2020 Winter Convocation Kalahari Resort and Convention Center - Entrance 'A'
Location
Kalahari Resort and Convention Center - Entrance A
7000 Kalahari Drive Sandusky, OH 44870Refund Policy
Description
ONLINE REGISTRATION HAS ENDED.
SAME-DAY REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE. 
The 2020 Winter Convocation
of the Diocese of Ohio
February 7-8
Kalahari Resort and Convention Center
Entrance A
Please click the workshop registration link below to register for a workshop.
Join the Convocation Choir, led by Lori Turner, music director of Grace Church in Mansfield.
Prospective singers will report to Lori on Friday at 5:30 pm in a room to be designated and then meet with her at 8 am Saturday in the room where we will worship.
Schedule of Events
Friday, February 7
5:30 p.m. Registration
7:00 – 8:15 p.m. Keynote Presentation and Worship
8:30 pm - 9:30 p.m. Reception
Saturday, February 8
8:00 a.m. Registration
8:45 a.m. Eucharist and Keynote Sermon
10:15 a.m. - 11:45 am Morning Workshops
12:00 p.m. - 1:15 pm Lunch and Conversation
1:30 p.m. – 3:00 pm Afternoon Workshops
3:15 p.m. - Closing Prayers
3:30 p.m. - Adjourn
We're Trying! - The Rev. Lorenzo Lebrija, Keynote Speaker
TryTank is an experimental laboratory for church growth and innovation. Since it started in 2019 it has conducted dozens of experiments. Come and hear from the founding director of the TryTank about those experiments (even the ones that failed!), what we as a church are learning, and how you too can try more in your congregation.
Fr. Lorenzo is the founding director of the TryTank, the experimental Lab for church growth and innovation. He is responsible for the entire process of development and implementation of experiments for innovation in the church. Prior to launching TryTank, Lorenzo was the Chief Development Officer for the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. He also served as the Pastor on behalf of the Bishop at St. John's Episcopal Church in San Bernardino, CA, and as priest associate at St. Athanasius Episcopal Church at the Cathedral Center of St. Paul in Los Angeles. He studied at the General Theological Seminary in New York City where he earned his Master of Divinity degree.
Before entering seminary Lorenzo was president and CEO of Seraphic Fire & Firebird Chamber Orchestra, Miami's professional choral and orchestral ensemble. He was also the Miami Program Director for the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation responsible for a substantial grant portfolio and the launch of the Knight Arts Challenge. Having been General Manager for RadioActiva Hispanic Radio, as well as Editor/Director of Operations for Miami's Community Newspapers, Lorenzo has vast experience in media and marketing. Beyond the MDiv degree, he also has an MBA and a B.A. from Florida International University, has completed the full training at the Fundraising School at Indiana University, and is a graduate of Rice University's Executive Education Program.
Registration:
Convocation Registration including Reception (hot and cold hors d'oeuvres) and Buffet Lunch is $29.00 for an adult, $10.00 for a child (aged 12 years and younger) and $75.00 family rate (for a family living in the same household)
Registration for an adult is $44.00, $15.00 for a child (aged 12 years and younger) and $110 for the family rate (for those living in the same household) on or after January 17, 2020.
Half Price Parish Team Discount:
Bring six or more adults from your congregation and we will reimburse your parish half your adult registration fees! Have each person register on their own (and pay in full). After convocation, we will send your parish a reimbursement check. We will rely on you and your parish to take it from there. We know that isn't the easiest way to do this but for now, it's the only way we can make it happen! We’ll work on a better way for next year.
Lodging Options:
Kalahari Resort and Convention center is home to the largest indoor water park in the US, as well as spas, shopping, restaurants, WI-FI and much more for all ages. For $189 you can stay at Kalahari Resort on Friday night and you'll get up to four tickets to the water park, good from noon Friday to at least 3pm Saturday. Tickets to the water park alone are $46 per day for adults and $35 per day for children. For an additional $112 you can combine your Friday night stay with one extra night (Thursday). That way, for a total of $301 you'll get water park tickets for up to four people to play for three days. Or for you can stay Friday and Saturday for $398. There are a limited number of rooms available.
