Saturday, September 4, 2010

Communities of Shalom Training

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
“Seek the shalom of the city where I have sent you, for in its shalom, you will find your shalom.”
Jeremiah 29:7
 
The Shalom Resource Center at Drew University provides on-going training, technical assistance, and relational support to registered communities of shalom. 
 
Shalom Training empowers people to seek shalom by living in a particular community and be catalyst for positive change and systemic transformation. Theologically, this is referred to as “incarnational ministry” following the divine pattern: “And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of  grace and truth.” (John 1:14).
 
Practically, ShalomZoneTraining equips local ministry teams in asset-based and collaborative approaches to systemic change, economic prosperity, healing and health, and sustainability.  This six-point approach to community transformation can be easily remembered by the letters of shalom:
 
S = systemic and sustainable change
H = healing, health, harmony and wholeness
A = asset-based community development
L = love for God, self and others
O= organizing for direct action
M = multicultural, multifaith collaboration
(From the Communities of Shalom Website, http:\\www.communitiesofshalom.org)
 
 
If your congregation/community partnership:
 
  • Is committed to bringing systemic change to the community(ies) you serve
  • Are striving to offer your neighbors empowerment toward self-sufficiency and wholeness
  • Have 8 - 15 persons who are committed to participating in 5 one-day training sessions over a 5 month period
  • Is willing to complete a ministry plan, THEN

You should attend one of the following information sessions AND INVITE AS MANY STAKEHOLDERS AS YOU CAN!!!

 
Trainers from the National Communities of Shalom will conduct an information session in November, 2010.
 
If after the initial consultation you feel your group/congregation is ready to move forward with training this summer or in the fall, please complete the attached training application as soon as possible and return it to: 
 
Rev. Yvette Davis
2101 Belmont Avenue
Philadelphia, PA  19131
Fax:  215-878-8342
 
If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Davis via cell phone at 215-200-4213.
 
Some of the benefits of becoming a Communities of Shalom Site include the following:
  • The final outcome of the free training is a written ministry plan, developed by your ministry
  • Once your ministry plan is accepted by National Communities of Shalom, your ministry will receive a $2,000 seed grant
  • Your ministry will be part of a national and local network of Communities of Shalom
  • Your ministry will be kept abreast of ministry resources, including National Denomination Grants
  • The training will encourage and empower your ministers to reach out to your community in new ways
  • The training is practical and you will learn to enhance existing partnerships and develop new ones.
  • Most importantly, you will demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ and the Gospel at work by leading folks to self-sufficiency and help them to discern God's divine purpose for their lives.
For more information about Communities of Shalom, please click on this link:
 
To view the training modules, please click on this link, then "Training":
 
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to email me at ydavis@epaumc.org or call 215-200-4213.
 
Rev. Yvette B. Davis
Director
Office of Urban & Global Ministries 
Eastern Pennsylvania Conference 
The United Methodist Church
Simpson House
2101 Belmont Avenue
Philadelphia, PA  19131
v. 215-878-8054|c. 215-200-4213|f.215-878-8342|e. ydavis@epaumc.org

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