The Front Line Ministry Forum wi

The Front Line Ministry Forum will be gathering in November!

Please let us know you're interested: CLICK HERE.

Dates: Friday November 20th, 2009 to 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 21st, 2009
Location: Sky Lake Camp and Retreat Center, Windsor, New York (near Binghamton)

In May, the New York State Council of Churches brought together those providing front line ministries – soup kitchens, food pantries, homeless shelters and other congregational and community based ministries directly serving those in need – to build solidarity among providers and to address social needs collectively. People came from all over New York State. Many more were interested in coming, but had schedule conflicts.

Now we are offering another forum! The goal of this forum will be to build upon the solidarity we began to accomplish together in May. We will expand discussions about how to coordinate ministries more efficiently -- so that we can better offer radical hospitality and respect for one's dignity. Among the truly valuable experiences in May was the opportunity to share resources, experiences, and best practices -- ranging from religious grant information to trading surplus foods participants happened to bring with them. We encourage everyone to bring resources they may wish to share.

Further goals of the November gathering will be to:

Continue to identify common challenges to our ministries and to those we serve.
Continue to identify public policies that could help overcome those challenges.
Empower the New York State Council of Churches to advocate on their behalf in Albany and Washington, D.C.
Continue to build steps toward an ongoing front line forum with expanded participation.

The planning team continues to to identify as many front line ministries as it can. If you are a part of (or know of) a front line ministry in your area, please let us know so they can be included.

Our resources currently allow us to cover food and lodging for approximately 25 people, so you are urged to express your interest quickly!

Please fill out the contact interest form on our web site, or if you have a ministry in mind, forward the link to this page to them. .

When we receive your interest form response, we will direct you to the registration form. The only cost to participants will be their transportation to and from Windsor.