Blogs by Joan K. Snipes
Bible workshops on Hezekiah, women prophets, and teaching the Bible to children
8/27/2007 12:20:27 PM
Here is information about Bible workshops offered by Joan Koelle Snipes of Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Comments from previous participants are included at the end of the document.
The main objective of these Bible workshops is to enable participants to more effectively teach the Scriptures in Sunday School and at home. Joan currently offers a choice of three workshops, appropriate for teachers and non-teachers alike. The first two are filled with information about the Bible. They are titled:
Hezekiah, Godly King of Judah, and
Women Prophets.
These two talks illustrate, by example, how to make Bible history interesting. Joan demonstrates some teaching techniques while having the audience focus on specific individuals. All participants bring their Bibles, and volunteers read the stories aloud. This process provides an example of how any Bible subject might be taught.
The workshop on Hezekiah covers an historically significant period. In it, the attendees delve into all four of the "godly" kings of Judah: Asa, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah and Josiah.
The "Women Prophets" workshop focuses on Miriam, Moses' sister; Deborah, a judge; Huldah, who lived during the reign of Josiah, and Anna, from the book of Luke.
A workshop on Teaching the Bible to Children is also available. This workshop is aimed at parents, current and prospective Sunday School teachers, grandparents, aunts, uncles and anyone concerned about Bible literacy. The purpose is to give participants a wide array of ideas on how to help children become biblically literate. Joan will discuss her book, "That Ye May Teach the Children," as well as storytelling, Bible picture books, teaching tools, such as a Bible time-line and illustrations, specific ideas for working with very young children, expanding on the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes, Bible related games, and Bible related music. People will leave this workshop with all kinds of ideas on how they can better understand the Bible themselves and how they can spark a love for the Scriptures in the children they know.
Joan's 2007 speaking fee for a workshop lasting up to 3 hours is $500. For two workshops on one day, the fee is $900. In addition, Joan asks sponsoring organizations to cover her travel expenses.
Each person attending the workshop entitled "Teaching the Bible to Children" receives a copy of Joan's book, as well as a handout. Thus, there is a $20 per person materials fee for this workshop only. (Couples need only purchase one book, and those who already own a copy do NOT need to purchase another.)
The Hezekiah and Women Prophets workshops each last two and a half hours. Teaching the Bible to Children takes three hours. Saturday mornings work especially well, say from 9:00 or 9:30 - 12. Saturday afternoons and Sunday afternoons are also good times. Churches have also elected to hold workshops on Monday and Friday evenings, and these workshops have been successful.
Over the years, Joan has attended many talks specifically about the Bible by Christian Scientists. The speakers she has heard include: Genelle Austin-Lett, Joseph Caldwell, Beth Carey, Olene Carroll, Alexander Cavalli, Mary Jane Chaignot, Kristy Christian, Finn Clark-Brown, Cobbey Crisler, Ann Cummings, Frank Darling, Dick Davenport, Honey Dobyns, Elaine Follis, Sara Gallant, Gail Haslam, Dorothy Herfurt, Peter Hodgson, Barry Huff, Caryl Krueger, Christopher Langton, Trevor Leach, Kathy Merrill, Madelon Miles, Charlie O'Gorman, and Russell Robinson.
Joan has also attended Bible talks by seminary professors and other religious teachers, including Denise Dombkowski Hopkins, William P. Brown, Richard Carlson, Susan Nelson and Rabbi Marcia Prager. Joan has learned much from these talks and enjoys giving back some of the ideas she has gleaned from these speakers, from her own reading, and from her experience in Sunday School classes.
Joan is a 1973 graduate of Principia College where she double majored in English and Elementary Education. In 1998, Joan spent a month touring Egypt and Israel with Kristy Christian of Oklahoma City. Other qualifications include many years of teaching Sunday School and active involvement in her community's ecumenical Vacation Bible School.
To schedule a workshop please contact:
Joan Snipes
1070 Willowdale Drive
Shepherdstown, WV 25443
304-876-1332
cell: 410-967-5013
snipes.principia.edu
webpage: www.authorsden.com/joanksnipes
If you'd like a copy of the workshop brochure, please send us your mailing address.
Joan conducted 24 Bible workshops in 2006 and six workshops in 2007. She's been giving workshops since 2000 and has been to over 70 locations in 22 states, Canada and England.
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Comments on Joan Snipes's Bible workshops:
May 2007
I love how you organized and presented your material. You really shine while you are presenting.
Robin Holland
Denver, Colorado
_____________________________
September 2006
We thoroughly enjoyed your company and cheerfulness, and we thought the workshop was excellent. We have been reading through the literature from the workshop and finding it very informative and easy to digest.
