education is calling you? \nThe one-hour webinar is designed to help you learn about possibilities — a focused opportunity to learn what collegiate ministry looks like in 2026 and whether you might be called to serve in higher education. Information will be shared about the varied responsibilities university chaplains carry and the unique rhythms and demands of serving within the academic environment. \nWebinar hosts include Dr. Phil Wingeier-Rayo\, the Rev. Eduardo Bousson\, and the Rev. Dr. Tammy Gieselman as they share firsthand insights into ministry on campus. \nYou’ll Learn About:\n\nCollegiate ministry roles and responsibilities\nRequired skills\, competencies\, and qualifications\nImmediate opportunities in higher education\n\nRegister Today
URL:https://www.gbhem.org/event/webinar-explore-becoming-a-united-methodist-college-chaplain/
LOCATION:Virtual Webinar
CATEGORIES:Education,Ministry
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.gbhem.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3-5-26-Bennett-Choir-Image-3.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="The Rev. Eduardo Bousson":MAILTO:ebousson@gbhem.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260817
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260820
DTSTAMP:20260613T074815
CREATED:20260311T155748Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260609T134318Z
UID:32426-1786924800-1787183999@www.gbhem.org
SUMMARY:Mid-Quadrennial Training for Boards of Ordained Ministry
DESCRIPTION:Strengthening Clergy Recruitment\, Formation & Well‑Being\nGain the tools\, insights\, and strategies you need to support clergy across the full arc of ministry at the Mid-Quadrennial Training for Boards of Ordained Ministry on August 17-19 in Atlanta. \nEngage critical questions around theological formation\, clergy well-being\, and long-term vocational sustainability with fellow leaders from across The United Methodist Church. Strengthen your ability to guide and support those called to ministry\, today\, and into the future. \nRegister todayWho Should AttendThis training is for you if you serve or support a Board of Ordained Ministry\, including: \n\nMembers of Annual Conference Boards of Ordained Ministry\nBoard of Ordained Ministry Staff\nChairs of the Orders of Elders\, Deacons\, and the Fellowship of Associate Members and Local Pastors\nLeaders focused on clergy well-being and vocational formation\n\nRegister todayKey Benefits\nConnect with peers and denominational leaders\nGain practical tools you can apply immediately in your conference and context\nStrengthen your conference’s approach to clergy support\nExplore emerging challenges and opportunities in clergy leadership and formation\nEarn 1.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)\n\nRegister todayThe ScheduleMonday\, August 179 a.m.-3 p.m.: BOM Staff Network Gathering   \n3 p.m.: Registration and Check-In  \n4  p.m.:  Welcome\, Introductions\, and Opening Remarks – General Secretary Roland Fernandes  \n4:30 p.m.: Opening Worship with Bishop Kennetha Bigham-Tsai  and Communion \n5:30 p.m.: Framing the Questions\, Bishop Kennetha Bigham-Tsai  \n6 p.m.: Evening Break  \nTuesday\, August 188:45 a.m.: Morning Devotion with Rev. Kay Woo  \n9 a.m.: Opening Plenary: Study of Ministry Report with Bishop Kennetha Bigham-Tsai  \n10 a.m.: Break  \n10:15 a.m.: Course of Study Revision Report with Bishop Sandra Steiner Ball  \n10:45 a.m.: AUMTS Report with Dr. Sujin Pak  \n11:15 a.m.: Theological Education\, Clergy Formation\, and the Future of United Methodist Ministry Panel \n12:30  p.m.: Lunch in Grace Hall  \n1:30 p.m.: Plenary on  Clergy Well-Being Data Report\, Wespath  \n3 p.m.: Break  \n3:15 p.m.: Supporting Clergy Session \n4:15 p.m.: Ministry Grant Opportunities\, Suicide Prevention Resource\, highlight other  resources   \n5 p.m.: Evening Break   \nWednesday\, August 198:45 a.m.: Morning Devotion \n9:15 a.m.:Workshops \nNoon: Lunch \n1 p.m.: Strategy Sessions Across Annual Conferences \n4:30 p.m.: Closing Gathering: GC 2028 Legislation Discussion \n6 p.m.: Sending Forth \nWorkshopsExplore how to strengthen clergy formation and well-being across the full arc of ministry — from preparation through lifelong service.  \nTheological Education & Formation \nExamine the evolving landscape of clergy preparation\, including:  \n\nKey insights from the Study of Ministry report following General Conference 2020/2024 \nUpdates to the Course of Study revision process \nThe current state of theological education \nHow academic institutions are preparing leaders for ministry today \n\nClergy Well-Being & Sustainability \nDeepen your ability to support clergy beyond credentialing by exploring:  \n\nThe ongoing needs of clergy beyond commissioning and ordination \nStrategies you can use to support clergy at every stage of ministry \nResearch and emerging insights on clergy flourishing and sustainability \nVocational sustainability\, leadership transitions\, and long-term systems of care \nEmotional and spiritual health in today’s ministry context \nCollaborative work with Wespath and other leaders focused on long-term vocational health\n\nStrengthening Your Conference’s Impact \nGain practical insight into how to enhance support within your conference\, including:  \n\nLeadership development opportunities you can leverage \nPractical ministry tools and resources \nGrant funding initiatives \nLong-term strategies for strengthening clergy formation and support systems across annual conferences \n\nRegister todayFacilitators\, Panelists and SpeakersBishop Kennetha Bigham-Tsai\nChair\, Study of Ministry Commission;\nVice President\, GBHEM Board of Directors  \nRoland Fernandes\nGeneral Secretary\, GBGM and GBHEM  \nDr. Mary Huycke\nCourageous Space Coaching & Consulting\nCentre for Creative Supervision \nDale Jones\nManaging Director\, Church Relations\, Wespath  \nBishop Sandra Steiner-Ball\nPresident\, GBHEM Board of Directors\n  \nDr. Sujin Pak\nPresident\, Association of United Methodist Theological Schools\nDean\, Boston University School of Theology \nKelly Wittich\nManaging Director\, Health and Welfare Plans\, Wespath\n \nRegister todayBecome better equipped to think holistically about clergy formation\, support\, and sustainability\, from theological education and credentialing through lifelong ministry. 
URL:https://www.gbhem.org/event/mid-quadrennial-training-for-boards-of-ordained-ministry/
LOCATION:Peachtree Road United Methodist Church\, 3180 Peachtree Rd NE\, Atlanta\, GA\, 30305\, United States
CATEGORIES:Ministry
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.gbhem.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/3-11-26-BOM-MidQuad-Training.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="The Rev. Amie Stewart%2C Senior Manager of Conference Relations":MAILTO:astewart@gbhem.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261106
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261109
DTSTAMP:20260613T074815
CREATED:20251218T151040Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260610T201930Z
UID:29930-1793923200-1794182399@www.gbhem.org
SUMMARY:Exploration 2026
DESCRIPTION:Exploration 2026\, set for November 6–8 in Orlando\, Florida\, creates sacred space for young adults ages 18 and older to gather in meaningful fellowship\, passionate worship\, theological reflection and practical workshops. Participants are invited to discern whether God’s call on their life is to ordained ministry in The United Methodist Church and what faithful steps they can take in response.Register Today! Through worship\, workshops\, community\, and guided reflection\, gain clarity\, confidence\, and connection as you explore pathways in ministry and service. \nFriday\, November 63 p.m. – Registration and Sacred Space Opens \n3-4 p.m. – Small Group Leader Orientation \n5-6 p.m. – Dinner (seated by Annual Conference) \n6-8 p.m. – Opening Session \n8-9 p.m. – Small Groups I \n9-10 p.m. – Panel with Special Guests \nMidnight – Sacred Space Closes \nSaturday\, November 77 a.m. – Sunrise Yoga \n8 a.m. – Sacred Space Opens \n9-10 a.m. – Session II \n10-11:15 a.m. – Workshop I \n11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. – Workshop II \n1-2 p.m. – Lunch \n2-3:15 p.m. – Workshop III \n3-4:45 p.m. – Workshop IV \n5-6 p.m. – Dinner \n6-8 p.m. – Conn-etwork \n8-9 p.m. – Session III \n9-10 p.m. – Small Groups II \n10-10:30 p.m. – Snack \n10:30-11:30 p.m. – Affinity Groups \nMidnight – Sacred Space Closes \nSunday\, November 88 a.m. – Sacred Space Opens \n9-10 a.m. – Small Group III \n10-11 a.m. – Room Checkout \n11 a.m.