Wisdom for Well-Being
December 10-13, 2018 | San Diego, CA
The author of Colossians wrote in the second chapter: “My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:2-3).
With the theme “Wisdom for Well-Being,” this year’s Authorizing Ministry for the 21st Century (AM21) event echoes the hopes of the epistle: to be united in the ministry of Jesus Christ. AM21 participants who gather this December will be invited to seek wisdom for Christ’s ministry through four workshop tracks focusing on Search & Call, Ministry in the Local Church, Ministry of Committees on Ministry, and Ministry beyond the Local Church. In addition to nurturing wisdom, opportunities to nurture personal and collective well-being will be provided through wellness breaks, critical discussions about managing change, and collective promotion of ministerial excellence.
Our Mission Bay venue outside of San Diego, California lends itself to time in the sun, mind-body-spirit exploration, and community-building. As part of this year’s AM21 experience, four meals are included in the event format: two lunches and two evening banquets.
Our time will be woven together through with scripture, music, prayer, table group conversations, workshops, and plenaries prompting us to consider the well-being of Christ’s church, ways forward for ministerial excellence within the United Church of Christ, and best practices related to call, discernment, and assessment. The shared wisdom of conference staff, seminary and regional theological leadership, ecumenical guests, and national staff representatives will grow our communal knowledge and increase our collective impact on the Church and the world.
Looking forward to our time together in December,
Rev. Holly MillerShank on behalf of the
MESA Ministry Team and AM21 Planning Group