Michael and Kathy Johnson
British Columbia, Canada
_____________________________________________
Date: Sun, 17 Sep 2006
From: Christian Science Society Maple Ridge
Dear Joan and Bob,
On behalf of us all we thank you for wonderful Saturday morning. We have had only positive feedback.
It was a pleasure working with two so well organized people, you obviously have had a lot of practice.
Please let us know when you will be travelling on this side of the country again, as we would love to have you back.
Lovingly,
Members of the Christian Science Society, Maple Ridge,
British Columbia, Canada
_______________________________________
September 16, 2006
Dear Joan:
Your devotion to the Bible is very apparent, and also your care for the spiritual education of children, the future generation.
Sincerely,
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Edna Matheson, Clerk
Fourth Church of Christ, Scientist
Vancouver, B. C.
___________________________
September 2006
It was a great afternoon and I really appreciate the quality of and quantity of worthy Bible knowledge you packed into a couple of hours!
Karla Hackney,
Organizer for "Women's Prophets" in Beaverton, Oregon
________________________________________________
September 2006
You have done a beautiful job of organizing and presenting your material.
Nancy Charlton
Participant at a workshop in Oregon
___________________________________________________
June 2006
What a treat to have Joan Snipes visit the San Diego area and share her helpful ideas and experiences in teaching the Bible to children. Joan's love for children and the Bible resonates throughout the workshop. Her exhaustive research led her to write her book, "That Ye May Teach the Children," which is a helpful, well thought out tool when sharing ideas in the Bible with both children and adults. Throughout the workshop Joan helps participants understand how to put the ideas in her book into action. She is a wealth of knowledge for other resources as well.
Joan's time in San Diego was well spent since 38 attendees from over 9 churches participated in her workshop. The Sunday School teachers at the Carlsbad/Vista Church were grateful Joan accepted their invitation to come to San Diego and would recommend other churches consider inviting Joan to their church community as well.
Ann Brown
Sunday School teacher
Carlsbad/Vista Sunday School
_______________________________
May 22, 2006
Thank you, Joan and Bob, for all you did! We loved your Bible workshop, Joan, the reviews have been wonderful!!!! I think the Teaching the Children one was the favorite, because there was soooooo much we could use. We all are very excited to study the Bible in greater depth, to obtain some of the beautiful and insightful books you have on your list. I can't tell you how much this workshop meant to me in particular. I went home and read some of King James Psalms that night and more of Romans and I felt it had so much more meaning and touched me personally. I love your emphasis on the King James version as well. I refer to several versions at different times, but I always come back to King James, because it's so poetic and it's the version I want to remember, recite and recall when needed. The group attending the workshop kept saying afterwards how special and personable and warm (loving!) you both were, during the workshop.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!
Love and safe travels,
Marilyn McDonald
First Church of Christ, Scientist
Reno, Nevada
___________________________________________
April 2006
What a wonderful time we had discovering the Bible and women prophets! All who came had nothing but great things to say, and our teachers in particular told me they really enjoyed it. We all leaned so much....
You are so organized.... You are a terrific speaker. Bob was so helpful and also so organized! Thanks again for coming way out here. We truly are so grateful for what you shared with us.
Jennifer Friedlander
28th Church of Christ, Scientist
Los Angeles, California
______________________________
March 8, 2006
Our Board asked that I convey their sincere appreciation for the very inspiring Bible workshop you presented last Sunday. We were most grateful for the large turnout, but more important for the blessing the participants received through the information you so lovingly shared.
Just yesterday, I spoke with a friend who attended [your workshop, Teaching the Bible to Children], and she overflowed with gratitude for what she learned. She said, "I didn't see how it could last for three hours, but the time just flew by!" I think that could be said of us all!
Please extend our appreciation to Bob as well for his many contributions to make the day such a resounding success.
With warmest thanks,
Jeanne Fetner, Clerk
First Church of Christ, Scientist
137 East Mill Street
New Braunfels, Texas 78103
830-625-1781
__________________________________________________
February 4, 2006
We all thoroughly enjoyed your seminars.
Katherine Woodrow
St. Petersburg, Florida
_______________________________________
October 26, 2003
To Whom It May Concern:
I would like to enthusiastically endorse Joan K. Snipes Bible workshop entitled "Women Prophets". As always, Joan brings the Bible to life. She makes the people in the Bible, the settings, and the circumstances come so alive. She puts events into a historical context that is very understandable.
This particular workshop: "Women Prophets" brought a whole new sense to me of what the word "prophet" means. Now when I read about prophets in the Bible, I feel I have a much deeper understanding of what it meant to be a prophet and what it means to us today.
