September 19 - 22
17th Biennial Holden Theological Symposium
"Radically Incarnate: God, World and Church"

Sponsored by LENS (Lutheran Educational Network & Support), the symposium is a chance for clergy and lay leaders to come together to engage in lively, challenging, and life changing dialogue.

From "Conference" to "Symposium"
Historically this has been a "conference," and we have (beginning in 2010) moved to "symposium". That change is the result of a wonderful comment by Fred Niedner in the fall of 2009. Playing fast and loose with the definition, he suggested that symposium actually means "a drinking party where sparkling conversation prevails". Within that context, the idea is to distinguish between a conference where participants listen and take in versus a symposium where participants engage in lively, challenging, and life changing dialogue.

To register for this event, simply follow usual registration procedures for staying as a guest at Holden . Visit Holden's registration page>

Presenters:

Karen Bloomquist has served until recently as Director for Theology and Studies of the Lutheran World Federation, and prior to that directed the department through which ELCA social statements are developed, served on the faculty of the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago and Wartburg Seminary, and served as a parish pastor in Oakland, CA and NYC. Bloomquist currently resides in Bellingham, WA, and is teaching, writing and speaking in various settings. In her presentations at Holden, she will give attention to the implications of North American churches being part of a global communion, and the call to speak gospel truth in the midst of the social, economic, and political challenges we face today.

 

Dan Peterson teaches in the humanities for Seattle University's Matteo Ricci College. He also teaches part time for the university's Department of Theology and Religious Studies. Peterson earned his M.Div. from Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, his M.A. in theology from the University of San Francisco, and his Ph.D. in theology from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. He is a member of the ELCA and lives in Seattle.

Musicians:

Ray Makeever is at present the Worship and Music Associate for the Augsburg College Campus Ministry and Music Director at Trinity Lutheran Congregation in Minneapolis. He is a composer, songleader, guitarist, and flautist. "Dancing at the Harvest," a collection of his songs for worship has been published by Augsburg Fortress. His recorded works include two CDs of songs for congregational life, "Dancing at the Harvest" and "Even the Stones Will Cry Out for Justice."

Linda Breitag is a singer/songwriter, fiddler, and ethnomusicologist whose musical past runs the gamut from the St. Olaf Choir to a Cajun/Zydeco band based in Quebec City. She moved to Quebec City during graduate school to learn the traditional music of French Canada,including the percussive foot-tapping which accompanies both call-response songs and lively dance tunes. Linda's most excited these days by the birth of a new family band along with Ray and Sophia, their thirteen-year-old.

LENS - Lutheran Education Network and Support
LENS has been involved with and a prime sponsor of this event since 1975. The mission of LENS is to promote and provide continuing theological education for the Church in the Pacific Northwest on behalf of the Alaska, Eastern Washington-Idaho, Northwest Washington, Southwestern Washington, and Oregon Synods or the ELCA and the Northwest District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

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New Church Agency Formed
A new Para-church organization has been formed to address the social skills necessary for effective leadership in the church. It is the Center for Emotional Intelligence and Human Relations Skills (Center for EQ-HR Skills). Executive Director of the group is Roy M. Oswald former senior consultant with the Alban Institute. He is an ordained Lutheran Pastor and resides in Boonsboro, MD. This group sponsors workshops across this continent, many at denominational seminaries. Their target group is clergy, seminarians, and faith based leaders.

Training in Emotional Intelligence is now seen as the most effective leadership development training in the corporate world. However, an identical training event in the corporate world has a tuition fee of $3250.00. That does not include food or lodging. The EQ-HR Center provides this training at less than a third of that cost, hence its mission to provide this training at affordable prices for the church world. Their focus is on the intra-personal, interpersonal and group skills necessary for effective leadership in the church. Their website is: www.eqhrcenter.org

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND HUMAN RELATIONS TRAINING  
The Core EQ-HR Center workshop is an intensive 5-day session designed to enable participants to learn about, build, and practice emotional intelligence skills in a small group setting. Skilled facilitators provide tools and feedback to enable participants to learn about themselves and to immediately practice emerging skills. As group life unfolds, participants give and receive feedback regarding the impact they have on others in the group. Participants will learn both inter-personal and intra-group communication skills. The content of the workshop revolves around the five areas of emotional intelligence listed below as keys to improving leadership effectiveness for faith based leaders.

