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2009 Annual Focus Event |
SOARING HIGH: COOPERATIVE MINISTRIES
changing lives, congregations
October 15-17, 2009
Huntsville, Alabama
Keynote speakers are Bishop Minerva Carcano of the Desert Southwest Conference
and Bishop John Schols of the Baltimore-Washington Conference. Both of these
younger creative bishops have a long history in the leadership and development
of urban and rural cooperative parish ministries. Bishop Schols directed the
Frankford Group Ministry in Frankford, Pennsylvania; designed and implemented
the General Board of Global Ministries Shalom Initiative; and served as
Executive Secretary of the Office of Urban Ministries. His engagement of
critical issues and strategies for implementing effective change in both
congregations and communities is energizing and impelling. Bishop Carcano served
as director of the South Albuquerque Cooperative Ministry in New Mexico and as
chairperson of the National Leadership Team on Cooperative Parish Ministries.
She has the distinction of becoming the first Hispanic woman bishop. She is a
strong advocate and respected leader in seeking justice for persons affected by
immigration laws, etc. We are gratified that these leaders can set the tone and
direction for the event and signal significant paths to be considered in
engaging the issues, challenges, and opportunities of our times.
Alongside key
leadership, the gathering will provide participants the opportunity to engage a
variety of themes through “Ten Learning Curve” tracks. Learning Curves will
offer insight from the staff of general boards and agencies along with
practitioners. A sampling includes: The Four Focus Areas of The United Methodist
Church for the quadrennium, Developing and Equipping Leadership for Cooperative
Ministries, Development and Resourcing Communities of Shalom, Environmental
Justice and Strategies, Worship in Changing and Diverse Context, Redefining
Rural, Where do we go from here?, etc.
The event will be
housed in the Embassy Suites with plenaries in the adjoining Von Braun Civic
Center. Registration cost (includes lodging, meals, transportation to and from
airport) is $440 (double occupancy); $575 (single); $395 (triple) prior to June
30, 2009. After June 30, 2009, a late registration fee of $50 will be added if
space remains available.
A $125
(non-refundable) per participant deposit will hold places through June 30,
2009. Names of participants and additional information will need to be
submitted on a registration form available this Spring. Final payment balances
will be due on June 30, 2009.
It is our hope
that you will identify lay and clergy participants from across your conference
that can both contribute to and receive from the opportunities that will be
offered in order that the power, love, and presence of Christ can move among us
in new ways.
The
Gathering is sponsored under the auspices of The Rural Chaplains Association, a
group of lay and clergy persons who feel called by God to live in, work with,
and advocate for town and rural churches and communities. The diverse gathering
is expected to draw 300 or more participants from rural, urban, and ecumenical
settings and to include leaders from several denominations as well as
international participants.
To reserve
participant places ($125 each), make checks payable to: Soaring High:
Cooperative Ministries Gathering, P. O. Box 161, Dutton, Alabama 35744. P O Box
161 Dutton, Alabama 35744 Phone 256-228-6307 October 15-17, 2009 Huntsville,
Alabama SOARING HIGH: COOPERATIVE MINISTRIES changing lives,
congregations
Phone 256-228-6307