It was also very interesting to learn more about the role many women played in the Bible --women that were and remain today to be incredible role models for us.
I find Joan's workshops to be extremely informative and inspirational. Her workshops feel like Sunday School for adults --- giving the Sunday School teacher many ideas for teaching but also giving the non-teacher new information and resources. Her handouts and reference materials are also very helpful.
Anyone that has an interest in the Bible will greatly benefit from Joan's workshops. Her enthusiasm for the Bible is a joy.
Sincerely,
Janine Labak
Sunday School Superintendent
Springfield, Virginia
__________________________
A Sunday School teacher writes:
I attended Joan Snipes's Bible workshop on Hezekiah this past September and continue to feel the inspiration each week as I prepare for my fourth grade Sunday School class. Hezekiah came alive for all of us that morning, but even more important -- we came to know that the Bible is so accessible to all of us and especially the children.
Besides illuminating the story of Hezekiah with fascinating detail, she shared tips on asking questions and structuring class time. She also shared a bibliography of wonderful books on the Bible to aid in our study both with the children and on our own.
Best of all, was to be taught by a teacher who just is alight with her love of the Bible. Each week since the workshop, it has been a joy for me to delve in the Bible stories with the joy of making new discoveries and then, to look forward to sharing them with my class. Thank you, Joan!
Libby Steckler
Greenwich, CT
October 2003
_______________
Joan Snipes is a joyous and captivating speaker! Her method of using Bible research and history to illustrate larger spiritual points was very practical and helped our Sunday School teachers rethink the importance of Biblical research and its relevancy to teaching. After our workshop, we all came away more inspired.
Lu Kuhlmann
West Dundee IL
_____________________
"Wonderful presentation....everyone felt as though they gained a lot."
Participant, New Orleans, Louisiana workshop, May 2005
"Thank you so very much for a most practical and productive three hours. I learned lots and have only just begun to dig into the wealth of info in your book."
Sunday School teacher, Fayetteville, Arkansas workshop, May 2005
"What an inspiring workshop! The Bible came alive..."
Organizer, East Lansing, Michigan workshop, June 2005
"Terrific....I enjoyed every minute."
Participant, South Bend, Indiana workshops, June 2005
"Thanks again for your presentation! It was so cheerful and infectious!!"
Participant, South Bend, Indiana workshops, June 2005
"I have a new confidence about teaching Sunday School thanks to your wonderful seminar."
Participant, Lake Bluff, Illinois workshop, September 2005
"Thank you for the inspiring afternoon...."
Participant, Lake Bluff, Illinois workshop, September 2005
________________
Winkie Wilson, from the Spiritual Renewal and New Views Ministries at Tenacre Foundation in Princeton, New Jersey wrote:
"It is with great pleasure that I may recommend any classes that Joan Snipes would conduct. Joan presented a class here at Tenacre for the New Views Ministry on Hezekiah. Her organizational skills were wonderful and the quality of her presentation was superb. We received many appreciative responses to her class, and would invite her to return any time."
_________________
Arden Wood would heartily recommend one of Joan Snipes's Bible programs at your location. She presented two topics for us as a part of our Focus on the Bible series--Four Godly Kings of Judah and Women Prophets.
Then at the end of the day, she took extra time to lead a small group discussion and sharing of favorite Bible study books and Sunday School teaching techniques in our Bible Research Library.
Joan's style of presentation is comfortable and engaging. She generously shares her inspiration and teaching experiences. Her enthusiasm in teaching the Bible to children all ages is phenomenal!
Valerie Fitzsimmons
Arden Wood, Inc.
_________________
November 2003
"Solid historic context of Old Testament people and events combined with conveying contemporary teaching methods, plus humor and joy" -- Rick Byquist, Sunday School Superintendent, First Church of Christ, Scientist, Montclair, NJ and Jr. High School teacher in South Bronx, NY.
_________________
As Clerk and a sometimes Sunday School teacher and a retired public high school teacher, I attended the workshop Joan Snipes presented to First Church of Christ, Scientist, Reston, Virginia. I was absolutely delighted at the joyous manner she displayed in presenting ideas and materials on teaching the Bible to children of various ages. In addition to 'book knowledge' she added some personal insights gathered during a tour of the Holy Land. I have a copy of her book, and it contains teaching hints that parallel the style currently used in public schools. It does appear to me that such an approach enables the student to realize that the Bible is indeed 'up-to-date' and modern for the challenges of today's life. I cannot imagine any one not benefiting from her style and knowledge given in a workshop.
