• Quoted room rates are for single, double or triple occupancy.
• Cut-off date for guaranteed contracted rates is
  Friday, September 18!
• $65 -- Pear Tree Inn, 10951 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park
  -- Group # 2055312
• $85 -- Drury Inn & Suites, 10963 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park
  -- Group # 2055313
• Post name:  Kansas District Lutherans
• To reserve online for both hotels, go to www.druryhotels.com, click on Book It Fast, then enter the hotel group # (see above).
• Or you can call 1-800-325-0720 to make your individual group reservations.  You must specify the hotel location and reference our Group Name, Kansas District Lutherans.

Keynote I ... Monday, October 12 – 8:30-9:30
Title: Master or the Ministry
Presenter: Dr. Bryan R. Salminen
Description: Keynote I will examine how the ministry can very easily lead us away from the Master--the Lord Jesus. The seductions are subtle, but very real and many clergy and teachers fall, not so much because of a problem with doctrine, but rather a problem in ministry and in life. This study is based on 1 Tim. 4:16 where Paul says, "take heed unto yourselves and the doctrine you have been taught." We need to take heed to our doctrine, but the Word of God also calls us to pay attention to our lives.

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Keynote II ... Monday, October 12 – 2:45-3:45
Title: Bracket Your Life
Presenter: Dr. Bryan R. Salminen
Description: Joy, laughter and happiness are a gift of the gospel. When we laugh and play, during those moments, we bracket the seriousness of our world. The Lord calls us to enjoy life and ministry yet due to pressure at home and in ministry, we often become "joy suckers," instead of "joy carriers." This keynote will discuss what it looks like to be a joy carrier and how we can each day, "bracket our lives," with the gift of the gospel.

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Keynote III ... Tuesday, October 13 – 9:00-10:00
Title: Burden Bearing
Presenter: Dr. Bryan R. Salminen
Description: Teachers and pastors are called to bear burdens. The art of bearing the burdens of others without being crushed by them is very crucial in our professions. Much of what pastors do with their time is spent listening to the suffering of others. Teachers, amidst all of the lesson planning and teaching of children, also spend a lot of time bearing their burdens. Actually its far more intimate than simply hearing about the suffering of others. It involves an entering into it with them in ways which have deeply touched me and changed me over the years. So what I want to do in this keynote is give you some of the thinking that I have done about burden bearing. What does it mean to bear the burdens of others? And how can we do it effectively and faithfully?

Post-Conference ... Tuesday, October 13 – 12:00-3:30
Title: Responding to Sexual Temptation in a High-Tech Society Session
.........(1) Why a Study on Sexual Temptation in a High-Tech Society?
.........(2) Ministering to Those "Caught" by Internet Pornography.
Presenter: Dr. Ted Kober
Description: The presentation for Responding to Sexual Temptation in a High Tech Society is designed to help professional church workers understand and respond to the impact of sexual temptation in our high tech society, and minister to people suffering. Stories of real people inspire and demonstrate how the principles presented are not theoretical but realistic and practical. Each person attending the seminar receives a study guide for note taking during the seminar and personal review, and everyone receives an easy-to-use handout on “Announcing God's Grace through Confession and Forgiveness.” A selection of resources will be available at the seminar book table. These resources will include Bible studies and other teaching, personal coaching and further study materials.

Session: A1
Title: Building Collaborative Relationships with Families
Target: ECE
Presenter: Sheri Williams
Description: Early childhood professionals build partnerships with families as an important strategy to promote healthy child development. This session supports relationship building with families by helping providers to define and practice active listening skills and to understand both the concept of the parallel process in relationships and the importance of reflection.
Presenter Bio:   Sheri Williams , BS Ed, has taught early childhood professional development classes for nearly 15 years. She is trained as both a parent and teacher instructor for the Incredible Years, a research and evidence-based program that reduces or prevents challenging behavior in children. Shari also has experience as a preschool teacher, a school-age care supervisor, and a family child care provider.

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Session: A2
Title: Frazzled Female
Target: Women in Ministry
Presenter: Audrey Duensing-Werner
Description: Imagine some of the thoughts behind the frazzled female: how to handle stress overload; How to have it all together when you're all strung out; How does it feel some days when you're so overloaded and overwhelmed to still love ministry? And the questions go on and on and on. Join us as we share the unique problems we have as female workers in the church. Come also and hear about Talitha Cumi--a newly organized Women's Ministry networking/mentoring program just for Frazzled and not-so frazzled females in ministry.
Presenter Bio:   Audrey Duensing-Werner was born and raised in Council Bluffs, Iowa . She is a graduate of Simpson College Indianola, Iowa with a Bachelor of Music Education and Performance. She taught 4 years in a public school system in southeast Iowa and then went on to receive her DCE Certification in 1993 from Concordia College, St. Paul. She has enjoyed serving at congregations in Michigan, Minnesota and currently serves as the DCE at Faith Lutheran, Topeka , KS . She has been active in serving on several District & Synod youth gatherings and youth boards/advocacy teams. She serves as a KINDLE DCE facilitator and has been chair & co-chair of National DCEnet. She is a gifted presenter (local and national LC-MS conferences and conventions), singer and has written youth and children material for CPH and Children and Family Ministry Department of Synod.

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Session: A3
Title: SmartBoard Basics and More
Target: Classroom Instructors
Presenter: Gina Eberle
Description: As with all things, this is just the beginning. We will take a fresh look at the use of Smart Boards, maximizing them as interactive, hands-on, minds-on technology tools to support students as they demonstrate what they know in multiple ways. You will find links to established lessons and to template files you can download and use right in your Smart Notebook software. Remember - the key here is maximizing a tool and piece of accompanying software (Smart Notebook). It is the concept of how the lesson is developed and structured to capitalize on the interactivity of the tool that we will emphasize. Any of these concepts can be and should be modified to meet the different curricular requirements of your content and/or grade level. The preconstructed templates that will be presented are to be used as a starting or jumping off point for you to generate your own unique and distinctly well-suited curricular activities that will create interest and ask your students to use the concepts and the skills you are teaching.
Presenter Bio: Gina Eberle has always had a heart and an enthusiasm for math and science. It is very difficult to create and instill a love for these subjects in students, especially young women. Her mission is to excite and show by example that women can and do excel at these subjects. While in college she built and raced a solar car, as part of a team, across the U.S., Australia, and Japan. After graduating, she organized events like that for high school students: Solar BikeRayce USA. She also worked for a bio-research company, Elf Sanofi for a few years before being a stay-at-home mom of four beautiful children. She has a master's degree in Instructional Technology and believes our future rests on integrating teaching and technology. Gina is excited about teaching teachers how to incorporate technology into lesson plans to make them engaging and meaningful. She is currently a high school math and science teacher at Lutheran High, Kansas City, MO and loves it!

