Let the countdown begin!

WOW is now less than a month away, and momentum is building. Already we have more than 125 people registered, and 22 sponsoring churches on board!

This is the most significant opportunity for training and inspiration in our Conference this year. We guarantee you will come away energized, equipped, and inspired for transformational ministry!

Have you registered yet? Will your church be represented?

Pre-Conference Intensive Seminars

Pre-Conference Intensive Seminars
Thursday, November 6
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
$40 per person (includes lunch)
Maximum of $120 per team from one local church if registered by Sept. 30

I. Natural Church Development Tune-Up
Presenter: Jeannette Buller Slater

Would you like to double your effectiveness with NCD and discover the key to lasting result that will improve the health of your church? Join us along with your Church Health Team for spirited discussions and practical tips for applying NCD. This workshop is designed to empower and encourage those involved in NCD and inspire those who are interested to take the first steps toward seeing their church increase in health. Together we will explore the importance of the Growth Forces, strategize for effective implementation, and share our stories, victories and challenges as we journey through the five-step process of NCD.

II. Training for Trainers: Spreading the News through Igniting Ministry
Presenters: Emily Reece & Larry Homitsky

Igniting Ministry, the advertising and welcoming ministry of The United Methodist Church, has trained thousands of churches all over the country in the past several years, however, few churches in the New England Conference are taking full advantage of the tools and resources that Igniting Ministry has to offer. To help more congregations develop the welcoming lifestyle reflected in the denomination’s “Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.” promise, we are offering this day-long training session to create a team of local trainers to help your congregation, and other congregations in your area, understand and use Igniting Ministry. A team of Igniting Ministry trainers from United Methodist Communications will lead the session. At the end of the time, you will be set loose to share the message of “Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.”

Conference Schedule

Thursday, November 6

4:00-7:00 pm Registration (Dinner on your own)
6:30 pm Gathering Music
7:00 pm Opening Worship Celebration: Safiyah Fosua preaching
9:00 pm WOW after hours – informal conversation

Friday, November 7

7:00-8:30 am Breakfast (provided with registration)
8:30 am Listening to God through Scripture: Gwen Purushotham
9:30 am Keynote Address: Paul Nixon
11:00 am Workshop Session 1
12:00 Noon Lunch (provided with registration)
1:30 pm Keynote Address: Paul Nixon
3:00 pm Workshop Session 2
4:15 pm Workshop Session 3
5:30 pm Dinner (provided with registration)
7:00 pm Music, movies, and more

Saturday, November 8

7:00-8:30 am Breakfast (provided with registration)
8:30 am Listening to God through Scripture: Gwen Purushotham
9:30 am Workshop Session 4
11:00 am Concluding Worship with Bishop Peter Weaver

Beauty4Ashes

The worship band "Beauty4Ashes" will be with us throughout the end to lead us in music.

Isaiah 61 tells us that Jesus was sent to bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim
freedom for the captives, to release those in darkness and to comfort all who
mourn. It also states that He will bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of
ashes, pour out the oil of gladness instead of mourning and a give them a
garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. We have been given the victory
in Jesus - we serve the God of the 180 degree turnaround! Our ministry is to
continue to share this life-changing Gospel through our music and testimony.

Safiyah Fousa

Safiyah Fousa

Director of Invitational Preaching for the General Board of Discipleship

Thursday evening Preacher; workshop leader




Rev. Dr. Safiyah Fosua, Director of Invitational Preaching Ministries with the General Board of Discipleship, will open this year’s School of Congregational Development as our featured preacher during the Thursday evening opening worship celebration.

A clergy member of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference, Rev. Dr. Fousa’s pastoral experience includes ministry in the large downtown church, the unique ministry of the rural circuit, and the ministry challenges of the small inner-city congregation. Safiyah is well known for her weekly lectionary-based preaching helps and articles on the General Board of Discipleship’s worship web page (http://www.umcworship.org/). She has written for Upper Room publications, Cokesbury’s Daily Bible Study, and Urban Ministries, Inc., and contributed to the Women of Color Study Bible. Among her published works are Mother Wit: 365 Meditations for African-American Women (1996), Jesus and Prayer (2002), and a tract titled Learning New Habits (2005). Safiyah also serves as the associate editor of the Africana Worship Book series (2006-2008) and the Companion to the Africana Worship Book.

