The night before

I'm keeping an eye on the ever changing forcast. As of this writing, it seems like only a dusting of snow before I take off tomorrow for San Antonio. So hopefully there will not be any delays. We shall see!

Sharon Pearson has already arrived in SA and has been giving us the weather updates and a few tips before we arrive via the NAECED email listserv. I got to know Sharon when she worked in the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut as the Children's Ministries & Christian Education Coordinator,. She left in 2007 and is now the Christian Formation Specialist for Church Publishing Inc. She is a wealth of knowledge and the biggest cheerleader for Christian Ed Directors ever! She has incredible energy and never ceases to amaze me in all that she knows.

The latest numbers for this conference are over 100 Christian Ed Directors from around the country will be attending the conference...the largest number ever. I'm really excited to meet these women and men and share ideas.

The workshops all sound so good, I hope that I get into the ones I marked as my first choice on the registration sheet. We also needed to put down a second choice in case the one we want is filled. Wednesday is the official start of the conference in the afternoon with signing in and a special welcome at our host church, St. Mark's. Later that day is the opening banquet, followed by a Eucharist service. The evening ends with a fireside chat at the hotel.

Thursday and Friday are the workshop days. These are the ones I'm hoping to attend:

1) Youth Christ & Culture: Understanding the Popular Theology of Those in Your Pews.
Recent research has revealed shifts in attitudes among young people and spirituality, faith, morals, ethics and the church. This workshop helps to explain why there is a disconnect between what is taught and how it is interpreted by teens...and what teens are seeking when they come to church.

2) Small Groups for Lifelong Spiritual Formation.
When Sunday worship and coffee hour are over, how do we as Christians continue to grow in community? In this workshop, we'll talk about small group ministries, burn-out, and how to keep the fellowship going outside the church walls

3) So You Want to take a Mission Trip/Pilgrimage?
Everything you need to know about planning a trip for teens or adults, including specific details on the ones that have been used recently in the Episcopal Churches around the world.

4) Homegrown Spiritual Formation for the Small Church?
Talking about creating a formation program that will demonstrate a commitment to children, you and adults

5) We are ALL Leaders- Paradigms for the 21st. Century.
Leaders are not just people with titles. What are some of the new ways to help people of all ages in the parish to understand their roles as leaders and to get them more involved.

6) One Size Does not Fit All: How to Choose a Curriculum

7) New Technologies:
Using technology to reach teens

8) An Introduction to Christian Yoga
A time of relaxation and meditation and incorporating it into your life of prayer.

I will check in again tomorrow with an update. Please keep me in your prayers for a safe trip and a inspiring experience in San Antonio