Stained Glass: Light, Color, and Creativity

Create your own stained glass pieces while learning cutting, foiling, and soldering techniques. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced, you’ll leave with finished work and skills to continue at home.

Leaders: Roger and Brian Maness bring decades of experience in ministry, recreation, and stained glass artistry.

Earth, Wind & Fire: A Pentecost Pottery Experience

Explore Pentecost through clay in this hands-on workshop using hand-building and wheel techniques. The week ends with a raku firing, adding a dynamic and unpredictable finish to your work.

Leaders: Ann Laird Jones and Carl Horton blend art, theology, and creativity in both ministry and everyday life.

Bridging the Gap Through Hip Hop: The Music of Reformation

Explore the roots of Hip Hop through Blues, Jazz, Soul, and Funk in this engaging workshop filled with music, storytelling, and conversation. Together, participants will consider how these traditions continue to shape culture, community, resistance, and hope while exploring what Hip Hop can teach today’s church about creativity and faithful leadership.

Leader: Bill Buchanan is Executive Director of Youth Mission Co, an ordained PC(USA) pastor, and music enthusiast known as DJ5 in Asheville.

Hope Unbound: Fabric, Voice, and the Holy Imagination

Discover how fabric, storytelling, and creative expression can shape worship. Through dyeing, design, and spoken word, you’ll create and explore how hope can be seen, heard, and worn.

Leaders: Jess Foy and James Potts bring experience in faith formation, storytelling, and creative worship practices.

Don’t Panic, Play! Recreation Basics for the Rest of Us

** Recreation Leader Training Track ** Learn simple, effective games and activities you can lead with confidence. Perfect for anyone who’s ever been asked to lead recreation and didn’t know where to start.

Leaders: Kris “Bubba” Brammer and Byron Wade bring years of ARW experience and a love of play.

Mahjong for Ministry: Building Community One Tile at a Time

Curious about the growing excitement around Mahjong? Learn the basics of this engaging and community-centered game while exploring how it can create connection, conversation, and belonging in churches and gathering spaces. Participants will learn gameplay fundamentals, beginner-friendly teaching tips, and ideas for building a welcoming Mahjong ministry or fellowship program.

Participants are encouraged to bring a tile set and 2027 card if available. Limited sets will be provided.

Wild Journaling for Wild Hope

Use writing, collage, and reflection to create a personal journal practice. You’ll leave with a filled journal and tools to continue nurturing creativity and spiritual growth.

Leader: Rev. Gail Henderson-Belsito is a pastor, teacher, and creative leader who invites others into imaginative spiritual practices.

Social Media Videos for Ministry

Learn how to create engaging video content using your phone and simple tools. Perfect for anyone looking to strengthen their ministry’s online presence.

Leader: Anne Russ (Doubting Believer & Social Media for Churches) teaches practical, accessible approaches to digital storytelling.

Nurturing the Spirituality of the Child

Explore how children experience faith and how to support that growth through Godly Play and other practices. Learn tools for engaging all ages in meaningful ways.

Leader: Lisa Kaufer (The Muddy Fork) is a faith formation leader and certified Godly Play trainer.

Youth Group for Adults

Step into the role of participant and rediscover the heart of youth ministry. Through play, reflection, and shared ideas, gain fresh perspective for your work.

Leader: Tristan Wall is a youth ministry leader who brings energy, creativity, and real-world experience.

I am a Leader teaching at this time

As much as I’d love to join one of these amazing classes led by my incredible colleagues, I’ll be teaching my own session! I’m really looking forward to spending time with a great group of people.

Rest and Recharge Time

This is an unstructured period set aside just for you. There’s no formal class, no program, and no expectations—simply space to rest, reflect, or do whatever helps you feel renewed. Take a walk, journal, pray, nap, or just enjoy some quiet. Use this time in the way that best supports your spirit and well-being.

All About the Ears: Basic Jewelry Metalsmithing [Sold Out]

Learn foundational metalsmithing skills while working with tools like torches, wire, and patinas. You’ll design and create your own unique pieces.

Leader: Deb Guess is a multidisciplinary artist who brings creativity and joy to everything she makes.

Hopeful Arts: Working Together [Sold Out]

Explore hope through art, conversation, and shared creativity while creating a canvas piece that reflects your hopes and dreams.

Leaders: Leslie McCarthy and Sophie Maness bring creativity, faith, and joy to intergenerational experiences.

We Grow Together: Community Gardening Intensive

Learn what it takes to start and sustain a thriving community garden, from planning and partnerships to long-term care. Includes discussion, field experiences, and collaborative work.

Leader: Nathan Ballentine (“Man in Overalls”) has supported community gardens for over 20 years across multiple continents.

The Practice of Hope

Engage in prayer, walking, and embodied practices in natural settings. Explore how attention and movement can deepen your connection to God and the world.

Leaders: Sally Campbell-Evans and Lynn Turnage bring decades of ministry experience and a love for spiritual formation.

A Place for Everyone: Intergenerational Retreats

Learn how to design retreat experiences that engage all ages in meaningful and accessible ways.

Leader: Nancy Myer is a family ministry leader passionate about creating spaces where everyone belongs.

Call of the Wild

Reconnect with creation through outdoor experiences that invite reflection, play, and renewal. Discover how nature can ground and restore both individuals and communities.

Leader: Beth Gunn brings decades of experience in youth ministry and outdoor recreation.

Rooted in Strengths, Growing in Possibility

Learn how to create inclusive environments where neurodiverse individuals can thrive. Explore practical strategies grounded in empathy, flexibility, and strengths-based approaches.

Leader: Whitleigh Wilhelmi specializes in supporting neurodiverse students and building inclusive communities.

Embodied Prayer Through Dance and Creative Movement

Experience prayer through movement in a way that is accessible to all bodies and abilities. Explore how dance can deepen spiritual connection and expression.

Leader: Melody Dillon is a dancer and ministry leader who integrates movement and faith.

Tactics for Hope: Faithful Resistance and Community

Explore the intersections of faith, justice, peacemaking, and social change in this practical and conversation-driven workshop. Participants will examine grounded strategies for engaging communities, building relationships, and cultivating hopeful action while considering how faith communities can embody courage, creativity, and compassion in today’s world.

Leader: Bill Buchanan is Executive Director of Youth Mission Co, an ordained PC(USA) pastor, and community leader based in Asheville

Harnessing Hope and Holy Listening: Spiritual Formation for the Daily Dance of Ministry

This workshop invites pastors and ministry leaders into practices that cultivate deeper spiritual rootedness, greater discernment, and healthier leadership habits. Through guided reflection, spiritual direction practices, and practical tools, participants will explore four repeatable rhythms for sustainable ministry: pausing, attending, discerning, and responding.

Leader: Brady Radford is founder of The Lovewell Collective, a counseling practice supporting clergy, couples, and ministry leaders through pastoral wisdom, clinical insight, and sustainable leadership practices.

I am a leader and teaching at this time.

As much as I’d love to join one of these amazing classes led by my incredible colleagues, I’ll be teaching my own session! I’m really looking forward to spending time with a great group of people.

Rest and Recharge Time

This is an unstructured period set aside just for you. There’s no formal class, no program, and no expectations—simply space to rest, reflect, or do whatever helps you feel renewed. Take a walk, journal, pray, nap, or just enjoy some quiet. Use this time in the way that best supports your spirit and well-being.