In addition to preaching on Thursday evening, Safiyah Fosua will also lead two preaching workshops on Friday afternoon: “Invitational Preaching” and “Holy Imagination in the Development of a Sermon.”

Safiyah Fousa is married to Rev. Dr. Kwasi I. Kena, who will also be with us to lead two workshops: “Beyond Words: Meaningful Cross-Cultural Ministry” on Friday afternoon and “Evangelism – a Fresh Look” on Saturday morning. Safiyah and Kwasi spent a number of years as missionaries in Ghana, West Africa. They have two adult sons and two grandchildren.

Paul Nixon

Paul Nixon

Pastor of Epicenter, a new United Methodist community of faith in Washington, D.C., and author of I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church

Keynote Speaker

Our keynote speaker, Paul Nixon, is the pastor of Epicenter Church, a new United Methodist community of faith focused on serving the people who live in the urban expanse of greater Washington DC.

Formerly the Director of Congregational Development for the Alabama-West Florida Conference of The United Methodist Church, Paul is the author of several books: Fling Open the Doors: Giving the Church Away to the Community (2002); Healing Spiritual Amnesia (2004); I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church (2007); and a fourth entitled Meeting Jesus on the Red Line, due on bookshelves this fall.

Prior to his move to D.C., Paul and his son lived for several years on the coast of northwest Florida, where Paul served first on the leadership team of the 4000-member Gulf Breeze United Methodist Church, and then as the founding pastor of Gulf Breeze Church’s east campus, the Community Life Center.

Here's what Paul says about his current ministry with Epicenter, an exciting new church start in the D.C. area: "We are a multi-site church with locations in Arlington, Washington and Silver Spring. We will be launching weekly worship services in Arlington and in Downtown DC beginning in the fall of 2008. We anticipate eventually joining the people from our various sites together monthly for a high-energy Epicenter Celebration, with an eclectic blend of music, other art forms, and faith sharing -- a spiritual Earthquake event, where God shakes us up and sends us out to live out God's dreams for the city."

Paul will speak in the main plenary sessions Friday morning and Friday afternoon. In addition, he will lead two workshops: "Church Planting" on Friday morning and "Continuing the Conversation" on Friday afternoon.

Gwen Purushotham

Gwen Purushotham
Pastor, Main Street United Methodist Church, Nashua NH

Bible Study Leader

Gwen has served churches in East Hartford, CT, Sudbury, MA, Worcester, MA, and Wayland, MA. She completed eight years as a district superintendent in the New England Conference in 2003. During that time she received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Andover Theological School in supervision.

Gwen joined the staff of General Board of Higher Education and Ministry in Nashville in July 2003 where she served as Director of Clergy Supervision and Accountability. Her responsibilities at GBHEM included developing resources and training for supervision of clergy within the structures of the UMC, providing consultative services for district superintendents and cabinets regarding pastoral supervision, developing resources for ministry assessment. In January 2007, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry published her book entitled Watching Over One Another in Love: A Wesleyan Model of Ministry Assessment.

In July 2008 Gwen was appointed as pastor of Main Street UMC, Nashua New Hampshire.

Gwen’s husband, Sam, is retired from a career in auditing and finances. He enjoys gardening, cooking, eating and conversation with family and friends, music, politics and a wide variety of service in the church. Gwen and Sam have three adult children-- Vikram, Nisha, and Matthew.

Bishop Peter Weaver

Bishop Peter Weaver
Bishop of the New England Conference

Saturday Morning Speaker

Peter David Weaver was born into the parsonage family of Adolph and Dorothy Weaver, January 15, 1945, in Greenville, PA. He received the degrees of B.A. from West Virginia Wesleyan College (1966), M.Div. from Drew University (1969), and Doctor of Theology from Boston University (1975). He has also received honorary Doctorates from Lebanon Valley College (1999) and Albright College (2000).

Ordained a Deacon (1967) and Elder (1969) in the Western Pennsylvania Conference, Bishop Weaver served the Whitaker United Methodist Church from 1971-1977, developing outreach ministries to community youth and industrial workers.

