Saint Columba Episcopal Retreat Center in the Memphis suburb of Bartlett provided a subdued environment for the TOUCH THE FUTURE Vision Enabler Training Event. Thirty-one individuals representing fourteen presbyteries from across the Cumberland Presbyterian Church attended the event aimed at preparing them to lead congregations, presbyteries, boards, and agencies through a discernment process.

Holliman Associates Consultant Roger Ricketts led the event, which was held October 9th - 11th. Roger has been working with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church since May 2000. He, along with TOUCH THE FUTURE Director Elinor Swindle Brown, and Executive Secretary of the General Assembly Council Davis Gray, has developed the program begun by a steering committee in early 2000.

In order to prepare themselves for working with discernment task forces, each Vision Enabler participated in a small group to role-play scenarios throughout the event. This fostered a special bond for many of the Vision Enablers while equipping them with valuable skills.

As discernment work is getting underway throughout the Church, other Vision Enablers have yet to be trained. Elinor Brown is considering several possibilities through which the staff might provide similar training with a smaller group. More details will be forthcoming.