Friday Learning Experiences
Learning Experiences, also known as workshops, are a central component of Triennial. In these sessions attendees grow by learning from seasoned leaders and being equipped to deepen their relationships with Christ and love others for him. Learning Experience options are listed below in alphabetical order.
If you have any questions, contact Jill Ulven. Phone: (773) 596-2493 Fax: (773) 596-2494 Email: jill.ulven@covchurch.org
LE01. Alone with My Bible
EMPIRE B
Are you alive in Christ, growing in the living Word? How does the Bible bring us deeper in faith? Like any other book, it can be known with our brains. But how is it different than any other book? How do we open it, as well as our hearts, to knowing our living Lord and transforming in his likeness?
Mary Miller, chaplain at Covenant Village of Cromwell retirement community in Cromwell, Connecticut.
LE02. The Disciple-Making Adventure
NEW YORK A
Jesus’ Great Commission should be our primary passion and concern, but most of us don’t know how to make and deepen disciples as a way of life. Together we’ll explore fresh ways to pursue the adventure of a joy-filled, disciple-making lifestyle.
Michelle Sanchez, executive director of the Make & Deepen Disciples mission priority for the Evangelical Covenant Church.
LE03. Family of God: All Are Needed
CHICAGO C
We need each other to understand and represent the family of God. Exploring the value of building multi-cultural and multi-generational communities.
Caenisha Warren, coordinator for Events and Student Ministries for the John Perkins Center at Seattle Pacific University in Seattle, Washington.
LE04. The Heart of a Woman: Our Thirst to Be Whole in Body, Mind, and Spirit
ATLANTA A/B
Heart disease is the #1 cause of death in women. But maintaining a healthy heart requires a lot more than nutrition and exercise. This workshop will address the connection between our physical health and our mental, spiritual and emotional wellbeing.
Kara Davis, medical doctor and the First Lady of New Zion Covenant Church in Chicago’s south suburbs. @drkaradavis on Twitter/Instagram.
LE05. Illustrated Faith: Using Creativity and Journaling in Your Faith
CHICAGO B
In this workshop we will cover seven contemplative steps to illustrating your faith through Bible Journaling.
Shanna Noel, worships at Redwood Covenant Church in Santa Rosa, California.
LE06. Learning about You through the Enneagram: Find Yourself in the Nine Types
CHICAGO A
Discover this ancient tool as a way to increase your self-awareness and understand how to relate better to family, friends, and colleagues. A free online quiz will provide a beginning to the conversation.
Carol Lawson, director of ministry services for the Develop Leaders mission priority of the Evangelical Covenant Church.
LE07. Helping Others through Creative Social Enterprise
CHOUTEAU A
Buy a doll, give a doll, give a woman a job. Oli-Bo-Bolly serves communities in need by selling handcrafted, one-of-a-kind dolls. For every dolly sold, one with our special message is gifted to a girl in one of these communities. Learn more and help make a “give” dolly.
Olivea Borden, founder and CEO of Oli-Bo-Bolly in Fort Collins, Colorado.
LE08. Prayer S.P.A. (spiritual practices area)
TERRACE
Be refreshed in a S.P.A. of meditative prayer and Scripture using the Lectio Divina method, biblical art, and more.
Diana Shiflett, pastor of Spiritual Formation at Naperville Covenant Church in Naperville, Illinois.
LE09. Restoring the Sexually Wounded
VANHORN C
Sex is a beautiful gift from God. Outside of God’s design, however, distortions of sex can lead to damaged relationships, low self-esteem, sexual dysfunction, hindered spiritual life, and more. This Learning Experience brings together scientific research and Scriptural grounding to offer insights about recovering from sexual brokenness and finding hope in Christ’s healing.
Barbara Wilson, author and speaker in Sacramento, California.
LE10. Rethink Fitness
GILLHAM
Learn how the ABCs of fitness can move your from fitness frustration to a life of strength, energy and health.
Michelle Spadafora, founder of Faithful Workouts in Evergreen, Colorado.
LE11. Sankofa Experience: Transforming Christian Life (part 1/2)
VANHORN B
Whose truth do we believe? If you’re thirsty for God’s truth and want to experience Sankofa, join us for a transforming community Learning Experience as we explore our race history, culture, and faith.
Velda Love, director of Justice and Intercultural Learning and an adjunct professor at North Park University in Chicago, Illinois. Debra Auger, dean of Students and Community Life and an associate professor at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago, Illinois.
LE12. Siendo Y Haciendo Discípulos (en Español)
BENTON A
Estamos llamados a ser y hacer discípulos. ¿Cómo crecemos y ayudamos a otros a crecer en Cristo?
Katie Isaza, Covenant missionary in Medellín, Colombia. Edith Moncleano, Iglesia del Pacto Evangelico de Colombia, Bogota, Columbia.
LE13. You Are Not Alone: Creating Support Systems for Families with Mental Illness
CHOUTEAU B
There are many stigmas around mental illness. We’ll learn what families and communities with mental illness go through and how the Church can respond, help them, and be a support system.
Minhee Cho, licensed marriage and family therapist in Seattle, Washington.
LE14. Walking in Sensible Shoes: A Journey Into the Heart of God
NEW YORK B
Using spiritual formation themes from her novels Sharon Garlough Brown invites women to explore their own longings for deepening intimacy with God and others through prayer and other spiritual disciplines.
Sharon Garlough Brown, author of multiple books and the co-pastor of Redeemer Covenant Church in Caledonia, Michigan.
LE15. Develop a Deborah
BENTON B
In scripture, God raised up Deborah to be a leader, prophet, and military commander. She was an effective leader of women and men. In this seminar, we will briefly outline the biblical view that spiritual gifts are not given based on gender, and we’ll explore ways for you and other women in your congregation to be affirmed and directed into positions of leadership.
Brian Wiele, chair of the ECC’s Commission for Biblical Gender Equality and pastor of River Ridge Covenant Church in Olympia, Washington. Abby Jones, pastor of the Evangelical Covenant Church in Stromsburg, Nebraska.