Upcoming Events
November 7-8, 2025 in Des Moines, Iowa
Iowa Diocesan Convention
For anyone in a Iowa congregation • Friday Workshop: Finding God in your Neighborhood 6:30 pm
God is at work in your community. Some of that work happens in Church; some is elsewhere. A practical workshop on how to find where God is locally, and how to join in the work. Plan to work with your congregation on steps to be present to the neighbors outside your doors.
For delegates from Iowa Congregations. • Keynote: Fictive Family and the Body of Christ: Who is "together"?
Iowa Diocesan Convention
For anyone in a Iowa congregation • Friday Workshop: Finding God in your Neighborhood 6:30 pm
God is at work in your community. Some of that work happens in Church; some is elsewhere. A practical workshop on how to find where God is locally, and how to join in the work. Plan to work with your congregation on steps to be present to the neighbors outside your doors.
For delegates from Iowa Congregations. • Keynote: Fictive Family and the Body of Christ: Who is "together"?
Book Discussion Online!
Growing A Relational Food Ministry
Want to gather some people?
Contact me to set a date
Pastor Liz will share an excerpt from her book Five Loaves, Two Fish, Twelve Volunteers: Growing A Relational Food Ministry. The book offers stories from eight congregations that share ministry with the people they serve, and shows how your congregation can do the same. Building relationships and inviting people to volunteer helps to create church.
Ask questions about the people she has met, share what is happening at your meal or pantry, and get advice on next steps for creating a more relational ministry.
Growing A Relational Food Ministry
Want to gather some people?
Contact me to set a date
Pastor Liz will share an excerpt from her book Five Loaves, Two Fish, Twelve Volunteers: Growing A Relational Food Ministry. The book offers stories from eight congregations that share ministry with the people they serve, and shows how your congregation can do the same. Building relationships and inviting people to volunteer helps to create church.
Ask questions about the people she has met, share what is happening at your meal or pantry, and get advice on next steps for creating a more relational ministry.
Past Events
October 18-19, 2025 Denver, CO
Spiritual Neighboring 101
Training for lay and ordained leaders on how to be spiritual neighbors/companions for people on the streets, in their homes, in prison, or living on the edge. This model, developed by Craig Rennebohm, is described in his book Souls in the Hands of a Tender God. The course is a hands on approach to assessing the environment, finding your role in this relationship, and becoming a companion, a neighbor. We will to role play, discuss situations you have faced, and try-on skills for growing your ability to care for your neighbor.
The chapter Relational Ministry: Ministry with People who are Without Homes and Who are Food Insecure in the book Injustice and the Care of Souls: Taking Oppression Seriously in Pastoral Care (Fortress Press, Second Edition 2023) is based on this course and my street ministry experiences.
OPEN TO ALL Send me an email to get the registration form.
Spiritual Neighboring 101
Training for lay and ordained leaders on how to be spiritual neighbors/companions for people on the streets, in their homes, in prison, or living on the edge. This model, developed by Craig Rennebohm, is described in his book Souls in the Hands of a Tender God. The course is a hands on approach to assessing the environment, finding your role in this relationship, and becoming a companion, a neighbor. We will to role play, discuss situations you have faced, and try-on skills for growing your ability to care for your neighbor.
The chapter Relational Ministry: Ministry with People who are Without Homes and Who are Food Insecure in the book Injustice and the Care of Souls: Taking Oppression Seriously in Pastoral Care (Fortress Press, Second Edition 2023) is based on this course and my street ministry experiences.
OPEN TO ALL Send me an email to get the registration form.
September 7 to October 4 Online
Foundations for Baptismal Living
This online, interactive course provides the foundation to theological thinking. You will choose an issue you care about and learn how to make a theological argument to make your case. The course meets live, online, on Friday evenings (Eastern time) and includes readings and videos during the week.
This course is preparation for preaching, leading studies, or just knowing for yourself the theological basis for your view points. Offered by Bexley Seabury Pathways. www.bexleyseabury.edu/pathways
Foundations for Baptismal Living
This online, interactive course provides the foundation to theological thinking. You will choose an issue you care about and learn how to make a theological argument to make your case. The course meets live, online, on Friday evenings (Eastern time) and includes readings and videos during the week.
