The 2008 FACT survey results and new website, http://faithcommunitiestoday.org/ launch this month. Faith Communities Today (FACT) is an interfaith research report that provides key information on a range of subjects

Worship is vital to congregational life. Minister, author and educator Deborah Kapp explores with leaders how the structures and speech of worship can support a congregation in worshiping faithfully, forming community and engaging the world.

The Jewish-Christian Relations Conference is 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday, March 22, 2010, at Christian Theological Seminary, 1000 W. 42nd St., Indianapolis.

The Earth Stewardship Committee of Christ the King Catholic Church presents Organic Gardening 101 with Lynne Sullivan, president of the Indiana Organic Gardeners Association.

Tetelestai, a contemporary musical, is coming to King of Glory for two performances Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 21, 2010 at 3 p.m.

The North American Conference on Christian Philanthropy (NACCP) will be held April 14-16, 2010 in Indianapolis. Plenary speakers include Dr. William Enright, Director of the Lake Family Institute; John Wimmer, Lilly Endowment, Inc.

More than 200 youth handbell ringers from various churches and schools in central Indiana will participate in the Bells of Unity 2010 Handbell Festival Sunday, March 14 at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 126th Street & Gray Avenue in Carmel.

This long-term program prepares congregational leadership, staff and lay leaders to understand the stages of assessment, planning and implementation for a congregational building program. Leaders will learn how to evaluate their congregations’ facilities and

The Wabash Pastoral Leadership Program seeks nominations for participants in its two-year program, which begins in January 2011. Eighteen talented, younger pastors of Christian congregations in Indiana

Mary Shapiro and Patricia Morrison (an Indianapolis native) perform their soulful songs at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 23, 2010, at the Earth House Cafe, 237 N. East St., Indianapolis. The performance is part of the Earth House Collective

You are invited to join the Greater Indianapolis Circle City District Conference as they celebrate the Parent Body session, which focus on teaching, worship, preaching and women's and youth issues.

The Church of the Holy Cross Annual St. Patrick's Day Party is 4-8 p.m. Sunday, March 14th in Kelley Gym at the church, 125 N. Oriental St., Indianapolis.

The renowned Valparaiso University Chorale, among the top Lutheran collegiate choirs in the United States, performs at St. Luke's United Methodist Church at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 3, 2010.

All are invited to an hour of contemplative prayer, scripture reading and soothing meditative song during Whitelick Presbyterian Church's Lenten Candlelight Prayer and Song services.

Church Safety website provides information to help congregations treat people with dignity and safety by highlighting various groups and ministries they might engage.

Today's society is changing the way Muslim-Americans relate to one another and others. Will new pressures and opportunities in charitable giving lead to a shift in the identity of an entire community?

John Knox Presbyterian Church, 3000 N. High School Road, Indianapolis, hosts a hands-on sound workshop led by nationally recognized How-To-Church Sound Ministries on Saturday, May 1, 2010 from 9am to 6pm.

The Alignment4 Cornerstone Conference is 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday March 16, at The Fountains Conference Center, 502 E. Carmel Drive in Carmel.

The all-volunteer Society of St. Vincent de Paul now has a speakers' bureau. One of a dozen speakers are available to give a brief presentation to groups across the Indianapolis metro area.

Living with Loss: Discovering Your Life is 9 a.m.-noon March 13 at Friedens United Church of Christ, 8300 S. Meridian St., Indianapolis.

Participants are invited to take a look at diversity and multi-cultural movements in congregations. Educators Gerardo Marti and Kevin Dougherty will explore with attendees the social trends of diversity and how faith communities reflect these wider developments.

Southeast Indiana congregations, businesses and community members warmly welcomed the Seymour Center for Congregations office

On May 1, 2010, Indianapolis-area youth groups will gather to serve the St. Clair Place neighborhood on the near east side.

Every congregation participates in certain activities that are common to any number of human communities. Congregations make decisions. They help others. They sing. They tell stories. Congregations offer hospitality. They make choices about money.

Alban senior consultant Dan Hotchkiss writes about his congregation's move from a printed to email delivered newsletter.

A friend forwarded this November 2008, Church & Worship Technology Magazine article to me, "Your Church Web Site Matters!" written by Lauren Hunter.

Alban Institute Consultant Susan Nienaber picked her top resources to help congregations as they navigate transitions and challenges. Nienaber talked about common challenges for faith communities

The Center for Congregations is pleased to announce its new major grants initiative, Technology and Ministry

Cumberland First Baptist Church presents prayer services in the style of Taizé at 7 p.m. Friday, April 2, 2010, at the church, 116 S. Muessing, Indianapolis.

As the Center for Congregations works with congregations across the state of Indiana, we encounter many who face challenges as they seek to make ministry meaningful for volunteers. Outside resources are often beneficial. One such resource is a national conference, LifeServe 2010

A new resource about to be released provides an opportunity to further explore a way of thinking that has been helpful to many congregational leaders for (amazingly enough!) about two generations now. Bowen Family Systems Theory began

Youth Ministry Architects founder Mark DeVries talked to congregational leaders in Evansville and Highland this month (January 2010) about moving forward with youth ministry.

One of our local congregational technology guys, Daryl Cripe from Grace Community Church in Noblesville, was featured in Technologies for Worship Magazine. This on-line article, "Avoid Willow Envy" by Kevin Rogers Cobus

Almost everyone has heard of the site Wikipedia. It's difficult to do a Google search that doesn't include at least one result from Wikipedia. But Wikipedia is merely a site that uses a certain type of web technology called a 'wiki.' So, what in the world is a wiki and more importantly, why should congregations care about it?

Richard Gentzler helps resource congregation leaders in their ministry with older adults. The workshop is Thursday, October 21, 2010 in the Fort Wayne area, and Friday, October 22, 2010 in the Indianapolis area