Wishful Thinking...

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-17-2003
Wishful Thinking...
8
Mon, 06-18-2007 - 12:16pm

I know it's probably wishful thinking, but I *might* have an opportunity to go to WDW in February...

I can't remember if I've mentioned it on here, but I am a Children's Pastor (a job I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE.) Well, I recently found out that there will be a Children's Pastor's Conference at WDW next February. I've been to this conference before, and it's AMAZING. Last year it was held in WDW, but we had just been relocated to TX for my hubby's job and I hadn't started my job with my current church yet, so I couldn't go. The last time I went it was in Atlanta.

Anyway, the problem is that I was hired by a relatively small church with a teeny budget. They have an awesome heart for kids, and I am thankful for that (I've been at churches in the past where it was a struggle to convince people of the benefit of having a children's program!) but I don't think the church is going to be able to afford the $500 to send me to the conference. Oh, and that's just the conference fee, doesn't include airfare or hotel...

SOOOOO...

I have proposed to my hubby that we take a FAMILY vacation to WDW the week before the conference - that will take care of airfare and hotel. Then while I'm in the conference he and our dd can do Universal/Holy Lands/Sea World/etc. He's...well...he's thinking about it.

The only hurdle left if he agrees is how to pay for the conference fee itself...hmmmmmm. I'll have to work on that one.

Wish me luck!!!!!

JoAnna in TX

 

 

Avatar for carolejd
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-13-1999
Mon, 06-18-2007 - 3:59pm

I do wish you luck! maybe the church could chip in a small amount and you could fundraise the rest - garage sales, bake sales ,Tupperware, candles, spa parties etc etc.

You said this is conference for Children's Pastors - up to what age do you think? I have a friend on another board who is a Youth Pastor, I know she loves to travel and doesn't get too may opportunities being a busy working mum as you are.

Do you have a website I could pass along to her or anything?

Carole

Carole

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-17-2003
Mon, 06-18-2007 - 9:05pm

Children's Pastors usually work with kids under 7th grade (either birth - 6th grade, or some segment of that group; for instance, in my last job, I just had kids birth - 5 yrs old, no gradeschoolers.)

Once kids hit 7th grade, they're typically with a youth pastor rather than a children's pastor, and there are seperate conferences for them because they deal with TOTALLY different issues.

HOWEVER, sometimes in small churches the children's pastor and youth pastor are actually the same person, lol. So if she deals with any kids in her job that are in 6th grade or younger, than there would be good info for her at this conference.

The website for it is www.incm.org - incm stands for International Network of Children's Ministry.

BTW, if she only works with kids over 7th grade, I can get you info about youth pastor's conferences, but they probably won't be at Disney, lol.

JoAnna

 

 

Avatar for carolejd
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-13-1999
Tue, 06-19-2007 - 10:19am

I think her work is mostly with the youth section and I know she is going to a conference (or possibly a retreat) in N. Carolina in the Fall - but I will pass the web site along to her and see if she can get anything out of it - thanks so much for the info.

Carole

Carole

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-17-2003
Tue, 06-19-2007 - 8:08pm

Absolutely!

Jo

 

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2005
Thu, 06-21-2007 - 1:00am
What a great job, Joanna!

Val, Co-CL Disney Vacations

Avatar for shelb31
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-12-2006
Thu, 06-21-2007 - 5:48pm

Carole,


You have me curious now.

Disney 2010
Avatar for carolejd
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-13-1999
Thu, 06-21-2007 - 7:52pm

I have no idea LOL! but I will find out for you.

Geo is away right now but when she gets back sometime next week I will ask her.

Carole

Carole

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-17-2003
Thu, 06-21-2007 - 10:17pm
*deleted post*


Edited 6/21/2007 10:19 pm ET by joannab74