Friday, October 3, 2008 - 3:00 PM - 4:15 PM

C1 - Welcome Them Home: Healing and Hope for Military Families

Rev. John Sippola, Pastor
Elim Lutheran Church of Blackhoof, Duluth, MN

Ms. Amy Blumenshine, Candidate for Diaconate
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Minneapolis, MN

Returning military personnel and their loved-ones are encountering complex health and stress-related issues that are physical, emotional and spiritual in nature. Discover the key issues to promote spiritual care and healing and learn how to accompany veterans and their loved ones as they transition home. Participants will receive a new resource for faith communities, Welcoming Them Home, Helping Them Heal.

C2 - Making Room at the Table - People with Disabilities in the Congregation

Mr. David Morstad, Chief Communications Officer
Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services, Inc., Watertown, WI

There is an emerging change in the perspective of the church toward people with disabilities from one of sympathetic charity and caregiving to one of advocacy, value and partnership. This session will explore the potential for congregational involvement, natural community integration and the encouragement of broader social roles for people with disabilities.

C3 - The High Cost of Compassion Fatigue

Dr. Beverly Yahnke, Executive Director
DOXOLOGY: The Lutheran Center for Spiritual Care and Counsel, Milwaukee, WI

Caring for people has a high cost. Compassion fatigue is real! This sectional will focus explicitly on candid conversation about this undetected emotional and physical reality, allowing for assessment, prevention and workplace evaluation. Develop a plan for personal resiliency and bring important ideas and possibilities back to your community.

C4 - Feeling Financially Fit?

Ms. Mary Downs, Director
Thrivent Financial Fitness Club, Appleton, WI

Frightened by your financial future? The Thrivent Financial Fitness Club will provide an achievable step-by-step approach to managing money, teach practical ways to save more, spend less and reduce debt and show how to take control of finances and develop peace of mind.

C5 - Living Well Through the Healing Power Of Humor

Dr. Richard Bimler, Past President, Wheat Ridge Ministries, Itasca, IL; Ambassador of Health, Hope and Aging (AHHA), Lutheran Life Communities, Arlington Heights, IL

Laughter is a form of faith expression. It also contributes to a productive work environment. Learn how humor impacts whole person health ... mind, body and spirit.

C6 - Planting Seeds that Strengthen the Future

Ms. Venice Williams, Executive Director
SeedFolks Youth Ministry, Milwaukee, WI

How do we engage youth in ways that give them the tools they need for the present but also plant seeds of faith, self-determination, compassion and other qualities they need for a promising future? This sectional will examine several models of successful youth ministry based on more than 20 years of experience with youth in an urban setting.

C7 - The Future is in Your Hands: Leaders and Innovation

Ms. Jill Schumann, President
Lutheran Services in America, Baltimore, MD

This session will equip leaders to be drivers of innovation. It includes current trends in the practice of innovation, staying informed about best practices, recognizing and assessing emerging trends and translating insight into program development and a culture of innovation.

C8 - I Was a Stranger and You Welcomed Me

Mr. Gregory Wangerin, Executive Director
Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Ministries, Chicago, IL

Jesus was a refugee. And so were many other people of faith throughout history including Martin Luther. And with immigration issues in the news everyday, we cannot help but consider what we as Christians will do, much less think about strangers in our midst. Come, listen, learn and participate in discussion, and then go, tell, talk and do what our Lord asks of us.

C9 - Biblical Guidance for Living Well Late in Life

Dr. David Moberg, Professor Emeritus
Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI

Learn the five types of changes that accompany the aging process, guidelines for growing toward spiritual maturity even when physical vigor is declining and biblical principles for personal and professional relationships with older adults.

C10 - The Building Blocks of Blessings: Developing a Successful Ministry Fund-Raising Model

Mr. Paul Miles, Vice President
CCS Fund Raising, Chicago, IL

Discover the basics of building a development program for your ministry. Learn key components such as: enlisting support from volunteers, identifying effective leadership, creating an atmosphere of stewardship and providing opportunities to build a stronger community through effective development. This presentation will also focus on the means of communicating the ministry's benefit to the community, its goals and the best methods of sustaining annual support for ministry needs.