The Fire of the Word Event

EVENT UPDATES
_____________________

• early registration extended to 3/1/2012
• added a Friday workshop track on children & spiritual formation
• Download Registration Brochure
• Download an Event Flyer
• Download a Bulletin Insert
• Reserve a Hotel Room
• Become a Partner
• Become an Exhibitor

REGISTER ONLINE

Become a Partner

Exhibitors
Asland Theological Seminary
Denver Seminary
Iliff School of Theology

Become an Exhibitor

CONFERENCE DETAILS

MEETING SITE >
Trinity United Methodist Church
Founded in 1859 as the Auraria and Denver City Methodist Episcopal Mission and with a building built as Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church in 1888, what is now Trinity United Methodist Church is among the first Christian congregations in Colorado. One of the finest examples of Modern Gothic architecture in the United States, a vibrant community available to its downtown neighbors in hospitality and outreach now makes Trinity home.

Trinity UMC Pictures
• Outside
• Sanctuary Front
• Sanctuary Back
• Exhibit Space

HOTEL > Grand Hyatt Denver
$129/night is the rate for the conference hotel, the Grand Hyatt Denver. Located in downtown Denver, it is a 5-minute walk from Trinity United Methodist Church and near many dining options. You may find a similar rate at a hotel in Denver, but you will not find one closer to Trinity nor at a better value (typically this hotel sells for $179+ per night). This $129/night rate is available for arrivals as early as Wednesday, May 2, and departing on Sunday, May 6. (You can add on the night of Sunday, May 6, for $189 per room. Doing so will not affect your $129/night rate for the other nights.) Reserve your room at the Hyatt website or call 1-800-233-1234 and say to the automated system (insert the arrival and departure dates you want): “I would like a room at the Grand Hyatt Denver for May ___-___ 2012 for the Renovaré Group.”

AIRLINE > United & Frontier Airlines
United Airlines and Frontier Airlines both serve Denver International Airport, which keeps fares quite low. Visit their websites, online travel sites, your travel agent, or call Bonnie Parker of AAA Travel at 1-316-722-6226 to purchase your ticket.

BOOKSTORE & EXHIBITORS
The Fire of the Word and other books, including those by the featured speakers, will be available at the event at discounted prices. A number of publisher and spiritual formation ministry exhibitors will also be available. Potential exhibitors may apply for one of 10 available spots. Download the exhibitor application.

PROMOTIONAL ITEMS

Registration Brochure
Informational Flyer
Bulletin Insert
Web Ads:
120pw x 240pt
180pw x 320pt
225pw x 225pt
300pw x 250pt
475pw x 260pt
880pw x 180pt (use pre 2/15/12)
880pw x 180pt (use post 2/15/12)

ABOUT THE FIRE OF THE WORD EVENT

The Fire of the Word is an event on the Bible that will address questions such as—
•	Is the Bible a living and active guide for our lives? Or is it more a burdensome rulebook, a weighty authority instead of an intimate friend?
•	Can Biblical scholarship contribute to our life of discipleship?
•	What spiritual practices does Scripture lead us towards and how does it serve as a unique resource for the devotional life?
•	How does the Bible shape communities?
•	Is there a uniqueness to the Gospels to which we should pay attention?

Chris, Richard, Ruth, David, George, Jim, Sarah, and all of us will be exploring questions such as these and many more during our time together in Denver. FRIDAY WORKSHOPS: For an additional fee, you can attend a day-long workshop intensive on Friday featuring Chris Webb on Scripture and formation, James Bryan Smith on the Apprentice Series, Ruth Haley Barton on leadership, George Skramstad on worship, Sarah Butler Berlin on formation and pastoral care, or the Stepping Stones staff on children and spiritual practices.

speakers

CHRIS WEBB—An ordained priest in the Church in Wales and now the Renovaré USA president, Chris received his theological training from Trinity College in Bristol and is the author of The Fire of the Word: Meeting God on Holy Ground.

RICHARD J. FOSTER—The founder of Renovaré, Richard has authored many books including Life With God: Reading the Bible for Spiritual Transformation (with Kathryn A. Helmers) and Sanctuary of the Soul: Journey Into Meditative Prayer, his latest.

RUTH HALEY BARTON—The founder of the Transforming Center, Ruth is the author of many books including Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry and Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation.

DAVID ARTHUR DESILVA—Professor of New Testament and Greek at Ashland Theological Seminary, David is the author of many books, including An Introduction to the New Testament and Sacramental Life: Spiritual Formation Through the Book of Common Prayer.

