Come to the Table 2023 Workshop | Creating a Culture of Innovation
Workshop Title: Creating a Culture of Innovation
Description: How can we lead our congregations to be more innovative? To take chances on new initiatives? It's a steady journey, not a quick fix. We'll explore some possibilities taken from our own story of moving a congregation forward and hopefully give you ideas that you can adapt to your particular context.
Workshop Leader :
Rev. Richard Hong
The Reverend Richard S. Hong (he/him) is the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Englewood (NJ), a growing, very diverse congregation and has served there since 2005. Rich received his M.Div. from Union Theological Seminary in NYC. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Princeton University. Prior to entering seminary, he was a software consultant developing custom software used by pharmaceutical research scientists in new drug development. Blending his love of technology and contemporary worship, he wrote the "Church in the Digital Age" column for Presbyterians Today magazine. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Bergen County United Way and had previously served on the board of Presbyterian Welcome (now Parity) and the Alumni Council of Union Theological Seminary. Rich was born and raised in Chicago and maintains a lifelong commitment to the Chicago Cubs.
Registration is now open for Come to the Table scheduled for October 20 – October 22. We will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Friday with dinner and end at 12 noon on Sunday with worship. Please note that each person is required to register individually. If you wish to share a room with someone, you should include that person’s name on your registration form and vice versa. Single or double occupancy rooms with a private bath are available on a first come, first served basis. We are delighted to announce that the Synod is providing a subsidized registration fee of $225. This includes each person’s lodging and all meals except for Sunday lunch. If you wish to stay for Sunday lunch, there is an additional $15 fee.
For Ministers of the Word and Sacrament to feel free to attend Come to the Table and remain through Sunday, the Synod will livestream the worship service from Silver Bay on Sunday. This will allow congregations to worship even if their pastor is at Come to the Table. This weekend is always beautiful at Silver Bay with the trees in full fall colors. We hope to see you there.