The Tool Box

A conference for all persons serving in educational ministry

January 28-31, 2009
Crowne Plaza Riverwalk and the Sheraton Gunter Holtels
San Antonio, Texas

Jesus said: "You are the light of the world." God's chosen ones are called to shine so that the world might experience the light of God. Called, even at the risk of our own lives, to bring justice to the earth; to bring to the nations the covenant precepts revealed through Moses; to live faithfully, thus illuminating the meaning of justice. As a light to the nations we stand boldly before the world so that the eyes of the blind are open, the prisoners are set free, and those who live in darkness experience the light of God's love.

For further information contact:

APCE Registrar
888-728-7228, ext. 5460 or 502-569-5460
Email: apcereg@pcusa.org

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, thus says the LORD, 'Let my people go, that they may serve me.'" Exodus 8:1 (RSV)


How can the PC(USA) become a church for the next generation? What will it take to bridge the boundaries of age, culture, gender, race, and theological differences? Come and join others who care about the leadership of the church – present and future. Be part of an exciting conversation aimed at fashioning a new vision for a new day – of a Church Unbound!

July 1-5, 2008
Montreat Conference Center
$200.00 full conference fee
Registration must be postmarked at least seven days before the conference begins to be accepted. Conference begins Tuesday, July 1, with registration 3-5 PM, Anderson Auditorium.
Conference ends Saturday, July 5, at approximately 10:30 AM.

If you would like conference information mailed to you via U.S. mail, please email carolo[at]montreat.org. Questions about registration? Email the registrar at susana[at]montreat.org.

A missional church conference fo pastors, judicatory leaders, and lay leaders.

"The church is the people of God, an alternative community with another set of allegiances and another set of practices from the dominant culture. As such, the church is light to the world, a city on a hill, a sign of the future God intends for the whole world." - Dr. Lois Barrett, conference featured speaker

This 2-day missional church conference is an annual gathering to renew and learn, celebrate and network with leaders on a missional transformation journey.

Sponsored by the Center for Parish Development. For details: http://www.missionalchurch.org/, or call toll free 866-752-1596.

Early registration savings before April 30. Register for BOTH the Conference and follow-up Training Seminar (Transforming Churches toward a Missional Posture, July 21-25) for a reduced rate.

January 16-19, 2009 (Registration opens April 1, 2008!)
Walt Disney World Resort (Lake Buena Vista, Florida)

“You were called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated by Oneness.” Ephesians 4:4-6, The Message

We have one faith - a faith that is high, deep, long and wide. Faith Dares us to risk something big for something good. Faith works within us to Discover who God is creating us to be. Faith allows us to Dream how God can use each one of us. Faith forever changes us, like it changed Sara, Moses, and Paul, calling us to live beyond comfortable dimensions surrounded by familiar faces. Faith pushes us to walk in the shoes and to see through the eyes of another.

Faith in 3D exists to invite young people of 3 faith groups to explore our common faith in Jesus Christ through worship, education, and community building. On January 16-19, 2009 youth from The Presbyterian Church (USA), The Episcopal Church, and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship will meet at Walt Disney World® in Orlando, FL for Faith in 3D. This tri-denominational event will give your students the opportunity to experience worship from a faith perspective different from their own, build relationships with youth from around the country, and experience the wonder and magic that is Walt Disney World®.

Thousands of teenagers are expected to spend the weekend at Faith in 3D. Even though the numbers might be overwhelming, the experience will be intimate. Each day, youth will gather together as a large community and worship in the style of one of the denominations. The experience of worshipping through different traditions will bring us closer together as we all seek God. Youth will spend some of their time in small groups where they can meet other teens from across the country and grow in their faith. The Coronado Springs Resort is a great place to just “hang out” after a day at the parks or before the day begins. There will be many opportunities for teens to interact with each other.

Participants from these 3-Denominations will come together for 3-Days to create a place for faith to grow. In this ecumenical community, students will be Dared to live and act faithfully in the world; Discover the depth and richness of an authentic faith in Jesus the Christ; and have the opportunity to Dream ways in which their faith can make a difference in their lives.

3 Denominations — 1 Faith!
3 Days — 1 Great Weekend!
3D — Dare! Discover! Dream!


We’re making plans for you to join us in this special weekend of discovering a faith that crosses denominational lines, connects hearts, and envelops the world. We’re excited about bringing students together to experience faith in a different way. They will experience a faith that is wide, deep, long, and high.

For more information, http://www.faithin3d.org/.

April 14-16, 2008
Columbia Theological Seminary

Jesus commissioned the believers to go therefore and make disciples of all nations. Ultimately the task of Christian education is spiritual formation. It is forming children, youth, and adults to be followers of Jesus Christ. What does it mean to do Christian education as spiritual formation? What does it mean to make disciples? What does it mean to move beyond the simple transmission of knowledge to empower all ages to lead lives worthy of the calling to which they have been called?

