Opportunities at Tampa Conference include meaningful worship, Florida sights, and the work of the church

The Conference Office is highlighting a number of special opportunities on the schedule of the 2015 Annual Conference in Tampa, Fla., July 11-15, in addition to doing the work of the church together. Conference-goers this year may enjoy activities unique to Florida--such as outings to view dolphins in their natural habitat--as well as worship opportunities including a Sunday evening with the music of Ken Medema and the comedy and drama of Ted and Co.

Florida venue

Conference-goers and their families may enjoy some of the sights of Tampa and its seaside location during this annual meeting. Among special opportunities being organized by the Conference Office are Dolphin Trips scheduled for Monday, July 13. A boat will come to the dock at the Convention Center to pick up people who have signed up and purchased a ticket. Tickets will cost $25 per person. Trips will leave at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. for an hour and fifteen minute boat ride. Sign up as part of online registration for the Conference, beginning at 12 noon (central time) on Feb. 25 at www.brethren.org/ac. Tickets will be on a first come, first served basis.

Meaningful worship

Annual Conference Sunday will be celebrated on Sunday, July 12, when Church of the Brethren congregations around the country are invited to worship together by participating in the webcast from Tampa. The Annual Conference Sunday morning worship will be shared via a live video webcast and local congregations may broadcast the service in their own sanctuaries, to join together as one virtual congregation with other Brethren across the denomination. More information about how to join the Annual Conference Sunday webcast will be made available.

The Sunday evening program on July 12 will feature musician Ken Medema and Ted and Co. with Mennonite actor Ted Swartz. Medema and Swartz are well known to Brethren of all ages through their participation in denominational events over the years, including previous Annual Conferences, National Youth Conference, and National Older Adult Conference. The Sunday evening program will be open to all Conference participants, and will take place from 7-8:30 pm.

Photo by Glenn Riegel

Ted Swartz of Ted & Co. (left) hams it up with musician Ken Medema onstage at last year's National Youth Conference (NYC). Both have provided inspirational leadership at previous Church of the Brethren events including Annual Conferences, NYCs, and National Older Adult Conferences.

Schedule overview

The overall schedule for the Conference also includes numerous opportunities for fellowship including a Conference-wide ice cream social, fellowship for delegates who will be seated at round tables again this year, and table fellowship at meal events, among others.

The ice cream social for the whole Conference is on the opening night, Saturday, July 11, in the Convention Center. The ice cream social is free for all Conference-goers, and will take place from 8:30-10:30 p.m.

Also on the schedule are daily worship services, catered meal events, hearings on Conference business, insight sessions, support groups, age group activities for children, youth, and young adults, and additional special activities for single adults and other groups.

Business sessions are scheduled at 2-4:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, July 12, and 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 2-4:30 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, July 13-14.

The Conference opens with worship starting at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, and closes with worship on Wednesday morning, July 15, ending by 10:30 a.m.

For an overview of the schedule and more information about the 2015 Annual Conference go to www.brethren.org/ac.

Source: 02/10/2015 Newsline