We had a wonderful Adult Conference in 2009 with 84 registered conferees. Our morning lecturer was the Rev. Dr. Bill Paulsell, and Rev. Heather Schimmel served as our Vesper Speaker. The 2009 theme was "Our Faith: From Roots to Fruits to Seeds (Disciples Past, Present & Future)" and there were morning classes taught by David Belcastro, Steve Bentley, Toni Bynum and Betty Adams, Allen Harris, Kerry Reed, and Jim Schimmel. Afternoon Forums were offered on Historic Bethany and Spiritual Direction, Is that for Me?
Plans for the 2010 Adult Conference of the Region of Ohio are well underway and the officers and at-large planning team members have been hard at work. The 73rd Adult Conference will be held from June 14-18, 2010 at Northwest Christian Church in Columbus, Ohio.
The officers for the 2010 Adult Conference are Deborah Bolen, President; Allen Harris, Vice President; Sue Chivington, Secretary; Bob Thompson, Financial Liaison; Pat Davis, 2009 Past President; and Lee Snyder, 2009 Past Secretary. New at-large members of the planning team serving a two-year term are Lynn Mattox-Baker and Patty Worsham, with Charlotte Bougher and Ken Coy serving their final year. Steve Bentley is our regional liaison.
The conference is planned, organized and run by the officers elected at the conference each year, along with several at-large members of the Planning Team. We work toward exploring our theme each year in such a way that it is woven throughout the entire conference, and this year is no different. We spent the summer in a process of prayerful discernment and when we came together for our September planning meeting we were of one mind that there is a deep need, and even a hunger, for spiritual development to be intentionally addressed. With this in mind, the theme of the 2010 Adult Conference is "Deep and Wide: Living out the Spiritual Journey." We are honored that our daily Bible Lecturer will be Dr. Ronald J. Allen, Nettie Sweeney and Hugh Th. Miller Professor of New Testament and Preaching at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana and our nightly Vesper Speaker is the Rev. Dr. William Edwards, Regional Minister and President of the Christian Church in Ohio.
We are intentionally striving to become a more diverse conference in 2010 and we also plan to publicize Adult Conference more diligently so that more people may be introduced to the possibilities open to conferees. A typical day at Adult Conference goes forward after Devotions, and includes choosing two enlightening classes to attend (always a difficult decision!), thought-provoking daily Bible Lectures, and inspiring sermons at nightly Vespers, as well as educational and informative Forums, wonderful meals together, opportunities to take part in the Conference Choir, enjoy the ice cream social, sing-a-longs, line dancing, free time activities, and so much more. In the learning, worship, fellowship and fun, spiritual journeys are enriched and deepened, new friendships are made, and lives are changed.
In short, Adult Conference is full of endless possibilities where faith is deepened and broadened, ministry leaders are born and nurtured, and fellowship within the wider Church is strengthened. Adult Conference is a place of inclusive welcome, where conferees are free to explore issues openly and honestly, without judgment. Through Adult Conference, conferees may find that God is calling them to explore horizons they had never considered or even dreamed of before - and I am one of these. We hope that many will be able to experience the far-reaching impact that Adult Conference has in the lives of individuals. Scholarships are available for those who wish to attend but do not have the means to do so, and those details will be in the clergy camp mailing.
If you have any questions about Adult Conference, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am always happy to share my experiences of Adult Conference and what it has done in my life.
Deborah Bolen, 2010 Adult Conference President
dhbolen@gmail.com
