Grounded in the idea that to be church is to be a force for good in the local community, participants will explore how churches of all sizes can respond to today’s social, civic, and spiritual challenges through meaningful community engagement, service, and advocacy. Participants will share their churches’ current initiatives, as well as their wishlist for future initiatives. Together, participants will consider all efforts, from the simple to the wild, and discuss practical steps to get to the work of “being church” by taking action.
The course will cover public witness, service to those in need, and faithful engagement in the public square, and then how to engage the theological foundations for action and advocacy. Two class sessions will be devoted to the specific areas where participant churches wish to proceed. During the final session, each participant will report on their action plan for the coming year.
This course is generously offered in conjunction with the Iona Collaborative at Seminary of the Southwest and taught by EDS' Coordinator of Community Life, the Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Mae Magill (Liz).
This class is full.
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The Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Mae Magill (Liz)
The Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Mae Magill (Liz) is the Coordinator of Community Life at Episcopal Divinity School. She is a writer, pastor, and workshop leader in central Massachusetts. The author of When Did We See You? A Lenten Reflection on Poverty & Wealth she wants to help you connect your mission and evangelism. As the founder of Worcester Fellowship, an outdoor church reaching adults without homes, she wants to help you imagine new ways of being church.
Liz earned her MDiv in 2002 from Episcopal Divinity School and her DMin in 2017 from Brite Divinity School. Ordained with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) she works as Coordinator of Community Life for Episcopal Divinity School.
Liz loves quilting and other crafts, music, skiing, travel, and her husband Ken.