Church and School Secretaries, Administrative Assistants, and Business Managers are invited to the 2019 Office Personnel Conference!
This conference is much more than just a few days away from the office. This is a chance to network, bring great ideas back to your church and school, connect with the Lord, and renew your passion for this profession. So join us as we delve into our theme of working heartily for the Lord.
When & Where
Bay City
April 7, 2019 @ 4:00 pm - April 9, 2019 @ 12:40 pm
DoubleTree by Hilton Bay City – RiverfrontOne Wenonah Park Place
Bay City, MI, 48708
Presenters
Keynote/Breakout Speaker
Shari Braendel
Shari is the founder and President of Fashion Meets Faith and the designer of the best-selling 27 Hanger Capsule Wardrobe Program. Shari’s passion is to develop and empower women to embrace their authentic beauty while glorifying their Creator. Her message provides practical take-home tips while addressing the spiritual aspect of loving who we are exactly how we were created. She resides in Charlotte, NC with her husband, two very old cats, and a fat yellow lab. Find her at www.FashionMeetsFaith.com
Keynote/Breakout Speaker
Cyndee Ownbey
Cyndee serves as a mentor to thousands of women’s ministry leaders through her website Women’s Ministry Toolbox. Having served on three different women’s ministry teams in three different churches in three different cities, she has a wide variety of experiences from which to share. She lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband and the younger of their two teen boys. An elementary teacher by trade, she enjoys teaching from God’s Word and has a passion for helping women’s ministry leaders create relevant events and activities that meet the changing needs of the women in their church and community.
Keynote/Breakout Speaker
Megan Miessler
Megan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a trained Director of Christian Education in the LCMS. She currently serves as the Associate Director at Lutheran Counseling Services. Megan has worked in disaster response to crisis and tragedies with organizations, schools, and congregations in four states. She is trained in offering care to the caregiver and teaching healthy self-care to those facing burnout. Megan and her husband Matthew have three children.
Breakout Session Speaker
Carrie Meusling
Carrie is a certified dance instructor through Dance Masters of America Inc. She is a certified Zumba® Fitness Instructor, an actress, a choreographer, a director of the Algonac Community Schools Youth Theatre Program, and a Young Living Essential Oils Distributor. She is also a mother of three.
Breakout Session Speaker/Artist
Joe McKeever
A native of Alabama and the son of a coal miner, Joe has been preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ for more than 55 years, and has been writing and cartooning for religious publications for more than 45 years. He put in 42 years pastoring six Southern Baptist Churches, followed by five years as director of missions for the SBC churches of metro New Orleans. He has both a masters and a doctorate from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with emphasis on evangelism. Joe and his wife Bertha live in Ridgeland, Miss., a suburb of Jackson.
Breakout Session Speaker
Travis Grulke
Travis is the Superintendent of Schools for the Michigan District, LCMS. But his more important titles are the husband of Lori and the dad to three crazy and lovable girls. The four ladies in his life are by far his most absolute favorite blessing!
Breakout Session Speaker
Pat Maier
A pastor’s wife and former Lutheran educator, Pat believes that the creative use of language and art—when connected with God’s Word—can touch the heart, promote understanding, and bring about joy and connection. She finds great joy in art and Bible journaling, nature, gardening, and time spent with family. She lives with her husband David near Ann Arbor, where he serves as President of the Michigan District, LCMS. They have four children and two grandchildren (so far!).
Breakout Session Speaker
Sara Thorpe
Sara serves as an Administrative Assistant at Immanuel Lutheran School in Macomb, Mich. Sara feels that her work at Immanuel is one of her greatest accomplishments in life. Having the ability to bring love, a smile, and lots of kindness to the students and staff every single day is what brings joy to her life. Sara also has a passion for makeup and even has an entire room in her house dedicated to her makeup collection, jewelry, and accessories. She is married to Bryan and they have a daughter, Lina.
Breakout Session Speaker
Karmen Wilharms
Karmen has been the Outreach & Assimilation Director at St. John’s, Adrian for over 5 years. She has lived in New Orleans, Alaska, Colorado, and (mostly) Michigan. She ran a successful home-based business for 20 years, has worked in many capacities in numerous school districts, owned a calligraphy studio, managed an aquatics center, and is starting a photography business. Karmen and her husband Bill have three children.
Breakout Session Speaker
Debby Fall
Debby Fall is the Assistant to the President – Communications for the Michigan District, LCMS. Her responsibility is to provide communication support for the Office of the President and other District departments. She directs the work of the Communications Department, which comprises the enews, social media, blog, website, print publications, and publicity. Debby is a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Jackson, Mich. where she also serves as Worship Director. She and her husband, Brian, have four grown children and four adorable grandchildren.
Musicians
The Brothers Mogan
The Brothers Mogan are classically-trained musicians doing their part to keep classic music alive in their community. Enjoy selections from the golden oldies, outlaw country, early rock n’ roll, and more with a fun and classy acoustic twist.
Worship Leader
Rev. Greg Griffith
Rev. Griffith is originally from California. He has served as pastor at Immanuel, Macomb since 2004, and is overjoyed each day to stand alongside an amazing team of people willing to do anything short of sin to reach more people for Christ. He loves listening to podcasts, going to Tigers games, and praying for the Lions.
Masseuse
Deb Ahleman
Deb has always had an interest in massage and all the benefits it has to offer. Even with the inability to utilize her right arm due to a stroke, she loves serving others with the gift of massage. She graduated from the Ann Arbor Institute of Massage Therapy in August of 1997. Deb and her husband, Tom, have been blessed with four children and twelve grandchildren.
Schedule
Sunday, April 7, 2019
Monday, April 8, 2019
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
Registration
Registration is closed.
Registration Costs:
- $199 Single Occupancy
- $99 Double Occupancy
- $69 Triple Occupancy
- $49 Quad Occupancy
- $30 Commuter
The above rates include lodging and meals with the exception of the commuter rate which includes conference meals only. First - time attendees: The Church Extension Fund of the Michigan District is providing up to $70 in scholarships (excludes Single Occupancy). Discounts will be taken during the registration process.
Compassion Ministry
Once again we will be making a difference in the lives of women in local domestic violence shelters by collecting gently used purses and unused beauty products. Sunday night we will be filling the purses and then wrapping them to be sent to the shelters in time for Mother’s Day! Feel free to put an announcement in your church and school newsletters to collect from your congregation; we had several ladies do that last year and it made a huge difference. Let’s get ready to make a difference again!
Additional Information
Breakout Session Descriptions
Sketch Artist
- Be sure to stop by Joe’s table and have your sketch done.
- View a video of the artistic hands of Joe McKeever here.
Massages
- Once again, Deb Ahleman will be offering chair massages. Be sure to stop by her table.
Exhibitors Welcome
We would like to extend an invitation for organizations to serve as exhibitors at this conference. As an exhibitor, you will receive a table space to display information about your organization. Also as an exhibitor, there is an opportunity to be a sponsor for this event. By partnering with us to underwrite a time of hospitality, you will make an even greater impact on those you serve. Please consider sponsoring a refreshment break, reception, entertainment, or speaker.
Conference Goals and Objectives
It is our hope that the conference will Equip, Educate, and Encourage you to specifically:
- Learn an Implementable Skill
- Develop Your Own Vision
- Feel Uplifted/Encouraged/Connected