To make reservations at Kalahari Resorts please visit, https://book.passkey.com/e/49959881 or call 855.875.7774 and be sure to mention "2020 Winter Convocation" event to obtain the special group room rate.
Note: as of January 29, 2020 the Comfort Inn, Sandusky is soldout.
The Comfort Inn is conveniently located less than a mile from Kalahari. Each suite has a mini-fridge and microwave. Breakfast is included with your overnight stay and offers hot options. On-site restaurant and live entertainment are available. Wi-Fi access, copy and fax services. Guest laundry facilities, a newsstand and game room are located on the premises. All of these amenities are available at a discounted rate of $89.00 per night. On or after Jan 31st the rate will increase to $109.00.
To make reservations at Comfort Inn please call 419-621-0200 and be sure to mention “Diocese of Ohio" or "Winter Convocation” event to receive the special group rate.
Infants, Toddlers, Children and Youth
PLEASE GO TO THE REGISTRATION TABLE FOR LOCATION
A safety process for dropping off and picking up children will be utilized without exception and at least one parent must have a cell phone set to vibrate so they can be contacted during the convocation quickly without disturbing others.
Infants and Toddlers (Infants to 4 years old)
Babysitting is available
Friday: 6:45 p.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Saturday: 8:30 a.m.. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Pack and Plays available upon request
Register at this link https://form.jotform.com/93356179072160 and contact Ms. Mary Ann Semple at resourcelibrary@dohio.org with any questions.
Children's Program (5 to 12 years old)
Friday: 6:45 - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday: 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m..
The children's program is an organized set of activities around them of "trying". How do we try to live into God's plan? What are our resources to help us in that journey? We will also have games, videos and some toys.
Register at this link https://form.jotform.com/93356179072160 and contact Ms. Mary Ann Semple at resourcelibrary@dohio.org with any questions.
Youth Program (13 to 18 years old)
Did you know?
We offer a youth lock-in during Convocation for youth in grades 6-12. We’ll participate in some of the convocation offerings, as well as games and a sleepover at Grace Church, Sandusky, and time in the Kalahari waterpark!
Register at this link https://form.jotform.com/93356179072160 and contact the Rev. Anna, asutterisch@dohio.org with any questions.
Workshops:
Join the Convocation Choir, Led by Lori Turner, music diretor of Grace Church in Mansfield.
Prospective singers will report to Lori on Friday at 5:30 pm in a room to be designated and then meet with him at 8 am Saturday in the room where we will worship.
Workshop Descriptions
Morning Workshops:
1. How to Try! - The Rev. Lorenzo Lebrija – Trying is as easy as 1, 2, 3! This workshop is an exploration of the three-step framework for trying as developed by TryTank in their experimental work. Come and learn and see how your ideas for the church can also become reality. This workshop is repeated in the afternoon session.
2. Lay Leadership in our Church - The Rt. Rev. Mark Hollingsworth – Learn how the Episcopal church is organized so as to share authority, responsibility, and discernment among both clergy and lay at parish, diocesan, and church-wide levels. How does it work and what are our roles in it?
3. Making Connections, Doing Theology: Theological Reflection for the Everyday Christian – Dr. Kate Gillooly, Diocesan Representative for Education for Ministry – Are you seeking a way to make sense of what you experience? Want to draw some connections between your faith and daily life? Perhaps you wonder about how God might be active in the world and in your own life. If so, then theological reflection is for you! Come learn a step by step process for finding meaning and integrating your faith and daily life. We’ll explore several ways to reflect theologically on scripture, tradition, reason, and experience.
4. From Serving to Connecting – Building Relationships through Food Ministries – The Rev. Alex Barton, Church of the Redeemer, Lorain – In recent years our churches have begun to relearn the Gospel significance of, when possible, moving beyond handout ministries toward similar ministries that include intentional relationship building between clients and church members and among clients themselves. Come learn and discuss the hopes, techniques, and results of this approach.
