Oregon Christian Writers - Oregon Christian Writers
2010 Summer Conference
OCW Summer Coaching Conference Roundup
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this year's OCW Summer Coaching Conference, August 1-4 at Canby Grove Conference Center! We had a wonderful time, with terrific weather, great friends and much food for the writer's soul.
On the opening day of the conference, Summer Conference Director Patricia H. Rushford broke hundreds of hearts by announcing that she will be stepping as of this year. Pat, who has served OCW faithfully for the last six years, has been a treasure and a mentor to all of us.
"I began my journey as Summer Conference Director immediately following the 2004 conference and have loved serving OCW in this capacity," Pat said. "However, health issues, an aging parent and writing schedules have prompted me to ask the Lord for just the right person to take over. I believe we have been given that person."
That person is Lindy Jacobs, a longtime OCW** member and founder** of the Bend Christian Writers Group. Lindy takes over just as the Summer Conference is undergoing a major change: moving from our longtime meeting place at Canby Grove Conference Center to the Aldersgate Conference Center in Turner, OR.
QUOTE ABOUT/FROM LINDY here
This year, we were pleased to welcome Bill Myers and Jeff Gerke as our Keynote Speakers. Myers, a noted author and screenwriter, shared moving stories of his struggles in the publishing industry and the movie business, encouraging us to perservere and wait upon the Lord.QUOTE FROM BILL HERE
SC alumn Jeff Gerke, author and owner of Christian publishing house Marcher Lord Press, blessed the final day of our conference with the story of his family's journey to adopt Sophie Gerke, an infant girl from China born with a cleft palate. With a slideshow that had many conferees in tears, Jeff emphasized Bill Myers' message: perservere. Wait upon the Lord.
Each day of our conference was blessed with music from the immensely talented worship team of Laura Davis, Tom , Kristen Johnston and Hilary Lodge, leading conferees to make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Special guest Julie Hoy, a singer and songwriter making her first SC appearance, delighted and moved the worship service attendees with original songs and fellowship.*QUOTE
Some highlights of the conference:
Keeping Up with OCW - Fall 2010
Say Yes! to God and get ready for the ride of your life. That was the message author Bill Myers had for the summer conference attendees. We shared his roller coaster ride as we listened, laughed, and cried through his writing adventures.
By saying yes to God, Bill moved from the “boring” Christian life to hanging on by his fingernails as God offered him new challenges. Bill knew his inadequacies but said yes anyway. I learned that saying yes to God is for those of us who are weak. God will use those yeses to strengthen our faith with each new curve along the way.
Bill gave us the opportunity for a breathtaking intimate time with God. At the end of his last keynote address, we closed our eyes and listened to music from the fight scene in the movie Gladiator. He told us to focus on God, to pray and to listen.
Treasurer's Update: Summer Conference Success
You will learn many good things from summer conference this year in the write- ups from the rest of the team; however, I want to comment on several as treasurer.
Even though the number of attenders was slightly lower than last year, the expenses and income are even. OCW will once again be able to keep a CD or Money Market fund for future events and emergencies. The increased fees for the one-day conferences proved to be just what we needed to keep everything in the black.
The dues cover the limited overhead it takes to keep OCW functioning. The accountants file all the necessary forms with state and federal government as a not-for-profit group. We are working together as a team of happy people pleased to be serving in this portion of God’s vineyards. God has indeed blessed OCW with talented, caring people who give a lot to make each phase of our operation successful.
Summer Conference in Review - Lindy Jacobs
Bill Myers and Jeff Gerke challenged conferees to listen to God as they “Journey in the Write Direction.” Seems their messages struck a chord: “Best speakers I’ve ever heard,” and “Best conference ever!” are just a few of the many messages coming in from conferees, as well as editors, agents, and other presenters in the weeks following summer conference.
Many said they appreciated “not just the professional quality of the classes but also the sweet spirit that was present” in both the scheduled activities and the spontaneous ones like the worship gathering on the patio just as the dinner lines formed one evening. Everyone enjoyed the spirited debate “Plot vs. Character: Which is more important?” with James Scott Bell and Nick Harrison. Several editors said they love to come to OCW summer conference because they always find quality writers here.
