Dates

Thursday, November 14, 2024 | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday, November 15, 2024 | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Join us for a transformative two-day conference diving deep into Bridges to Care across diverse communities. Engage with experienced leaders exploring how to create welcoming, compassionate care initiatives with an emphasis on culturally sensitive, intergenerational care and healing. Dive deeper with breakouts specializing in racial reconciliation, LGBTQ care, immigrant ministry support, youth empowerment, small rural church outreach, online community care, and pathways to healing during church conflicts. Leave equipped with practical strategies for building bridges of radical care and belonging. Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) will be available for full participation.

Location

Resurrection, A United Methodist Church in Leawood, KS

Designed for pastors, church staff, and laypersons with an interest in care, connection, and justice for all ages, this conference is offered by The Caring Congregation, Inc. and Resurrection’s Care & Mental Wellness Ministry Team.

Cost

$249 / Person before September 13

$299 / Person after September 13

Discounts available for group registrations, current seminary students, and small churches. Watch for details when registering.

Preferred Hotel

A discounted Room Block has been reserved — based on availability — at the Element Hotel, just across the street from Resurrection.

Event Schedule

thursday, november 14, 2024
9:00 am Opening
9:30 am Session 1: Bridges to Care with Greater Understanding – Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr
10:45 am Break
11:00 am Session 2: Bridges to Care with Greater Understanding – Bishop Delores Williamston
12:00 pm Lunch (Optional Building Tour)
1:15 pm Session 3: Bridges to Care with Greater Understanding – Bishop David Wilson
2:30 pm Break
2:45 pm Panel Discussion – Ruben Saenz, Delores Williamston, David Wilson
4:00 pm Thursday Breakouts
5:30 pm (Optional) Community Care Night Dinner & Fellowship
6:15 pm (Optional) Care Night Featured Speaker – Tom Langhofer
friday, november 15, 2024
9:00 am Opening
9:30 am Session 4: Bridges to Care for Children – Leanne Hadley
10:15 am Break
10:30 am Session 5: Bridges to Care for Youth – Charlie Conder
12:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm Panel Discussion – Leanne Hadley and Charlie Conder
2:00 pm Break
2:15 pm Session 6: Bridges to Care with The Caring Congregation – National Leadership Team
3:30 pm Friday Breakouts
4:45 pm Closing Session – Karen Lampe

Thursday Sessions

Bridges to Care with Greater Understanding

During the first three General Sessions, United Methodist bishops representing diverse cultural backgrounds will share their stories and perspectives on why it is important to be culturally sensitive in today’s church. These will be followed by a Panel Discussion involving all three bishops exchanging practical ideas for building bridges to care in creating welcoming, compassionate churches.

Breakout Options

Bridges to Care for Racial Reconciliation

Revs. Cheryl Jefferson Bell & Tino Herrera

Learn how and why your church should create a “Beloved Community.”

Bridges to Care for LGBTQ & Their Families

Revs. Carter Ellis, Karen Lampe & Lora Andrews

Learn about ministries in cross cultural settings and the LGBTQIA community.

Bridges to Care for Immigrant Communities

Revs. Anne Gatobu & Hyemi Jones

Understand the challenges of an immigrant community and how to overcome them through care.

Bridges to Care Through Conflict

Revs. Joy Dister Dominguez & Monica Childers

Learn to access the means of grace during times of dissension and disagreement.

Bridges to Care for those Affected by Addiction

Rev. Tom Langhofer & Bethany DePugh

Learn how to initiate a recovery ministry in your church or faith community.

Friday Sessions

Bridges to Care Across Generations

In General Sessions 4 and 5, two experts in caring for children and youth will present practical ways for churches to care for today’s younger generation and build a bridge to their families to become a growing, thriving church.

Bridges to Care: Getting Started

In the final General Session, The Caring Congregation, Inc. will provide insight into the why and how of care ministry, along with details about how they help churches develop deeply mature care teams for today’s context.

Breakout Options

Bridges to Care for Younger Generations

Rev. Melissa Collier Gepford

Learn how to care for children and youth in a multicultural setting and what resources are available.

Bridges to Care for Online Worshippers

Rev. Ashley Morgan Kirk and Mary Haines, CCM

Learn innovative ways to create personal connections with online worshippers and provide care from a distance.

Bridges to Care for Mental Health

Rev. Anne Gatobu & Dr. Rebecca Chow

Learn how to offer mental health guidance in your church setting.

Bridges to Care for Caregivers

Revs. Lisa Degrenia & Laura Berg

Understand the stresses that pastors and care ministers face and learn how your church can provide better care for caregivers.

