This year’s Annual Leadership Retreat was Advocacy 101 presented by Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, Executive Director for the Presbyterian Office of Public Witness. It was held November 8—9, 2019 at Highlands Presbyterian Camp and Retreat Center.
“Reformed theology teaches that because a sovereign God is at work in all the world, the church and Christian citizens should be concerned about public policy”, says Rev. Hawkins.
Friday evening Rev. Hawkins introduced the theological and biblical foundation for why Christians are called to be advocates for the voiceless. Saturday morning he reviewed both local and national issues that Office of Public Witness and the local presbyteries are actively working on. The last session was an in depth look at the issue of immigration justice and how the local congregations & presbyteries can become involved in the issue.
In addition to the 3 keynote sessions we also had a vespers service Friday night and a closing worship service with communion Saturday afternoon.
There were 27 in attendance, but here is what attendees said about their experience:
“Jimmie’s info about the Office of Public Witness and his rationale for why we need to do advocacy as Christians was very good.” “Excellent weekend—such an important issue.”
“Wonderful program and the food was particularly delicious!
“Jimmie did a great job of jazzing us up. My hope is that the momentum will continue and we will begin as a presbytery and as congregations to do more advocacy.”
Thank you to Nancy Dixon, Diane Ritzdorf, Denise Shannon and Maria Shupe from the Leadership Workgroup for their work to bring this amazing opportunity to Denver Presbytery. THANK YOU!!!