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Session: A4
Title: Music for Young Children
Target: Classroom Instructors for ages 4-6
Presenter: Cindy Franson
Description: Some fun and easy ideas for teaching musical concepts to children ages 4-6 using books, DVDs, games and dances.
Presenter Bio:   Cindy Franson is currently teaching music K-8 at Holy Cross Lutheran School in Wichita . Her teaching and musical experience includes Yamaha Music School (ages 4-8), Kachina School (ages 18mos-6yrs), professional accompanist, piano teacher, and organist. She holds a bachelor's degree in music education and a master's degree in piano performance.

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Session: A5
Title: Sharing the Faith
Target: All
Presenter: Kent Stephens
Description: When to share, what to share?  We all desire to live “in sync” with God's desire for our lives, but frequently it feels more like a winding path instead of a straight and narrow one.  As we negotiate that path, God naturally provides for opportunities to share our faith life with others, including the highs and the lows. Our time together will be a combination of Bible study, small and large group discussion, prayer and everyday life application.
Presenter Bio:   Kent Stephens has served for 11 years as Minister of Outreach at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wichita , Kansas . Prior to coming to Kansas he has worked with congregations, mission churches, and campus ministry. Kent is a 1981 graduate of Concordia University Irvine, enjoys music, camping and spending time with his wife and children, and also provides leadership for contemporary worship at Holy Cross, and serves on the District's Campus Ministry and Outreach Teams

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Session: A6
Title: Bal-a-vis-X -- Bounce Your Way to a Better Brain: Teaches Focus, Balance, and Eye Hand Coordination while making left and right brain connections and improving eye tracking.
Target: Classroom Instructors
Presenter: Walt Malone
Description: Bounce Your Way to a Better Brain: Teaches Focus, Balance, and Eye Hand Coordination while making left and right brain connections and improving eye tracking. I have seen students make remarkable progress in their school work while doing Bal-A-Vis-X. Bal-A-Vis-X also helps teachers focus and refresh their brains.  Try it You'll Like It.
Presenter Bio: Walt Malone is in his 40th year of teaching and is currently teaching at Topeka Lutheran School . He has been doing Bal-A-Vis-X with students for the past 5 years. 2008-09 was the first year for a full Bal-A-Vis-X Lab and a first for working with Kindergarten and 1st Grade.

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Session: A7
Title: Theology of Mercy
Target: Pastors
Presenter: Rocky Mease
Description: We have seen how many Lutheran Christians have responded to disasters on the Gulf Coast and in Greensburg. What is it that motivates Lutheran Christians to perform acts of mercy? This workshop will explore this from a Biblical, Confessional and Experiential point of view.
Presenter Bio: Chaplain Mease was born in Nashville, Kansas where he was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church. He attended Lutheran High Schools in Winfield, Kansas; Seward, Nebraska and Concordia, Missouri. Rocky's college experience was at St. John's and Concordia Senior College. He graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis and served parishes in Waverly and Dubuque, Iowa. Rocky trained for chaplaincy at Wesley Medical Center and serviced as a staff chaplain for Via Christi. He was called by the Kansas District in August of 1999 and has served the people of the Kansas District as Executive Chaplain since that time. Rocky is married to Donna and they have three adult children: Joel (married to Erica), Anna (married to Richard), and Aaron. Rocky and Donna make their home in Derby, Kansas and are the very proud grandparents of Joseph James and Kaleb Michael Denmark.

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Session: A8
Title: The Four Truths that (Should) Shape Adult Education in the Church
Target: All
Presenter: Dr. Mark Blanke
Description: Around 14% of adult members attend adult learning experiences in LCMS congregations. Maybe part of our problem comes from not recognizing the realities of educating adults. In this workshop we will try to uncover some of the basics that, if followed, may enhance our effectiveness.
Presenter Bio:   Mark Blanke is a professor and the Director of the DCE Program at Concordia University - Nebraska (CUNE). Prior to coming to Nebraska, Mark served as DCE Program Director at Concordia, Chicago, and as a DCE and Lutheran elementary principal in congregations in California. Mark received his BSEd and MPE from CUNE, MS in Counseling and Guidance from California Lutheran University and an EdD from Northern Illinois University. Mark's specialties include adult education, lay mobilization, confirmation ministry and Christian education.

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Session: A9
Title: Faithful Stewards Bearing Fruit in Difficult Economies
Target: All
Presenter: Mark Frith
Description: Church Workers are faithful stewards who bear rich fruits of faith and peace in times of difficult economies. However, is that better said than done? Are you struggling to make ends meet right now, or worried about the near future? Come and explore the riches of the Lord's economy for ministry, life, family, and home. Christian stewards are constantly faith-filled stewards gifted to weather every economic storm or economic paradise. Take away a few practical tools for yourself and for the people to whom you serve.
Presenter Bio: Mark Frith serves the Kansas District as the Assistant to the President for Mission and Stewardship. The Mission and Stewardship Department assists congregations and professional church workers with outreach, mission planting, campus ministry, ethnic ministry, turnaround ministries, deaf ministry and with managing all of life and life's resources for God's purpose (stewardship). Mark is married to Leigh. They have been blessed with two children, Aaron and Hannah.

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Session: A10
Title: Prepare for your marriage with Zoe ®!
Target: All
Presenter: Dr. Bryan Salminen
Description: Zoe is a simple and unique approach to marriage preparation. Couples answer a series of questions and then Zoe provides you with detailed scores in 16 critical areas, feedback specific to your relationship and user-friendly summaries of the leading research on why you scored what you scored. It was developed by a team of researchers analyzing the universe of knowledge on what makes a marriage successful . . . or unsuccessful. Because Zoe is Internet-based, it is available when and where you want to use it. Zoe can be used independently or with an Advisor (professional counselor, pastor or mentor).
Presenter Bio:   See Dr. Salminen's biography under Keynote Speaker.

