Registration is beginning for the next Cross Cultural Consultation and Celebration, which will be held on April 19-22, 2007, at the New Windsor (Md.) Conference Center.
“Because this event will be held at a Conference Center for the first time, there will be some differences from previous years, including our housing and meal arrangements,” reported Duane Grady, staff for the event and a Congregational Life Team member for the Church of the Brethren General Board.
Meals will be prepared and served by the New Windsor Conference Center staff, buffet style; cost per meal will be $7 for breakfast, $9.50 for lunch, and $11 for dinner. Options for housing will include lodging on campus and in neighboring homes. The fee for overnight accommodations at the Conference Center will range from $43.50 to $65.50 per person, per night. In addition, there will be an option of staying in the homes of local residents, with hosts asked to provide transportation each day from the home to the conference center, as well as to provide breakfast.
For those who are flying to the event, transportation will be provided to and from the airport before and after the event.
Free will offerings will be received to help offset some of the other additional expenses to the room and meal costs, which will be incurred by the General Board to provide the event.
Other changes for the 2007 consultation, based on evaluations from the 2006 event, include incorporating additional time for small group discussion and Bible studies. “We are also excited that the On Earth Peace Board will be meeting in New Windsor during our gathering and they will be joining us for parts of our event,” Grady said. “In addition, members of their Board and staff will be providing some leadership during our event. I give thanks for this opportunity to include another Church of the Brethren agency in our work and mission.”
Members of the Cross Cultural Ministries Team Steering Committee are Barbara Daté, Springfield Church of the Brethren, Oregon/Washington District; Renel Exceus, Orlando Haitian Fellowship, Atlantic Southeast District; Thomas Dowdy, Imperial Heights Church of the Brethren, Pacific Southwest District; Sonja Griffith, First Central Church of the Brethren, Kansas City, Western Plains District; Robert Jackson, Lower Miami Church of the Brethren, Southern Ohio District; Alice Martin-Adkins, Candler, NC, Southeastern District; Marisel Olivencia, Harrisburg (PA) First Church of the Brethren, Atlantic Northeast District; Gilbert Romero, Bella Vista Church of the Brethren, Pacific Southwest District; Dennis Webb, Naperville Church of the Brethren, Illinois/Wisconsin District.
Registration materials are available in both English and Spanish and will soon be posted at www.brethren.org, click on key word “Cross Cultural Ministries.” You may also request information directly from Duane Grady at 3124 E. 5th St., Anderson, IN 46012; 800-505-1596; dgrady_gb@brethren.org. Additional information about the New Windsor Conference Center is available at www.brethren.org/genbd/nwcc.
Completed registration forms are due on Dec. 1.