When the Landscape Changes: Looking Ahead in Russia 12 th Annual Russia Mission Network Conference First Presbyterian Church Asheboro, North Carolina September 15 th 17 th, 2016 Who Should Come? This conference is for anyone interested in the Christian religious life of Russia and the former Soviet Union. Learn more about how God s Spirit is moving among the Russian people, and talk with others who are in mission partnership in Russia. If you haven t yet visited Russia, that s okay come and learn! If you ve visited Russia and are already in mission partnership there come and share your experiences! This conference is organized and led by members of Presbyterian Church (USA) congregations, but is open to any who wish to learn more about partnerships from a Reformed perspective in Russia. What We Hope to Accomplish Our goal is to strengthen the global Christian family through mutual encouragement and learning. We seek to facilitate mission interactions that focus on long-term relationships and support of existing Christian religious structures that are performing valuable work and meeting human need in the name of Jesus Christ. Members of our network do this through involvement with traditional Christian congregations and with other outreach ministries in Russia. We place priority on relationships with others of good faith that rise above whatever political conflicts might be making the news at any given time. This Year s Hosts Our conference this year is hosted by members and staff of First Presbyterian Church in Asheboro, North Carolina. FPC Asheboro has been engaged in mission partnership in Russia for three years, helping to support ministries in the village of Davydovo in the Yaroslavl Oblast. The city of Asheboro is located in central North Carolina, five miles from the acclaimed North Carolina Zoo. The renowned pottery community of Seagrove is located fifteen miles south of Asheboro, and the Richard Petty Museum is located sixteen miles to the north, in Randleman. This Year s Schedule The conference begins the afternoon of Thursday, Sept. 15th and ends on Saturday, Sept. 17th. Four conference meals at the church are included in the registration fee. Early arrivers may join the FPC family at its Wednesday evening meal on Sept. 14th at a suggested donation of $5 per person. Anyone staying over until Sunday, Sept. 18 th, is encouraged to worship with First Presbyterian Church, either at the 8:45 a.m. contemporary service or the 11:05 a.m. traditional service.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER Our keynote speaker for this year s conference is Archbishop Dietrich Brauer, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of European Russia (ELCER). Archbishop Brauer is an energetic and insightful leader of congregations and pastors of the ELCER, as well as a diligent and thoughtful representative of the ELCER to other Christian confessions in Russia. We look forward to welcoming him and his wife, Tatiana, to the conference, and hearing his point of view on the current religious landscape in Russia. ALSO WITH US Alan and Ellen Smith are Mission Co-Workers based in Germany, serving in Russia and Belarus. Ellen serves as Regional Liaison for Eastern Europe and coordinates the Congregational Twinning Program, a sister church program between Russian and U.S. Congregations. Alan works with minority groups in Russia, focusing at present on the Roma people, but also including Siberian peoples and migrant issues. After living in Russia for ten years, Alan and Ellen moved to Berlin; from there they continue engagement in Russia, traveling regularly to meet with partners.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION Registration Fee $135.00 per person (Individual day rates available; see registration form) The conference fee includes conference expenses, four conference meals, and snacks throughout the event. Please also note below the chance to come early and enjoy a day at the North Carolina Zoo. Lodging Lodging for the conference will be at the Hampton Inn in Asheboro and in private homes. Please indicate on your registration form whether you plan to stay at the Hampton Inn or prefer a home stay. The Hampton Inn is located at 1137 E. Dixie Drive in Asheboro. It has all typical amenities, including a full continental style breakfast, pool, workout room, and access to the nearby YMCA. A block of double rooms has been reserved for the nights of Sept. 15 th & 16 th, at a conference rate of $99 plus tax. For those staying at the Hampton Inn reservations must be made directly by attendees by calling 336-625-9000, and using conference code RMN. Hotel reservations should be made before August 1, 2016. A few rooms have also been reserved at the conference rate for the night of Sept. 14 th. If you anticipate wanting a hotel room on Sept. 17 th, please contact Connie Weaver at 336-625-3227. Meals Four conference meals will be