This course is preparation for preaching, leading studies, or just knowing for yourself the theological basis for your view points. Offered by Bexley Seabury Pathways. www.bexleyseabury.edu/pathways
August 30, 2025 at Wild Goose Festival
Stories of Poverty, Excess, and Just Living; What Can We Do?
Through stories of real people making a real difference, we will explore ways to that individuals, churches, and other communities engage with people who are poor and marginalized in their community. Strategies for dealing with pay day lending, an underground railroad, and more. I'll tell some stories and in small groups everyone will have an option to share. We’ll then explore strategies to address poverty in your hometown. Based on my upcoming book When Did We See You? A Lenten Reflection on Poverty & Wealth.
Stories of Poverty, Excess, and Just Living; What Can We Do?
Through stories of real people making a real difference, we will explore ways to that individuals, churches, and other communities engage with people who are poor and marginalized in their community. Strategies for dealing with pay day lending, an underground railroad, and more. I'll tell some stories and in small groups everyone will have an option to share. We’ll then explore strategies to address poverty in your hometown. Based on my upcoming book When Did We See You? A Lenten Reflection on Poverty & Wealth.
August 11-14, 2025
The Unconference
A closed gathering of Episcopal Churches discussing generational wealth in congregations.
The Unconference
A closed gathering of Episcopal Churches discussing generational wealth in congregations.
10 am to 4 pm February 24, 2024
Lay Preaching
Get more information through the New Hampshire Conference UCC Prepared to Serve registration form.
The most important thing you can bring to your preaching is something that you want to say. Communication starts with knowing what you want to say, and then developing some skills for saying it. Join us for an introductory workshop that will cover how to find your scripture text, how to find meaning from the text, where to look for background resources, how to include your own story, and how to wrap that together into a sermon your congregation will appreciate. We will also cover basic tips and tricks for being heard. With The Rev. Dr. Deborah Roof.
Lay Preaching
Get more information through the New Hampshire Conference UCC Prepared to Serve registration form.
The most important thing you can bring to your preaching is something that you want to say. Communication starts with knowing what you want to say, and then developing some skills for saying it. Join us for an introductory workshop that will cover how to find your scripture text, how to find meaning from the text, where to look for background resources, how to include your own story, and how to wrap that together into a sermon your congregation will appreciate. We will also cover basic tips and tricks for being heard. With The Rev. Dr. Deborah Roof.
9 am to 3 pm March 2, 2024 Rindge Congregational Church
10am to 4 pm January 20, 2024 Northwood Congregational Church
Quilt A New Church
$100 per church, bring 3-8 members. RSVP here.
Our past, it's values, practices, and stories, are the foundations of what we reduce, reuse, and recycle for creating the church of the future. Join us to try-out very new forms of church, experience and notice how we work together at setting priorities, and start the work of creating something new that fits this specific time and this specific place for your local congregation.
Offered in collaboration with The New Thing Task Force of the New Hampshire Association of the United Church of Christ.
10am to 4 pm January 20, 2024 Northwood Congregational Church
Quilt A New Church
$100 per church, bring 3-8 members. RSVP here.
Our past, it's values, practices, and stories, are the foundations of what we reduce, reuse, and recycle for creating the church of the future. Join us to try-out very new forms of church, experience and notice how we work together at setting priorities, and start the work of creating something new that fits this specific time and this specific place for your local congregation.
Offered in collaboration with The New Thing Task Force of the New Hampshire Association of the United Church of Christ.
12:15 - 1:00 pm February 25, 2021
Online Fireside Chat
Creating Church Event with BTS Center
Join Rev. Allen Ewing-Merrill, Executive Director of The BTS Center, for a lunchtime Fireside Chat.
"Volunteering is not sufficient for ending poverty. Or homelessness. Or addiction. It certainly does not end oppression, even on a small scale. My Doctor of Ministry project suggested that shared ministry would change the world (and perhaps every doctoral student dreams of that), but it does not. Yet shared ministry did do something that I didn't expect: It created church."