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Session: A11
Title: Mormons--An Understanding Behind the Teaching
Target: All
Presenter: Jane Linback
Description: You may have heard the ads on the radio or seen the billboards asking questions such as "Does God love me?" or "Does God care about me?" As Christians we know the answers to those questions, but how does a Mormon answer those questions? This sectional will give you background information on this denomination, its history, beliefs, family activities and religious practices. Witnessing strategies will also be shared with sectional participants.
Presenter Bio: Jane Limback has been a classroom teacher and administrator in Kansas and Arkansas. She currently serves her Lord as the Coordinator of Parish Education at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Kansas City, Kansas, working primarily in the areas of education, fellowship, and outreach. She is also pursuing the Director of Christian Outreach certification through Concordia-St. Paul.

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Session: A12
Title: Pulpit Eloquence: Insights from the Rhetorical Tradition
Target: Pastors
Presenter: Kristine Bruss
Description: Preaching, as a powerful form of oratory, has prompted a number of noteworthy reflections from significant figures in the rhetorical tradition. In this session, we will examine the teachings of three of those figures: Saint Augustine (354-430), George Campbell (1719-1796), and Thomas Sheridan (1719-1788). Augustine's De Doctrina Christiana reflects the classical roots of rhetoric, adapted to Christian ends. Campbell 's Philosophy of Rhetoric represents a break from the long-standing sway of classical teachings, emphasizing the importance of adapting discourse to the mental processes of listeners. Campbell, a Presbyterian minister, includes a number of relevant remarks about the role of the preacher in his book. Sheridan, the only non-theologian of this trio, represents another important development in the rhetorical tradition, writing one of the first treatises focused solely on the art of delivery. As he makes clear in his Lectures on Elocution, his motivation for writing is due, in no small part, to the poor state of preaching in the church of England.
Presenter Bio: Kristine Bruss (PhD, University of Minnesota) is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Kansas, where she oversees the basic course in public speaking. Her research and teaching interests include classical rhetoric, rhetoric education, and speechwriting. She is a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Topeka, Kansas.

Session: B1
Title: Behavior: We All Have It
Target: ECE
Presenter: Sheri Williams
Description: When children are disruptive or behave in ways that are counter productive to learning, it's all too easy for teachers to react emotionally. This emotion undermines our ability to think strategically about how to best respond in order to modify a child's behavior. In this session, we will focus on how to identify target behaviors, the valve of targeted praise, transitions that meet children's needs, establishing clear and predictable classroom rules, and giving effective directions.
Presenter Bio:   Sheri Williams , BS Ed, has taught early childhood professional development classes for nearly 15 years. She is trained as both a parent and teacher instructor for the Incredible Years, a research and evidence-based program that reduces or prevents challenging behavior in children. Shari also has experience as a preschool teacher, a school-age care supervisor, and a family child care provider.

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Session: B2
Title: Seven Things to Do Right in Ministry to Children and Their Families
Target: All
Presenter: Pam Nummela
Description: A practical presentation of key components of ministry to kids and their families with an emphasis on the intentional partnership of the church and home in faith nurture. This presentation will be valuable for classroom teachers, DCEs, and others with servant hearts for kids and families.
Presenter Bio: Pam Nummela serves as Director of Child Ministry at Bethany, Overland Park, a position she has held since 1999. A DCE and a Lutheran teacher, she seeks to be a "kid-watcher" as well as an observer of what works with parents. She loves and lives to teach! She loves to problem solve and organize - especially if she can generate positive change! Prior to Bethany, she served as a Lutheran teacher in Missouri, Texas, Michigan, and Oregon. Her husband Tom is a Sunday School editor for Concordia Publishing House. Pam and Tom are parents of Bethany Nummela-Hanel who is married to Mike and lives in Cinncinati, OH and Tim who is program coordinator at Camp Wartburg in Illinois.

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Session: B3
Title: Social Studies in Kansas
Target: Classroom Instructors
Presenter: Cheryl Voss
Description: The session will include examining the Kansas Standards for Social Studies, strategies to teach the Standards with projects which will include webquests, powerpoint rubrics, wax museums, scrapbook projects, candy map making recipes, etc.
Presenter Bio: Cheryl Voss teaches at Faith Lutheran School in Derby. She taught in a public school for 5 years prior to her multi-level experience at Faith Lutheran School and has taught first grade through eighth grade. She has a Bachelors Degree from Wichita State University and has been a participant in the PRAIRY Project. PRAIRY concentrates on educating teachers how to use technology in the classroom.

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CANCELLED
Session: B4
Title: Caring Response to Mental Illness
Target: All
Presenter: Carmen Stephens
Description: This presentation discusses where every day life intersects with mental illness and how to respond appropriately, in your community, congregation and family.
Presenter Bio:   Carmen Stephens has been an RN for almost 30 years. Her career has taken her from inpatient care in ICU to school nursing. Several summers she has served as a camp nurse for elementary and High School aged youth. A certification in Congregational Parish Nursing was completed through the Kansas District and Concordia University, Mequon Most recently she has been working in an inpatient behaviorial health setting for Via Christi Regional Medical Center in Wichita, KS. She completed a Master's in Family Life Education in 2005 at CUNE and enjoys facilitating workshops for congregations and civic organizations on various family topics. (Carmen is married to Kent, and we have 3 children Ben, Beth and Dan. I thank God for them and what I have learned by His grace through our interactions as a family.)

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Session: B5
Title: Bal-a-vis-X -- Bounce Your Way to a Better Brain: Teaches Focus, Balance, and Eye Hand Coordination while making left and right brain connections and improving eye tracking.
Target: Classroom Instructors
Presenter: Walt Malone
Description: Bounce Your Way to a Better Brain: Teaches Focus, Balance, and Eye Hand Coordination while making left and right brain connections and improving eye tracking. I have seen students make remarkable progress in their school work while doing Bal-A-Vis-X. Bal-A-Vis-X also helps teachers focus and refresh their brains.  Try it You'll Like It.
Presenter Bio: Walt Malone is in his 40th year of teaching and is currently teaching at Topeka Lutheran School . He has been doing Bal-A-Vis-X with students for the past 5 years. 2008-09 was the first year for a full Bal-A-Vis-X Lab and a first for working with Kindergarten and 1st Grade

