"Be The Church", the 221st Annual Meeting of the Vermont Conference, UCC
Members of the Vermont Conference, United Church of Christ will gather for our 221st Annual Meeting on April 29th and 30th at Lake Morey Resort in Fairlee. We will join together to discuss and learn how to better "Be The Church."
Our time together will focus on strengthening our shared understanding of and commitment to the issues of justice, forgiveness and grace that have shaped our denomination's tradition since its earliest days. We will share a blend of sacred worship; thoughtful and challenging presentations and workshops on today's vital justice, environmental and advocacy issues. We will be sent forth in our time together by sharing the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper and the preaching of Bishop Dwayne Royster. We will consider and conduct the Conference's business; and of course have ample time for informal gathering and collegiality. We will be blessed with great food and a lovely retreat-like setting on the shore of Lake Morey.
Bishop Dwayne Royster of Living Water United Church of Christ will be our keynote preacher for our plenaries including our celebration of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. According to Living Water's website (www.lwucc.org), Bishop Royster is an advocate for preparing congregations for the ministry of availability. He is fond of saying that, "Ministry should not be limited to Sunday mornings. Sunday is a time of worship. Ministry should be done Monday thru Sunday on the bus stops, at the supermarkets, in workplaces, at soccer games, etc... Wherever people are... so is God and He is able to do miraculous things through His children that are prepared. In this current generation many will never grace the doors of a church...but like Jesus we must take the message to the people and tell them the good news. Like the woman at the well they can be FREE."
Please go to the Annual Meeting Page on the Vermont Conference website for a schedule, agenda, and meeting materials. Please bring your meeting information with you to the Annual Meeting.
Registration Fee- Complete Registration includes all registration and meal costs for two days at $185.00. Friday, April 29th only Registration and meals is $140.00 and Saturday, April 30th only Registration and meals is $115.00. To register for part of the meeting and/or to register without meals and snacks is $65.00 *There is a $25.00 late fee for registrations after April 18, 2016. NO registrations will be accepted after April 22, 2016, due to the needs of the facility. There will be no on-site registrations.
Group Registration - You may register up to 8 people in addition to yourself. If you are a church pastor registering a group of people you are confirming their delegate status and do not need to send a separate delegate list.
Payments - Payments may be made by credit card or by check. If sending a check all payments must be received in full PRIOR to the Annual Meeting (by April 22, 2016). Registration is not considered final until payment is received.
Refunds - Full refunds will be given if cancelling by April 18, 2016. Partial refunds will be given if cancelling between April 18-21, 2016. No refunds will be given if cancelling after April 21, 2016. Substitutions may be made up to 72 hours prior to the conference (by 3:00pm, April 26, 2016).
Special Needs - We will try to accommodate special needs. Please indicate on the registration form any special needs and please notify the hotel at the time your reservation is made. You can also call the VT Conference office at #802-728-4999 prior to the meeting to make special arrangements.
Lodging - Participants are responsible for making room reservations directly with Lake Morey Resort by calling #800-423-1211.There is a special meeting room rate of $94/night (+tax) for both single and double rooms. Please reference VT Conference of UCC when making your reservations and state any special accommodations that you need. Facilities include an indoor pool, fitness center, walking trails, and complimentary Wi-fi.
Children - Please contact the VT Conference office at #802-728-4999, if you will be bringing children to the Annual Meeting. Lake Morey Resort has no special childcare services for children.
Clergy - Please plan to vest with white or rainbow stoles for the procession during the Friday Morning Worship.
Worship Choir - There will be a choir for the final worship on Saturday afternoon. If you would like to participate in this, the rehearsal will take place during the Saturday morning workshop time. You can sign up for the choir on the Annual Meeting registration.
Volunteer Opportunities - If you would like to volunteer at the Annual Meeting, please contact Jesse Davis at the VT Conference office at #802-728-4999 or davisj@vtcucc.org.
Exhibitor Tables - Please register at http://www.vtcucc.org/docs/Annual%20Meeting/2016/Exhibitors%20Form%202016.pdf (PDF) or http://www.vtcucc.org/docs/Annual%20Meeting/2016/Exhibitors%20Form%202016.docx (Word)
Questions - If you have any questions please contact Jesse Davis at the VT Conference office at #802-728-4999 or davisj@vtcucc.org.