Theme of this year’s conference is “Sustaining Pastoral Excellence: Pastoral Wellness,” with many of the workshops focused on different aspects of pastoral wellness. The event provides pastors the opportunity to deepen fellowship, participate in inspiring worship, and hear challenging speakers.
Conference activities will formally begin this evening (Monday) with the opening worship service with Bob Stromberg the speaker. He is well-known in the denomination as a comedian, author, songwriter, co-author of the acclaimed play Triple Espresso, and as a long-time speaker and entertainer with a stirring message for high school youth at CHIC.
Tuesday’s activities include a variety of workshops with Aleese Moore-Orbih preaching during the evening worship service. She is project manager for Advocacy for Victims of Abuse with Women Ministries of the ECC and works with the Faith Trust Institute (formerly the Center for the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence), conducting educational workshops for clergy on religion and domestic violence.
Wednesday’s schedule is filled with workshops as well. Preacher for the Thursday evening service is John Lynch, a graduate of Talbot Seminary who serves on the staff of Leadership Catalyst and along with Bruce McNicol and Bill Thrall wrote the book TrueFaced.
Friday’s concluding breakfast will feature well-known ABC medical editor Dr. G. Timothy Johnson as the speaker. He will use video presentations to discuss the latest findings and advances in our understanding of physical, mental, and emotional wellness.
Brennan Manning will be the presenter during the three morning devotional sessions, exploring the theme “Healing Our Image of God and Ourselves.” Manning grew up in Brooklyn, attended St. John’s University, then fought in the Korean War. Sensing the call of God in his life, he graduated from St. Francis College, completed four years of advanced studies in theology at St. Francis Seminary, and was ordained to the Franciscan priesthood.
To read more about the featured speakers, please see Speakers.
CF Connect will run concurrently through the week, beginning this evening and continuing through Thursday. CF Connect is designed for those ministering to and interested in Christian formation with children, adults, and families.
Author signings also are scheduled at the onsite Covenant Bookstore, which is set up especially for the Midwinter conference at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare hotel.
To read more about the conference, the schedule of events and workshops, please see Midwinter Conference.
Copyright © 2011 The Evangelical Covenant Church.