Afternoon Workshops:
5. How to Try! – The Rev. Lorenzo Lebrija – Trying is as easy as 1, 2, 3! This workshop is an exploration of the three-step framework for trying as developed by TryTank in their experimental work. Come and learn and see how your ideas for the church can also become reality. This is the same workshop as presented in the morning session.
6. Discerning New Ministry through our Neighbor's Eyes – The Rev. Aaron Gerlach and members of Old Trinity Church, Tiffin - "If we were to bring our kitchen up to code, would it be something the community would use?" A year ago, the vestry and parish decided to find the answer that question. The conversations we had with our neighbors are taking us to a new and exciting place. In this session, we will share our experiences and of some tools to consider how your own congregation might begin to listen for God’s call through what your neighbors say to you.
7. LEADers: ENGAGing, ACTing, DISCERNing – The Diocesan Council of our diocese will begin in 2020 to lead an ongoing program to support and encourage those who are now, or are interested in, serving in parish and diocesan leadership positions. The core program offers a three-year cycle of lay-led workshops covering Spiritual Leadership, Vestry Leadership, and Advocacy/Social Justice Leadership. This workshop will overview the full program and engage participants in work around spiritual leadership in lay ministry.
8. A Summer of Storytelling – The Rev. Mike Floyd and members of Christ Church, Huron – Inspired by last year’s Convocation keynoter to speak our faith through telling our story, Christ Church planned their summer Sundays @ 5 services around that theme. Come hear some of the stories and learn about their experiences listening to faith journeys from around the diocese and sharing some of their own. Copies of the book handed out at last year’s Convocation will be available at no charge for as long as they last.
9. Exploring Communities of Intentional Living – The Rev. Percy Grant and Ms. Kayla Mravec - Is your congregation looking for a fresh way to engage with your larger community? Do you have an interest and passion for intentional community ministry? If these questions resound with you, come and learn how establishing and sustaining an intentional community with your congregation is possible for you. In this workshop we’ll be discussing what intentional community means and how forming such a community can be tailored for your congregation.
10. Seniors Count Too! - The Rev. Jeff Bunke, Ms. Sheila Brown, Ms. Paula Davis and Ms. Hope Jarvis, St. Timothy’s Church, Perrysburg - The sea of white and silver hair in many (if not most) of our pews offers a whole new array of opportunities to engage with neighbors in the broader community. Come experience two collaborative ministry tools recently put in place at St. Timothy’s – Super Seniors’ Fitness (in collaboration with Silver Sneakers) and Guiding Pathways (respite care in collaboration with County Committee on Aging and local in-home non-medical care agencies).
11. Creating a Culture of Generosity – Excelling at Stewardship in your Parish – Laura Hnat, Chief Development Officer - Learn best practices for stewardship from others parishes in the Diocese by case studies, examples, and interactive conversation.
12. The Language of Prayer – The Diocese of Ohio Expansive Language Liturgy Task Force – This task force was formed to help our diocese experience and offer feedback to The Episcopal Church in regards to the Expansive Language liturgies approved for trial use at the last General Convention. This workshop will explore the language of our Common Prayer, what it teaches about God, what it says about us, and how we can help craft the language of our common prayer.
13. Exploring Full Communion with the Methodist Church – The Rev. Vanessa Clark, Ecumenical Officer for The Diocese of Ohio - Most Episcopalians know we have a “full communion” relationship with the Lutheran Church (ELCA) whereby both churches can share clergy and in other ways be “interdependent while remaining autonomous.” Formal conversations about a similar relationship with The United Methodist Church have made great progress in recent years while their recent vote on LGBTQ+ inclusion has created new questions. Come to learn and offer your perspectives.
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions:
What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?
Onsite parking is free at the Kalahari resort and convention center. Follow the signs to Entrance A. Shuttle transportation will not be available from the Comfort Inn to Kalahari.
How can I contact the organizer with any questions?
Please contact Antoinette Taylor, Office for Congregations and Christian Formation at 216-774-0476 or by email ataylor@dohio.org.
Is my registration/ticket transferrable?
Yes, please update your registration information accordingly.
What if my workshop is cancelled?
If your workshop is cancelled you will be automatically receive an email notice to inform you of the change.
Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
No, we will generate a report as proof of registration.