The Rev. Dr. Sharon E. Watkins is the 7th General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the first woman to lead a mainline protestant denomination. An ordained minister, Watkins most recently served as Senior Minister of Disciples Christian Church in Bartlesville, Okla. She holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Phillips Theological Seminary, a Master's of Divinity from Yale Divinity School, and a Bachelor's degree in French and economics from Butler University.

The Rev. Lydia Veliko, an ordained pastor in the United Church of Christ, was called to serve as the Minister for Ecumenical Relations of the UCC in 2000. She is a graduate of Yale Divinity School and served a congregation in Minneapolis. She has also served as director for the Commission on Faith & Order for the Minnesota Council of Churches.

A Disciples minister and youth consultant with over 30 years of experience in youth ministries, Randy Kuss served as Director of Youth Ministries for the Disciples of Christ for eight years. He is currently Director of Christian Education and Youth for Speedway Christian Church, Speedway, Indiana. He participated in the Youth Ministry & Spirituality Project at San Francisco Theological Seminary and has begun two new ventures: the Youth Ministries Coach-Trainer Project and God @ Center Retreats.

Paul Svenson is a singer, songwriter and song leader. For the past 18 years he has served on the staff at University Christian Church (DOC) in San Diego. He has participated in hundreds of conferences, assemblies, camps and workshops. In addition to his work in the church, for 30 years he has been a music producer/arranger/engineer with over 100 album productions to his credit. Paul's songs are published in songbooks/hymnals for the Christian Church (DOC), United Church of Canada and United Methodist Church. He has 3 CD releases and a songbook.

Be a Global Mission Church with Bob Shebeck and Michael Obenauer. Whether your next step is to find a world map, study globalization or plan a mission exposure trip, we encourage you to put a foot forward and take a step into world mission. This workshop will show you how your congregation can stretch toward a new level of interest in commitment to God's world.

Pay Attention: God in Your Youth Ministry with Randy Kuss. For adults who work with youth, this workshop will explore practices for finding God in the midst of the demanding and joyful ministry with young people.

Right, Left & Political Theology with Travis McAdam. The Religious Right has fused ultra-conservative theology with electoral politics. Come find out how this strategy developed and why mainstream churches should be concerned.

Genetics, Biology & Mice 101 with Dr. John Bermingham. The McLaughlin Research Institute is an independent, non-profit research organization in Great Falls. We will have an opportunity to tour the lab area and talk with Dr. Bermingham about research projects at the Institute.

Understanding the Poor Who Are With Us with Shelly Fagenstrom and Margaret Houge. Shelly and Margaret, Disciples elders and Great Falls educators, offer insights on the hidden rules of poverty and assumptions of middle class values, using the work of Ruby Payne.

The Wider Table with Lydia Veliko. The number of seats at the ecumenical stable is growing. Come learn about the challenges and opportunities presented by these wider dialogues.

Conversation with the General Minister and President with Sharon Watkins. The Disciples GMP will be available to answer questions and to discuss issues facing the church in the 21st Century.

An Increasingly Inconvenient Truth with Chuck Tooley. Global warming has become a challenge that we must face in this decade. Learn what has led us to this situation and what we can do about it.

Discerning A Call to Participate in MAC LMI with Doug Taylor. Come learn about the ecumenical education program for lay people sponsored by the Montana Association of Churches. Imagine yourself learning with people from eight denominations!