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February 9, 2010

Heading to Synergy!

by by Caryn Rivadeneira

When I thought I’d miss the upcoming Synergy Conference in Orlando, I was bummed. Yes, a teeny bit of it had to do with my longing for warmth and Florida sunshine in the long, dark Chicago winters, but really, the conference could be held in the North Pole, and I’d be thrilled to go.

That it’s in Orlando in March is really just icing on the cake. But the “cake” is what’s really yummy. In the years I’ve attended Synergy, I’ve met great friends, made good ministry contracts, and learned so much from the wonderful women and men who speak and attend. It’s the sort of place you go and just know God is present—and at work in the hearts, minds, souls and bodies of his people.

Honestly, each year I’ve gone has been stellar, but this year’s theme—“Conflict in the Story”—and speaker line-up has me pretty over the moon. Look at this lineup:

• Scot McKnight, author of Jesus Creed and Blue Parakeet (one of my favorite recent books)

• Michelle R. Loyd-Paige, president of PreachSista! Inc and dean of multi-cultural affairs at Calvin College (my alma mater)

• Susan Isaacs, comedian and author of Angry Conversations with God

And those are just the plenaries. In many ways, the interactive workshop sessions are the heart of the conference. This years’ workshops will deal with questions such as:

• How do I best exercise my gifts in the local church?
• Should I pursue higher education?
• Navigating through unexpected leadership trials?
• How to spread the “ezer” message to teens and young women?
• Understanding women “behind bars" and "behind the veil"?
• How do I live in uncertainty and find my place in the bigger story?
• Insights that foster healing for domestic abuse, eating disorders, and other areas of pain that are part of ministering to women?
• What are the nuts-and- bolts of strategic planning and contextual ministry analysis?

I know budgets are tight for all of us this year, but if you can make it, do. Synergy really is a “shound not miss” conference for women in ministry. I hope to get to meet many of you there. For more information, visit www.SynergyToday.org.

Posted by Caryn Rivadeneira on February 9, 2010 9:19 PM

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