From 1977-1988, Bishop Weaver served as Senior Pastor of the historic Smithfield United Church (UCC and UMC) in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh. The congregation launched ministries with young adults, older adults, urban children and youth, corporate leaders, the homeless and poor, and the arts. During this time, he was co-founder of the Bethlehem Haven Shelter for Homeless Women, based on Christian hospitality principles.

In 1988, Bishop Weaver was appointed Senior Pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Pittsburgh, where spiritual emphasis was given to ministries with the neighboring universities, young adult singles, persons with AIDS, the poor, and the development of an inclusive church. He helped start the interfaith “One Voice Against Racism” movement.
While these congregations grew in service and numbers, the foundation of all ministry was spiritual growth through worship and small groups, leading to a relationship with Jesus Christ, and for hands-on ministry in the community and world.

While serving congregations, Bishop Weaver also wrote for various publications and taught for Drew Theological Seminary and Pittsburgh Theological School. For over ten years, he had weekly programs specifically produced for radio. His community involvement included “Leadership Pittsburgh,” the “Mayor’s Task Force On the Homeless,” and many boards, which included Goodwill Industries, YMCA, United Campus Ministries, and West Virginia Wesleyan College.

Some of his many other church responsibilities included chairing the Mission Division of the General Council on Ministries of the United Methodist Church and serving as a delegate to four General Conferences. In the Western Pennsylvania Conference, he chaired the “Together” Stewardship and Funding Program and the committee that led to a new vision and strategic plan for the Conference.

Elected bishop in 1996, Bishop Weaver served the Philadelphia Area of the United Methodist Church (Eastern Pennsylvania and Peninsula Delaware Conferences) until 2004, when he was assigned to the New England Conference, which includes 550 congregations, in five states. Bishop Weaver is married to Linda Sells Weaver. They have eight daughters and four grandchildren. His hobbies include music (trombone), water sports, and woodworking. His “life verse” is: “If anyone is in Christ there is a new creation…” II Cor. 5:17

Bishop Weaver will be the featured speaker on Saturday morning.

Kwasi Kena

Kwasi Kena
Director of Evangelism Ministries for the General Board of Discipleship

Workshop Leader

The Rev. Dr. Kwasi Kena, a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has a diverse educational background. He has earned the following degrees: B.S. in Business Administration and Management, Bradley University; B.M. in Piano Performance, Wisconsin College Conservatory of Music; M.Div. Oral Roberts University; and D.Min. in Afrocentric Pastoring and Preaching, United Theological Seminary.

Kwasi is an elder in the Greater New Jersey Annual conference where he served as the Congregational Development Coordinator. Prior to his present position at GBOD, he served as the Field Services Director and General Editor at the General Commission on United Methodist Men.

Kwasi’s other ministry experiences include: cross-cultural pastoral appointments, a new church start in the Iowa Annual Conference and administrative and visiting professor positions at Wartburg College in Waverly, IA. He has also served as a General Board of Global Ministries commissioned missionary to Ghana West Africa and a Missionary in Residence with GBGM in New York City.

As Director of Evangelism Ministries for the General Board of Discipleship, Kwasi relates primarily to leaders and staff in Annual Conferences and helps them design, develop and support a comprehensive plan for making disciples through evangelism ministries.

Online & Print Publications:

Offering Christ Today: Online Evangelism Resource
Evangelistic Preaching Helps: Online Sermon Preparation Resource
Stories for Survivors: Online Bible Studies for Survivors of Disaster
The Resurrected Jesus, (Nashville: Abingdon, 2001)
In Plain View of the Cross: A Lenten Study for Adults (Nashville: Abingdon 2001)
40 Days in the Wilderness: Meditations for African American Men (Nashville: Abingdon, 1998)

Kwasi is married to the Rev. Dr. Safiyah Fosua. They have two sons and two adorable grandchildren.

Larry Homitsky

Larry Homitsky
Igniting Ministries Trainer

Workshop Leader

Cookie Santiago

Cookie Santiago
Director of Hispanic/ Latino Ministries in the North Carolina Conference

Workshop Leader

American by birth, Latino by heritage, Rev. Josefina “Cookie” Santiago brings an unequaled passion to the spectrum of Hispanic/Latino ministries in the North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church in her role as director. In addition to her role in the North Carolina Conference, Santiago serves as a consultant for the General Board of Global Ministries – National Plan for Hispanic/ Latino Ministries. Rev. Santiago’s life is a celebration of the diversity of the people that she leads in ministry. She amplifies empowerment of all people to be in ministry to those who are considered to be “the least of these”, teaching, encouraging, training, and equipping people from all walks of life, races, and places to embrace our brothers and sisters of Hispanic/Latino heritage.

