Details and Registration for the first FPP Preaching Workshop!
The Faithful Preaching Project is excited to announce the facilitator and topic for our first preaching workshop!
Workshop Title: "Preacher and Artist: Using Actor Training Methodology for Embodied Preaching"
Facilitator: Rev. Dr. Jaclyn P. Williams
Date: Saturday, November 2, 2024
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Lunch break from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.)
Description
Wrapped in humbled flesh, preachers are bodied vessels who miraculously proclaim, “Thus saith the Lord.” How can embodied practices expand the holistic spiritual practice of preaching preparation and proclamation? How can these practices form the preacher? This session will introduce activities based on actor training methodology that put theology and theories of embodied preaching on their feet. Participants are invited to explore enhancing their biblical, theological, and practical preaching practices with holistic embodiment techniques.
About the Workshop Facilitator
Rev. Dr. Jaclyn P. Williams
Jaclyn Williams is a professor of the practice of preaching and chaplaincy in the School of Mission and Theology at Fuller Theological Seminary in California. With degrees in both theology and theater, Dr. Williams has also worked as a professional actor and performing artist. Her research interests include incarnational and embodied preaching, performing artist training as spiritual practice, and resiliency resources in pastoral and spiritual care practice. Dr. Williams is a chaplain and an ordained American Baptist minister.
Ways to attend the workshop
Saturday, November 2, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
1) In-Person on the Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary Campus
Dr. Williams will be on campus at Austin Seminary to lead the workshop. The in-person component will be held in Wright Hall of the Mary B. and Robert J. Wright Learning and Information Center, beginning at 10:00 a.m. and ending at 3:00 p.m. Attendance is free and lunch will be provided.
Our in-person capacity is limited to 100 people, so if you know that you want to attend on campus, book now! If you are unsure if you can make it in person, please register online so that space can be available for someone attending in-person.
2) Online through Zoom
The workshop will be available for interactive online attendance through Zoom. Online participants will receive digital worksheets by email and be invited to participate in break-out discussion groups over Zoom. The workshop will begin at 10:00 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m. Attendance is free and a lunch break will be from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Checking in with our cohorts…
Applications for Lay Preacher Cohort 2024-2025 have closed. Over the next year, preachers will meet exclusively online with a facilitator to engage in peer-coaching and support. A new lay preacher cohort will be formed in Spring 2025. Emails will go out to the selected members for our Lay Preacher Cohort by June 1, 2024. We are in the process of selecting these members since we had more applications than available spots!
The Clergy Cohort 2024-2026 has been formed. Over the next two years, preachers and coaches will meet online and in-person for discussion, guidance, and renewal. A new clergy cohort will be formed in Spring 2026.
We are so excited to begin engaging with the work of these preachers. Keep an eye out in our future newsletters for updates on how our cohorts are working, learning, and growing together to sustain long-term improvements in their preaching life.