Children Welcome! partners with ACCE at Chapman University in January 2008

"If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit (Galatians 5:25)." This is the foundation scripture for Living Life through the Spirit, an event to be held at Chapman University, January 24 to 27, 2008.
All ages are invited to be part of this ACCE/Children Welcome! Conference. There will be intergenerational services of worship and opportunities to explore the spirit through dance, dialogue, music, and play.

Three keynote presentations will be made by Mark Yaconelli, co-founder and director of the Youth and Spirituality Project. Discovery groups are planned on a variety of topic including Christian Parenting, Sexuality Education, Doing Christian Education in the Small Church, Nurturing Child and Youth Spirituality, Supporting Families as Faith Formers, Mutual Mentoring, Many Ways of Praying, A Spirited Look at Disciples History, and much, much more.

A panel on "The New Spirit of Christian Education" is also being planned along with a special "Interfaith Dialogue for Youth."

To make sure the voices of children and youth are heard at this conference, children and youth are invited to write about or draw their response to the question, "What does it look like to live a life that is guided by God's Spirit?" Creative writings and pictures may be mailed to Connie Metts, DHM, 130 East Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204, or brought to the January conference.

Begin to plan now to attend this important event in the life of our denomination. Registration information will be available in July 2007.

The Rev. Kaye Edwards, director of Family and Children's Ministries, is a native of Paris, Ky., and a member of Church of The Covenant, Lynchburg, Va.

Where will you be July 21 to 25?

It's decision time: will you attend General Assembly or not? Perhaps you might think that Fort Worth, Texas, in July might be, well, hot. You might be right. Contrast that with the robust convention center air-conditioning system … you'll definitely stay cool. Perhaps you're saving those precious few vacation days for, well, a vacation. And then there are the kids … what would they do at a huge church event anyway? And if you're the pastor, someone's got to lead worship that Sunday …

Perhaps you've never attended a General Assembly? Or maybe you have but you've forgotten just how interesting, exciting, prayerful, thrilling, educational … this list could go on.

Either way, as the months dwindle to days in the run-up to Assembly, the moment of truth arrives. It is in this moment that you should consider the following:

This year's Assembly could very well be the best one yet. I'm not a biased staff person who has worked each one since 1997, but from what I've observed in the planning so far, this year just feels different.
Sure, we'll have Assembly-wide worship with communion, and that amazing Assembly singing, along with resource groups, special event meals, regional gatherings and all of those things you've come to expect (if you've attended before). But this year, you can share a meal with every Assembly attendee! Has that happened before? Any Disciples historians reading?

And your DHM staff has helped organize a few treats to whet your Assembly appetite … youth and young adult events (have you seen those videos yet?) … hands-on mission like never before, including a food bank, a shelter, and Meals on Wheels, a collection of canned goods, and even a new church garden … be sure to bring your "survive the heat" kit for area homeless people. You can even leave some blood behind!

And there's more (but this isn't a Ronco advertisement) … DHM staff will be part of the new Learning Tracks, two of which include Faith and Transformation. You can even earn CEUs if you attend the entire Learning Track. And resource groups? Where would I begin (except to say, check out the Web site). And we can't forget the ever-popular DHM dinner, this year featuring none other than Fred Craddock.

So, have I convinced you yet? The price is right … and if you're the pastor of your church, you'll give your lay leaders an opportunity to step up and lead (unless they're already signed up to attend Assembly).
It's gonna be a big Assembly, even bigger if we see you … after all, we're going to be in Texas and we want to share that big Disciples feast with you! Where will you be? Won't you join us?

Learn more at www.disciples.org/ga/ for the big picture … visit www.discipleshomemissions.org/2007GeneralAssembly/ to find out what DHM is doing.

Fourth Children Welcome! Conference partners with ACCE at Chapman University

Mark Yaconelli to be the primary presenter

Planners of the fourth Children Welcome! Conference are joining forces and combining resources with the Association of Christian Church Educators (ACCE) to hold this popular event January 24 to 27, 2008 at Chapman University, Orange, Calif.

Mark Yaconelli, co-director of an Eli Lilly endowed program designed to introduce contemplative spirituality to young people, will keynote this event. He will address how faithful people of all ages can support one another on their spiritual journeys. Save the  date on your calendar now. This is a leader development opportunity you will not want to miss!

Meanwhile, if you have ideas about the life-long faith development of adults and children that should be addressed at this event, contact Kaye Edwards or Billye Bridges.