You are Welcome to Participate

Michael J. Readinger

Save the Date. Please RSVP. Register Now. Please join us. Deadline approaching. Hope to see you soon.

These are just a few of the things we say to let you know that you are welcome to participate. And, no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here. And there, and everywhere that we gather together for meetings, reconnecting, learning, sharing, collaborating and serving others! Specifically, if you haven’t already, please consider committing to:

The 2019 CHHSM Annual Gathering in Chicago – registration will close in one week and sadly, the host hotel room block is currently full. You might also be interested in the special gatherings just before Annual Gathering starts:

• Calling all Chaplains, Clergy & Authorized Ministers; all who work in Affordable Housing; and all who serve children, youth and families! There will be specialized Affinity Group meetings for you on Tuesday, March 5, from 9 a.m. to Noon. Please plan to attend one of these as our leaders have created wonderful speakers and discussion topics.
• Calling all graduates of TLP, FBLI and Nollau! There will be a special Diakonal Minister reunion retreat on Monday, March 4, from 11 a.m. through dinner. Peggy Mullan will lead us with a focus on the intentional creation of Sabbath. The reunion retreat is open to all graduates, not just those attending the Annual Gathering.

After we have all been together in Chicago in March, there will be many more opportunities for seeing your old friends and meeting new ones:

The 2019 – 2020 Nollau Leadership Institute will begin with a retreat at the end of April, then sessions in September, January and March of next year. See the schedule. Applications are being accepted now and the curriculum is as relevant as ever.

Of course, your Nollau Faculty are also available to bring a customized, one-day Nollau to You session to your ministry setting. Please consider scheduling a session now!

As always, our regional and ministry specific Affinity Groups will be meeting across the country all year long.  Keep your eyes and ears open for these smaller but wonderful get togethers.

And then, CHHSM and 14 of its member ministries will be the Presenting Sponsor of the UCC General Synod in Milwaukee in June of 2019. Our exhibit area will be an interactive and welcoming space where we will be sharing our 3 Great Loves stories, displaying information about our Ministry’s services, offering talks by experts in their respective fields, offering space for relaxing or networking, and learning about our member locations.

Regardless of where you are located or what your interests may be, there are plenty of opportunities for you to engage with your CHHSM ministry peers. I encourage you to pick at least one of these events – who knows what you may see, hear or feel? I am not sure how you will be impacted by attending, but I am sure that you will be if you do! Hope to see you soon.

Peace and Blessings, Mike