Northwest Conference Children

& Family Ministry News

Children & Family Ministry Connection

Who supports you in ministry?

Thursday, Oct. 22 from Noon to 2 p.m.

Our hope is that you are somehow, somewhere connecting with someone about the ups and downs of ministry. We know you're overworked and underpaid and taking time away to meet with others is perhaps one more thing to add to your plate. But we believe there is value in gathering around the table with others - sharing stories, eating food and praying.

Whether you are full time or part time, volunteer a lot or a little, you are invited to join other children and family ministry leaders for our Children & Family Ministry Connection. We'll meet at Salem Covenant Church in New Brighton from noon-2 on Thursday, Oct. 22. Bring your own lunch. Come late or leave early, if you need to. We trust you will leave encouraged and confident that you are supported and not alone in ministry.

This month, Becky Danielson from 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting will join us for part of the time to facilitate conversation about parenting as a team - both for your own lives, but also as a way to encourage the families you work with. Becky is a local author and speaker, based out of Christ Presbyterian in Edina.

No need to RSVP. Hope to see you there!

Kara Stromberg and the Children and Family Ministry Commission

Children, Family and Inter-generational Ministry Connection

New! Pre-midwinter Event / Hyatt Regency O'Hare, Chicago, IL
Saturday, Jan. 23, 11 a.m. through Noon, Monday, Jan. 25

Are you a pastor, full-time or part-time director, or volunteer that has a passion for children, families and inter-generational ministry? Then this connection's for you. Bring your team and experience the Connection together.

Five general sessions and over 14 learning experiences addressing five major areas of ministry: ministry specifically with children, equipping parents, integration of children within the ministry of the body, personal spiritual growth, and building a team. Participants will share ideas and experiences, engage in spiritual practices, build friendships, and walk away spiritually refreshed.

Registration is $99.00 (includes Saturday and Sunday lunch.) For discounts, registration scholarships or questions, e-mail steve.burger@covchurch.org prior to registering online. To register, or for hotel info, go to CovChurch.org/midwinter.

Registration details available for Bill Henson Posture Shift workshop

Nov. 14, 2015, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Maple Grove Covenant Church

Bill Henson is the founder of Lead Them Home, an organization that consults church leaders on building a biblically orthodox, missiological framework for church mission and ministry with LGBTQ persons, with a specialization in sharing Christ with non-heterosexual persons.

Henson has developed a framework for conversation and learning called Posture Shift, a national model reaching over 5,000 church leaders in recent years. His work has been featured in Leadership Journal and it has been incorporated as teaching curricula at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Gordon College. The board of trustees of Lead Them Home is chaired by Dr. Raymond Pendleton, professor of pastoral psychology, at Gordon-Conwell.

This is part of our ongoing effort to resource our pastors and churches in living faithfully and graciously into our Covenant position on human sexuality. Henson presented to 140 of our pastors in May and his presentation was well-received by those attending the event. Henson is now coming back for training of pastors, staff members and elected church leaders.

Registration

To register for this event, please email Jessa Anderson at jessa@northwestconference.org or call the Northwest Conference office at 612-721-4893. The registration deadline is Nov. 7, 2015. Lunch will be provided with a suggested donation of $10.

2015 -2016 Dates to Know

Recharge 2016

Recharge is a one-day multi-denominational conference aimed to inspire and equip church staff and their volunteers in children, youth and family ministry

www.Ministryrecharge.org

Twin Cities, MN	Jan. 9
Duluth, MN	Jan. 16
Fargo, ND	Jan. 23
Green Bay, WI	Feb. 20
Cedar Falls, IA	Feb. 27

Social Media

To get the latest updates on events and other Children & Family Ministry happenings for the NWC, like us on Facebook:

NWC Children & Family Ministry Facebook Page

Did you know there is also an ECC Children's Ministry Facebook page? This is a closed group, so if you are interested in joining (all are welcome!), send an email to kara@northwestconference.org and you will receive an invitation. This is a great way to collaborate on a national level.