Upcoming events

Everyone is invited to the annual Dells Celebration at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, WI, from September 17-20, 2009.

Our theme this year is "From Exclusion to Inclusion." Join us on this four-day journey as we examine four major areas of life where people are commonly unjustly excluded, and as we learn practical ways to include everyone.

It’s as easy as 1-2-3- to be included!

Step 1: Reserve your room at the Kalahari by Monday, August 16. The Kalahari is the premier family resort in the Dells, featuring the world’s largest indoor water park and new theme park. Phone 1-877-525-2427 for reservations.

You must call the Kalahari Resort no later than August 16 to reserve your room. After August 16, the low prices we’ve negotiated will no longer be available! Let the reservation personnel know you are with the Worldwide Church of God/Grace Communion International. The reservation number is: 1-877-525-2427.

You may also book your room on line:

Step 2: Register online at the Grace Communion International HQ website: www.wcg.org/go/wisconsin Follow the prompts and pay with your credit card.

Or you may download a registration form, fill it out and mail your registration with a check to:

Grace Communion International

PO Box 5005

Glendora CA 91740-5005

If you do not have internet access, contact Dells Coordinator Doug Johannsen by phone (612-850-6018) or by mail: 14210 Uranium St. NW, Ramsey, MN 55303, and he will mail the forms to you.

Step 3: Come celebrate Jesus with your family and friends. Enjoy good food and many other activities! (The Kalahari is a very family activity oriented facility—it has a huge water park and a new theme park!)

The Harvest Church is again sponsoring a conference in Myrtle Beach. Speakers include Paul David Kurts, Charles Young, Dan Rogers, Howard Blakeney, and Curtis May. There will be an anti-gang youth rally, seminars on finances and stewardship, racial reconciliation, and marriage. Conference registration is only $35 per person or $80 per family. For further information see the brochure or phone (843) 669-0043.

Last year’s retreat was so much fun that we’re having another one! Grace Covenant Fellowship is hosting a fall women’s retreat at the St. Bernard Abbey Retreat & Conference Center in Cullman, AL, about one hour north of Birmingham.

We are very happy to announce three wonderful guest speakers: Tammy Tkach, Ginny Rice, and Barbara Dahlgren will be with us to share their journeys, inspire and encourage us. Ann Hartmann will be our guest singer again this year! You can go to Ann’s website (annhartmann.com) to learn more about Ann’s music. We also plan to have some additional singers, so you will have lots of wonderful music to enjoy.

Our theme for the weekend will be "Sharing the Journey." Each of us is on a spiritual journey, and God has given us the wonderful gift of friendship to help us along the way.

You can check out the facility at www.stbernardabbey.com. This retreat center is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy some time as "girlfriends!" There is a beautiful conference room for our general sessions, and the bedrooms are adjacent to the meeting area. The bedrooms accommodate two people (twin beds) and each has a private bathroom. The dining area is a short walk across the campus, and anyone needing to drive over can do so.

The dates are Friday evening, October 16 through Sunday, October 18. Registration will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Friday. That evening will be free for relaxing, fellowship and fun. Snacks will be available, but you will need to eat dinner before you arrive, or you can go out to eat at a restaurant in the area.

The retreat will conclude with lunch on Sunday. That will allow those who want to spend extra time visiting to do so, but those who need to get on the road can leave by 1:00 p.m. Lunch is served at 12:15.

We hope that you will help spread the word to others who might enjoy the weekend. For more information, contact Ruth Miller at (205) 979-7321 or email ruth.miller@gci.org.