Sincerely, Mary Helen Hillman
____________________________
Comments taken from evaluation forms regarding Joan's Bible workshops:
"Joan [has] excitement and...[a] gracious teaching style. I loved the sense of getting to BE in Sunday School!"
"Joan has a great presentation style: mannerisms, voice, poise -- everything. And love!"
"Reignited love of hearing and telling the stories (accounts) of the Bible!"
"Joan's enthusiasm spurs continued study of Bible."
"The presentation NEVER left me uninterested."
"[Joan] acquaint[ed] us with valuable Bible reference books."
"I thought your workshop was fabulous. Learned so much."
_______________
States Joan has visited: (22) AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, IL, IN, LA, MD, ME, MI, MO, NJ, NV, OH, OR, PA, TX, VA, WA, WV
Bible workshops given:
Camden, ME - Thursday, March 23, 2000
St. Charles, MO - Saturday, June 3, 2000
Reston, VA - Thursday, June 8, 2000
Tenacre Foundation - Princeton, NJ - October 21, 2000
Shepherdstown, WV - Saturday, June 9, 2001
Asilomar - Pacific Grove, CA - June 2001
Glendora, CA - June 2001
Springfield, IL - July 21, 2001
Elgin, IL - Saturday, October 6, 2001
Springdale, Arkansas - Organization for Residential Homes - October 15, 2001
Springdale, Arkansas - The Village - October 16, 2001
Arden Wood - San Francisco, CA - Feb. 2002
Lynn House - Alexandria, VA, July 2002
Lynn House - Alexandria, VA - November 2002
Lynn House - Alexandria, VA, Jan. 2003
Glenmont, Hilliard, OH - March 8, 2003
Lynn House - Alexandria, VA - March 11, 2003
Washington, DC (FCCS) - March 15, 2003
Portland, ME - March 22, 2003
Towson, MD - Saturday, April 12, 2003
St. Louis, MO - Saturday, April 26, 2003
St. Louis, MO, Eighth Church - Sunday, April 27, 2003
Mystic, CT - 3 May 2003
Greenwich, CT - Sept. 20, 2003
Springfield, VA - Sept. 27, 2003
Montclair, NJ - 8 & 9 Nov. 2003
London, England - 15 Nov. 2003
Lake Oswego, OR - 31 Jan. 2004
Berwyn, PA - 20 March 2004
State College, PA - 17 April 2004
Lynn House, Alexandria, VA - 20 April 2004
Scottsdale, AZ, Second Church - 24 April, 2004
Mt. Lebanon, PA - 1 May 2004
Haddonfield, NJ - 15 May 2004
Arden Wood, CA 13 June 2004
Asilomar, CA - 22 June 2004
Mystic, CT - 3 July 2004
Harrisburg, PA - 7 August 2004
Calgary, Canada - 19 Sept. 2004
Concord, NH - 25 September 2004
Dover, NH (cosponsored by Portsmouth) - 26 September 2004
Woking, Surrey, (cosponsored by Reading) - 13 November 2004
Poole, Dorset, England - Sunday, 14 November 2004
Newcastle upon Tyne, England - Friday, 19 November 2004
Altrincham, England - 20 November 2004
Birmingham, England - 21 November 2004
New Orleans, LA - 7 May 2005
Fayetteville, AR - 8 May 2005
Elyria, OH - June 12, 2005
Lansing, MI - June 18, 2005
South Bend, IN - 25 June 2005
Hill Top Center, IL - 10 September 2005
Lake Oswego, OR - 8 October 2005
Tampa Bay, FL - 14 January 2006
St. Petersburg, FL - 21 January 2006
Lake Wales, FL - 28 January 2006
Jacksonville, FL - 29 January 2006
Austin, TX - February 25 and 26, 2006
North Richland Hills, TX - Saturday, March 4, 2006
New Braunsfel, TX - Sunday, March 5, 2006
Bakersfield, CA - Saturday, April 1, 2006
Laguna Niguel, CA - Saturday, April 8, 2006
Vista, CA - Sunday, April 9, 2006
Laguna Beach, CA - Monday, April 10, 2006
Los Angeles, CA - Saturday, April 15, 2006
Reno, NV - Saturday, May 20, 2006
Beaverton, OR - Sunday, September 10, 2006
Maple Ridge, British Columbia - September 16, 2006
Vancouver, British Columbia - September 16, 2006
Duncan, British Columbia - September 17, 2006
Montclair, NJ - November 11, 2006
Jacksonville, FL - March 11, 2007
Reston, VA - April 7, 2007
Bothell, WA - April 21, 2007
Denver, CO - May 20, 2007
Crystal Lake Camps, PA - June 19, 2007
Camps Owatonna and Newfound, ME - June 21, 2007
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