Each church in the united church, pays what is called and assessment to the next up body of the church, the presbytery.  The presbytery pays an assessment to the conference.  And the conference as well, often receives a grant from the national church which comes from the mission and service fund, which is collected - voluntarily - from the people who worship in the congregations.

People have tossed around the idea of a wondercafe conference or gathering.

I am posting this thread to allow us to weave in & out of the idea

Some of the things that come to my mind are:

a) what is unique about wondercafe and contributors that would be interesting to others

b) what would the conference look like? would it have lanes similair to the discussion topics

c) what location would make sense 

d) funding  / costs / challenges

I'm off to my first conference annual meeting this week and I was wondering what to expect. For those of you who have been before, what do you like about them - and what don't you like? What should I be prepared for?

Professional Development Conference
May 15^th – 16^th, 2012
Algoma’s Water Tower Inn & Suites, Sault Ste. Marie, ON

Welcome Friend Association Inc.

76 Dawson St., P.O. Box 242

Thessalon, ON   P0R 1L0

Check out our website welcomefriend.ca for conference information.  The guest speakers and panelists are almost complete. 

Please pass this information to all you think may be interested.

More to come.....

Under 40? In ministry or theological studies? Interested in global justice and theology? Apply for the September Theological Institute in Santo Domingo, with the theme "Who Is My Neighbour?

Visit the Caribbean and North American Area Council (of which the UCC is a member) for the info sheet and application form--apply directly to CANAAC.

www.canaac.org/events/joint-canacom-canaac-meeting-santo-domingo-dominican-republic 

It is with a deep sense of personal sadness and loss that I share the news of the death of the immediate past president of Toronto Conference, the Rev. Dr. Carol Gierak, on Friday, April 1, 2011. Carol was serving Asbury and West United Church in Toronto, having completed a two year term as president of Toronto Conference.

The Canadian Centre for Progressive Christianity has just announced its upcoming conference in London ON, Oct 21-23, 2011.  There's a great line-up of speakers including the LTQ folks and wondercafe's very own, iwonder!!

Check it out at Widen the Embrace Conference

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Hey all!  Who else was there?  Who did I miss?

I ran into Carollus, SpiritBear, and aotn - it was great!!   I know I saw RichardBott, but I never got around to introducing myself.  Did I run into you and didn't know it? Let me know!!