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Session: B6
Title: Living Wholly in the Presence of the Holy One
Target: All
Presenter: Dr. Steven Arnold
Description: Participants are invited to take the time to experience and explore the Baptismal promise of our Lord Jesus Christ as fully present to His people, inviting His people to be fully present before Him. As leaders in the Church, the Sabbath experience flowing from the Baptismal covenant informs and transforms the disciple and gives ability to lead and serve in meaningful ways. Participants will learn various Sabbath practices, explore a variety of ways to pray, and be supported in developing a Sabbath life-style that leads to wellness and wholeness.
Presenter Bio: Dr. Steven F. Arnold (Steve) is Professor (retired) of Education Concordia University, St. Paul, MN where he currently continues part-time as Chaplain to the University community. He is a graduate of Concordia University (formerly Concordia College), Seward, NB where he received a B.S. in Education and the Lutheran Teacher Diploma. In 1986 he received field certification as a Director of Christian Education through Concordia, Seward. He received his Master of Arts degree from Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI and his Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota. His graduate work has focused upon curriculum and instruction with special emphasis upon adult education. Steve served as DCE in Detroit, Michigan and in Phoenix, AZ. He also taught at Lutheran High School West in Detroit. He has served at Concordia University, St. Paul since 1986.
.....Steve is noted as lecturer, speaker, author and “bridge-builder.” His work has included a number of cross-cultural and international experiences of bringing Christians together from around the world to learn and grow together. He currently serves as Advisory Member of the Board of Directors for The Youth & Family Ministry Institute, Bloomington, MN.
.....Current projects involve study and practice in issues of wellness and also in the discipline of spiritual formation. He is prepared and formed as a Spiritual Director. This next year, he will complete the required fourth unit in Clinical Pastoral Education (chaplaincy) needed for endorsement and certification as a chaplain. He will also continue developing ministries through Pivot Point Ministries www.pivotpointministries.org. Special teaching areas include lifespan faith formation with an emphasis upon spiritual formation for men. In addition, he likes to travel, ride bike, read, work in the garden and enjoy time with his family. He is married with five children, four sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law and thirteen grandchildren.

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Session: B7
Title: Connecting New Teachers to the District
Target: New Teachers
Presenter: James Bradshaw
Description: All day school teachers are invited to gather for mutual sharing and networking. Each worker is invited to bring a “great classroom practice” to be shared in small groups based on grade level(s) taught. (20 copies of your idea are requested for distribution.)
Presenter Bio: James Bradshaw has served as the Executive Director of Educational Services in the Kansas District since March, 2005. Prior to this, Jim served as a parish DCE in three locations spanning 23 years. Jim is a 1982 Elementary Education/DCE graduate of Concordia, Seward, Nebraska where he also completed a Master's in Family Life Science in 2001. Jim provides oversight for the following ministries: elementary and early childhood education; children, youth, family life and singles ministries; and, adult education. Jim supports and encourages the lay and professional workers in our schools and parishes to develop and employ servant-leader practices. Jim and Joanna have been married 28 years and have been blessed with three children and a daughter-in-law.

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Session: B8
Title: Emotion Coaching
Target: Classroom Instructors and Administrators
Presenter: Nicole Orueta
Description: Based on the book Raising and Emotionally Intelligent Child by John Gottman, PH.D., emotion coaching is a five-step process that helps adults utilize children's emotional expression as a teaching moment. The process is useful for anyone who has meaningful relationships with children, such as teachers, parents, pastors, youth pastors, and Sunday school teachers.
Presenter Bio:   Nicole Orueta LMFT is currently an outpatient therapist at the Mental Health Association in Wichita, KS.  She is a licensed marriage and family therapist with a master's degree from Friends University .  She has had experience working with children, adults, couples, and families in a clinical setting, and has worked with children in a variety of settings, including Sunday School, youth group, public school, and private school.  She is also the director of the marriage ministry at her church.  Nicole is married, has two children, and resides in Wichita, KS.

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Session: B9
Title: Reaching Out with the Gospel...It's All Good!!!
Target: All
Presenter: Rev. Greg Manning
Description: Imagine that I said to you “I have good news and bad news for you.” Then I continued by asking the inevitable question “which do you want first.” Your mind immediately begins to wrestle with whether the good news could possibly be so good that it could overshadow and make any bad news pale in comparison. Likewise, is the bad news so bad that you must hear it right now and respond accordingly, due to your fear. RELAX! The good news is…there is no bad news, it's all good. When reaching out with the gospel there is no bad news, for we do not “reach out” with the law but the gospel. Therefore, if this is the case perhaps we need to change our technique. This workshop will teach some and remind others to “reach out” with the gospel minus the “bad news.”
Presenter Bio: Rev. Gregory T. Manning was born and raised in For Wayne, Indiana. He earned a bachelor's degree from Wabash College in both Theater and Religion. After graduating from Wabash College he attended Concordia Theological Seminary and earned a Master of Divinity Degree. During his time in the Seminary he worked as a Urban Ministry Coordinator for Christian Urban Ministries Inc., where he established and coordinated programming for at risk youth. He also established and managed a Youth Center under the name S.A.Y. Yes! (Save America 's Youth) a program developed to minister holistically, that is, mentally, physically and spiritually to at risk youth. This ministry grew to such a level in prominence that it was visited by Vice President Dan Quayle. Presently Rev. Manning serves as Senior Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Kansas City , Kansas . Here he serves in an Urban congregation that deals with high rates of drug use and violent crime. In his ministry at Grace Rev. Manning has established the Prime Time Basketball Ministry that primarily focuses on providing youth with a safe place for recreation in order to form a mentoring relationship with at risk youth. Through the mentoring relationship Rev. Manning encourages at risk youth to stay in school and to avoid premarital sex and dropping out of High School. At present Rev. Manning has been working with Urban families and youth for the past ten years in Indiana and Kansas City . Pastor Manning also takes great joy in working with the National Adopt a School program that has enabled Grace Lutheran Church to adopt a local Public High school in order to have a visible Christian leadership presence with the High School. He values ministry to the broken hearted in the city and beyond greatly and firmly believes that God has called us to be proclaimers of the gospel in word and deed. Pastor Manning has one very charismatic son named Darius. In all things Pastor Manning lifts up the name of the Lord and proclaims “the joy of the Lord is his strength.”

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Session: B10
Title: Jehovah's Witnesses--A Christian Denomination or a Cult?
Target: All
Presenter: Jane Limback
Description: It's a Saturday morning and as you are working around the house you hear the doorbell ring. When you look to see who it is you notice that you have a visitor from the Jehovah's Witnesses. What do you do? Answer the door or pretend you're not home? Often we are uncomfortable sharing our faith because we do not have a basic understanding of theirs. This sectional will give you background information on who the Jehovah's Witnesses are, their beliefs, and some witnessing tips that you can use when you open the door and welcome the opportunity to share Christ's love.
Presenter Bio: Jane Limback has been a classroom teacher and administrator in Kansas and Arkansas. She currently serves her Lord as the Coordinator of Parish Education at Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Kansas City, Kansas, working primarily in the areas of education, fellowship, and outreach. She is also pursuing the Director of Christian Outreach certification through Concordia-St. Paul.