What is church, then? More broadly, what is a community of faith? Join us for this wide-ranging conversation about shared ministry, food, community, and service. Drawing upon her extensive study of church-based food ministries, Liz will offer some insights about how eating and working together, listening deeply to one another, and focusing on authentic relationships can lead to a radically reoriented way of being a community of faith.
Register to join the conversation on Zoom, or catch it as it streams on Facebook Live on The BTS Center page.
Online Fireside Chat
Creating Church Event with BTS Center
Join Rev. Allen Ewing-Merrill, Executive Director of The BTS Center, for a lunchtime Fireside Chat.
"Volunteering is not sufficient for ending poverty. Or homelessness. Or addiction. It certainly does not end oppression, even on a small scale. My Doctor of Ministry project suggested that shared ministry would change the world (and perhaps every doctoral student dreams of that), but it does not. Yet shared ministry did do something that I didn't expect: It created church."
What is church, then? More broadly, what is a community of faith? Join us for this wide-ranging conversation about shared ministry, food, community, and service. Drawing upon her extensive study of church-based food ministries, Liz will offer some insights about how eating and working together, listening deeply to one another, and focusing on authentic relationships can lead to a radically reoriented way of being a community of faith.
Register to join the conversation on Zoom, or catch it as it streams on Facebook Live on The BTS Center page.
September 3-6, 2021 Hot Springs, North Carolina
Celebrating Dinner: Stories from Meals and Pantries
Wild Goose Festival
When people who are food insecure and people who have plenty of food start working together the result is chaos--hear fun and funny stories of how everything can go wrong and yet, still, everyone is fed. Luckily, God creates the world--and church--out of chaos. Relationships are built, communities are changed, we all begin to see each other through Jesus's eyes. Using stories from throughout the United States, I'll share advice on how to change your food pantry or meal to be ministry "with" instead of ministry "to" others.
Celebrating Dinner: Stories from Meals and Pantries
Wild Goose Festival
When people who are food insecure and people who have plenty of food start working together the result is chaos--hear fun and funny stories of how everything can go wrong and yet, still, everyone is fed. Luckily, God creates the world--and church--out of chaos. Relationships are built, communities are changed, we all begin to see each other through Jesus's eyes. Using stories from throughout the United States, I'll share advice on how to change your food pantry or meal to be ministry "with" instead of ministry "to" others.
When Did I See You Hungry?
Need this workshop? Let me know and
I will schedule it again. Usually 1 to 1.5 hours.
During this period of disruption and turmoil Jesus calls us to see and care for those who are hungry among us. As people are laid off, the problem of hunger increases. It is time to be brave and care for our neighbors. In that work you may find you have expanded the definition of church.
Need this workshop? Let me know and
I will schedule it again. Usually 1 to 1.5 hours.
During this period of disruption and turmoil Jesus calls us to see and care for those who are hungry among us. As people are laid off, the problem of hunger increases. It is time to be brave and care for our neighbors. In that work you may find you have expanded the definition of church.
September 25, 2021 Online 9 am to Noon
New England Conference United Methodist Church
Fall Learning Day
When people who are food insecure and people who have plenty of food start working together the result is chaos--hear fun and funny stories of how everything can go wrong and yet, still, everyone is fed. Luckily, God creates the world--and church--out of chaos. Relationships are built, communities are changed, we all begin to see each other through Jesus's eyes. Using stories from throughout the United States, I'll share advice on how to change your food pantry or meal to be ministry "with" instead of ministry "to" others.
Followed by a panel of church-based food ministry leaders with time for questions and in-depth discussion.
New England Conference United Methodist Church
Fall Learning Day
When people who are food insecure and people who have plenty of food start working together the result is chaos--hear fun and funny stories of how everything can go wrong and yet, still, everyone is fed. Luckily, God creates the world--and church--out of chaos. Relationships are built, communities are changed, we all begin to see each other through Jesus's eyes. Using stories from throughout the United States, I'll share advice on how to change your food pantry or meal to be ministry "with" instead of ministry "to" others.
Followed by a panel of church-based food ministry leaders with time for questions and in-depth discussion.
