OASIS:  Mid-Central Regional APCE Conference

Things you might like to know

• Cancellation/refund policy--Email requests received before September 12 will receive a full refund. September 12-October 14 will receive a full refund minus $50.  We regret that, beginning October 15, we are unable to provide refunds.
• Mid-Central APCE is pleased to offer a $25 rebate to all APCE members registering for the full event.  We will have a record of Mid-Central members; if your membership is outside the Mid-Central region, please provide verification of your membership in good standing.  The rebate will be available at the registration area at Oasis.
• Daily rates are available:

Sunday Only (includes one meal): $59.00

Monday Only (includes one meal): $99.00

Tuesday Only (includes one meal): $59.00

Registration includes conference participation and 3 meals. 

Early bird by Aug. 28 $169

Regular before Sept. 23 $179

Late after Sept. 23 $189

We will make every effort to accommodate registrations after Oct. 17, including walk-in registrations.

Make your lodging arrangements at www.elmsresort.com using the group code 5421 at a rate of $90 single/double/triple/quad.  Hotel reservations made after October 7 will be subject to availability and at the prevailing rate.

Sunday, October 23
4:00 p.m. - Hotel check-in
5:00 p.m. - Registration
6:30 p.m. - Tapas (appetizers)
Worship and Emotionally Healthy Ministry
Dessert and Coffee

Monday, October 24
Breakfast on your own
8:00 a.m. - Morning Prayer
9:00-10:15 a.m. - Workshop 1
10:30-11:45 a.m. - Workshop 2
Lunch on your own
1:30-2:45 p.m. - Workshop 3
3:00-4:15 p.m - Workshop 4
At Barbee Memorial Presbyterian Church
5:30 p.m. - Dinner
6:30 p.m. - Worship
Foundations of Family Ministry
Dessert fellowship
Return to hotel 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 25
8:00 a.m. - Morning prayer
8:30 a.m. - Breakfast
Regional meeting
9:30-10:45 a.m. - Workshop 5
Closing worship
Implementing Family Ministry
Lunch on your own

Workshop descriptions

1A--That All May Thrive--We sometimes struggle to make Christian Education beneficial and meaningful to all the children of our congregation. This session will discuss practices to consider and strategies to implement that will promote an optimal learning environment for children of various ability levels and learning styles. Melissa Graybill is a Sunday school teacher, an occupational therapist, and a mother.

 1B--Church Kitchen Miracles—Experience inspiration for keeping a team of volunteers happy and productive, serving good food, tailoring the menu to support the activity, and having fun with this important ministry.  Adam Fauss is a volunteer chef in a 500 member congregation. 

1C—Children in the Church will center on the topic of children in the church and will be very participatory.  A cohort group with keynoter Mark DeVries. 

1D—Feasting on the Word curriculum for Young Adults and Adults--Discover how this new lectionary curriculum, based on the award-winning commentary of the same name, connects worship and faith formation in powerful ways for young adults and adults. Come and join the Feast!  Candace Hill is Coordinator, Educational Ministries, Congregational Ministries Publishing, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

1E--Living the Christian Year--In this workshop we will consider ways to enliven and deepen the celebration of the Christian year in public worship and daily life.  David Gambrell is the music and worship leader for Oasis. 

2A-- Children and Preschoolers at Church--The foundation for lifelong faith begins in early childhood. Learn how Wee Children at Church and Wee Believe Preschool, our denominational resources, are designed to help your church nurture your youngest members.  Candace Hill is Coordinator, Educational Ministries, Congregational Ministries Publishing, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

2B—Exemplary Confirmation Practices will provide models successfully used in Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery.  Ideas on timeline, curriculum design, leadership, and more.  Stephanie Foltz (First United, Belleville, IL), Julie Gvillo (United, Wood River, IL), Rev. Joy Myers (first Pres, Edwardsville, IL), and Barbi Smith (New Hope, St. Charles, IL) 

2C—For All Volunteers-- A cohort group with keynoter Mark DeVries. 