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Session: B11
Title: The Four Truths that (Should) Shape Adult Education in the Church
Target: All
Presenter: Dr. Mark Blanke
Description: Around 14% of adult members attend adult learning experiences in LCMS congregations. Maybe part of our problem comes from not recognizing the realities of educating adults. In this workshop we will try to uncover some of the basics that, if followed, may enhance our effectiveness.
Presenter Bio:   Mark Blanke is a professor and the Director of the DCE Program at Concordia University - Nebraska (CUNE). Prior to coming to Nebraska, Mark served as DCE Program Director at Concordia, Chicago, and as a DCE and Lutheran elementary principal in congregations in California. Mark received his BSEd and MPE from CUNE, MS in Counseling and Guidance from California Lutheran University and an EdD from Northern Illinois University . Mark's specialties include adult education, lay mobilization, confirmation ministry and Christian education

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Session: B12
Title: Ushering Truth into the Hearts of Hearers: The Role of Style and Delivery in Preaching
Target: Pastors
Presenter: Kristine Bruss
Description: The 18th-century elocutionist Thomas Sheridan asserts in his Lectures on Elocution that “many discourses, good in themselves, are pronounced without affecting the hearers” (p. 103). For Sheridan, and many others since his time, “speaking from the heart,” in a manner that mimics nature, is critical for reaching listeners. But is that the case? In this session, we will discuss the role of style and delivery in Lutheran preaching.
Presenter Bio: Kristine Bruss (PhD, University of Minnesota) is an assistant professor in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Kansas, where she oversees the basic course in public speaking. Her research and teaching interests include classical rhetoric, rhetoric education, and speechwriting. She is a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Topeka, Kansas.

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Session: B13
Title: Ruby Payne's "A Framework for Understanding Poverty" (Pt. 1)
Target: All
Presenter: Noalee McDonald-Augustine
Description: Perplexed by student, parent, child, and adult actions and behaviors? This is an eye-opening training that will revolutionize the way you relate to your students, your parents, and your members of all economic classes. Living in poverty brings out a survival mentality that is often not understood by those in middle class and wealth. So, if you work with individuals in poverty understanding how different their world is from yours can be invaluable. This presentation will provide an overview of Ruby Payne's research on poverty. Participants will learn the 13 key points to remember about poverty; the hidden rules of poverty, middle class, and wealth; and the 9 resources each individual needs to succeed. For more information about Ruby Payne's "A Framework for Understanding Poverty" go to: Smoky Hill ESC - Ruby Payne Training. The two sessions are different.
Presenter Bio: Noalee McDonald-Augustine is in her eleventh year as an Educational Consultant and specializes in Student Enhancement Services. She is a certified trainer for Ruby Payne's “A Framework for Understanding Poverty,” CHARACTER COUNTS! and the Prudential Youth Leadership Institute. She is also a Bullying Prevention specialist, works with the Crisis Intervention team, and coordinates the Smoky Hill Low and High Ropes Adventure Program. She works with educators, students, and parents. Noalee has a BA in Mathematics, a BA in Sociology, and her masters work is in Adapted Physical Education.

Session: C1
Title: Creative Cardboard Crafts
Target: ECE
Presenter: Anita Stohs
Description: This session will be a demonstration of a variety of cardboard crafts that preschool teachers and children can easily reproduce. Emphasis will be on the seasons of the year and bible stories. Participants should bring a piece of cardboard—any size or shape.
Presenter Bio: Anita Reith Stohs has worked with children from preschool through grade eight. She has taught in a parochial school, worked as a librarian at Concordia University, Seward and has been a children's librarian. Anita has also written a variety of books, mainly in the area of early childhood religious education.

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Session: C2
Title: Frazzled Female
Target: Women in Ministry
Presenter: Audrey Duensing-Werner
Description: Imagine some of the thoughts behind the frazzled female: how to handle stress overload; How to have it all together when you're all strung out; How does it feel some days when you're so overloaded and overwhelmed to still love ministry? And the questions go on and on and on. Join us as we share the unique problems we have as female workers in the church. Come also and hear about Talitha Cumi--a newly organized Women's Ministry networking/mentoring program just for Frazzled and not-so frazzled females in ministry.
Presenter Bio:   Audrey Duensing-Werner was born and raised in Council Bluffs, Iowa. She is a graduate of Simpson College Indianola, Iowa with a Bachelor of Music Education and Performance. She taught 4 years in a public school system in southeast Iowa and then went on to receive her DCE Certification in 1993 from Concordia College, St. Paul. She has enjoyed serving at congregations in Michigan, Minnesota and currently serves as the DCE at Faith Lutheran, Topeka, KS. She has been active in serving on several District & Synod youth gatherings and youth boards/advocacy teams. She serves as a KINDLE DCE facilitator and has been chair & co-chair of National DCEnet. She is a gifted presenter (local and national LC-MS conferences and conventions), singer and has written youth and children material for CPH and Children and Family Ministry Department of Synod.

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Session: C3
Title: SmartBoard Basics and More
Target: Classroom Instructors
Presenter: Gina Eberle
Description: As with all things, this is just the beginning. We will take a fresh look at the use of Smart Boards, maximizing them as interactive, hands-on, minds-on technology tools to support students as they demonstrate what they know in multiple ways. You will find links to established lessons and to template files you can download and use right in your Smart Notebook software. Remember - the key here is maximizing a tool and piece of accompanying software (Smart Notebook). It is the concept of how the lesson is developed and structured to capitalize on the interactivity of the tool that we will emphasize. Any of these concepts can be and should be modified to meet the different curricular requirements of your content and/or grade level. The preconstructed templates that will be presented are to be used as a starting or jumping off point for you to generate your own unique and distinctly well-suited curricular activities that will create interest and ask your students to use the concepts and the skills you are teaching.
Presenter Bio: Gina Eberle has always had a heart and an enthusiasm for math and science. It is very difficult to create and instill a love for these subjects in students, especially young women. Her mission is to excite and show by example that women can and do excel at these subjects. While in college she built and raced a solar car, as part of a team, across the U.S., Australia, and Japan. After graduating, she organized events like that for high school students: Solar BikeRayce USA. She also worked for a bio-research company, Elf Sanofi for a few years before being a stay-at-home mom of four beautiful children. She has a master's degree in Instructional Technology and believes our future rests on integrating teaching and technology. Gina is excited about teaching teachers how to incorporate technology into lesson plans to make them engaging and meaningful. She is currently a high school math and science teacher at Lutheran High, Kansas City, MO and loves it!

