When

Wednesday, April 11, 2018 at 8:00 AM EDT
-to-
Friday, April 13, 2018 at 2:00 PM EDT
Add to Calendar 

Where

Virginia Theological Seminary 
3737 Seminary Rd
Alexandria, VA 22304  

 
Driving Directions 

Contact

Holly Hartman, Registrar 
Global Episcopal Mission Network 
registrar@gemn.org 

Conference Coordinator, registrar@gemn.org

Conference Fees: 
Please Note: Conference fee does not include flights, lodging or airport transfers. Each participant will receive meals (Wed lunch through Fri lunch), four plenary sessions, choices of workshops, daily small group experience, daily worship opportunities, display tables on global mission topics, special reception events and many neworking opportunities among those who are passionate about mission.
 
GEMN Members include any 2018 Individual Member, or the Designated Representative(s) of any 2018 GEMN Member Diocese, Seminary, Church or Mission Organization.
  • Early Bird Rates (before Mar 1):
    • $384 - Non-Members Fee (All activities, meals)
    • $349 - GEMN Member Fee (All activities, meals)
    • $260 - Two-Day Fee (All activities, meals)
    • $125 - One-Day Fee (All activities, meals)
    • $12 - Current VTS Student/Faculty/Staff (All activities)
  • Regular Conference Rates (Mar 1 - Mar 31):
    • $430 - Non-Members Fee (All activities, meals)
    • $395 - GEMN Member Fee (All activities,meals)
    • $305 - Two-Day Fee (All activities, meals)
    • $170 - One-Day Fee (All activities, meals)
    • $12 - Current VTS Student/Faculty/Staff (All activities)
  • Lodging:
    • Special conference rates ($149/nt + tax) are offered by Comfort Inn Pentagon City, 2480 Glebe Red. Bld. 2, Arlington, VA.  Please book lodging directly with the hotel.  Reservation: (703) 682-5500. Request Group ID: 3036990 or specify "Global Episcopal Mission Network".
  • Van Transfers: Hotel to Conference:
    • $40 - Wed, Thu, Fri am from Comfort Inn Pentagon City to VTS; Wed, Thu pm from VTS to Comfort Inn Pentagon City.
  • Formation Program - Tue, Apr 10 - 9am-6pm (Note: Participants will need to arrive one day prior to the start of the main conference).
    • $85 - Formation Program

NO REGISTRATIONS ACCEPTED AFTER Saturday, Mar 31. NO REFUNDS can be extended after Mar 31. Full payment must be received by Mar 31 in order to complete your registration.

Tentative Conference Schedule

  • Mon - Apr 9
    • Arrivals for Formation Program
  • Tue - Apr 10
    • 9-6    Formation Program
    • Arrivals for Conference Attendees
    • 6:00  Optional Dinner
    • 7:00  Informal Meet & Greet / Registration
  • Wed - Apr 11
    • 8:00   Worship w/VTS Community
    • 8:30   Registration
    • 9:30   Welcome / Opening Address
    • 11:00 Small Groups
    • 12:00 Lunch
    • 1:30   Affinity Groups
    • 2:45   Workshops I
    • 4:00   Workshops II
    • 5:15   Prayer and Praise w/VTS Community
    • 6:00   Dinner
    • 7:00   VTS Welcome Reception
  • Thu - Apr 12
    • 8:00   Worship w/VTS Community
    • 9:00   Keynote Address
    • 11:00 Small Groups
    • 12:00 Lunch
    • 1:30   GEMN Annual Meeting
    • 2:45   Workshops III
    • 4:00   Workshops IV
    • 5:20   VTS Community Eucharist
    • 6:00   Dinner
    • 7:00   Global Partnerships Focus Presentation & International Mission Fair
  • Fri - Apr 13                                     
    • 8:00   Worship & Eucharist w/VTS Community
    • 9:30   Final Plenary Session
    • 11:00 Small Groups
    • 12:00 Lunch
    • 1:30   Departures

Join us at Virginia Theological Seminary for our
2018 GEMN Global Mission Conference!

 

“Mission Connects Us: God, World, Church”

Join the Global Episcopal Mission Network and the Center for Anglican Communion Studies at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA to explore what it means to be followers of Christ in a time of polarization and rapid social change by building connections in mission engagement.

The conference will place a special emphasis on creation and nurture of strong communities, both spiritual and practical. Keynote speakers, working in tandem, will focus on the theology and practice of relationship-building, mutuality, and creating connections as they reflect on God's call to mission...

  • The Rev. Canon John Kafwanka, Dir. of Mission for the Anglican Communion
  • The Rev. Dr. Robert Heaney, Dir. of VTS Center for Anglican Communion Studies
  • Ms. Monica Vega and Ms. Heidi Schmidt, Missionaries ministering in Argentina, sponsored by St. Stephen's, Richmond, VA
  • The Rev. David Copley, Dir. of Global Partnerships and Mission Personnel for The Episcopal Church

Hands-on mission workshops will give you practical tools to bring back to your diocese, church or mission organization:

  • Healthy short-term mission trips
  • Leadership and fundraising
  • Asset-Based Community Development tools for mission
  • Developing and maintaining mission relationships
  • Discerning a call as a missionary
  • Spiritual formation resources for mission
  • Best practices in mission engagement.

Our Global Mission Formation Program is available to help you take a deeper dive into mission themes.  See below for more information.

In addition, the conference provides time to worship with the seminary community, network with mission partners, meet current missionaries, share in small group discussion, share mission displays and more.

Conference Highlights:

  • Hands-on Global Mission Workshops
  • Mission Presentations and Displays 
  • Inspirational Mission Speakers
  • Mission "How-To" Workshops
  • Building Global Mission Ministries
  • Mission Best Practices
  • Mission Relationship-Building
  • Spiritual Formation for Mission
  • Asset-Based Development in Mission
  • Formation Program for Global Mission Agents
  • Connect with Mission Partners from Around the World

Formation Program for Global Mission Agents:

Our flagship GEMN Formation Program consists of two one-day sessions over a two-year period, held in conjunction with the annual GEMN Global Mission Conferences. In addition to attending two Global Mission Conference, students explore mission theology, history, discernment, short-term mission organization, and project development.  Participants are required to complete reading, fieldwork assignments, and a mission report.  They receive certification as Global Mission Agents upon completion of the program.  See our GEMN Formation Program Page for more information. The Formation Program will be held this year on Tuesday, April 10 from 9am to 6pm, prior to the start of the conference.

About Global Episcopal Mission Network

The Global Episcopal Mission Network (GEMN) is committed to giving you the tools you need for global mission. We are the independent mission network in the Episcopal Church, dedicated to proclaiming, inspiring and igniting the joy of God's mission. GEMN consists of diocese, churches, seminaries, organizations and individuals who are passionate about engagement and connecting people through mission.

GEMN's annual Global Mission Conference creates a forum where people who are passionate for global mission engagement meet, learn, and exchange ideas. Together we discern where God is leading us next as the hands and feet of Christ, as a church, as individuals, and as God's people.