Children’s Ministry Tour October 12-16, 2006 Minneapolis, MN

“We are excited! This is a first for time we’ve offered a Children’s Ministry Tour for our churches!’ says Diane Smith, Children’s Ministry Strategist with Virginia Baptist Mission Board. “We’re headed north to Minneapolis, MN.”

“We’re planning a variety of experiences for persons who are responsible for designing and casting a vision for Children’s Ministry in their congregations.”

“We are re-learning that parents are the primary faith formers of their children. The role of the organized church is to equip parents to shape the faith of their children; we as a church supplement what families are doing.” states Ms. Smith. “The cutting-edge church is one who recognizes this and plans for this.”

Schedule:

Thursday October 12		Arrive Minneapolis
Friday October 13 Morning		Faith Incubators – Stillwater, MN Produces resources “GIFT—Generations in Faith Together” (www.faithink.com)
Friday October 13 Afternoon		Search Institute – Eugene Roehlkepartain “Starting out Right: 40 Developmental Assets” (www.search-institute.org)
Saturday October 14		Play all Day!  Mall of America, Anyone?
Sunday October 15 Morning		Lake Harriett United Methodist Church to observe Godly Play (www.lakeharrietumc.org).  Godly Play is a worship experience for preschoolers and young children developed by Dr. Jerome Berryman.
Sunday October 15 Evening		Solomon’s Porch to observe the preschool and grade school Bible study (www.solomonsporch.com)
Monday October 16		Depart Minneapolis for Virginia

Registration: limited to 20 persons; tour cost of $325 should accompany registration. Cost is based on two people per hotel room. You may register online or send the registration form and a check payable to VBMB to the attention of Carol Seeley at PO Box 8568, Richmond, VA 23226. You are registered once payment has been received.

Travel to & from Minneapolis: Make your own airline reservations to travel from your own locality. Airfare is in addition to tour cost. Please provide your flight information to Carol Seeley at or 800.ALL.BGAV Ext. 2243 as soon as you confirm your reservations.

Airport: We plan to fly into the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport, then take the Comfort Inn shuttle to the motel.

Hotel:  Comfort Inn
1321 East 78th Street
Bloomington, MN 55425
(952) 854-2234

Transportation to sites: we will travel by mini-vans to the churches and agencies.

Meals: Breakfasts are provided at the motel. Lunch and dinner on Friday and Sunday are included in tour cost of $325. Meals on Saturday are “on your own.”