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Session: C4
Title: Sharing the Faith
Target: All
Presenter: Kent Stephens
Description: When to share, what to share?  We all desire to live “in sync” with God's desire for our lives, but frequently it feels more like a winding path instead of a straight and narrow one.  As we negotiate that path, God naturally provides for opportunities to share our faith life with others, including the highs and the lows. Our time together will be a combination of Bible study, small and large group discussion, prayer and everyday life application.
Presenter Bio: Kent Stephens has served for 11 years as Minister of Outreach at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wichita, Kansas. Prior to coming to Kansas he has worked with congregations, mission churches, and campus ministry. Kent is a 1981 graduate of Concordia University Irvine, enjoys music, camping and spending time with his wife and children, and also provides leadership for contemporary worship at Holy Cross, and serves on the District's Campus Ministry and Outreach Teams.

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Session: C5
Title: Ruby Payne's "A Framework for Understanding Poverty" (Pt. 2)
Target: All
Presenter: Noalee McDonald-Augustine
Description: Perplexed by student, parent, child, and adult actions and behaviors? This is an eye-opening training that will revolutionize the way you relate to your students, your parents, and your members of all economic classes. Living in poverty brings out a survival mentality that is often not understood by those in middle class and wealth. So, if you work with individuals in poverty understanding how different their world is from yours can be invaluable. This presentation will provide an overview of Ruby Payne's research on poverty. Participants will learn the 13 key points to remember about poverty; the hidden rules of poverty, middle class, and wealth; and the 9 resources each individual needs to succeed. For more information about Ruby Payne's "A Framework for Understanding Poverty" go to: Smoky Hill ESC - Ruby Payne Training . The two sessions are different.
Presenter Bio: Noalee McDonald-Augustine is in her eleventh year as an Educational Consultant and specializes in Student Enhancement Services. She is a certified trainer for Ruby Payne's “A Framework for Understanding Poverty,” CHARACTER COUNTS! and the Prudential Youth Leadership Institute. She is also a Bullying Prevention specialist, works with the Crisis Intervention team, and coordinates the Smoky Hill Low and High Ropes Adventure Program. She works with educators, students, and parents. Noalee has a BA in Mathematics, a BA in Sociology, and her masters work is in Adapted Physical Education.

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Session: C6
Title: Living Wholly in the Presence of the Holy One
Target: All
Presenter: Dr. Steven Arnold
Description: Participants are invited to take the time to experience and explore the Baptismal promise of our Lord Jesus Christ as fully present to His people, inviting His people to be fully present before Him. As leaders in the Church, the Sabbath experience flowing from the Baptismal covenant informs and transforms the disciple and gives ability to lead and serve in meaningful ways. Participants will learn various Sabbath practices, explore a variety of ways to pray, and be supported in developing a Sabbath life-style that leads to wellness and wholeness.
Presenter Bio: Dr. Steven F Arnold (Steve) is Professor (retired) of Education Concordia University, St. Paul, MN where he currently continues part-time as Chaplain to the University community. He is a graduate of Concordia University (formerly Concordia College), Seward, NB where he received a B.S. in Education and the Lutheran Teacher Diploma. In 1986 he received field certification as a Director of Christian Education through Concordia, Seward. He received his Master of Arts degree from Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI and his Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota. His graduate work has focused upon curriculum and instruction with special emphasis upon adult education. Steve served as DCE in Detroit, Michigan and in Phoenix, AZ. He also taught at Lutheran High School West in Detroit. He has served at Concordia University, St. Paul since 1986.
.....Steve is noted as lecturer, speaker, author and “bridge-builder.” His work has included a number of cross-cultural and international experiences of bringing Christians together from around the world to learn and grow together. He currently serves as Advisory Member of the Board of Directors for The Youth & Family Ministry Institute, Bloomington, MN.
.....Current projects involve study and practice in issues of wellness and also in the discipline of spiritual formation. He is prepared and formed as a Spiritual Director. This next year, he will complete the required fourth unit in Clinical Pastoral Education (chaplaincy) needed for endorsement and certification as a chaplain. He will also continue developing ministries through Pivot Point Ministries www.pivotpointministries.org . Special teaching areas include lifespan faith formation with an emphasis upon spiritual formation for men. In addition, he likes to travel, ride bike, read, work in the garden and enjoy time with his family. He is married with five children, four sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law and thirteen grandchildren.

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Session: C7
Title: Networking DCEs
Target: DCEs
Presenter: James Bradshaw
Description: DCEs are invited to gather for Christ Care and mutual sharing of ministry ideas and topics. Additional networking will follow over dinner at a restaurant to be determined by the group.
Presenter Bio: James Bradshaw has served as the Executive Director of Educational Services in the Kansas District since March, 2005. Prior to this, Jim served as a parish DCE in three locations spanning 23 years. Jim is a 1982 Elementary Education/DCE graduate of Concordia, Seward, Nebraska where he also completed a Master's in Family Life Science in 2001. Jim provides oversight for the following ministries: elementary and early childhood education; children, youth, family life and singles ministries; and, adult education. Jim supports and encourages the lay and professional workers in our schools and parishes to develop and employ servant-leader practices. Jim and Joanna have been married 28 years and have been blessed with three children and a daughter-in-law.

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Session: C8
Title: Communication and Listening: Helping Children and Their Families Feel Heard
Target: Classroom Instructors
Presenter: Nicole Orueta
Description: This session will go over helpful ways to effectively listen and communicate with children and families, especially when those children and families are upset. We will focus on becoming better listeners and learn how listening can increase the chances that we will be heard. We will also put our listening skills to practice on each other!
Presenter Bio:   Nicole Orueta LMFT is currently an outpatient therapist at the Mental Health Association in Wichita, KS.  She is a licensed marriage and family therapist with a master's degree from Friends University .  She has had experience working with children, adults, couples, and families in a clinical setting, and has worked with children in a variety of settings, including Sunday School, youth group, public school, and private school.  She is also the director of the marriage ministry at her church.  Nicole is married, has two children, and resides in Wichita, KS.