2D-- Holy Habits:  Nurturing a Life of Prayer--We teach it, we lead it, we encourage others to do it, but how do we make sure there’s anything left for ourselves?  Does prayer get pushed to the bottom of your list too often?  Maybe you should try lectio divina, praying in color, journaling, beads, or imago divina.  Come explore some new and creative ways to nurture your own life of prayer.  Katie Estes-Collins is co-pastor at First Presbyterian Church, South St. Paul, MN.

3A--Welcoming Children in Worship--In this workshop we will explore strategies for enhancing children's full, active, and conscious participation in Sunday worship. David Gambrell is the music and worship leader for Oasis. 

3B—Being Connectional—What Is It Good For?-- There must be a good reason that we have our denomination set up as a connectional system. This workshop will explore the theological understanding and practical benefits of our PC(USA) structure (even as it is changing). Learn how you can be supported in your role in the church by our structure.  Joan Erickson is General Presbyter of Missouri Union Presbytery.

3C—Part-time Church Work will cover issues arising particularly out of part-time employment in the church and will be very participatory.  A cohort group with keynoter Mark DeVries.

 3D--Keeping What's Important: Tools and Patterns for CE--Whether you run a large program or a small one, every Christian Educator can benefit from setting a few basic priorities and building their program around them. This workshop will assist you in setting those priorities and provide some practical suggestions for implementing them.  Jan Zimmerman is a Certified Christian Educator who has worked in various settings across her time in the church.

 3E--Zumba Gold: Moves and pacing to suit the needs of the active older participant, as well as those just starting their journey to a fit and healthy lifestyle.  Imani Glasgow is an American Baptist chaplain and is a licensed Zumba instructor.

4A--Feasting on the Word Curriculum for Children and Youth--Discover how this new lectionary curriculum, based on the award-winning commentary of the same name, connects worship and faith formation in powerful ways for children and youth. Come and join the Feast!  Candace Hill is Coordinator, Educational Ministries, Congregational Ministries Publishing, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 

4B-- Sunday School on Call--This teacher friendly plan is for small church education for children and youth, which presumes erratic attendance and provides for broadly graded classes. Rodney Peters served Presbyterian churches his entire career, always with an emphasis on education. He is now pastor at Bethany Presbyterian in Joplin, MO.

4C—Serendipity will cover what is of interest to the group present in the workshop.  Come discover something good to take home.  A cohort group with keynoter Mark DeVries.

 4D—Zumba—Fitness workout set to high-energy Latin and international beats.  Imani Glasgow is an American Baptist chaplain and is a licensed Zumba instructor.

5A—God Moments—a conversation with those who love people with disabilities, and how the church can minister to families.  Members of a congregation.

5B—Art Experience*-- Participants will have the opportunity to see and discus various ways to express worship through fabrics. The first portion will cover the wider arena of the Christian Year and options for worship leadership through fabrics, color and design. The second portion will be a hands-on opportunity for folks to Batik and/or hand-dye a silk scarf. There is no need for any special skills for this workshop and everyone will leave with a hand-dyed silk scarf and a broader scope for using visual elements in worship design.  Grace Cox-Johnson is an artist with Color 4 the Journey. *There will be a $15 materials charge for the first scarf and $5 for each additional scarf, collected at the workshop.

5C—Youth Ministry Conversations-- A cohort group with keynoter Mark DeVries. 

5D—Turning Everything (yes, including classes and the church cleanup day) into the worship of God-- Inspired by the Assemble, Bible, Claim, Depart format of the We Believe denominational curriculum, planning for a whole variety of activities in the church can be centered on God. For those intent on glorifying and enjoying God as directed by the Shorter Catechism of the Westminster Confession, it is helpful to have a planning tool to keep that goal out in front. This workshop will include hands on work planning activities using this tool. Joan Erickson is General Presbyter of Missouri Union Presbytery.