Workshops by Topic

ADMINISTRATION (for other TOPICS, see left side-bar)

Parish Finances (same workshop offered twice)                                                               Sessions 2 & 3

Appropriate controls over finances, money handling, check-writing and expenditure approval are essential in managing the financial life of a parish and in protecting the people who are charged with money management.    This workshop will provide a brief overview of some of the basics, but the focus is on answering your questions.   If there are specific questions you would like to have answered in the workshop, please send an email to Financequestions@episcopalatlanta.org.

Ms. Bonnie Burgess, Director of Finance for the Diocese , Mr. Steven Burnett, Chair, diocesan Finance Committee and Mr. James Jordan, Jordan, Kinsey & Jordan, CPAs.

Safeguarding God’s Children             (training requires  attendance at both Sessions  2 & 3)                                                                                               

Safeguarding God’s Children teaches adults what they need to know to prevent sexual abuse of children and youth.  This program is mandated by the Policies on Prevention of Child Abuse in the Diocese of Atlanta for:  all clergy, church staff, Vestry members, and anyone working directly with children or youth, including Sunday school teachers.   The training provides general information about abuse of children, the perpetrators of abuse, how to protect children and youth from abuse and the particular screening, monitoring and teaching methods to be used in churches for prevention.  This workshop requires attendance at both sessions for completion of the course.

The Rev. Mary Erickson, Associate Rector at St. Martin in the Fields, Atlanta and Diocesan Safe Church Trainer

Safeguarding God’s People                   (training requires  attendance at both Sessions 2 & 3)

This training provides information for clergy and church employees, volunteers, leaders and members about sexual exploitation of adults.  The goals of the training are: to prevent sexual misconduct of adults in the Episcopal Church; to encourage adults to report to church leaders when they see or experience misconduct; and to give Episcopalians a language with which to talk about the issues of sexual misconduct.  To complete the mandated training, the Diocese of Atlanta requires both sessions for all clergy and those in leadership or pastoral care positions in parishes or Episcopal institutions.   Any adult is welcome to take the first session only.

The Rev. Dr. Deborah Silver, Fellow, The American Association of Pastoral Counseling, LMFT pending, and The Rev. J. William Harkins, PhD, LMFT, priest associate at the Cathedral of St. Philip, both Diocesan Safe Church trainers

Self Mediation: Managing Workplace Conflict                                                                    Session 1

This workshop will serve as an invaluable tool to help resolve conflict in church staffs, as commended to dioceses in Resolution A125 adopted at the 2006 General Convention.  This one session workshop will provide the sketch of a method that can manage conflict that naturally occurs between members of any church staff. Participants will be able to decide if a comprehensive on-site workshop would be beneficial to the life and health of their local parish staff.

Mr. Al Talley, Center for Congregational Health & Clergy Wellness

The Office (Church Style)                                                                                                                   Session 1

Long gone are the days of SNL’s “Church Lady;” today in the Diocese of Atlanta it takes a special combination of skills to support the ministry of the Episcopal Church in a parish.  Come learn about the keys to an efficient, well-run church office that focuses on supporting ministry and bringing about the Kingdom of God.  PANDA (Parish Administrator/secretaries Network of the Diocese of Atlanta) has collected “best practices” to share with administrators, clergy, staff, Vestry members and office volunteers interested in improving communication, expectations and ministry with a well-run office.  In addition, you will learn about the local resources available to office staff through PANDA.

Ms. Ivory D. Richardson, Parish Administrator of the Cathedral of St. Philip and member of PANDA