provided at the church; Thursday dinner, Friday lunch & dinner, and Saturday lunch. It is expected that you will eat breakfast either at your hotel or in your host home (or on your own, if you prefer). Beverages and snacks will be provided each day in the conference area. Please make us aware of any food allergies or sensitivities you may have. Family members or friends traveling with you to Asheboro who will not be participating in the conference may accompany you for the meals provided at the church at a small additional charge. Please let us know in advance if you will have guests at meals. Transportation Asheboro is located between three major airports in Charlotte, Raleigh and Greensboro. The Charlotte and Raleigh airports are about 1.5 hours from Asheboro. If you fly into either of these airports, please plan to make your own arrangements for transportation to Asheboro, as indicated on your registration form. The Greensboro airport is about 45 minutes from Asheboro. We will work to accommodate transportation from and to the Greensboro airport, if you indicate this on your registration form. Transportation to and from the conference from hotel or homes will be arranged once we know the needs. Extras For any interested in arriving early to visit the North Carolina Zoo, we will coordinate a Zoo Day on Wednesday, Sept. 14 th. Basic zoo admission is $15 with a couple dollars off for seniors (62+). A $22 ticket includes extra attractions, such as the 4-D theatre. September zoo hours are 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Lunch will be on your own at the zoo. Please indicate on your registration form if you plan to arrive early to take advantage of our Zoo Day. You are welcome to make your own arrangements if you d like to see the zoo or any other local attractions on your own at a different time. You can learn more about the North Carolina Zoo at www.nczoo.org.
Registration Form Please mail this two-page form to arrive no later than Monday, August 15 th, 2016 Send to: First Presbyterian Church ATTN: Connie Weaver 420 West Walker Avenue Asheboro, NC 27203 Name Street address City/State/Zip Phone (home) Phone (mobile) E-mail address Congregation or Organization Street address City/State/Zip Registration fee payment: The registration fee is $135.00 per person Registration fee for Friday, Sept. 16 th only - $75 (includes meals/snacks) Registration fee for Saturday, Sept. 17 th only - $65 (includes lunch/snacks) A check to First Presbyterian Church is enclosed for a total payment of $ Names of additional registrants for whom payment is included: Transportation: Please indicate your transportation plans below: Live nearby and will commute daily by car Will travel by car to Asheboro and stay in the area Will arrive by plane and plan to (check as appropriate): Hire a cab to travel to Asheboro Rent a car at the airport Share a car rental with others, if possible Request transportation from an FPC volunteer (from Greensboro airport only) I m renting a car and am interested in providing rides for others. If arriving by air, please indicate your airline, flight number and anticipated arrival time: For any last minute changes, please notify Connie Weaver at 336-625-3227 (336-302-2547).
Accommodations Some members of First Presbyterian church have offered to host conference participants in their homes overnight at no charge. If you would prefer a home stay, please indicate below. I/we plan to stay at the Hampton Inn/Asheboro, NC. I/we would like to stay at the home of a First Pres member if available. I/we plan to stay elsewhere If requesting to stay in a church member s home, please provide the following information: Name(s) (If sharing a room, enter both names) 2 beds 1 bed Check nights needed: Weds. Sept. 14th Thursday, Sept. 15th Friday, Sept. 16th Saturday, Sept. 17 th Arrival date/time: Departure date/time: Please let us know of any special needs, such as difficulty with stairs, pet allergies, need to smoke, need more than one room, etc. Please note that we may or may not be able to accommodate smokers in home stays. Please indicate any food allergies/sensitivities that we need to be aware of in planning meals and snacks Zoo Day I/we plan to participate in the Zoo Day on Wednesday, Sept. 14 th. Names If you have questions about the registration process, please contact Connie Weaver, connie@fpcasheboro.org or (336) 625-3227. Emails are preferred, but phone calls are welcomed. For urgent off-hours communication, you may call Connie s cell number, 336-302-2547. Please reserve cell phone contacts for matters that can t be dealt with the following business day. Handicap accessibility: Most of our conference activities will be held in FPC s Westminster Hall, which is accessible from the main parking lot and from the interior of the church. Meals will be served in our Large Fellowship Hall, which is accessible to all from Westminster Hall.