We invite all clergy to come celebrate your calling and enjoy two days of reflection, education, worship, fellowship, and rest on our beautiful campus. The Lilly Endowment and Catawba welcomes you for this special opportunity to connect with other clergy and grow in faith and knowledge.
Learn More:
This year's event will feature guest speaker Cole Arthur Riley, bestselling author of Black Liturgies and This Here Flesh.Riley is a writer and poet whose writing has been featured in The Atlantic, Guernica, The Boston Globe, and The Washington Post. Cole is also the creator of Black Liturgies, a space that integrates spiritual practice with Black emotion, Black literature, and the Black body; and a project of The Center for Dignity and Contemplation where she serves as Curator.
Workshop A - hosted by Cole Arthur Riley - Peeler Crystal Lounge
2:45-4 p.m. — Session 2
Workshop B: Cultivating Healthy Ministers - Room 302, Center for the Environment
Workshop C: This Here Flesh and the Arts - Peeler Crystal Lounge
4-4:30 p.m. — Break for Ice Cream or Coffee
4:45-6 p.m. — Session 3
Workshop D: Social Media & the Local Congregation - Hurley Room, Cannon Student Center
Workshop E: Bible Studies for Your Congregation - Room 322, Hedrick Building
6:15 p.m. — Dinner and Entertainment Peeler Crystal Lounge
7:45 p.m. — Table Talk at New Sarum Brewery with the Director
Friday, September 27
8-8:45 a.m. — Labyrinth Walking in the Chapel and Meditation Time
9-10:15 a.m. — Session 4
Workshop F: Beginners Manual to Podcasting - Hurley Room, Cannon Student Center
Workshop G: Storytelling with Rev. Kendra Joyner-Miller - Room 332, Hedrick Building
10:30-11 a.m. — Coffee & Fellowship
11a.m.-12:15 p.m. — Session 5
Workshop H: What’s Up with Clergy Health? - Room 332, Hedrick Building
Workshop I: Best Practices for Nonprofits in Finance and Administration - Hurley Room, Cannon Student Center
12-12:50 p.m. — Catawba College Choir Rehearsal Omwake-Dearborn Chapel
12:30-1:15 p.m. — Lunch and Fellowship Peeler Crystal Lounge
1:30-2:30 p.m. — Session 6
Workshop J: Preaching in a Secular Age - Room 302, Center for the Environment
Workshop K: Mission Projects Buffet for Your Church - Hurley Room, Cannon Student Center
2:30 p.m. — Closing Worship and Communion Omwake-Dearborn Chapel
3:20 p.m. — Checkout
3:30 p.m. — Mindfulness Walk through Stanback Nature Preserve - CANCELLED
Register by September 20th:
Thursday, September 26th
1:15-2:30p.m. — Workshop A with Cole Arthur Riley
Peeler Crystal Lounge This year's event will feature guest speaker Cole Arthur Riley, bestselling author of Black Liturgiesand This Here Flesh. Riley is a writer and poet whose writing has been featured in The Atlantic, Guernica, The Boston Globe, and The Washington Post. Cole is also the creator of Black Liturgies, a space that integrates spiritual practice with Black emotion, Black literature, and the Black body; and a project of The Center for Dignity and Contemplation where she serves as Curator.
2:45-4p.m. — Choose one of the following:
Workshop B Room 302, Center for the Environment Cultivating Healthy Ministers with Bill Wilson, founder of the Center for Healthy Churches and former President of the Center for Congregational Health at WF Baptist. To cultivate is both a horticultural and a relational endeavor. We will explore how to cultivate a healthy culture for ministers in congregations and how to cultivate life-giving relationships and practices for clergy. We will talk about best practices for church staff committees to cultivate, as well as best practices for ministers to cultivate privately and professionally.
OR
Workshop C This Here Flesh and the Arts with Cely Chicurel Peeler Crystal Lounge Cely will lead this hands on artistic experience in crafting a memorable item reflecting the theme of our Keynote speaker.