As assistant director, I had the privilege of following Conference Director Pat Rushford around as she tended to a thousand details. I can personally attest to Pat’s dedication and love for her work as OCW Summer Coaching Conference director, a post she has faithfully served in for the past six years. She and Sue Miholer, together with the conference team, worked all year to plan a conference that provided opportunities to polish writing skills and to fellowship, worship, and meet with professionals from the publishing industry.
Schedule
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Conference Schedule |
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Monday, August 2 |
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1:00–4:00: |
Registration in Riverfront Lodge |
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2:00–3:00: |
Welcome and Orientation in Mt. Hood Pavilion |
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3:30–4:30: |
Workshop Session A – Workshops (see Workshop Descriptions) |
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4:45–5:45: |
Magazine Editor and Agent Panel |
| 6:00 |
Dinner |
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7:15–8:45: |
Worship & Keynote Address with Bill Myers |
| 9:00 |
Vespers |
| 9:30 |
Nite Owls |
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Tuesday, August 3 |
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8:00–8:45: |
Breakfast |
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9:00–9:30: |
Devotions in Mt. Hood Pavilion |
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9:45–12:15: |
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12:30–1:30: |
Lunch |
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2:00–5:00: |
Editor Appointments |
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2:00–3:00: |
Workshop Session B – Workshops (see Workshop Descriptions) |
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3:30–4:30: |
Workshop Session C – Workshops (see Workshop Descriptions) |
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4:45–5:45: |
Book Editor Panel |
| 6:00 |
Dinner |
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7:15–8:45: |
Worship & Keynote Address with Bill Myers |
| 9:00 |
Vespers |
| 9:30 |
Nite Owls |
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Wednesday, August 4 |
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8:00–8:45: |
Breakfast |
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9:00–9:30: |
Devotions |
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9:45–12:15: |
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12:30–1:30: |
Lunch |
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2:00–5:00: |
Editor Appointments |
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2:00–3:00: |
Workshop Session D – Workshops (see Workshop Descriptions) |
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3:30–4:30: |
Workshop Session E – Workshops (see Workshop Descriptions) |
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4:45–5:45: |
Autograph Party in the Bookstore |
| 6:00 |
Dinner |
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7:15–8:45: |
Worship & Keynote Address with Bill Myers |
| 9:00 |
Vespers |
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9:30: |
Nite Owls |
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Thursday, August 5 |
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7:30–8:00: |
Devotions |
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8:00–8:45: |
Breakfast |
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9:00–11:00: |
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11:00–11:30: |
Coffee Break |
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11:30–12:30: |
Closing Session: Keynote with Jeff Gerke; Worship and Communion |
| 1:00 |
Checkout from rooms and Canby Grove |
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(12:45: |
Optional lunch is $12 and must be arranged and paid for by Tuesday morning.) |
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| Writer's Prayer - May 2010 |
Heavenly Father, Almighty Savior, God of Truth, we praise You. As we remember Your holy Word, we bow before You. Jesus is the Living Word who came into the world to do for us what we couldn’t do for ourselves.
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Upcoming Conferences
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- 02/19/11 – Red Lion Inn (Salem) with David W. Pierce
- 05/14/11 – Northwest Christian University (Eugene) with Jim Rubart
- 10/15/11 – Multnomah University (Portland) with Clint Kelly
OCW Doctrine
Founded in 1963, we are an organization of writers, both amateur and professional, who are Christians. Our members write for both ministry and markets, and subscribe to this doctrine: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell; the third day He arose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic (universal) church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen. OCW’s doctrinal statement is the Apostles' Creed, to which our presenters adhere. Our aim is to glorify God and to help writers grow in their craft. OCW does not necessarily endorse the theological opinions expressed by its presenters in print or spoken word.
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Oregon Christian Writers
1075 Willow Lake Road N.
Keizer OR 97303
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