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Session: C9
Title: What's New with NLSA?
Target: Administrators
Presenter: Dawn Oldenettel
Description: National Lutheran Schools Accreditation has undergone significant improvements in the last three years. Come and learn about the changes and how NLSA can help your school or preschool become the school of choice in your community. The presentation will cover the NLSA standards, the process, and the benefits of achieving national accreditation.
Presenter Bio: Dawn Oldenettel has served as a Lutheran School teacher for seventeen years, and as the principal for nine years at Zion Lutheran School in Independence, Kansas. She has served as NLSA Commissioner for the Kansas District since 2008.

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Session: C10
Title: Reaching Out with the Gospel...It's All Good!!!
Target: All
Presenter: Rev. Greg Manning
Description: Imagine that I said to you “I have good news and bad news for you.” Then I continued by asking the inevitable question “which do you want first.” Your mind immediately begins to wrestle with whether the good news could possibly be so good that it could overshadow and make any bad news pale in comparison. Likewise, is the bad news so bad that you must hear it right now and respond accordingly, due to your fear. RELAX! The good news is…there is no bad news, it's all good. When reaching out with the gospel there is no bad news, for we do not “reach out” with the law but the gospel. Therefore, if this is the case perhaps we need to change our technique. This workshop will teach some and remind others to “reach out” with the gospel minus the “bad news.”
Presenter Bio: Rev. Gregory T. Manning was born and raised in For Wayne, Indiana. He earned a bachelor's degree from Wabash College in both Theater and Religion. After graduating from Wabash College he attended Concordia Theological Seminary and earned a Master of Divinity Degree. During his time in the Seminary he worked as a Urban Ministry Coordinator for Christian Urban Ministries Inc., where he established and coordinated programming for at risk youth. He also established and managed a Youth Center under the name S.A.Y. Yes! (Save America 's Youth) a program developed to minister holistically, that is, mentally, physically and spiritually to at risk youth. This ministry grew to such a level in prominence that it was visited by Vice President Dan Quayle. Presently Rev. Manning serves as Senior Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church in Kansas City, Kansas. Here he serves in an Urban congregation that deals with high rates of drug use and violent crime. In his ministry at Grace Rev. Manning has established the Prime Time Basketball Ministry that primarily focuses on providing youth with a safe place for recreation in order to form a mentoring relationship with at risk youth. Through the mentoring relationship Rev. Manning encourages at risk youth to stay in school and to avoid premarital sex and dropping out of High School. At present Rev. Manning has been working with Urban families and youth for the past ten years in Indiana and Kansas City. Pastor Manning also takes great joy in working with the National Adopt a School program that has enabled Grace Lutheran Church to adopt a local Public High school in order to have a visible Christian leadership presence with the High School. He values ministry to the broken hearted in the city and beyond greatly and firmly believes that God has called us to be proclaimers of the gospel in word and deed. Pastor Manning has one very charismatic son named Darius. In all things Pastor Manning lifts up the name of the Lord and proclaims “the joy of the Lord is his strength.”

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Session: C11
Title: Revitalizing Greek in Your Daily Ministerial Work
Target: Pastors
Presenter: Jon Bruss
Description: A Lutheran seminary professor once remarked, “Lutherans have always insisted on a learned clergy.” To that end, our synod devotes considerable resources in both the colleges and the seminaries to the learning and use of the biblical languages. Of course, we all heard the warnings—“Use it or lose it!” Time may have been when we swore, “It'll never happen to me.” But the fact is, under crush of busy parish life, the pressure of just getting a sermon hammered out, and trying to balance all that with family life, the average Lutheran parish cleric gradually loses his grasp on the biblical languages. The good news is that not all is lost! In this session, we'll look at strategies, resources both online and in print, and [self-]disciplines, that will enhance your use of Greek. This session is useful both for those who've “nearly lost it all” as well as those who have done admirably well in keeping their Greek going.
Presenter Bio:   Jon Steffen Bruss holds a B.A. in classics from St. Olaf College, an M.Div. from Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary, Mankato, MN, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in classics from the University of Minnesota. He specializes in Greek and Roman poetry, Greek philosophy, New Testament, and the classical tradition in the West and has authored books and articles in all of those areas. A member of the chapel staff at Bethany Lutheran College with parish experience (varying in kind) in Minnesota, Tennessee, and Kansas, he has taught at Bethany Lutheran College, St. Olaf College, The University of the South (Sewanee), and The University of Kansas, Lawrence. He is a member of St. John's Ev.-Luth. Church in Topeka, Kansas, and resides with his family in Lawrence.

Session: D1
Title: Leaping Through the Year with Literacy Activities
Target: ECE
Presenter: Pat Wenger
Description: This sectional will provide knowledge of early literacy development as well as present seasonal activities to develop literacy skills.
Presenter Bio: Pat Wenger graduated from Concordia, Seward, Nebraska. She received her masters degree from Central Missouri State University. She is married to Rev. Mark Wenger. The have four children—Joy, Karl, Derek, and Bryce. Pat has taught in both Missouri and Kansas in a variety of teaching situations and grade levels: preschool, 1st and 2nd grade combined, 6th grade, 7th grade English and GED. She has served on the Missouri District Early Childhood committee. Pat currently teaches 1st and 2nd grade at Bethany Lutheran School, Wichita, Kansas.

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Session: D2
Title: Seven Things to Do Right in Ministry to Children and Their Families
Target: All
Presenter: Pam Nummela
Description: A practical presentation of key components of ministry to kids and their families with an emphasis on the intentional partnership of the church and home in faith nurture. This presentation will be valuable for classroom teachers, DCEs, and others with servant hearts for kids and families.
Presenter Bio: Pam Nummela serves as Director of Child Ministry at Bethany, Overland Park, a position she has held since 1999. A DCE and a Lutheran teacher, she seeks to be a "kid-watcher" as well as an observer of what works with parents. She loves and lives to teach! She loves to problem solve and organize - especially if she can generate positive change!
..... Prior to Bethany, she served as a Lutheran teacher in Missouri, Texas, Michigan, and Oregon. Her husband Tom is a Sunday School editor for Concordia Publishing House. Pam and Tom are parents of Bethany Nummela-Hanel who is married to Mike and lives in Cinncinati, OH and Tim who is program coordinator at Camp Wartburg in Illinois.

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Session: D3
Title: Social Studies in Kansas
Target: Classroom Instructors
Presenter: Cheryl Voss
Description: The session will include examining the Kansas Standards for Social Studies, strategies to teach the Standards with projects which will include webquests, powerpoint rubrics, wax museums, scrapbook projects, candy map making recipes, etc.
Presenter Bio: Cheryl Voss teaches at Faith Lutheran School in Derby. She taught in a public school for 5 years prior to her multi-level experience at Faith Lutheran School and has taught first grade through eighth grade. She has a Bachelors Degree from Wichita State University and has been a participant in the PRAIRY Project. PRAIRY concentrates on educating teachers how to use technology in the classroom.

