'Energizing the Grass Roots' theme of Global Episcopal Mission Network June gathering
Episcopal News Service. May 22, 2007 [052207-04]
The 11th annual Global Episcopal Mission Network (GEM) Education Institute will gather June 20-23 in Monteagle, Tennessee, at the Dubose Conference Center to focus on grassroots mission.
Meeting under the theme "Energizing the Grass Roots: Models for Mission," the conference will feature plenary sessions, workshops, worship and opportunities for networking with other mission leaders from around the Episcopal Church.
Plenary speakers will include Dr. Don Armentrout, professor of church history of the School of Theology at Sewanee, Tennessee; the Rev. Dr. Ian Douglas, Angus Dun professor of World Mission and Global Christianity at Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts; and Bishop Lloyd Allen of the Diocese of Honduras.
Workshops will be led by Armentrout; Corky Carlisle, retired priest in the Diocese of Lexington and GEM board member; Dr. Robert Stevens, executive director of the Dominican Development Office and GEM board member; Rachel Colson, alumni of the Young Adult Service Corps; the Rev. David Copley, mission personnel officer in the Episcopal Church's Anglican and Global Relations office; Buck Blanchard, coordinator of World mission with the Diocese of Virginia; Gini Peterson, Diocese of Atlanta, former president of GEM; and Walter Brownridge, associate dean for Community Life at the School of Theology at Sewanee, Tennessee. The Rev. Linda Hutton, priest-in-charge of St. James, Sewanee, Tennessee and of Christ Church, Tracy City, Tennessee will preach at the Eucharist.
The Institute will offer its comprehensive two-year program for diocesan global Mission Agents, designed to encourage mission in Episcopal dioceses. In addition, the Young Adult Mission Experience Institute (YMEI pronounced "why me") for students aged 18-25 will bring together young adults wishing to pursue mission and ministry opportunities to celebrate, reflect and plan for a meaningful future serving Christ.
The GEM Network is an innovative partnership of dioceses of the Episcopal Church pledging together to make global mission a priority in diocesan life.
For more information contact the Rev. Bill Wood, GEM president, at 207-276-5588 or e-mail williamjwood@hotmail.com. To register, visit the website.