March 24-26, 2022, Grand Rapids Michigan
Telling Other People's Stories, Festival Circle
Festival of Faith and Writing at Calvin University.
At the heart of great non-fiction are interesting stories about real people. We observe, we write what we observe. Writers often find ourselves telling other people's stories. How do we engage this practice ethically, compassionately, and faithfully? What can we do to be sure the people we meet retain ownership of their story? What makes the story authentic, honest, and yet acknowledges our outsider view of someone else's life?
Telling Other People's Stories, Festival Circle
Festival of Faith and Writing at Calvin University.
At the heart of great non-fiction are interesting stories about real people. We observe, we write what we observe. Writers often find ourselves telling other people's stories. How do we engage this practice ethically, compassionately, and faithfully? What can we do to be sure the people we meet retain ownership of their story? What makes the story authentic, honest, and yet acknowledges our outsider view of someone else's life?
Saturday, October 31, 2020
South Congregational Church, Centerville MA 02632
Lunch and Learn
Debunking Myths, Reducing Stigma: Hear from experts in the field of Substance Use, Housing and Case Management, Mental Illness and Ministry within the homeless community.
Getting to know your neighbors: Spiritual Companioning
Jesus said to love your neighbors as yourself. To love people we have to know them! This workshop will give you hands-on skills for building connections to people who are different from you. Learning to do ministry with people in need will transform your ministry from outreach into church, in all sorts of unexpected places.
For more information contact Rev. Pam Wannie, Here Now Outdoor Ministries, 508-612-6375. RSVP 508-775-8332.
South Congregational Church, Centerville MA 02632
Lunch and Learn
Debunking Myths, Reducing Stigma: Hear from experts in the field of Substance Use, Housing and Case Management, Mental Illness and Ministry within the homeless community.
Getting to know your neighbors: Spiritual Companioning
Jesus said to love your neighbors as yourself. To love people we have to know them! This workshop will give you hands-on skills for building connections to people who are different from you. Learning to do ministry with people in need will transform your ministry from outreach into church, in all sorts of unexpected places.
For more information contact Rev. Pam Wannie, Here Now Outdoor Ministries, 508-612-6375. RSVP 508-775-8332.
Zoom Book Discussion Group
Register for Zoom discussion: 7-8 pm May 14, 21, 28, 2020.
Join Theological Summer Reading Facebook Group.
Share what you've found in the book Five Loaves, Two Fish, Twelve Volunteers: Growing A Relational Food Ministry. Ask the questions about the book, and about how to apply the book to food ministries you are part of. Listen to others as they react to this book. Hear additional stories about the churches included in the book, and about other's food ministries.
Register for Zoom discussion: 7-8 pm May 14, 21, 28, 2020.
Join Theological Summer Reading Facebook Group.
Share what you've found in the book Five Loaves, Two Fish, Twelve Volunteers: Growing A Relational Food Ministry. Ask the questions about the book, and about how to apply the book to food ministries you are part of. Listen to others as they react to this book. Hear additional stories about the churches included in the book, and about other's food ministries.
When Did I See You Hungry?
• Register here for the zoom link for
Thursday, May 7, 2020, 3 to 4 pm, EDT Online
• Register here for the zoom link for
Monday, May 11, 2020, 11 am to Noon, EDT Online
During this period of physical distancing Jesus is still calling us to see and care for those who are hungry among us. As people are laid off, the problem of hunger increases. It is time to be brave and to take reasonable risks to care for our neighbors. This discussion will include how to keep volunteers safe, and how to change your pantry and meal practices to reduce the risks for all involved.
• Register here for the zoom link for
Thursday, May 7, 2020, 3 to 4 pm, EDT Online
• Register here for the zoom link for
Monday, May 11, 2020, 11 am to Noon, EDT Online
During this period of physical distancing Jesus is still calling us to see and care for those who are hungry among us. As people are laid off, the problem of hunger increases. It is time to be brave and to take reasonable risks to care for our neighbors. This discussion will include how to keep volunteers safe, and how to change your pantry and meal practices to reduce the risks for all involved.