4:45-6p.m. — Choose one of the following:
Workshop D Social Media for the Local Congregation with Angel Jeffery Hurley Room, Cannon Student Center Influencers, bots, and trolls—OH MY! Social media for local congregations can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Learn best practices for streamlining processes, reaching audiences, and providing engaging ministry content on social media.
OR
Workshop E Bible Studies for Your Congregation Room 322, Hedrick Building In this workshop we will look at a variety of top resources for teaching and leading biblical study in your congregation. We will preview long term and short-term studies as well as video-based curriculum and helpful books and resources for creating your own study. Participants are encouraged to bring a favorite resource to share if they like!
Friday, September 27th
9-10:15a.m. — Choose one of the following:
Workshop F The Beginner’s Manual to Podcasting with Zachary Trivitt Hurley Room, Cannon Student Center Podcasting is a creative method for sharing information, experiences, knowledge, thoughts, stories, etc. This workshop will cover the basics of starting a podcast, including finding your why, planning and format, equipment, recording, editing, and distributing. The workshop includes a tour of the podcasting studio within the CLB Library.
OR
Workshop G - Storytelling with Rev. Kendra Joyner-Miller Room 332, Hedrick Building
11a.m.-12:15p.m. — Choose one of the following:
Workshop H What’s up with Clergy Health?With Rev. Dr. Scottie J. Stamper of Christ Episcopal Church in Charlotte Room 322, Hedrick Building Led by Rev. Dr. Scottie J. Stamper, Director of Adult Spiritual Formation at Christ Episcopal Church in Charlotte, who has served as a Wellness Advocate for Duke University’s Clergy Health Initiative, coaching United Methodist pastors throughout North Carolina. Her dissertation, “Clergy Spouse Wellbeing” incorporated research based on a bioecological model of wellbeing.
OR
Workshop I Best Practices for Non-Profits in Finance and Administration with Rev. Belinda Sledge Hurley Room, Cannon Student Center Identifying and sharing reliable resources and practices that will help with clarity and transparency in your organization. From simple sign offs to church management software, these resources will be helpful.
1:30-2:30p.m. — Choose one of the following:
Workshop J Preaching in a Secular Age with Robert Black Room 302, Center for the Environment One of the struggles in preaching and spirituality today is that we live in what can be described as a "disenchanted world" (Charles Taylor and Andrew Root being two scholars who have written extensively about this). When church members ask the question "How does this impact my life," they are asking a question of resonance: how does the spiritual realm impact the "real" world? This workshop will be a time to explore those questions and consider how the sermon can alert people of faith to a God who is on the move.
OR
Workshop K Mission Project Buffet Hurley Room, Cannon Student Center Six organizations or ministries working with local churches share what works well and what doesn’t work. What they need from local churches and what local churches do sometimes that is not so helpful.
Keynote Address and Workshop A — Cole Arthur Riley
Cole Arthur Riley
This year's event will feature guest speaker Cole Arthur Riley, bestselling author of Black Liturgies and This Here Flesh.Riley is a writer and poet whose writing has been featured in The Atlantic, Guernica, The Boston Globe, and The Washington Post. Cole is also the creator of Black Liturgies, a space that integrates spiritual practice with Black emotion, Black literature, and the Black body; and a project of The Center for Dignity and Contemplation where she serves as Curator.
Workshop B — Cultivating Healthy Ministers
Dr. William “Bill” Wilson
Dr. William “Bill” Wilson founded The Center for Healthy Churches in January of 2014 and served as its inaugural Director. This followed his service as President of the Center for Congregational Health at Wake Forest Baptist Health since 2009. Previously he was Pastor of First Baptist Church of Dalton, Georgia, where he served since 2003. He brings over 33 years of local church ministry experience to the Center, having served as pastor in two churches in Virginia and on a church staff in South Carolina. Bill has led each of the churches he has served into a time of significant growth and expansion of ministry. He now serves as the Founding Director and Senior Advisor for The Center for Healthy Churches.
His denominational leadership has been extensive, he is a certified coach and facilitator, and has experience as a consultant in numerous settings and with a wide range of organizations, faith communities, and churches.
