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This isn’t the best time for my church. Will there be another opportunity?  We will be enrolling 8-10 congregations each summer for a new 2-year cohort. Each year applications are due in May, pastors are oriented in July, and participants attend a kickoff event in September. Back to What is Awaken Dane?

Is it possible to get academic credit for participating? Yes! University of Dubuque Theological Seminary is offering options for certificates and graduate academic credit to participating pastors. Please contact us at georgia@wichurches.org if you are interested in learning more. Back to What is Awaken Dane?

What’s the timeline for this? When can we apply to participate? Please visit the Awaken Dane Events main page for an updated Awaken Dane timeline! Applications will be accepted through May 24, 2022, or until the cohort is filled. Congregations will be informed of their acceptance by June 8, 2022 Back to What is Awaken… Continue reading What’s the timeline for this? When can we apply to participate?

How do I talk to my church about participating? Begin by identifying any key decision makers who would need to approve the church’s participation. Share with them the one page informational brief, PDF download available at the bottom of this page, and follow up for some conversation. Tell them what about this opportunity most excites… Continue reading How do I talk to my church about participating and who should I invite onto the congregational team?

What other churches would we be connected with? Each cohort consists of 8-10 churches which will reflect ecumenical, geographical, and demographical diversity throughout Dane County. Will participating churches collaborate in mission together?  The final set of sessions is focused on discerning how the Spirit is inviting your church into mission in your neighborhood. Cohorts will… Continue reading What other churches would we be connected with?

What is the experience like in the congregational teams? In Congregational Team Meetings, pastors will lead a monthly group of five to eight people from their church through the Stepping Out process. In each two-hour meeting, participants will share a meal, dwell in a passage of Scripture, pray together, report the results of the activity that was assigned… Continue reading What is the experience like in congregational teams?

Who is Awaken Dane for? Christian churches of every type! Congregations ideally suited are: financially viable for at least five years willing to prioritize this process in the life of the church able to demonstrate at least one more promising feature such as a vibrant pastoral leader, a legacy of community engagement, recent growth, the… Continue reading Who is Awaken Dane for?

The commitment for pastors is approximately 5-7 hours per month: A two-year journey for pastors and churches focused on awakening to God and the neighborhood Monthly pastors’ learning community meetings facilitated by our cohort coaches hosted on the 2nd Thursday of every month from 11:30am-1:30pm beginning July 2021. Monthly congregational team meetings led by the… Continue reading What is the commitment?

What is Awaken Dane? Awaken Dane is a two-year journey of intentional engagement in Christian practices that awakens participants to God’s activity in the community, sends them out into new spaces and relationships, and facilitates the sharing of these experiences with one another—all as means to discern God’s future calling. The outcome for churches will be:… Continue reading What is Awaken Dane?

How do churches move toward these marks of thriving? These marks of thriving are formed as congregations deepen their engagement in Christian practices that awaken them to God’s activity in the community. Important elements of this work include venturing into new spaces and forming new relationships, nurturing life-giving relationships through regular conversational gatherings, and sharing… Continue reading How do churches move toward these marks of thriving?