A one day conference hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Superior

Center for Continuing Education/Extension.

This third annual conference addresses conflict within faith communities as we take a step further into exploring "hot topic" triggers for conflict and building the skills to deal with them effectively.

Learning outcomes:

Agenda

8:00-8:30:  Registration check-in

8:30-9:00:  Welcome/Introduction

9:00-10:30:  "Conflict and Faith Leadership" - Pastor Sarah Kerkes

10:30-10:45:  Break

10:45-12:15:  "Letting Go and Moving On: Honoring the Separations that Sometimes Occur" - Maria Cuzzo

12:15-1:00:  Lunch and Discussion

1:00-2:30:  "Sexuality as a Trigger for Conflict" - Terry McGlasson

2:30-2:45:  Break

2:45-3:30:  Panel Dialogue with Presenters

3:30-4:00:  Closing

Presentations

Conflict and Faith Leadership

Presented by Pastor Sarah Kerkes

What is healthy leadership in the context of a faith community? This session will explore the roles of leaders in faith communities and their contributions to conflict and its resolution. Participants will learn some hallmarks of healthy leadership, indicators of unhealthy leadership, and strategies for approaching conflict with leaders.

Letting Go and Moving On: Honoring the Separations that Sometimes Occur

Presented by Maria Cuzzo

Sometimes the unity within faith communities fractures under the pressure of conflict. This session will focus on key aspects of the process of losing a member, a family, or larger part of a faith community.  Participants will learn the stages of the loss process and the options available at each stage, and will learn ways to strengthen their decision-making process and assess the potential for reconciliation.

Sexuality as a Trigger for Conflict

Presented by Terry McGlasson

Today, many faithful people are questioning traditional teachings on issues such as gender roles, women in ministry, homosexuality and gay/lesbian rights. While not a debate, this session will be an open and fair discussion on how churches might facilitate healthy dialogues around these issues.

Those in attendance will be provided a forum to discuss contemporary sexuality-related issues facing their faith communities in the new century, and have the opportunity to develop strategies to facilitate such discussions.

About the Presenters

Pastor Sarah L. Kerkes is a graduate of The Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. She was a parish pastor in Iowa for 16 years before receiving a call in 2008 to Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Superior. Pastor Kerkes' ministry in Iowa included a number of interim positions at both urban and rural churches that were recovering from a time of conflict. She provided extensive training in conflict resolution at these churches.

Maria Stalzer Wyant Cuzzo is Professor of Legal Studies and is the academic advisor to the Paralegal Studies and Mediation/ Conflict Resolution programs at UW-Superior. She has a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, a J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School, five years of litigation experience in family and civil law matters, and is a qualified neutral in Minnesota and mediator for Douglas County Circuit Court. She has provided mediation for over 1500 parties including family and civil matters, workplace dispute resolution and community disputes. She is a regionally and nationally known trainer/educator in this field.

Terencio Daunte McGlasson is Assistant Professor of Guidance and Counseling at the University of Wisconsin - Superior. He is a nationally certified, Licensed Professional Counselor who holds a Ph.D. in Counseling from Oregon State University and a former minister who earned the Master of Divinity degree from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon.

How to Register

We regret to inform you that this conference has been canceled.