-Noon – Session IV \nThrough a mix of panels and focused sessions\, you’ll hear directly from elders\, deacons\, lay leaders\, chaplains\, missionaries\, and seminary staff as they share their journeys and practical advice. \nServing in Extension Ministry\nWhat does it look like to serve as a clergyperson beyond the local church? Learn about how elders and deacons serve beyond the local church\, including as campus ministers\, military and medical chaplains\, and with other organizations. This workshop also includes information about endorsement\, an additional credential useful or required for certain extension ministry settings. \nMinistry as an Elder or Local Licensed Pastor (LLP)\nElders are ordained to Word\, Order\, Sacrament and Service. Learn about how elders serve within the local church and in extension ministry. \nMinistry as a Deacon \nDeacons are ordained to Word\, Service\, Compassion and Justice. Learn how deacons serve within local churches and beyond the local church in a variety of settings\, and how deacons serve differently than laity. \nMinistry as a Lay Person\nJoin us for a panel discussion about lay and ordained ministry\, and the similarities and differences between both pathways. Learn about how we equip laity into ministry across the denomination. \nServing in Endorsement\nMinistry happens in a variety of settings – not just within a local church congregation! United Methodist elders and deacons can be ordained to serve in the chaplaincy (ex. hospice\, military\, hospital) as a pastoral caregiver\, or spiritual director. If you feel a calling to serve God\, but aren’t drawn to ministry within a local church\, come to this workshop to explore opportunities beyond the church walls. \nServing as a Missionary\nIs your call to ministry rooted in social justice? People of faith are called to transform the world\, to ensure all people’s needs are met and to live into God’s promise of abundant life. Learn about some of the pathways the UMC has for young adults called to mission and justice work\, including the Global Mission Fellows program\, and internships with Church and Society. \nWhat to Expect in Seminary\nHear from seminary staff about what to expect in seminary and theological school\, including areas of study\, spiritual development\, academic expectations\, field/contextual education expectations\, diversity and community. \nFresh Expressions & Creative Faith Communities \nLearn about innovative approaches to building new faith communities in changing contexts. \nSelf-Care and Spiritual Disciplines in Ministry (New!) \nDiscover practices to sustain your spiritual health and well-being in ministry. \nHow to Afford Seminary\nJoin us for a panel discussion led by seminary and theological school staff entrusted with helping students pay for graduate theological studies. Learn about options available for scholarships\, denominational and other funding sources. \nNavigating the Ordination Process\nThe United Methodist Church’s candidacy process is the application and discernment process for ordination. This workshop will address questions related to the candidacy process. We will explain the process\, give an overview of the steps to take\, and give suggestions on how to work through the process\, beginning with your local church or collegiate ministry\, your district committee on ordained ministry (dCOM)\, and your annual conference board of ordained ministry (BOM). Learn how you can become a better person by going through the candidacy process. \nStructure and Organization of the Church (New!) \nUnderstand how the church is organized and how its structure supports ministry. \nVocational Discernment ResourcesBooks (Click on Covers) Flyers (Click on Covers) Meet the team bringing Exploration 2026 to life.The Design Team Jayln Betts\nAnnual Conference: Oklahoma\nCall: Local Church as a Licensed Local Pastor \nGreta Todd\nAnnual Conference: Illinois-Great Rivers \nCall: Deacon Serving in Mental Health Care \nJemina Marasigan\nAnnual Conference: Pacific Northwest \nCall: Elder in a Local Church \nKyan Stuart\nAnnual Conference: Illinois-Great Rivers\nCall: Deacon Serving in Medical Field \nWhitney Wheeler\nAnnual Conference: Florida \nCall: Elder Serving in Nonprofit Leadership \nStaff Members Rev. Eduardo Bousson\nSenior Manager\,\nCollegiate Ministries \nRev. Dr. Trip Lowery\nDirector\, Ministry \nRev. Amie Stewart\nSenior Manager\, Conference Relations
URL:https://www.gbhem.org/event/exploration-2026/
LOCATION:DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at the Entrance to Universal Orlando\, 5780 Major Blvd.\, Orlando\, FL\, 32819\, United States
CATEGORIES:Agency,Ministry
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.gbhem.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/explo2013worshiphands.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="The Rev. Dr. Trip Lowery%2C Director of Ministry":MAILTO:tlowery@gbhem.org
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