Rev. Santiago is the creator of E.M.B.R.A.C.E. (Empowering Ministry to Bridge, Reach out, and Affirm Cultural Esteem). Purposely omitting the words Hispanic or Latino in the acronym, the focus is to reach out and “embrace” all of our brothers and sisters from all places, celebrating their diversity, accepting their culture and uniting all people as one in the family of God.

Rev. Santiago’s ultimate desire is to move the people of United Methodist Church in the NC Conference to the place where we worship in mutual buildings with total unity and complete autonomy. She dreams of the day that every church in the conference offers bilingual Bibles in the pews, Mil Voices displayed as prominently as The United Methodist Hymnal and all of God’s children worshipping and working together with their unique heritages, languages and traditions to proclaim the message of salvation through Jesus Christ to all people.

Doug Ruffle

Doug Ruffle
Coordinator of Congregational Development for the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference

Workshop Leader




The Reverend Dr. Douglas Ruffle serves as Team Coordinator of Congregational Development for the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference. Prior to assuming this position in 2003, Doug served as Executive Secretary for Transformation, Training and Leadership Development in the Evangelization and Church Growth program unit of the General Board of Global Ministries. He served as Pastor of the Teaneck United Methodist Church, in Teaneck, New Jersey, from 1987 to 1995. From 1978-1987, he served as a missionary in Argentina. From 1976-1978 he served as Associate Pastor in Evangelism at Grace United Methodist Church, Wyckoff, NJ.

Doug holds the Bachelor of Arts degree from Drew University, a Master of Divinity degree from Harvard University, a Master of Theology degree from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Drew University. He is the author of The Discovery Church Journey: An Invitation to Congregational Transformation (published in 2002); Un Sembrador Salió a Sembrar (a resource book on connectional evangelism); the article, “Building Blocks for a Multicultural Congregation” (Quarterly Review, /Fall 1993) as well as other articles for church publications, scholarly journals and Spanish language publications.

Doug will be leading four workshops:

• "Satisfying the Hungry Heart: Deepening Passion for the Local Church" - parts I & II
• "Rediscover Your Church's Mission"
• "Finding our Way Together: Tapping the Power of Wesleyan Small Group Ministry"

Kent Millard

Kent Millard
Senior Pastor of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, IN; Foundation for Evangelism's 2007 Distinguished Evangelist

Workshop Leader

Dr. Kent Millard is senior pastor of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana, where over 60 percent of the 6,500 member congregation is involved in outreach ministries. He is editor of the GoFish! series and co-author of T.I.M.E. In 2007, Dr. Millard was recognized as the Distinguished Evangelist by the Foundation for Evangelism.

Millard is a graduate of Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota; Boston University School of Theology and Graduate School in Boston; and he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. He is the co-author of A Passion Driven Church which focuses on encouraging lay persons to follow their God-given passions for ministry. He also authored the Lifesearch Series book entitled Spiritual Gifts and Get Acquainted with your Christian Faith. He has lead three two-year cycles of the Academy for Spiritual Formation sessions sponsored by the Upper Room.

Dr. Millard will lead two workshops on his new series, "Go Fish!"

T.I.M.E.: Together in Ministry Everyday - first in the Go Fish! series

The Go Fish! series encourages and equips congregations, making them ready to do God's fishing. The ultimate goal is to transform communities -- moving from fear to faith, from complacency to compassion, and from greed to generosity. With T.I.M.E., any congregation can organize outreach ministries: partnering with hunger-solution programs, partnering with public schools in the community, establishing local healing ministries, providing comfort and hope to families in the midst of grief, and working to provide housing for the homeless.

The Story

Peter, suddenly bold, said, "Master, if it's really you, call me to come to you on the water.

He said, "Come ahead."

Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, "Master, save me!"

Jesus didn't hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, "Faint-heart, what got into you?"

