God's Extravagant Welcome
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God's Extravagant Welcome
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2592 West 14th Street, Cleveland, OH 44113 |
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Get the Latest Updates in YOUR Email Inbox! Register Now for National Gathering 2010Early-bird registration for National Gathering 2010 in San Diego, CA, is now open. The National Gathering 2010 Planning Committee is hard at work finalizing the agenda, and we think this is going to be the best National Gathering ever. Don’t miss it! National Gathering 2010 will take place in San Diego, CA, July 14–17, 2010. Early-bird registration is available for a limited time for just $99 per person. Early-bird registrants will also receive a complimentary one-day pass for the San Diego Trolley, which has a stop across the street from the hotel. Register now at https://www.regonline.com/national_gathering_2010. Come this year and reconnect with friends from across the country. Are you a member of a newly declared ONA congregation? Come to get tips on how to more fully incorporate ONA into your local church. Wondering how to encourage other congregations in your Association to consider the ONA process? Come and talk with UCCers from across the country and share ideas. Everyone will go home energized and full of ideas on topics such as church growth and inclusiveness, advocacy and empowerment, reaching out to LGBT youth and young adults, etc. Theme: Any Body, Everybody, Christ’s BodyThe overall theme of this year’s National Gathering will be Any Body, Everybody, Christ’s Body, following up on the Accessible to All resolution passed by the 25th General Synod in Atlanta, GA, calling on UCC congregations and instrumentalities to be physically, spiritually, and emotionally open and affirming to people with disabilities. We hope to address these issues specifically and in the wider context of living out God’s extravagant welcome to all. There will also be important sessions about transgender issues as the Coalition continues its work to encourage the full inclusion of transgender people within the UCC. Geoffrey Black To SpeakUCC Coalition President, Kathy Church, has confirmed that UCC President and General Minister, Geoffrey Black will speak at National Gathering. Kathy commented, “the Coalition is very proud of our relationship with the denomination, and we are pleased that he has committed to be with us in San Diego to continue our collaboration on social justice ministry.” Other confirmed speakers include:
A sample of the presentations and workshops that will be offered includes:
Check the Coalition website (www.ucccoalition.org) frequently for updates on confirmed speakers and presentations. Recruit Your Friends and Get a FREE RegistrationWant to attend National Gathering 2010 for free? Help us promote this year's National Gathering and you can! Register today for National Gathering 2010. Encourage your friends and colleagues to register as well. Once nine of them have registered and indicated during their registration that you recruited them, we’ll refund you the cost of your basic registration (not including hotel, meals, or other add-ons). And, if you also purchase the meal plan or a banquet ticket, we’ll reserve a table at the National Gathering banquet for you. You can either invite the friends you recruited to sit with you, or you can host the new friends you’ll meet at National Gathering 2010. Border Immersion ExperienceAttendees can also register to attend an optional pre-Gathering border immersion experience facilitated by the Centro Romero (http://www.ucc.org/justice/centro-romero/). After crossing the border from San Diego, CA, participants will have the opportunity to meet farm and maquiladora workers, newly arrived migrants from Mexico and Central America, and government immigration enforcement officials on both sides of the border. Participants will also have the opportunity of conversing with business people in the maquiladora sector. The intentional border experience will challenge participants to re-examine their own assumptions and beliefs. The experience will take place on July 13, 2010, from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm and from 9:00 am to noon on July 14, 2010. If you plan to take part in the border immersion experience, please plan to arrive in San Diego, CA, by the evening of Monday, July 12, 2010. You can book additional nights at the Doubletree at the conference rate to cover your early arrival. Conference Hotel and Meal PlanNational Gathering 2010 will be held at the Doubletree Hotel San Diego-Mission Valley where we have negotiated a discounted rate of $99 per room, including the option to book your room for several nights before or after National Gathering if you want to spend a few days sightseeing in San Diego, CA. Note that San Diego’s Pride Festival is July 18–19, 2010, and we are looking into marching as a UCC contingent in the Parade. Rooms may be booked by going directly to a hotel web page specifically for National Gathering 2010: www.ucccoalition.org/programs/gathering/hotel-register/. The hotel is located at 7450 Hazard Center Drive in San Diego’s Mission Valley neighborhood and is part of the Hazard Center (http://hazardcenter.com/). The Fashion Valley Mall, the largest and finest shopping destination in San Diego, is within walking distance of the hotel and the San Diego Trolley Green Line is just across the street. San Diego International Airport (SAN), championship golf (Salt Creek Golf Course, Maderas Golf Club, Torrey Pines Golf Course, and Riverwalk Golf Course), and beautiful beaches (Pacific Beach and Sunset Cliffs) are minutes away! The Hillcrest area, home to many of San Diego’s LGBT bars, restaurants, and businesses is just a short cab ride away. Details about the hotel’s accommodations and facilities can be found at www.ucccoalition.org/programs/gathering/hotel/. Be sure to bring your swimsuit so you can enjoy the beautiful indoor and outdoor pools and hot tub. The facilities also include a fitness room, a sauna, and a tennis court. The hotel provides a complimentary shuttle (wheelchair accessible) pickup at the airport, but the return shuttle trip will cost you $10. Overnight self parking in the hotel garage is available to National Gathering participants at the special rate of $10 per night. If you choose not to stay at the conference hotel, complimentary daytime parking is available at the Doubletree. Most hotel brands have a location on Hotel Circle just a few minutes away, if you prefer to stay with your favorite chain. Attendees may also purchase a meal plan for $175 which includes two lunches, two dinners and the National Gathering Banquet (all taxes and gratuities are included). Or you can opt for just the Banquet for $50. Other options for meals include the hotel’s restaurant and a number of casual dining options in the Hazard Center and the Fashion Valley Mall. Travel and Event Expense Assistance, Childcare, and More DetailsWe are seeking financial contributions to an Assistance Fund to enable us to provide financial aid to folks who need help covering the cost of attending National Gathering 2010. You may make a tax-deductible contribution to this Fund during the registration process or by calling the Coalition office. If you need financial assistance in order to attend National Gathering 2010, please contact the office and have your name placed on the list. We are looking into possibilities for providing child care. If the provision of child care is an important factor in your decision about National Gathering 2010, please forward your concerns to the UCC Coalition office so we can plan accordingly. More information about the agenda for National Gathering 2010 will be posted as it becomes available on the Coalition’s website, www.ucccoalition.org. You may also contact Michelle Sims in the Coalition office at 216-861-0779 with additional questions. |
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