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Katie Conference 2025

Let Your Light Shine: When the Light Grows Dim, What Happens?

April 25, 2025 - April 27, 2025
Bay City, MI

Join us in April to hear from our speaker, Monique Nunes, on the theme “Let Your Light Shine: When the Light Grows Dim, What Happens?” based on Matthew 5:16. We will explore various ways of letting our light shine and learn how we can refuel, recharge, and redirect it for the glory of God.

When & Where

Bay City

April 25 - April 27

DoubleTree by Hilton Bay City – Riverfront
One Wenonah Park Place
Bay City, MI, 48708
Download Schedule

Presenters

Keynote Speaker

Mrs. Monique Nunes

Monique Nunes is a dynamic educational leader with a diversity of experiences. Her background in both public and Lutheran education includes teaching in a Kindergarten classroom, administrating as a high school principal, and serving as Associate Dean for Student Engagement at Concordia University, Irvine. She holds a B.A. in Human Resource Development from Concordia University Ann Arbor and an M.A. in Human Resource Administration from Webster University. She also holds several teacher and administrative certifications. Her musical skills as a vocal performer often highlight her presentations and show up in her pedagogy. Monique and her husband, Rev. Dr. John Nunes, have six adult children and a growing entourage of grandchildren.

Free Time VFM Practices: Counterpanes & Open Spaces

Mrs. Carolyn Bira

After 40 years in ministry, Carolyn is now retired and working with Visual Faith® Ministry as an author and board member. First and foremost in her life is enjoying life with her husband Cliff and her daughters and their families. The slower pace of retirement is a time of joy and peace as each day brings something new to lay her hands to in the Kingdom of God.

Free Time - VFM Practice Praying the Stitches

Mrs. Ann Gillaspie

Ann is an artist and coach for Visual Faith® Ministry. She contributes to VFM through the Visual Church Year Project, speaking at gatherings, and art for Bible journaling and bookmarks, etc. She also enjoys teaching “Praying the Stitches”. This is a meditative form of art making on fabric or paper using slow stitch methods. As Ann stitches, she prays for whatever or whomever God puts on her heart. She frequently will give the small pieces to those she has prayed over. Ann enjoys being a maker of faith art in wall art, art books, and other substrates. She resides in Frankenmuth with her husband Wes and attends St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Richville.

 

Free Time - Pebble Art Craft

Mrs. Lynné Johnson

Lynné is married to Rev. Randy Johnson and they have 3 children, 6 grandchildren, and a new arrival due in March. Lynné, now retired, worked for 25 years in restaurant management. She learned rock hounding from her maternal grandmother, who loved to collect rocks, glass, and drift woods. Creating Pebble Art is how Lynné shares what she sees when she looks at a rock. Her husband has also asked her to find something to do with all her rocks, since they are out of fruit jars.

Free Time - Cardio Drumming Class

Ms. Kheila Knight

Kheila’s Cardio Drumming was established in 2016 and serves the Great Lakes Bay Region. Kheila’s Cardio Drumming is a fun 45-minute workout for all ages and fitness levels. Drum to the beat of the music and burn calories while having FUN!

Counseling

Mrs. Cheryl Spaulding

Cheryl Spaulding, L.M.S.W. has an M.A. in Counseling and certification in Spiritual Direction under Newway Ministries. She provides individual and marriage counseling through Morning Star Ministries. She also leads day retreats for women, an annual women’s weekend retreat, and facilitates support and discipleship groups. She has been in private practice for over 25 years.

Free Time - Mat Making

Mrs. Pam Warsinski

Pam is a retired RN, pastor’s wife, mother of 5 and grandmother of 2. She has enjoyed serving on the Katie committee for many years. Pam learned about making mats for the homeless while at an LWML event many years ago.

Massage Therapist

Mr. Trent Bellamy

Trent Bellamy is a skilled massage therapist with a deep passion for sports massage therapy. His expertise in techniques such as deep tissue massage, stretching, and myofascial release allows him to effectively alleviate muscle tension, improve flexibility, and enhance performance. Trent is presently a graduate student instructor on the path to becoming a licensed massage therapy educator.

Massage Therapist

Ms. Kerri Gallenbeck

Kerri Gallenbeck is a seasoned licensed massage therapist with six years of expertise in the field. Her journey began with a deep passion for holistic wellness, driving her to help individuals achieve optimal health and well-being. With a diverse skill set and a compassionate approach to healing, Kerri continues to positively impact the lives of her clients. Kerri has spent the past five years instructing at the prestigious Flint School of Therapeutic Massage.

Free Time - Wire Wrapping

Mrs. Linda Todd

Registration

Registration is now open.
Deadline to register is March 30, 2025.

