Small Church Conference scheduled for November 13, 2010

The Commission on Diocesan Missions announces that the annual Small Church Conference will be November 13, 2010, at St. Patrick’s, Panama City, FL. This year the conference will concentrate on the Diocesan Five Year Plan. Dr. Melinda Henderson, Plan Facilitator, will be our featured speaker. Dr. Henderson will explain the history behind and the importance of the Diocesan Five Year Plan. She will answer questions about the plan and its importance to small congregations. Dr. Henderson will present information on writing a Five Year Plan for a small congregation that works with the Diocesan Five Year Plan. If you have any questions concerning the Diocesan Five Year Plan, please plan to attend the Small Church Conference to find the answers and share your ideas. The Diocesan Five Year Plan is on the Diocesan website for anyone interested in becoming familiar with it before the conference.

The popular Roundtable discussion time will have information on building a website for a small church at little to no cost, fundraising in tough economic times, and other interesting topics. This is the time for the attendees to share concerns and celebrations.

The conference will begin at 9:00 a.m. with registration and light breakfast. The morning sessions will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. There will be a break for Noonday Prayers and lunch. The afternoon session will be the Roundtable session. The conference will end at 2:30 p.m.

St. Patrick’s is located on the eastern side of Panama City on Fifteenth Street (Highway 98). There are several motels located within a couple of miles of the church for those who would like to spend the weekend and enjoy the sights. St. Patrick’s congregation would love to have conference attendees join them on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. for Holy Eucharist.

Registration forms will be available soon. The cost of the conference is $10.00 per person. Please sign up early for this very informative conference. Plan to attend and bring your questions, concerns, celebrations, and ideas to share with other small congregations. Lael Walding will have St. Michael’s Gift Shop set up with a wonderful selection of books and other gifts.