2014 Christian Formation Conference
June 9, 2014 – June 13, 2014
OPTIONAL EARLY ARRIVAL ON JUNE 8
The largest event of its kind in the Episcopal Church, the Christian Formation Conference is four days of learning, fellowship, refreshment and renewal with some of the Church’s top educators. The 86th Christian Formation Conference at Kanuga welcomes one of the most influential Biblical scholars of our time, Walter Brueggemann. Church educators find a friend in Brueggemann, an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. His work inspires, energizes and convicts, and he always makes time to interact personally with those to whom he speaks. Brueggemann is the author of over 100 books and numerous articles and maintains an active speaking calendar. This conference will also feature workshops, worship, and time to learn and share with some of the church’s top educators. Coordinator: Stacy Holley, Winston-Salem, NC.
WHAT YOU’LL GAIN:
- Practical, take-home resources for leading faith formation programs for all ages
- Tools for building a unique curriculum that truly fits your parish
- Workshops on a wide variety of topics
- Networking, support and encouragement from some of the Church’s best Christian educators
- Time to nourish your own spiritual development with respite, renewal and play
As with all Kanuga summer conferences, you can make this week a mountain vacation for the whole family. While parents attend sessions, young people participate in their own programs directed by our carefully selected staff in a safe and fun Christian environment. Programs for young people will begin at 3 p.m. on Monday, June 9.
Spouses can fish, hike, play tennis or nearby golf, relax on the porch or by the lake and visit area attractions. The whole family can spend time together in the afternoons and evenings.
About Walter Brueggemann:
Walter Brueggemann is surely one of the most influential Bible interpreters of our time. He is the author of more than one hundred books and numerous scholarly articles. He continues to be a highly sought-after speaker.
Brueggemann was born in Tilden, Nebraska in 1933. He often speaks of the influence of his father, a German Evangelical pastor. Brueggemann attended Elmhurst College, graduating in 1955 with an A.B. He went on to Eden Theological Seminary, earning a B.D. (equivalent to today’s M.Div.) in 1958. He completed his formal theological education at Union Theological Seminary in 1961, earning the Th.D. under the primary guidance of James Muilenburg. While teaching at Eden, he earned a Ph.D. in education at St. Louis University.
Brueggemann has served as faculty at two institutions in his career: Eden Theological Seminary (1961-1986) and Columbia Theological Seminary (1986-2003). He is currently William Marcellus McPheeters professor emeritus of Old Testament at Columbia.
Brueggemann’s primary method with the text is rhetorical criticism. Words matter to Brueggemann, and one can tell that by listening to him speak as he hangs on to particularly theologically significant words. His magnum opus, Theology of the Old Testament (1997), is a rhetorical-critical look at the Old Testament through the lenses of “testimony, dispute, and advocacy.”
Many have come to know Brueggemann through his book entitled The Prophetic Imagination, originally published in 1978. His best-known work, however, may be with the Psalms. Numerous church leaders have used his Message of the Psalms as a new way of organizing and processing the Psalms. He has been writing about the Psalms since 1982, and he continues to this day with a commentary due in August 2013.
Church leaders find a friend in Brueggemann, an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. His work inspires, energizes, and convicts, and he always makes time to interact personally with those to whom he speaks at large events.
He is a longtime St. Louis Cardinals/Browns fan. He and his wife Tia currently reside in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Conference Staff:
COORDINATOR: Stacy Holley lives, plays and works in Winston-Salem, NC. She currently supports her Christian Formation habit by working as the Executive Assistant to the Senior Minister at Centenary United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem, by leading conferences and training events, and consulting in her spare time.
Registration & Fees:
COST |
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| Double Occupancy | $520 per person $468 -Early bird discount through February 9 Includes program, lodging, meals and use of recreational facilities. |
| Single Occupancy | $665 per person $599 -Early bird discount through February 9 Includes program, lodging, meals and use of recreational facilities. (Based on availability) |
| Commuter | $400 per person $360 -Early bird discount through February 9 Includes program, lunches, suppers and use of recreational facilities. (For residents of Henderson, Transylvania, Polk, Rutherford, Buncombe, Haywood or Greenville counties only) |
| Nonparticipating Spouse |
$355 per person Includes lodging, meals and use of recreational facilities. |
| Child (age 4-9) | $150 per person Includes program, lodging, meals and use of recreational facilities. |
| Youth (age 10-18) | $240 per person Includes program, lodging, meals and use of recreational facilities. |
| Optional Early Arrival: June 8 | $70 per adult $35 per child or youth |
PAYMENT |
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| Deposit | $100 per person Nonrefundable. Nontransferable. Deposit deducted from total fee. |
| Balance Due | May 9 (To register after this date, please send a check or use a credit card for the full amount.) |
START/END TIMES |
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| Check-in | 4-6 p.m. Sunday, June 8 (Optional Early Arrival) Noon-2 p.m. Monday, June 9 (Christian Formation Conference) |
| Check-out | After lunch Friday, June 13 |
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION |
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| Register Online | Register Now! |
| Register by Mail/Fax | Download a printable registration form – PDF |
| Financial Aid | Download a printable application – PDF |
| Team Rebate | Download a printable team rebate form – PDF |