The two of them climbed into the boat, and the wind died down. The disciples in the boat, having watched the whole thing, worshiped Jesus, saying, "This is it! You are God's Son for sure!"

- Matthew 14: 28-33 (The Message)

Childcare

Infant and preschool childcare is available. For planning purposes, children must be registered by October 28. Please indicate your need for childcare as you register for the event, and the childcare coordinator will contact you with registration information.

For more information about childcare, please e-mail Rosanne Roberts.

Meals & Accommodations

New this year: All Friday meals and Saturday breakfast will be provided onsite, included in the cost of registration.

New this year: Limited dormitory-style housing for individuals onsite:
-- small rooms with single twin bed
-- floor security only; individual rooms are not keyed (lockable from the inside)
-- bathrooms down the hall
-- $40 per person, on a first come basis – reserve via online registration only

Hotels nearby:

• Hilton Garden Inn, Windsor CT: 860-688-6400 Register under WOW Conference before October 16. $84 plus tax.
• Marriott, Windsor CT: 800-228-9290Register under WOW Conference before October 16: $115 plus tax
• Courtyard by Marriott, Windsor CT: 860-683-0022 Register under WOW Conference before October 16: $89-$109 plus tax
• Participants are responsible for arranging hotel accommodations directly. Registration for the event does not include accommodations.

Registration Fees

$85 individual registration until Sept. 30
$100 individual registration after Sept. 30
$40 for those attending Friday night & Saturday only

Become a sponsoring church!
$300 per sponsoring church entitles you to bring as many members from your local church as you would like! (Sponsoring churches must be registered online. After that, each participant must register separately – online registration only.)

$40 per person additional for Pre-Conference Intensive Seminars
or a maximum of $120 per team from one local church if registered by Sept. 30
Thursday, November 6 • 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Limited scholarships are available – contact Curtis Brown, Director of Congregational Development, at 978-682-7676 x 210 or curtis@neumc.org.

Contacts

General Questions:
David Abbott
207-338-5575
belfastumc@roadrunner.com

Registration:
Ray Brady
207-546-3712
joycove@wildmoo.net

Childcare:
Rosanne Roberts
508-579-5016
rosanne@hudsonfumc.com

Scholarships:
Curtis Brown
978-682-7676 x 210
curtis@neumc.org

Directions

Directions to the Archdiocesan Center at St. Thomas Seminary

From the North:
Enfield, CT; Massachusetts.Go south on I-91 to exit 35B to Route 218. Take a right onto Route 218. Continue west for 4 miles to Route 189 (Bloomfield Avenue) and turn left onto Route 189 South. The Archdiocesan Center is one-half mile down on the right.

From the South:
Hartford, Meriden, Middletown, New Haven.Go north on I-91 to exit 35B to Route 218. Turn left onto Route 218. Continue west for 4 miles to Route 189 (Bloomfield Avenue) and turn left onto Route 189 South. The Archdiocesan Center is one-half mile down on the right.

From the East:
Manchester, East Hartford.Take the Bissell Bridge I- 291 to exit 1 (Route 218 - Bloomfield) Turn left at the end onto Route 218. Continue west for 4 miles to Route 189 (Bloomfield Avenue) and turn left onto Route 189 South. The Archdiocesan Center is one-half mile down on the right.

From the West:
Waterbury, Bristol, New Britain. Go east on Route 84, exit from Route 84 at Prospect Avenue, Exit 44. Turn left and proceed 2.5 miles from the end of Prospect. Turn right onto Route 44 (Albany Avenue) and immediately at the next light turn onto Route 189 North (Bloomfield Avenue). Continue 1.5 miles on Route 189; the Archdiocesan Center is on the left.

From Glastonbury:
North onto Route 2, cross over the Bulkeley Bridge to Route 91 North. See directions from the south.

From Torrington, Avon:
East on Route 44. Follow Route 44 to Hartford and junction of 189 North. Turn left onto Route 189 (Bloomfield Avenue) and continue north on Route 189 for 1.5 miles. The Archdiocesan Center is on the left.

The Archdiocesan Center at St. Thomas Seminary
467 Bloomfield Ave. • Bloomfield, CT 06002
Phone: 860-242-5573 • Fax: 860-242-4886