A 5-part series offered by Rev. Julie Avis Rogers and Chaplaincy Innovation Lab
In this series, you’ll learn to draw on your skills as a chaplain — your own toolkit — for becoming an effective and confident speaker. You’ll walk away with practical techniques for overcoming “stage fright,” using your body to enhance your message, effective preparation for speaking engagements, and actionable steps to make public speaking easier, more meaningful, and — believe it or not! — something you’ll genuinely look forward to.
Introductory Session – June 4, 2025, 2 PM Eastern
Memorial services. Staff meetings. Large group prayer. Commencement ceremonies. Interfaith gatherings. Budget presentations.
There are so many events at which chaplains are invited to speak in front of groups with confidence, authenticity, and a grounded presence. While these gatherings are some of the most visible parts of a chaplain’s role, they also can be amongst the most nerve-wracking! You may struggle to find the right words, deliver your message smoothly, or convey information that may be challenging for your audience to hear. Public speaking is difficult!
The Art of Officiating: Memorial Services, Vigils, and Community Gatherings in Times of Sacred Significance – June 18, 2025, 2 PM Eastern
How do we thoughtfully lead Memorial Services and other important community gatherings when every instance is so unique and there is rarely a pattern or model to follow? This interactive workshop offers foundational guidance on creating and officiating meaningful memorial services, vigils, and community gatherings in times of communal significance. We’ll explore techniques for structuring sacred gatherings, officiating with confidence, and gently supporting yourself throughout the process, all while drawing upon your unique experiences and chaplaincy context.
Sacred Bookends: Leading Invocations, Blessings, and Prayers in Spiritually Diverse Spaces – July 2, 2025, 2 PM Eastern
As chaplains, we are often invited to lead prayers or blessings for individuals of diverse faith identities or of no faith identity at all. This workshop will equip you with the skills to deliver meaningful “sacred bookends” ( invocations, blessings, and prayers) across diverse settings and for participants across the spiritual spectrum. Together, we’ll learn a step-by-step process to prepare for and confidently lead these significant community moments, fostering authentic and meaningful sacred encounters for large group gatherings, including ceremonies, dedications, and public community events.
The Chaplain as Communicator: Facilitating Meetings and Delivering Impactful Presentations – July 16, 2025, 2 PM Eastern
This workshop will introduce you to essential facilitation and public speaking skills needed to excel in your organizational role. You will learn how to facilitate effective meetings, deliver impactful presentations, and enhance your professional communication overall. We’ll also explore how you can thoughtfully integrate your own lived experiences into your communication to foster authenticity and connection. You will walk away with a robust set of communication strategies that will enable you to serve your communities with increased confidence, clarity, and genuine compassion.
Sharing Your Chaplaincy Story: Articulating the Value of Spiritual Care – July 30, 2025, 2 PM Eastern
This workshop will help you build advocacy skills by teaching you how to articulate the value of spiritual care and speak publicly about the role and impact of chaplaincy. We’ll focus on learning how to effectively communicate the impact of chaplaincy services to diverse audiences by thoughtfully incorporating your personal expertise and lived experiences into your presentations.
This workshop will be led by Rev. Julie Avis Rogers, MDiv, public speaking coach, ordained minister (United Church of Christ), and former university chaplain.
Cost per session
General Public / Subscriber-level users: $75
Innovator-level users: $50
Full series*
General Public / Subscriber-level users: $337.50
Innovator-level users: $225
Those who attended the February 2025 offering of the introductory session are eligible for a 10% discount when registering for the four remaining sessions. These attendees have already been contacted; if you did not receive a notification, contact us at info@chaplaincyinnovation.org.