The Katie—a Michigan District conference for the wives and widows of pastors, deacons, and vicars—seeks to uplift the women God has chosen to be His hands and heart to the men He has called into the ministry. While these women carry a unique set of burdens, they also enjoy some amazing and abundant blessings. The Katie is a celebration of those blessings and a support for those burdens.
The theme for 2019 is “Under the Mighty Hand of God,” based on 1 Peter 5:6–11. God calls us to humility, casting of anxiety, sober-mindedness, and watchfulness. Alone we cannot do this; all too frequently we find ourselves arrogantly holding onto burdens while numbing ourselves with the idle distractions of the world. In God we are restored, strengthened, confirmed, and established. This year we will take time to further study Jesus as He washes the feet of His disciples; Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and their experience in the face of opposition; John the Baptist’s ability to remain sober-minded in a tumultuous time; and we will explore what the Apostle John would have us learn about being watchful in regards to the End Times. Our study will seek to see how God has and continues to restore, strengthen, confirm, and establish His people.
When & Where
Bay City
April 5, 2019 @ 4:30 pm - April 7, 2019 @ 12:00 pm
DoubleTree by Hilton Bay City – RiverfrontOne Wenonah Park Place
Bay City, MI, 48708
Presenters
Speaker
Dr. Beverly K. Yahnke
Dr. Yahnke is a licensed psychologist serving DOXOLOGY as the Executive Director for Christian Counsel. From 2010-1015, she served as the Chair and Professor of Psychology at Concordia University Wisconsin. Previously, Dr. Yahnke spent over 20 years in private practice serving church workers and their families in the clinical group she founded in Milwaukee, Wis. She currently serves as an elected member of Concordia Theological Seminary’s Board of Regents.
Speaker
Valerie Matyas
Valerie is a Visual Faith Classroom Coach for Visual Faith Ministry. She enjoys sharing Visual Prayer, Bible Journaling, and Faith Journaling with churches, as well as showing teachers how Visual Faith can aid faith formation in Lutheran School classrooms. She lives in Bay City, Mich., with her clerical-collar-wearing husband and their four young children.
Speaker
Carolyn I. Bira
Carolyn wears many hats, just like every woman in America. She is first and foremost a Christ-follower who happens to write a little and loves to spend time in the Word with God’s people. Because God is a giver of blessings, she has been married to Cliff for over 40 years and has two beautiful daughters, two amazing son-in-laws, and five outstanding grandchildren. Her role in this year’s conference will be slightly different and because of that, if you want to talk, she’s available.
Schedule
Friday, April 5, 2019
All Conference Activities will be in the Grand Ballroom Salon AB unless otherwise stated.
Saturday, April 6, 2019
Sunday, April 7, 2019
Compassion Ministry
In support of the Michigan District Critical Targets, specifically “Great Compassion Ministry,” The Katie 2019 has partnered with the Bay Area Women’s Center. Thank you for bringing one or more items listed here. There will be a donation box outside of the Grand Ballroom Salon AB to place items.
Attention crafty ladies: The Bay Area Women’s Shelter is also in need of adult-sized blankets for their clients.
Additional Information
Scholarships Available
We are pleased to offer scholarships again this year! If you are in need of scholarship assistance please contact Debbie Hughes at the District Office.
ALL first-time attendees will receive a $50 scholarship thanks to a generous grant from the Church Extension Fund of the Michigan District, LCMS.
Widows will receive $50 off if registered by March 25, 2019.
Payment Details
If you are paying by credit card, you will be required to select “PayPal” as your method of payment on the Checkout page. After reviewing and submitting your order, you will be redirected to PayPal. On the PayPal page, select “Pay with a debit or credit card” underneath the login option.
If you are paying by check, simply select “Check or money order” on the Checkout page then review and submit your order. When mailing your check, please be sure to indicate your order number in the Memo area.
Dining Options:
- Doubletree – Riverfront Grille and Lounge
- General Menu | Steak Menu | Dessert Menu
- Located on the first floor across from hotel lobby
- Downtown Bay City Dining Options
“The Katie” Goals and Objectives
- Provide a safe, comfortable time of refreshment and encouragement that encompasses laughter and enjoyment with one another.
- Foster spiritual growth through intentional Bible study and relevant speakers.
- Provide a rich atmosphere for relationship development and support using relational strategies, games, and opportunities for interaction.
- Identify the tensions and challenges that are unique to the role of a pastor’s wife by providing opportunities for conversation and individual support.
- Increase attendance each year.