GEORGE SKRAMSTAD—A worship leader, practitioner, composer, and clinician, George is pastor of worship ministries at Crossings Community Church (Oklahoma City) and the producer/performer of George Skramstad's History of Worship.

JAMES BRYAN SMITH—Director of The Aprentis Institute andreligion professor at Friends University, Jim is an ordained United Methodist minister and has written many books including Room of Marvels and The Apprentice Series and co-edited Devotional Classics.

SARAH BUTLER BERLIN—An Episcopal Priest, spiritual director, retreat leader and for many years canon pastor at St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral (Denver), Sarah is the author of Contemplative Compassion: Creating a Culture of Care in Faith Communities.

LACY BORGO, PAULA FROST & VERNIE SCHORR—The staff of
Stepping Stones, a Renovaré ministry for children, Paula (Director),
Vernie, and Lacy have dozens of publications and 1000s of hours of
formation-based educator trainging to their credit.

schedule

FRIDAY, MAY 4
8:00am	Registration Opens at Hyatt
9:00am to 4:30pm	Friday Workshops (optional—additional fee) * - Hearts on Fire—Reading Scripture for Spiritual Transformation - Apprentices of Jesus—Knowing the Good and Beautiful God - Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership—A Taste of the Transforming Center - Leading Worship for Spiritual Formation—Theory and Practice - Contemplative Compassion—Creating a Culture of Care in Faith Communities - Stepping Stones—Spiritual Formation Practices with Children lunch is on your own during the Friday workshops
5:00pm	Registration Opens at Trinity UMC
7:00pm	Session 1 – Chris Webb “Beyond the Bible: From Reading to Relationship”
8:30pm	Formational Worship Experience – George Skramstad
9:00pm	Evening Prayer

SATURDAY, MAY 5
8:30am	Coffee/Bookstore
9:00am	Morning Prayer
9:15am	Session 2 – David Arthur deSilva “Attentive to the Word: Biblical Scholarship and the Devotional Life”
10:30am	Break/Bookstore
11:00am	Session 3 – Ruth Haley Barton “Living the Bible: Engaging the Scriptures for Spiritual Transformation”
11:55am	Noonday Prayer
12:00pm	Lunch (on your own)
1:30pm	Session 4 – James Bryan Smith “Nurturing the Good and Beautiful Community: Scripture and Life Together”
2:45pm	Break/Bookstore
3:15pm	Session 5 – Richard J. Foster “The Book of Christ: Living a Gospel Life”
4:30pm	Closing Worship Experience – George Skramstad
5:00pm	Afternoon Prayer
7:30pm	Richard Foster 70th Birthday Party **
9:00pm	Evening Prayer

* Friday Workshops are smaller intensives (20-60 people) including the below listed speakers and topics. Each workshop track includes four sessions and will be held Friday from 9:00am-4:30pm at the Hyatt (including 90 minute break for lunch on your own). Participants will dig deeply into the presented content. Click below for detailed descriptions. Register online or by phone to register for a Friday workshop track. Seating is limited. Please register early.

Chris Webb	Hearts on Fire— Reading Scripture for Spiritual Transformation
James Bryan Smith	Apprentices of Jesus— Knowing the Good and Beautiful God
Ruth Haley Barton	Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership— A Taste of the Transforming Center
George Skramstad	Leading Worship for Spiritual Formation— Theory and Practice
Sarah Butler Berlin	Contemplative Compassion— Creating a Culture of Care in Faith Communities
Paula Frost Lacy Borgo & Vernie Schorr	Stepping Stones— Spiritual Formation Practices with Children

** Richard Foster’s 70th Birthday is in early May 2012! We will be celebrating this Saturday May 5 at 7:30pm at Trinity United Methodist Church, as a fundraiser for Renovaré USA. Cake, ice cream, stories, some comments by Richard, lots of fun! The minimum suggested donation is $19. There is no maximum donation amount, and it would be especially meaningful to use a variant of 70—$70, $700, $7,000 or more. Even if you cannot attend the party, we hope you will make a gift to Renovaré in honor of Richard's 70th birthday.

REGISTRATION

REGISTER ONLINE

Early Registration (thru 3/1/2012)	$89 per person
Regular Registration (thru 4/15/2012)	$109 per person
Late Registration (thru 5/4/2012)	$119 per person
Partner Registration (any time)	$99 per person
Friday Workshops *	$59 per person
Richard J. Foster 70th Birthday Party **	$19 per person (min.)