Rev. Karen Lampe

Karen is the founding pastor of The Caring Congregation (TCC), a nonprofit that develops leaders for transformative care, and has authored five books on care ministry. With a background in physical therapy and a Master of Divinity, she previously served 12 years as Resurrection’s Executive Director of Congregational Care. Learn more…

Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr

Bishop Saenz will serve the new Horizon Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. A native of South Texas, he previously led the Great Plains Conference and directed ministries in the Rio Texas Conference. He holds degrees from Austin State University and Perkins, with extensive experience in community transformation and spiritual growth, reflecting commitment to his Hispanic heritage and values of faith, family, and community. Learn more…

Bishop Delores “Dee” Williamston

Bishop Williamston serves the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. A Kansas Army National Guard veteran and breast cancer survivor, she previously held various roles in the Great Plains Conference and pastored churches in Independence, Salina, Mentor, and Topeka, Kansas. She holds a Master of Divinity and is pursuing a doctorate. Learn more…

Bishop David Wilson

Bishop Wilson is the first Native American bishop in the United Methodist Church, serving the Great Plains Conference. He previously served as the assistant to the bishop and superintendent of the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference for 18 years. He holds degrees in mass communications and a Master of Divinity, with extensive experience in Native American spirituality and community leadership. His grandfather was a Choctaw Code-Talker in WW1. Learn more…

Rev. Dr. Leanne Hadley

Leanne, founder of First Steps Spirituality Center, is an ordained United Methodist minister currently serving at Christ Church UMC in Louisville, KY, overseeing spiritual healing ministries for children and teens. She holds degrees from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, and United Theological Seminary. Learn more…

Charlie Conder

Charlie has over 25 years of experience in student education and ministry, serving the North Georgia Conference since 2005, and is passionate about making space for students to have a voice in their church and community. Using her extensive experience with students and families, along with her Advanced Coaching Certification, she currently provides consulting to church leaders with the global Rethink Group. Learn more…

Frequently Asked Questions

We do not provide transportation. The easiest mode of transportation, once you arrive in KC, will be a rental car or ride sharing service like Uber or Lyft.

You may cancel at any time through October 18. Cancellations through October 18 are subject to a $30 cancellation fee. We are unable to refund any registration fees after October 18, 2024. Please understand that by this date we have prepared for your arrival with printed materials, catering and other provisions. You may transfer your registration to another person from your church at any time. For cancellations or transfers, please contact us at ShareChurchConferences@cor.org.

Groups of 5 or more are eligible for a 10% discount off the current registration price. A special $100 discount is available to current seminary students and anyone representing a small church with average adult worship attendance under 100. When registering, watch for the code that applies to you and enter it at checkout. Please keep in mind that only one discount can be applied at a time, per person. Discounts cannot be combined or applied simultaneously.

Credit card is the preferred method of payment. Please email us at ShareChurchConferences@cor.org, if you need to discuss other options.

No. While children are a natural concern for The Caring Congregation and a high priority at Resurrection, this is an adult training event and childcare is not available. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) will be available for full participation. Blank certificates will be available for pick up at the Information Booth during the event. Certificates are issued by The Caring Congregation, and it is the responsibility of the participant to check with their authorizing organization on the acceptance of these credits. These CEUs are accepted for United Methodist clergy and full-time local pastors.  

Yes. Simply log back in to your registration and make your new selections. Keep in mind, most breakout sessions have limited capacity, so they may not all be available as the event approaches.

Yes. However, we encourage you to attend the entire event. There are no reduced registration rates for partial attendance.

Yes! Bridges to Care is designed to strengthen churches through culturally sensitive care ministries. Such an important event comes with exposure and recognition for the sponsors who have helped make it happen. Our sponsor registration site provides a detailed description of the benefits and allows you to sign on immediately. Sponsorships are available on a first come, first served basis, and the sponsorship fee is payable by credit card or check, for your convenience. Just fyi, booth space is limited!

What People Are Saying

Loved this training. It gave shape to some of what I’ve been dreaming about congregational care for my church over the last few years and now I’m ready to begin to work as I continue to dream.

Dakotas Attendee

Karen and team, thank you for giving yourself to this transformative work. It is very obviously a labor of love. I’m also grateful for how meticulous you are in your preparation.

Florida Attendee

Thank you for leading an excellent seminar. You pack a lot of great information and inspiration into a short amount of time. The strategy for creating a care team was relevant for churches of all sizes.

Tom Brady, KC District Superintendent, The United Methodist Church

In her role overseeing the care of 18,000 parishioners at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, Karen Lampe has developed what many consider to be the best congregational care practices in the United States… and will dramatically improve the quality of pastoral care while engaging laity in ways that will enrich and bless them and those they care for.

Adam Hamilton, Senior Pastor, Resurrection, A United Methodist Church

Thanks for putting together such an accessible, relevant, professional and Spirit-led curriculum for assisting churches in ministering to our congregants. I knew at the outset of this journey that I couldn’t and didn’t want to be a “Lone Ranger” pastor doing this all by myself, so this pastor/lay team approach is perfect.

Roger Allen, West Valley Church of the Nazarene, Yakima, Washington