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Session: D4
Title: Teambuilding through Drumming
Target: Classroom Instructors
Presenter: Cindy Franson
Description: Come experience a creative way of teambuilding using World Music Drumming.
Presenter Bio:   Cindy Franson is currently teaching music K-8 at Holy Cross Lutheran School in Wichita . Her teaching and musical experience includes Yamaha Music School (ages 4-8), Kachina School (ages 18mos-6yrs), professional accompanist, piano teacher, and organist. She holds a bachelor's degree in music education and a master's degree in piano performance.

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Session: D5
Title: Strengthening the Family Team
Target: All
Presenter: Carmen & Kent Stephens
Description: Discuss the top 10 ideas for strengthening your family team as you continue to navigate together over a lifetime. This presentation seeks to send you home with resources to share with your family. For more info e-mail us at carkent@att.net.
Presenter Bio:   Carmen Stephens has been an RN for almost 30 years. Her career has taken her from inpatient care in ICU to school nursing. Several summers she has served as a camp nurse for elementary and High School aged youth. A certification in Congregational Parish Nursing was completed through the Kansas District and Concordia University, Mequon. Most recently she has been working in an inpatient behaviorial health setting for Via Christi Regional Medical Center in Wichita, KS. She completed a Master's in Family Life Education in 2005 at CUNE and enjoys facilitating workshops for congregations and civic organizations on various family topics. (Carmen is married to Kent, and we have 3 children Ben, Beth and Dan. I thank God for them and what I have learned by His grace through our interactions as a family.)
.....Kent Stephens has served for 11 years as Minister of Outreach at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wichita, Kansas. Prior to coming to Kansas he has worked with congregations, mission churches, and campus ministry. Kent is a 1981 graduate of Concordia University Irvine, enjoys music, camping and spending time with his wife and children, and also provides leadership for contemporary worship at Holy Cross, and serves on the District's Campus Ministry and Outreach Teams.

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Session: D6
Title: Theology of Mercy
Target: All
Presenter: Rocky Mease
Description: We have seen how many Lutheran Christians have responded to disasters on the Gulf Coast and in Greensburg. What is it that motivates Lutheran Christians to perform acts of mercy? This workshop will explore this from a Biblical, Confessional and Experiential point of view.
Presenter Bio: Chaplain Mease was born in Nashville, Kansas where he was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church. He attended Lutheran High Schools in Winfield, Kansas; Seward, Nebraska and Concordia, Missouri. Rocky's college experience was at St. John's and Concordia Senior College. He graduated from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis and served parishes in Waverly and Dubuque, Iowa. Rocky trained for chaplaincy at Wesley Medical Center and serviced as a staff chaplain for Via Christi. He was called by the Kansas District in August of 1999 and has served the people of the Kansas District as Executive Chaplain since that time. Rocky is married to Donna and they have three adult children: Joel (married to Erica), Anna (married to Richard), and Aaron. Rocky and Donna make their home in Derby, Kansas and are the very proud grandparents of Joseph James and Kaleb Michael Denmark.

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Session: D7
Title: School Administrators
Target: Administrators
Presenter: James Bradshaw
Description: School administrators are invited to gather for mutual sharing, networking, planning, and prayer.
Presenter Bio: James Bradshaw has served as the Executive Director of Educational Services in the Kansas District since March, 2005. Prior to this, Jim served as a parish DCE in three locations spanning 23 years. Jim is a 1982 Elementary Education/DCE graduate of Concordia, Seward, Nebraska where he also completed a Master's in Family Life Science in 2001. Jim provides oversight for the following ministries: elementary and early childhood education; children, youth, family life and singles ministries; and, adult education. Jim supports and encourages the lay and professional workers in our schools and parishes to develop and employ servant-leader practices. Jim and Joanna have been married 28 years and have been blessed with three children and a daughter-in-law.

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Session: D8
Title: Faithful Stewards Bearing Fruit in Difficult Economies
Target: All
Presenter: Mark Frith
Description: Church Workers are faithful stewards who bear rich fruits of faith and peace in times of difficult economies. However, is that better said than done? Are you struggling to make ends meet right now, or worried about the near future? Come and explore the riches of the Lord's economy for ministry, life, family, and home. Christian stewards are constantly faith-filled stewards gifted to weather every economic storm or economic paradise. Take away a few practical tools for yourself and for the people to whom you serve.
Presenter Bio: Mark Frith serves the Kansas District as the Assistant to the President for Mission and Stewardship. The Mission and Stewardship Department assists congregations and professional church workers with outreach, mission planting, campus ministry, ethnic ministry, turnaround ministries, deaf ministry and with managing all of life and life's resources for God's purpose (stewardship). Mark is married to Leigh. They have been blessed with two children, Aaron and Hannah.

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Session: D9
Title: Translation Boners: Is the Greek NT Really That Lutheran?
Target: Pastors
Presenter: Jon Bruss
Description: The answer is, of course, “Yes! The Greek NT really is that Lutheran.” The Italians have a saying, popularized by Umberto Eco, “Traduttore traditore—the translator is a traitor.” This is readily apparent in English translations of the Greek New Testament in common use in Lutheran circles. A discernible Reformed and Arminian influence frequently drives translation decisions (excuse the pun)--against the very Greek text itself--in some key New Testament passages. The result is a corruption of the Word of God that frequently robs it of its salvific Gospel content. This session looks at several such examples and hopes to restore confidence that our Fathers in the Faith, the Lutheran confessors, actually got it right. The session addresses a manageable list of such passages, but to make our time together as interactive and responsive as possible, please send queries about suspicious translations to jonbruss@yahoo.com.
Presenter Bio:   Jon Steffen Bruss holds a B.A. in classics from St. Olaf College, an M.Div. from Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary, Mankato, MN, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in classics from the University of Minnesota. He specializes in Greek and Roman poetry, Greek philosophy, New Testament, and the classical tradition in the West and has authored books and articles in all of those areas. A member of the chapel staff at Bethany Lutheran College with parish experience (varying in kind) in Minnesota, Tennessee, and Kansas, he has taught at Bethany Lutheran College, St. Olaf College, The University of the South (Sewanee), and The University of Kansas, Lawrence. He is a member of St. John's Ev.-Luth. Church in Topeka, Kansas, and resides with his family in Lawrence.