Join us for an inspiring and collaborative gathering of clergy in the Rio Texas Annual Conference as we explore what it means to live in covenant together. This two-day event offers a unique opportunity to strengthen trust, share our hopes and concerns, and discern how God is calling us to move forward in ministry.
Registration fee of $25 is required for all those attending. Check-in begins at 11:30am.
Schedule:
February 17
11:30 am – Registration Opens
12:00 pm – Opening Worship
1:00 pm – Break
1:30 pm – Introduction of Speaker and Opening Session
3:15 pm – Break
6:00 pm – Depart for Supper on your own
February 18
8:00 am – Gathering and Continental Breakfast
8:30 am – Meeting of Orders and Fellowship
9:15 am – Mission Field Training relating to our Immigrant siblings with Rev. Elizabeth Wright and Conference Co-Chancellor Brooks Schuelke
10:00 am – Bishop’s Address
11:00 am – Closing Worship
Only snacks and refreshments will be provided on both days. On Tuesday, February 18th, a continental breakfast will also be provided.
Register for childcare (Monday only):
Scroll to the bottom and select childcare to make a reservation for your child/children.
The registration may say that the childcare is only from 3 pm - 6:30 pm, but we have childcare available from 11:30 am - 6:30 pm on MONDAY ONLY.
If you have any questions or special needs, please contact Rev. Dr. Celia Halfacre
Join your colleagues for a time of worship, fellowship, and renewal as we engage in Appreciative Inquiry with Dr. Carol Wheeler, a dynamic speaker and leadership consultant. Through meaningful conversation and collaboration, we’ll explore new possibilities for ministry and create actionable strategies for the future.
Come ready to dream, discover, and design together. Plus, enjoy fellowship, door prizes, and time to connect. We look forward to seeing you there!
Who is Speaking:
Dr. Carol Wheeler is a dynamic keynote speaker, consultant, and former college professor with a passion for leadership. With over 25 years of experience in higher education and more than a decade in the coaching and consulting world, Carol has dedicated her career to helping leaders bring out the best in their people.
As the founder of NopaLeadership, Dr. Wheeler is committed to making leaders’ lives easier by enhancing team productivity, morale, collaboration, and retention. Her expertise lies in Strengths-based leadership training, where she leverages a proven model of high-performing teams to help organizations eliminate departmental rifts and establish sustainable communication patterns. The result? Happier employees and organizations that consistently achieve their goals.
Carol’s engaging and insightful approach has earned her a reputation as an inspiring coach and consultant. Her clients often describe her as encouraging, enthusiastic, and intuitive, with a unique ability to help teams improve client relationships, teamwork, and even revenue growth.
Rev. Elizabeth Wright joined ARJFON on March 1, 2019, as the first executive director for the chapter. She earned her B.A. in history and public policy at the College of William and Mary and earned her M. Div. at Duke University. She is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and served congregations in Corpus Christi, San Marcos, Smithville, Edinburg, and Weslaco in the Rio Grande Valley along the border before coming to ARJFON. Lizzie has served on the board for Project Transformation Rio Texas, a collaborative ministry that connects college students with meaningful internships and empowers literacy and holistic learning for school-aged children, and the board for United Methodist Campus Ministries of the Rio Grande Valley. She is excited to be back in Austin, where she did most of her growing up (Loyal Forever, Austin High!), near to her two adorable nephews and awesome niece. Her roommate, Sassy, enjoys chasing squirrels and chewing on sticks.
Brooks Schuelke is currently the Co-Chancellor of the Rio Texas Conference and, for the last dozen or so years, has been the District Lay Leader for the Capital District. As District Lay Leader, Brooks has been a part of several innovative projects. For example, he was one of three founders and an initial board member for JFON-Austin. Most recently, he helped lead the process of taking a closed church property and partnering with an Austin non-profit to create an affordable housing apartment development. Brooks has also served on numerous conference and district committees. Outside of the church, Brooks is a personal injury trial lawyer, helping those severely injured in auto and truck crashes, on-the-job accidents, and dangerous property conditions. He is a past president of the Capital Area Trial Lawyers Association and was the 2020 Capital Area Trial Lawyers Association Trial Lawyer of the Year.