The diocese’s Season of Spiritual Renewal is holding online workshops throughout the fall. Here are some that are held on Wednesdays at noon. To register and learn more, www.toronto.anglican.ca/spiritualrenewal.
Especially for Lectors with the Rev. Canon Judy Paulsen, Oct. 1
The goal of this workshop is to encourage and further develop all those who read the Scriptures as part of their church’s worship services. Together with Canon Paulsen, participants will explore a biblical basis for the public reading of Scripture, delve into the importance of this task, and provide tips on some of the ways lectors can be spiritually, intellectually and physically prepared for this key ministry.
Hospitality and the Spiritual Life of a Church with Canon Janet Marshall, Oct. 8
Canon Marshall, director of Congregational Development, and participants will consider the importance of hospitality in the life of church communities.
Preaching Evangelistically with Dr. John Bowen, Oct. 22 and 29
Dr. Bowen, leader of this two-part workshop, says, “Evangelism can be defined as explaining the heart of Christian faith and inviting a response. Many preachers are good at the first but nervous about the second or simply don’t know a respectful and low-key way to do it. This workshop will look at various ways to sharpen the evangelistic focus of our preaching – and suggest ways we can invite an appropriate response.”
A New and Ancient Evangelism with the Rev. Canon Judy Paulsen, Nov. 19
The sales-pitch model of evangelism, so pervasive throughout the past century, has unintentionally discouraged many Christians from sharing their faith with others. But what if the Bible teaches a different model of how God draws people? What if God uses ordinary people of prayer, offering a simple word of hope within their everyday spheres of influence, to draw people to himself? In this workshop, Canon Paulsen will explore two well-loved conversion stories from scripture to learn about a new (and ancient) model for sharing the faith.
I experienced a ‘warming of the heart’