Dr. Wilson grew up in Greensboro NC and Brentwood TN, where his father pastored local congregations. He attended Belmont University and graduated from Murray State University and went on to receive his Master of Divinity at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and his Doctor of Ministry at the Graduate Theological Foundation in South Bend, Indiana.
Bill is a popular speaker and writer, and he brings to his role as the leader of the work of the Center a deep passion for the local church, as well as a commitment to the health and success of both clergy and congregations. He and Dr. Bob Dale co-authored Weaving Strong Leaders: How Leaders Grow Down, Grow Up and Grow Together. (2016)
He is married to Kathy and they have three children and ten grandchildren.
The Center for Healthy Churches is a nationwide network of 36 consultants and leaders who value and believe in the local church and are committed to its future. Deliberately trans-denominational, team members come from a wide range of denominational, geographic, theological and vocational backgrounds. The Center has worked with churches from approximately twenty different denominational groups that span the geographic and theological spectrum.
For more information, go to: www.CHChurches.org
Workshop C — This Here Flesh and the Arts
Cely Chicurel
I am a native of Chapel Hill, and part of a very artistic family. As a child I loved animals and spent many wonderful hours exploring the woods, making up stories, and creating imaginary worlds. Along with my interest in nature came a growing love for science fiction and fantasy, mostly encouraged by my dad. But it was my mother who gave me space in our kitchen to be creative and encouraged me to see myself as an artist.
After High School, I was given a chance to take pottery classes at a local design school and began making animals and creatures out of clay. Eventually I bought my own Cone 6 oxidation kiln, purchased Standard 112 clay and chemicals for mixing glazes, and set up a small pottery shop in my parents basement. Friends and family encouraged me to show my clay creatures at Carolina Friends School and local art fairs and the response was so positive I applied to college as an art major.
My formal education includes art and design at VCU , UNC, and finally ETU where I majored in pottery and weaving. I also was able to take pottery classes at Penland and Arrowmont. More recently I have taken pottery classes at John C Campbell Folk School. Each formal and informal pottery class I take deepens my love of clay as my primary media of self expression.
For more than 30 years I was a production potter and made and sold my hand-built pottery creations, castles, dragons, wizards, and other fantasy creatures.
In 1999 I entered Duke Divinity seminary where I received a Master of Church Ministry. My degree from Duke adding a new dimension of spiritual reflection to my own life and I welcomed the opportunity to offer pottery centered spiritual retreats. When my husband retired we opened a home based arts afterschooI program. During my years as an artist I have taught classes in my pottery studio and offered a summer arts experience for children.
My love of nature and the created world is joined with my imagination and desire to create new magical worlds. I also have a passion to pass along that experience to a new generation of artists and nature lovers. Even after all these years I still have a passion for teaching and sharing my love of pottery as a means of self-expression and self-discovery
Workshop D — Social Media for the Local Congregation
Angel Jeffery
Angel works in communications and digital strategies for the NC Lutheran office. She graduated from UNCG in 2016, where she studied Religion and Communication. Prior to joining staff in 2022, she served as the Communications Specialist at St. John's, Salisbury. Angel is passionate about social justice, advocacy, and story-telling.
Workshop E — Bible Studies for Your Congregation
Donna Chase
Donna Chase is the Director of Christian Formation at First Presbyterian Church in Greensboro and Moderator of the Salem Presbytery Equip Team. She holds a BA in Education from UNC Chapel Hill and an MA from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education.
Workshop F — The Beginner’s Manual to Podcasting
Zachary Trivett
Zachary is the Library Instructional Technologist at Catawba College's Corriher-Linn-Black Library.
Workshop G — Storytelling
Rev. Kendra Joyner-Miller
Rev. Kendra Joyner-Miller is Catawba College Chaplain and Director of the Lilly Center for Vocation and Values and a 2011 graduate. She provides strategic leadership and a comprehensive vision to support Catawba’s religious and spiritual life.
