The 2008 Gathering in the East will be headed west to the Laurel Highlands area of Pennsylvania. Our host facility will be Antiochian Village.
Individual registration cost is still just $175 per person if postmarked before March 1. This includes programs, speakers, meals & workshops (not lodging).
There will be discounted rates for:
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non youth worker spouses $90
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full time students $140
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team discounts for 3 or more members from the same congregation each person pays the discounted amount of $150
Each discounted rate is good if postmarked before March 1. After March 1 prices increases by $25.
Lodging cost vary from $60 for quad occupancy to $225 for single occupancy.
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If you've participated in previous events then you know we're committed to providing you with the best speakers in the business. We been honored to have at our podium the top names in youth & family ministry like Paul Hill, Patricia Hersch, Walt Mueller & Peggy Contos-Hahn
This year we're honored to have not one but two keynote speakers with Carolyn & Pastor Bill Kees.
Carolyn R. Kees, a Lutheran lay woman, prepared for the
ministry of spiritual companionship at the Institute of
Spiritual Companionship in Chicago, IL. She was later
named as the Executive Director of that program and
served in that capacity as well as practicum supervisor
until her retirement in 2006. She completed study for the
Masters of Pastoral Studies degree in spiritual formation
at Loyola University at Chicago. A registered nurse for
over 35 years, she focused on empowering people for
informed self-care and integrating their faith and health.
While in Chicago, she also completed training as a presenter for the Enneagram, a personality typology often
used in spiritual direction.
Pastor Bill Kees is a spiritual companion and retreat leader who has served in both congregational and national
settings in Minnesota, California and Illinois. As a pastor and leader in the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church
of America), he has a particular passion for contemplative practices of spiritual formation for youth. A life-long
Lutheran grounded in the goodness of faith community, Bill entered and completed the formation program for
spiritual companionship at Shalem Institute, in Bethesda, MD.
Since participating in the first gathering of Lutherans attending to spiritual formation and direction, he has found
himself attracted to how God is present everywhere - in time, space, person and beyond. Bill is still on the
journey of noting God¹s presence, and is presently active in companioning others in their journey with God.
Carolyn and her husband Bill have recently moved to Chico, CA. where they delight in being closer to family, participating in prayer ministry (including weekly Centering Prayer), choir and Taize worship in their home congregation, and exploring ways in which they can combine their gifts by providing retreats and workshops together.
We're pleased to announce that this year's musical guest will be Rachel Kurtz. She's a Minnesota based singer/songwriter whose distinctive voice infuses her organic instrumentation to wash over and through the listener. Her subtle blend of style reveals folk pop sensibilities with a healthy dose of soul. Audiences across the country resonate with Rachel’s music. It gets inside of people, calls them friend, and lets them know they are not alone.
For more info on Rachel visit
This year's theme is taken from Romans 1:11&12 “For I am longing to see you
so that I may share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen
you — or rather so that we may be mutually encouraged by each
other’s faith, both yours and mine."
The Gathering in the East is the perfect
place for this Scripture to be lived out!
As people come together from different
Synods they have many gifts to share with
one another. As these gifts are shared,
people are strengthened in their faith and
in their ministry. They are connected with
others so they can support one another with
words of encouragement or the sharing of
ideas. Each workshop is designed to equip
people to do the ministry they have been
called to do. Antiochian Village is a retreat
center that will surely meet the need for rest
and renewal. There are beautiful icons in
all the sleeping rooms, in the halls and in
the classrooms. A Chapel for meditation
and prayer is in the center of the building.
On the campus is a sports area with all
the equipment for basketball, volleyball,
bocce, croquet and an evening bonfire.
Come early on Friday and participate
in several learning opportunities:
contemplative prayer led by Pastor Lenahan,
stretch and pray led by Pastor Magoon,
yoga led by Debbie Crawford, or walk
the “Meditation Trail” with six spots for
reflection and meditation or you may wish
to try the ropes course.
The site chosen for the GIE 11 event is Antiochian Village Conference & Retreat Center located at 140 Church Camp Trail • Bolivar, PA 15923. The direct phone number is 724-238-3677. You can email them through their contact tab on Antiochian webpage at www.antiochianvillage.org.
From the Northeast
Head West on Rt. 80, exiting at Route 220 South (Exit 161). Head South on Route 220 for about an hour as the road alternates between four-lane expressway and two-way highway, passing State College and Altoona. Exit onto Route 22, then head West on Route 22 for about a half hour. Exit onto Route 56. Proceed East on Rt. 56 which will join with Route 711 South. Follow Route 711 South, turning right after crossing a bridge and continue for approximately 13 miles. Entrance to the Antiochian Village will be on the left hand side, approximately 1 mile past Champion Lakes Golf Course and the Real McCoy Restaurant.
From the Pennsylvania Turnpike
Take the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76) to Exit 91 in Donegal. Follow the signs to Route 711 North. Proceed on Route 711 North for approximately 15 miles, and you will cross Route 30 and drive through "downtown" Ligonier. You will go around the Gazebo in the center of the town, and continue on Route 711 North. After approximately 4 miles, you will see a Sheetz Gas Station at a fork in the road. Bear left, staying on Route 711 North, and it is approximately 4 miles from that point. The entrance of the Antiochian Village will be on the right hand side.
From Pittsburgh International Airport
Follow signs leaving airport towards Pittsburgh. Just before passing through the Fort Pitt Tunnel, get to your right. You will need to get onto I-376 towards Monroeville. Stay on this highway until you reach the Pennsylvania Turnpike entrance. Head East on the Turnpike to Exit 91, which is the Donegal Exit. Follow directions from the Pennsylvania Turnpike as listed above.
Want to get in touch with us then email us at info@gatheringeast.org