Program Focuses On Growth
“The Church You’ve Always Longed For: What You Can Do To Make It Happen” is a 50-day plan that will be discussed at the Adventure Training Conference beginning at 8 a.m. Thursday at Lidgerwood Presbyterian Church, 4449 N. Nevada.
The plan uses eight worship themes and five spiritual growth steps toward making a church more welcoming, enhancing its unity and strengthening small-group ministries. The conference also will offer tips on how to increase membership giving and how to make the most of financial resources.
The conference, for pastors and lay leaders of all denominations, is sponsored by The Chapel Ministries, a non-profit, non-denominational outreach program that has focused on revitalizing Christians and their churches for 57 years.
Registration is $89 and includes lunch and a church starter kit. Walk-in registrants are welcome.
For more information, or to register in advance, call (800) 224-2735.
Catholic conference
“Way of Wisdom,” a conference sponsored by the Inland Empire Catholic Charismatic Service Team, will begin at 7 p.m. Friday in the Gonzaga Prep auditorium, 1224 E. Euclid.
A Mass and reconciliation service that night will be led by the Rev. Tom Mele, whose topic will be “Fear of the Lord Is the Beginning of Wisdom.”
Saturday’s events begin at 9 a.m. and conclude with a service at 7 p.m. Workshops include “Introduction to the Charismatic Movement,” “Having a Prophetic Voice in the Parish and Church Community,” “Healing with Wisdom” and “How Mary Can Lead You to Christ.”
Others will discuss “Faith, Hope and Joy at the Millennium: the Pope’s Plan for Celebration” and more.
The conference concludes Sunday with an 11:45 a.m. Mass and homily by Bishop William Skylstad of the Spokane Catholic Diocese.
“All who seek a closer walk with Jesus Christ and a better understanding of the workings of the Holy Spirit in their lives are invited,” said Andi McGoran, a workshop leader.
Registration can be done at the door.
American Humanist speaker Bette Chambers, a member of the American Humanist Association, will be guest speaker at the 9:30 and 11 a.m. services on Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 4340 W. Fort George Wright Drive.
The American Humanist Association opposes many of the ideas advocated by The Christian Coalition, including discrimination of any kind and teaching creationism in school; it advocates a separation of church and state.
For more information, call the church office, 325-6383.
Beliefs about money
“Financial Freedom” is a workshop to be taught by Carleton Whitehead, a former minister from Colorado, at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the First Church of Religious Science Center of Creative Living, 2825 E. 33rd.
Whitehead’s seminar teaches people how to recognize their beliefs about money and how to change them so money can become an increasing benefit.
There is no charge for the workshop, but a freewill offering will be taken. For more information, call 534-1011.
Welsh songs
A Welsh gathering for singing will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at St. Paul’s Methodist Church, 1620 N. Monroe.
Songs, sung in Welsh and English, will include four-part singing and a harp, both Welsh traditions. Sid Kistler will direct the singing, Virginia Vevea will play the harp, and Norman Olson will play the organ. The free concert is open to the public.
Recording artist to appear
Singer Vernon Paulson will perform at the 9:30 a.m. service on Sunday at the First Church of Religious Science Center of Creative Living, 2825 E. 33rd.
Paulson is a North Dakota native who now lives and works in California. He has produced one album, “Life Is Making Miracles,” and two more are in the works.