As part of this core event, workshop participants complete a comprehensive self-assessment of their emotional intelligence. They also identify up to 20 people who know them well and are willing to complete the same assessment in order to provide valuable feedback. What results is a detailed report of one's Emotional Intelligence strengths and development needs. This will be for the participant's eyes only and will provide possible personal items to be explored in one's small group. Past participants have described this assessment and the EQ-HR workshop as a life-changing event.

EQ-HR 5-day Workshop Outcomes

Improved awareness of the concepts of emotional intelligence and the impact of emotional intelligence on the participant and all with whom he or she interacts

Enhanced ability to identify, articulate, and reflect on various aspects of working and living in a faith community

Strengthened understanding of how one is impacted by others in a group and one's own impact on a group

Increased skills in pastoral leadership for lay and clergy

Heightened awareness of the importance of constructive behavioral information about self and others as leaders

Enhanced awareness of the presence of God's Sprit in group life and ability to identify and reflect on that presence

Recognition of the redemptive possibilities within groups.

Workshops scheduled for 2011 are as follows:

October 17-21, 2011. Emotional Intelligence & Human Relations (EQ-HR) Workshop. Seminary of the Southwest, Austin, Texas Tuition is $595 plus $182 for the cost of the 360 EQ assessment. There is a discount of $50 for registrations for this EQ-HR workshop prior to August 17, 2011. Register online at www.eqhrcenter.org or send check to the Center for EQ-HR Skills, 19806 Mill Point Road, Boonsboro, MD 21713, Attention: Barbara Holder. For additional information contact Barbara Holder, eq-hrctr@myactv.net, or call 301-432-8933. Food and lodging cost not yet determined.

October 24-28, EQ-HR Training of Trainers Workshop. Venue - Metropolitan DC area. Attendance of a 5-day EQ-HR Workshop is a prerequisite for this advanced workshop. The EQ-HR Training of Trainers workshop is considered one component of the Professional Development Track (see below). Tuition is $595.00. Register online at www.eqhrcenter.org or send check to the Center for EQ-HR Skills, 19806 Mill Point Road, Boonsboro, MD 21713, Attention: Barbara Holder. For additional information contact Barbara Holder, eq-hrctr@myactv.net, or call 301-432-8933. Location, food and lodging costs yet to be determined

 

Coaching and Learning
The EQ-HR workshop is a rich place for learning and building emotional intelligence skills. The challenge is returning to your faith community and practicing these skills. A key to sustained powerful learning and implementation is available through working with a coach to realize your goals by deepening practice and feedback, resulting in strengthened skills. The Center for EQ-HR offers follow-up coaching for faith leaders who want to continue strengthen their workshop learning with a structure of support as they continue to build excellent skills for working with congregants and colleagues. Our experienced coaches work with you to transform the ways you experience and work with others to achieve the results you desire.

Two coaching options are available: (a) individual telephone coaching, a one-to-one opportunity; and (b) group coaching, an option to receive telephone coaching with a small group of people, often from the same EQ-HR workshop. For further information visit www.eqhrcenter.org/coaching .

Professional Development Track  
Part of the Goal of The EQ-HR Center is to develop people to continue the work of the organization. The Professional Development Track addresses that goal by striving to provide adequate training opportunities for individuals who choose to be a part of that succession plan. In just over two years the Center has added five younger, skilled people to the facilitator pool. More are needed.

The Professional Development Track currently includes the following learning opportunities.

• 5-day EQ -HR Workshop
• 5-day EQ-Group Development Workshop
• 5-day Training of Trainers Workshop

Each person entering the Professional Development Track is coached and handled in an individual manner. When a senor trainer believes the trainee is adequately prepared, s/he will recommend the trainee serve as an intern on 5-day EQ-HR staff.

Staff: The Center uses professional facilitators for all workshops. Staffing for each event is determined by workshop needs and availability of the facilitators. Facilitators include: Jackie Bahn-Henkelman, David Harris, Mary McCurty, Kimberly Ashby, Jim Henkelman-Bahn, Beverly Buston, Phyllis Clay, Howard Jackson, Steven Jones, Plum Cluverius, Ann Deaton, Waite Maclin, Dave Klepper, Kay Collier-McLaughlin, Rima Shaffer, Bill Shiflet, Victoria Simon, Roy Oswald, Joan Townshend and Lynnette Yount.

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