Registration Deadlines approaching
With the first of our Faith-raising Stewardship Conferences on August 21, the cutoff for registration is only about two weeks away:  August 13 for Corpus Christi attendees and August 20 for the San Antonio conference. We have 45 registered in Corpus Christi and over 90 in San Antonio.  The registration cap for San Antonio is 175 so don't be left out.  Register now!

Our Newest Speakers
(Session I Workshop, 1:15 pm - 2:00 pm)
  Annie and Ned Bowersox will present "Telling your Stewardship Story" at the San Antonio Conference on August 28.  The Rev. Ned Bowersox has extensive experience in congregational stewardship as previous rector of four different Episcopal parishes, two of which he guided from mission to parish status. He retired as rector of Church of the Good Shepherd, Corpus Christi in 2007, after serving there for 12 years. Ned is a graduate of Florida State University and Virginia Theological Seminary. Annie graduated from University of Florida and served as an educator and administrator in public schools throughout her career. Their personal stewardship story is honest and inspiring. (NOTE: Shirley and The Rt. Rev. John MacNaughton will be the presenters in Corpus Christi.)

Workshop Highlights
(Session I Workshop, 1:15 pm - 2:00 pm)
Christian Financial Planning- Sampling of Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey presented by Haley Bankey
  Haley has been the Communications Director at St. George Episcopal Church since May of 2009 after working in retail leadership for years. She and her husband have also been the coordinators for the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace Program at St. George for the past 6 sessions. They are starting their 7th session at the church this fall!  By using this program, she and her husband have become debt free by paying off $73,000 in three years, and they have been able to help, guide, mentor, and teach many in their congregation about financial freedom as God would have us do it.
Course Description:
  You've heard the names - Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University, Living with Money, Good Sense Budget Course, Crown Financial Ministries -these Christian financial planning courses challenge participants to examine money in the context of their Christian Faith.  The courses focus on eliminating personal debt, building savings, and learning to use money in healthy ways. That includes putting God first financially.  Rather than asking, "How much of my money should I give to God?" we learn to ask, "How much of God's money should I keep for myself?"  This workshop will provide an introduction to one such program, Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. IDEA: Sponsor a financial planning workshop series and invite your neighbors to join your parishioners. These programs are excellent outreach opportunities for your church.

(Session II Workshops, 2:15 pm - 3:00 pm)
"Legacy Giving - Planning the Gift" presented by Matt Brysacz.
  Matt is a second career attorney.  Matt spent 10 years in technology sales for Lucent Technologies and Cisco System before going to law school at the age of 35.  For the past three years, he has worked in the Estate Planning and Trust practice group for Cox Smith Matthews Incorporated, in San Antonio.  He is a board member of the 100 Club of San Antonio, a frequent child and adult Sunday school teacher and the father of three (11, 7, and 15 months).
Course Description:
  Death is a reality.  Many of us deal with this reality by preparing for our eternal spiritual lives, yet we fail to adequately plan for the disposition of our worldly estate.  This talk will center on the topic of what happens to a person's worldly estate at his death and will cover:
1)  What immediate issues arise after a person's death
2)  What happens when a person dies without a will
3)  Challenges that can arise when a person's plan is out of date or is not entirely clear
4)  Strategies that can alleviate these issues
 If time permits, questions about the current state of the federal estate and gift tax laws and potential legislation are welcome.

"Generational Giving Patterns" presented by Keith Hughey. 
  Keith is a management consultant with over 35 years of consulting and managerial experience spending much of his time facilitating corporate planning retreats, consulting on organizational health (human systems), corporate governance, change management, productivity, and performance improvement.  He is also a noted speaker and the author of the widely read e-letter, Monday Morning Musings.   As a long-time member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in San Antonio, Keith has participated in the finance and stewardship areas for years.
Course Description:
  What looks like a people problem is often a situation problem.  The question is how do we change the behaviors of the younger generations so that they become better supporters of the church and its work?  The answer begins with changing their beliefs, but it is a little more complex than that.  Explore the challenge and possible solutions as we begin the conversation of more fully engaging our younger members.

We invite clergy, stewardship committee members and chairs, vestry/bishop's wardens and all other interested leaders to join us in Corpus Christi on August 21, or San Antonio on August 28.