Come explore with us at Colloquium 2008. Leadership will include Kathy L. Dawson, Rodger Nishioka, Eileen Lindner, Jerome Berryman, Nancy Blakely, Dent Davis, Carol Lakey Hess, Rebecca McClain, Candy Moser, Lynn Turnage, and Anne Streaty Wimberly.

For more information, contact Barbara Poe at poeb@ctsnet.edu

Making New Connections @ Montreat Conference Center

Approximately 35,000 people a year connect with Montreat Conference Center. They come for conferences, church retreats, and meetings. They come to hike. They bring their children to play in the park or canoe on Lake Susan. They dine, shop, and worship. Here in this peaceful Blue Ridge mountain cove, just minutes east of Asheville, NC, people connect – with nature, with each other, and with their Creator. This year, we invite you to make your own most meaningful connections with this “place set apart."

Register now for one of these spring programs at Montreat:

The Spring Spiritual Formation Retreat (God’s Encircling: Celtic Christianity), April 10-13
Arts and Sabbath: The Montreat Artists Series, April 20-24.

Find information on the complete conference season visit http://www.montreat.org/.

Montreat Books and Gifts is online! Visit us at http://www.montreatbooksandgifts.org/ for a complete selection of books, gifts and conference CDs. All church employees receive 20% off website book orders.

Creative Practices in the New Rural

May 6-8, 2008
Columbia Theological Seminary
Decatur, GA

"Creative Practices in the New Rural" features key note speaker L. Shannon Jung, Professor of Town and Country Ministries at St. Paul’s School of Theology, Kansas City, MO.

"New Rural" participants will discuss creative practices that strengthen congregations in rural settings, as well as the changes taking place in traditional rural communities. This conference is part of Columbia’s Rural Ministry Initiative which also includes the Rural Ministry Fellowship and Scholars program. The initiative is funded by generous gifts from individuals and congregations.

Special presentation by Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann, professor emeritus, Columbia Theological Seminary.

For more information, http://www.ctsnet.edu/lifelong/pdf/LLL_RuralMin.pdf.

POAMN Conference

April 22nd - 25th, 2008
Marriott St. Louis West
660 Maryville Centre Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63141
Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network


If you’re brand new to Older Adult Ministry or a veteran with years of service
among God’s older children, this conference is for YOU! Seminars ranging in
topics from Older Adult Ministry 101 to Spirituality & Hope, to Ministering
to Mature Men or ways to help those in Hospice Care or with dementia leave
their legacy, there’s plenty of rich information for you.

Enjoy this opportunity to interact with other professionals and lay people working
in Older Adult Ministry all across the country. You’ll go away feeling renewed,
refreshed and motivated as you learn to leave a living legacy for your family, your
church, your community and your world! This conference is geared for leaders in
the church, lay people with a heart for ministry to and with Older Adults, as well
as community and church members who are interested in leaving a living legacy.


CONTACT / REGISTRATION INFORMATION
www.poamn.org or Ginny Nyhuis at vnhuis@wi.rr.com or (615)426-1545

Gather All Nations and Tongues: Good News for All Congregations
San Antonio, Texas
April 10–13, 2008
Hilton San Antonio Airport
Pre-Conference Presbytery/Church Multicultural Training April 9–10

When we gather for the 2008 National Multicultural Conference, it will truly be as though Isaiah’s call — for “all the nations and tongues” to gather and experience God’s Good News — will come true.

This year’s conference’s theme is unique and timely as it focuses on evangelism in a multicultural setting. Thus it addresses an urgent need for the whole church, in particular mainline denominations as they struggle with finding new ways and meaningful approaches for communicating the Gospel and reaching out to the increasing diversity in the American society.

Conference Fee: $285
Early Bird Deadline: February 15, 2008
Early Registration: $250
Final Deadline: March 14, 2008
Late Registration: $325

Co-sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Ministries, GAC, the Synod of the Sun and Mission Presbytery.

More information at http://www.pcusa.org/multicultural/.

The Center for Parish Development in Chicago, IL, is offering workshops and seminars focused on Congregational Transformation. Click on the following links for information.

Doctor of Ministry classes in CT-- go to www.missionalchurch.org/pages/doctor_min.html

Missional Church Convocation (July 17-19, 2008)-- equipping congregations for the transformational journey. Go to www.missionalchurch.org/pages/seminars.html

Church Transformation Seminar (July 21-25, 2008)-- offers foundations, theology and concept, and practical resources for the transformational journey. Go to www.missionalchurch.org/pages/seminars.html

The Center for Parish Development is an ecumenical organization whose purpose is to help churches strive to become more faithful and effective missional communities that engage the culture with the gospel, liberate themselves from Christendom bondage, and equip themselves to discern and participate in God's redemptive mission.

Check out this church transformation website-- www.transformingchurch.com .

A website that contains lots of informaiton and suggestions about transforming churches.