Workshop H — What’s up with Clergy Health?
Rev. Dr. Scottie J. Stamper
Rev. Dr. Scottie J. Stamper is the Director of Adult Spiritual Formation at Christ Episcopal Church in Charlotte. She served as a Wellness Advocate for Duke University’s Clergy Health Initiative, coaching United Methodist pastors throughout North Carolina. She completed her doctorate in Educational Leadership from UNCC. Her dissertation, “Clergy Spouse Wellbeing” incorporated research based on a bioecological model of wellbeing.
Workshop I — Best Practices for Non-Profits in Finance and Administration
Rev. Belinda Sledge
Rev. Belinda Sledge has over 20 years of accounting experience, most of which have been in non-profit accounting. She holds a B.S. in Accounting from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and a Master of Divinity from Chicago Theological School. She is the proud owner of S&V Financial Services for over 20 years. She serves as the Minister for Finance and Church Consulting for the Southern Conference United Church of Christ. In addition, she is a trained Interim Minister and Church Consultant.
Her work with non-profits has afforded her the opportunity to gain experience in consulting on fundraising, event planning, partnership building, grant management, and board development.
Workshop J — Preaching in a Secular Age
Robert Black
The Rev. Dr. Robert Black has served as the priest at St. Luke's Episcopal Church since 2014 after previously serving congregations in Greensboro, NC and Washington, DC. He holds degrees in religious studies from Wake Forest University, Virginia Theological Seminary, and The University of the South: Sewanee. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Homiletics at Hood Theological Seminary and a Steering Committee member of Racial Equity Rowan.
Workshop K — Mission Project Buffet
TBA
Closing Worship Service
Dr. Anthony J. Davis
Dr. Anthony J. Davis is the 13th president of Livingstone College. A 2001 magna cum laude graduate of Livingstone, he is the first alumnus in more than 50 years to serve as President.
Prior to becoming president, effective Oct. 1, 2022, Dr. Davis served as the Senior Vice President/Chief Operating Officer for Livingstone. In that role, he was responsible for supervising and providing leadership for the entire fundraising enterprise. He also managed day-to-day operations and provided strategic oversight in key areas on campus to create synergy that promotes economic growth, revenue generation, and sustainability.
Dr. Davis is a foster care survivor who emancipated himself from the foster care system at age 17. Before aging out, he joined the United States Air Force. He is a philanthropic practitioner who began his career over 28 years ago. His passion for education, community, and social justice has positioned him to provide visionary strategic leadership supporting several colleges, universities, and non-profit organizations. His work has resulted in procuring more than $500 million in gifts and grants, with a special emphasis on major gifts and planned giving.
Dr. Davis is an ordained Elder in the life of the A.M.E. Zion Church and the first ordained elder to serve as president since Dr. Joseph Charles Price, the college’s first president. Dr. Davis has faithfully served the A.M.E. Zion Church as a laity leader, Pastor, Presiding Elder, and now President of the church’s flagship institution—our beloved Livingstone College. Davis also served on the National Steering Committee for the Young Adults in Christian Ministry (YACM).
Dr. Davis attended The Fundraising School of Indiana University – Bloomington’s Center of Philanthropy (Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis); earned his master’s degree in philanthropy and development from St. Mary’s University in Minnesota; and completed his doctoral work at the United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio, where he earned a Doctor of Ministry degree.
Since his appointment as president, Dr. Davis has launched “The Miracle on Monroe Street,” a multi-million-dollar campus renovation project. He has secured over $17 million for campus infrastructure and upcoming capital investments.
Dr. Davis is married to Dr. Jacqueline S. Davis, a pediatric nurse practitioner with a doctorate in nursing practice. They have three wonderful children: Brandon, Montrell, and Maya. Dr. Davis is a servant leader who leads by example and is inspired by this quote; “If service is beneath you, then leadership is beyond you.”
Registration
Registration is not yet open for Clergy Days 2025.
Sponsors
Sponsored by Catawba College and the Lilly Endowment. Clergy members and community members are welcome to participate free of cost.
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