CONFERENCE PROGRAM

8:00 am                        Continental Breakfast and Fellowship       

8:30 am                         Opening Prayer and Welcome      

                                          Host Church

                                          Welcome  

                                          Karen Plavan, Ph.D. Pgh. Pastoral Care Conference

8:45 am                          Opening Remarks:                                                                

                                           Pastoral Care

                                           Reid Carpenter, Founder, Pittsburgh Leadership Foundation

                                           Welcome

                                            The Rev. Liddy Barlow, Christian Associates of SW PA

9:15-10:30 am               Keynote Speaker:                                                                

                                           “Making the Impossible Possible”

                                            Bill Strickland, Founder, Manchester Craftsman Guild

                                            Bill will tell his story from his childhood to creating an international

                                             organization.

10:30-10:45 am            Break – Visit Exhibit Tables                                              

10:45-12 noon              Session One (Choose One)

A1.  History of the 12 Step Programs and Recovery    

Learn the basic ABC’s of the 12 Step program and how they emerged over time through the First Century Christian Fellowship, the Oxford Group and others who paved the way for a modern spiritual revolution.  Learn how to adapt the 12 Steps to help in churches and organizations.

The Rev. Dr. Jay Geisler, Life Building Ministries

 A2. Addressing Trauma through Technology    

Our struggles are caused by programs in our subconscious mind.  McAninch incorporates energy psychology informed techniques to help his clients change their beliefs. These techniques allow clients to work through and release their negative energy blockages without having to talk about or relive traumatic events, enabling them to achieve greater success in reaching their recovery goals.  McAninch is dedicated to bringing healing specifically to veterans and first responders with substance use disorders.

Jim McIntosh, M.Ed., Registered Certified Recovery Coach, NES Health Practitioner

 A3.  Trauman and the Church                                                           

Trauma will be defined –its physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual impact. Dr. Powe will describe how untreated traumatic experiences affect our relationships with God and people. She will alsoIdentify Biblically aligned resources to foster healing from traumatic events.

Paula Powe, M.D., Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh

A4. Reaching out to Teenagers with Compassion & Hope                                      

Learn about a unique church/civic collaboration in the Carrick neighborhood addressing poverty and addiction with inner city youth. Starting with a weeknight meal, basketball, and other activities,  the ministry now expanded into “Locking Arms” men’s meetings, and a new Youth and Family Night to draw families and siblings together at the Carrick Community Center.

Philip Stinelli, Head Pastor & Mike Boyd, Pittsburgh South Alliance Church

For over 25 years, Joseph Maxim, a prodigal himself, works with teens to combat addiction and aid in their development to become what God is calling them to be in this world.

Joseph Maxim, Author “Good Kids Gone Bad” Cornerstone Ministries

 A5.  Leading Churches and Organizations through Change and Crises                  

We’re living in disruptive times culturally and congregationally. These changes can be so rapid that it’s hard to know how to lead in ways that stabilize and offer paths forward. This workshop will explore personal, structural, and operational ways of calming stress, clarifying pathways, and shepherding people and churches forward. This practical and pragmatic workshop is based on experiences and processes that have been proven to be effective in leading churches and organizations through difficult times.

The Rev. Graham Standish, Ph.D., M.Div., MA, MSW

Executive Director/Director, Samaritan – Counseling -Guidance – Consulting

12:00 Noon       LUNCH & Visit Exhibit Tables                                                           

1:00 pm            Announcements & Dave Else Award                             

1:00-2:15pm Session Two (Choose One)

B1. Working with the Homeless                                                                               

Learn about how Operation Safety Net helps the homeless and serves as a national model to help the homeless and about a local mission serving the homeless.

Dr. James S. Withers, MD, FACP, Pittsburgh Mercy Operation Safety Net

Rev. Jerrel T. Gilliam, Executive Director, Light of Life Rescue Mission

 B2. Developing Spirituallyu-Integrated, Grief Informed Professionals                  

While grief is a universal parat of he human experience, it is often overlooked and misunderstood.  Helping professionals should be well informed of how to appropriately address and handle the topic.  This session will examine different types of grief and grief reactions, including spiritual compoents.

Kristen A. Olson-Gaia, LCSW, JD, Counselor, Anchorpoint Counseling Ministry

Ashley Whitaker, LPC, Counselor, Anchorpoint Counseling Ministry

B3. End of Life Spiritual Care, Palliative and Hospice Care                                     

Learn about the origins of Pastoral Care and about misunderstandings in today’s environment. The main focus on patient centered spiritual care.  What feeds the spirit?  How do we reconcile our own theological commitments with patient centered care in end of life settings (hospice/Palliative) and make Christ’s present through our presence.

Pastor Kimberly A. Rapczak, ThM., Spiritual Care Coordinator for Palliative and Supportive Care

Allegheny Health Network

 B4.  Ministering to the Latino Community in Pittsburgh                                        

Learn about ministering to the Lationo Community in Pittsburgh.

Jorge Vela, Director of the Hispanic Apostolate for the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh

Father Carmen D’Amico, Priest, Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh

 B5.  Building Leadership Teams and Partner with Community Organizations       

Learn how to build partnerships with schools/other nonprofits, building leadership teams/councils/sessions that practice discernment, conflict utilization, and strategic planning and implementation (i.e. healthy and spiritually grounded leadership teams).

Rev. Erik Hoeke, Director of Continuing Education at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

 B6.  Finding Inner Balance When Change Comes Fast                                            

As we all try to adjust and adapt to changes in the Human Service field, especially in the distribution of resources, one may struggle to know how best to cope. Learn and engage in a conversation about how best to process change while continuing to support those whose care we  are responsible.

Rachel Kornfield Becker, LCSW, Nurtured Heart Counseling

 2:15-2:30 pm              Break – Visit Exhibit Tables

2:30 pm                       Dave Else Award Presentation

2:45-3:45 pm              A Collective Bible Study – Miracle Stories 

Stories of signs and wonders inspire us to “make the impossible possible.” Let’s open the Bible with three outstanding Christian leaders of Southwest Pennsylvania, as we seek to understand how miracles can reveal God’s power and glory, in the pages of Scripture and in our lives today.

Moderator:  The Rev. Liddy Barlow, Executive Minister,  Christian Associates of SW PA

Bible Study Leaders:

The Rev. Jessica McClure Archer, General Minister, Pittsburgh Presbytery

 3:45-4:00 pm            Closing Prayer