Come and explore the ancient practice of biblical storytelling, experience a story and even try telling one yourself.

Presented by Pastor Jason Chesnut
Pastor Jason is a freelance filmmaker, itinerant pastor, and digital preacher working on the edges of institutional Christianity. His films are committed to a new kind of storytelling (ANKOSfilms.com) and his work extends into movements for justice and liberation. A native of Texas, Jason graduated from Texas Lutheran University and the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. He lives as close as possible to mountains and, in an alternate universe, he would be a wildlife photographer.

In the Fall of 2025, Pastors Will Rose (Holy Trinity, Chapel Hill) and Thomas Johnston (St. James, Rockwell) created a podcast titled, Your Matter Matters. Their goal was to continue bridging the conversation between science and the church, between science and faith. Historically, science and faith in the U.S. have remained in constant conflict; however, this podcast seeks to bridge the divide between them. Will and Thomas interviewed scientists, theologians, and scholars around five questions that pastors normally receive from their parishioners. The workshop will focus primarily on how pastors and congregation members can enter these questions and conversations with curiosity, especially in an increasingly technological society. Participants will have opportunities to ask questions and dive deeper into the conversations raised in the podcast.

Presented by the Rev. Thomas Johnston

Branding is more than a logo. At its best, it reflects who you are, what you value, and who you are called to serve. In this workshop, participants will explore a thoughtful, values-driven branding process that begins with listening. Through stakeholder reflection and the naming of core qualities, this kind of approach can shape a visual identity rooted in purpose and strategic clarity. Even for those not planning a rebrand, this session offers a framework for thinking more intentionally about mission, communication, and the story your ministry’s visuals are already telling.

Presented by Emily Christenson, Co-Owner and Creative Director of Evoke Experts

With over 25 years in the creative business, Emily Christenson is sought after for her design intuition, her collaborative spirit, and her ability to see how immediate needs fit into the larger picture of a partner’s brand. Emily believes that design should enhance, and never impede, the message at hand. Emily’s career started with the in-house creative services team at Fannie Mae in Washington, D.C., where she supported the company’s internal and external communications and brand management. From there she worked as a senior designer at a boutique branding and design firm whose clients included national non-profits, associations, and commercial businesses. Eventually, Emily shifted focus to her own graphic design company, Paintbox Creative. After meeting and working with Kelly, the two decided to merge businesses to create the Evoke you know today. Emily holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in art and anthropology from the University of Virginia and a Master of Arts degree in publication design from the University of Baltimore. She is a life-long Lutheran (and even met her husband through Lutheran Student Movement in college!)

The pews aren't empty because people have stopped searching for God—they're empty because they can't find us. This workshop equips pastors, staff, and lay leaders with practical, low-budget digital tools to reach seekers where they already are: online. We'll explore how Come and See, Go and Tell translates to a Google Business profile, a church website, and a social media presence. But the strategy starts with Jesus—leading with grace, belonging, and hope—rather than identity or agenda. Research consistently shows that unchurched seekers are looking for meaning, community, and purpose. We'll let that shape our content. Participants will leave with a simple digital audit of their congregation's current presence, a repeatable content strategy, and practical tools they can implement the following week—no marketing degree required.

Presented by Melissa Cashmore (Holy Trinity, Hickory)

This workshop offers a basic overview of the catechumenate: a process of receiving those new to the Christian faith or those who have been unchurched for a prolonged period, especially for those who were baptized as children and are now being drawn to the church. The process was the way folks moved from paganism and mystery cults in the early centuries of the church, to faithful baptized disciples of Christ. By the end of the first millennium, amid the reality of the church fixed as an integral part of daily life, the process of the catechumenate—of making disciples in this intentional way—waned as almost everyone was baptized in infancy. In the late 20th Century, the paradigm that had been shifting for several decades led the Western world into Post-Christendom. We will look at the overall shape of the process and how your congregation might become a disciple-making community.

Presented by the Rev. C. Pierson Shaw (Advent, Spindale)

How does one cultivate a sense of wonder and awe in ourselves and in our children? In this workshop, we will look at the science of awe, the benefits of awe, and consider together how we become a people of awe and how we help our children develop a sense of awe that will last a lifetime.

Presented by Deacon Dr. Mindy Makant (Professor of Religious Studies, Lenoir-Rhyne University, and director of the NC Synod’s Lilly grant, “And God Says It Is Good.")

Explore the effects of anxiety on both individuals and the communities they lead. Participants will reflect on how anxiety shapes leadership and group dynamics, while developing practical skills for recognizing and responding to anxiety in themselves and others. The session will also address what it means to lead within anxious communities, with resources and recommendations provided for continued learning.

Presented by the Rev. Jeff Lindsay (Redeemer, Gastonia)

Centered in Jesus’ prayer for our unity, this workshop will explore the idea that humility and curiosity together are effective tools in building bridges across differences in ministry.

During this workshop, attendees will hear of circumstances where the presenter learned (generally after first failing) to build community with those she had a hard time working with. After some humorous storytelling of lessons learned, attendees will have an opportunity to share common workplace/ministry conflicts. Then, as a group, we will practice recognizing when humility and curiosity might be helpful. We will craft questions that could shed light on something we didn’t know about the person, project, or conflict. Once we have the questions, we can envision how our curiosity and the answers it brings can reduce the conflict and foster unity.

Interactivity: This is an interactive workshop, with portions of storytelling, discussion, and practicing the strategies described in the storytelling portion.

Presented by the Rev. Jennifer Shimota (Coble's, Julian)

Step into a heart-centered journey that honors all of creation. 

“From dust you are, and to dust you shall return.” These timeless words guide our exploration of green burial—a sacred, sustainable practice that reconnects us with nature, our faith, and our communities. So let us return to one another and help lift the heavy burdens of this life. 

In a world where end-of-life care is often handled by complex, expensive systems, the church can reclaim its role and offer compassionate alternatives. It is legal, environmentally responsible, affordable, and grounded in dignity and intention. Families can honor their loved ones while caring for the earth, reclaiming deathcare as a shared, trusted practice that nurtures relationships, heals grief, and strengthens community bonds.

We invite you to explore eco-friendly burial options, pre-planning strategies, and local resources that support sustainable deathcare. Learn how congregations and communities can offer inclusive, dignified services for all individuals—including those underserved or unclaimed—and how church grounds or sacred land can become living memorial landscapes.

Presented by Amelia Osborne, Tom Eure, Beverly Elwell, and Sara Laswell