Conference Costs
2 Night Conference Rate (Two nights lodging, four meals)

  • Single Occupancy $350
  • Double Occupancy $250
  • Triple Occupancy $200
  • Quad Occupancy $180

1 Night Conference Rate - available for either Friday or Saturday (One night lodging, three meals)

  • Single Occupancy $220
  • Double Occupancy $160
  • Triple Occupancy $140
  • Quad Occupancy $130

Commuter Rate

  • $130 All Meals
  • $80 Saturday Lunch and Dinner
  • $30 Saturday Lunch only

Free Time Activity - We are offering several free time activities this year for additional information see below:
- Cardio Drumming - limited to 30 people
- Pebble Art - limited to 20 people
- Visual Faith Practices - Counterpanes/Open Spaces
- Visual Faith - Praying the Stitches
- Wire Wrapping - limited to 30 people

Throughout the conference this year we are also offering counseling, chair massage, and mat making. Please see below for more information and sign ups.

Registration

$Varies

Compassion Ministry

In support of the Michigan District Critical Targets, specifically Great Compassion Ministry, The Katie 2025 has partnered with Gifts For All God’s Children. Gifts For All God’s Children meets children’s needs as a conduit of God’s love. We do this through Christmas Gifts, Easter Gifts, School Supplies, tutoring, summer Bible camps, and much more. In the spring and summer months, we are in need of items to bring children joy through our summer programs and begin to collect school supplies in anticipation of our School Supply program. Items will also be used for our Easter Gift program in the following year!

There will be a donation table in the Grand Foyer to place items or you can ship items directly to them via their Amazon Wish Lists.

Wish List – Amazon

Wish list includes: sidewalk chalk, bubbles, sand pails, crayons, markers, and colored pencils.

Or, if you would like to make a cash donation, you can do that here: https://giftsforallgodschildren.org/donate/.

Additional Information

Free Time Options

There are many free time options this year! You can participate in one of these or go walking, take a nap, go shopping, hang out by the pool etc. Please sign up during your registration for any of the organized activities so that we can be prepared with materials.

Cardio Drumming – 45-minute class – This has only 30 spots available. Please indicate on your online registration submission if you’d like to participate.

Pebble Art

Pebble Art – This has only 20 spots available. You will have your choice of a cross or a lighthouse, similar to the photos. You will learn to make the picture, and we will then put it in a frame with a mat. Please indicate on your online registration submission if you’d like to participate.

Counterpanes/Open Spaces

VFM Practices: Counterpanes/Open Spaces – Visual Faith® is presenting two (albeit similar) new practices in 2025. Scripture Prayer: Pen in Hand—Counterpanes and Open Spaces. These are practices whereby the participant will use the simplest tools: a Bible, pen, and paper. (And maybe some colored pencils if you feel so moved.) We will focus on the Psalm of your choice and spend time learning how to pray through that Psalm, listening to what the Lord says in that Psalm, noting insights, and using God’s Word as our source and norm for prayer. Please indicate on your online registration submission if you’d like to participate.

VFM Praying the Stitches – We will be using simple embroidery stitches on fabric scraps to make a small house. We will be stamping the back of the house with the words from Joshua 24:15, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” The house can be used as an ornament, used as a bookmark, framed, glued into a journal or given as a gift. If you have scraps of fabric or any of the supplies listed below, you are welcome to bring those. However, Ann will have kits of precut fabrics and all the supplies you need to complete this project. Please indicate on your online registration submission if you’d like to participate.

Praying in Stitches

All supplies for this project will be provided, but if you have your own and would like to use them, please feel free to bring the following:

  • Sharp scissors
  • Variety of threads, both in color and weight (I will supply #5 perl cotton and embroidery floss.)
  • Buttons and fabric trim scraps or any other bits and bobs you may want to add to your house (sometimes I use old jewelry pieces)
  • Sewing needles that will accommodate the weight of your thread
  • Thimble
  • Pins
  • Fabric scraps – about 5 inches square for house and roof with less needed for details of house
  • Staz On ink pad
  • Bible verse rubber stamp of your choice

Wire Wrapping This has only 30 spots available. We will learn how to wrap small beads inside a wire cross shape to make either a small sun catcher or a pendant.

Available throughout the Conference

Counseling: Counseling appointments (45 minutes each) will be available during the conference by licensed counselor Cheryl Spaulding. Sign up here.

Massage: Massages will be available during the conference. You can sign up here.

Mats for the Homeless – We will learn how to crochet plastic mats for the homeless. No sign up required.

Pam will have all materials needed set up for anyone who would like to learn or do any part of the process during breaks or crocheting while listening to presentations. She will teach how to do all the parts, from cutting plastic bags to tying them into plarn (plastic yarn), to actually crocheting the mats. Several people who had never picked up a crochet hook before have learned in just a few minutes. Completed mats will be delivered to missions in Pontiac or Flint or wherever someone knows they are needed.

Scholarships Available

We are pleased to offer scholarships again this year! If you are in need of scholarship assistance, please contact Debbie Cameron at the District Office.

ALL first-time attendees will receive a $50 scholarship if registered by March 30, 2025.

Widows will receive $50 off if registered by March 30, 2025.

Dining Options:

Sponsors

Church Extension Fund
Michigan District, LCMS
Tri Star Trust

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.