Welcome Event ~ The Depot ~ Monday, February 6, 6:30-10:00 p.m.
The last train left in 1971, but The Depot still stands as a monument to romantic, adventurous rail days gone by. For nearly seven decades, family members and loved ones stood at the atrium of The Depot and waved to passengers boarding the trains of the Milwaukee Road line. Today The Depot is on the National Register of Historic Places and operates as an all-inclusive entertainment destination. ALDE will make history of its own during our Welcome Event as we gather together with old friends and new to enjoy live music, delicious local cuisine and glide along the ice at the indoor ice skating rink!
Read more about the Depot at http://www.thedepotminneapolis.com/history.php.
Don't worry if you weren't born on skates like most Minnesotans - there will be plenty of space to sit and talk, enjoying tasty food and engaging conversation. But if you are a skater, listen to this from The Depot website ...
"It's fun, it's romantic, and it's warm in the winter. Named one of the top ten best places in the United States to ice skate by the USA Today and MSNBC, The Depot Rink is a historic Downtown Minneapolis train shed that now houses a modern-day, indoor rink with floor-to-ceiling glass walls showcasing views of the downtown city skyline."
What's more, you'll have an opportunity to learn more about one of the fastest-growing winter sports in the U.S. - curling! You saw it on TV during the Winter Olympics, now try it for yourself. We will have members of the St. Paul Curling Club on hand with a set of rocks, so you can try your hand at throwing the rocks (actually, you slide them), and then sweeping them into the "house." Learn the lingo and try it out. (No special gear required - but no heels, please.)
Remember, we'll also have music and dancing. Or, for those who wish to relax in a quieter atmosphere, there will be engaging conversation and Scotch tasting by a cozy fireplace.
Learn more at http://www.thedepotminneapolis.com/ice-rink.php. (When on this website, you may see that The Depot has two hotels attached, but please note that neither are the conference hotel, which is the Hilton. Go here for conference hotel information.)
TRANSPORTATION INFO: Buses to the opening event will pick up passengers immediately following the opening worship service at Central Lutheran Church. Central Lutheran is an easy, 10 minute walk from the hotel through the indoor, climate-controlled skyway. ALDE volunteers will be on duty directing foot traffic from the Hilton to the church.
Minneapolis Skyway Map http://www.minneapolisconventioncenter.com/content/PDF/maps/map-skyways2010.pdf
Buses will be available beginning at 8:30 p.m. to bring you back to the Hilton. If you’d like to continue your evening by sampling Minneapolis nightlife, you can pick up a free shuttle along Nicollet Avenue and be dropped off within 1 block of the Hilton. Shuttles available until 1:00 a.m. http://www.metrotransit.org/ride-free-on-nicollet-mall.aspx.
2012 Conference Worship: “Mighty River, Deep and Wide”
“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of the city.” Psalms 46:4-5a
Mighty River, Deep and Wide is the theme that welcomes us all to the 2012 ALDE International Educational Conference. It is also a theme that centers us in worship.
In that spirit, opening worship on Monday will be a festive celebration at Central Lutheran Church, a beautiful, stately cathedral in the heart of the city. Rick Nelson, Ph.D., Senior Pastor at Central Lutheran, will be our preacher. Nelson is known for the genuine warmth and humor that shines through in his preaching. Adding to the festivities will be the music of the Augsburg College Choir and organist Gregory Peterson, Ph.D., Department Head, Associate Professor of Music and College Organist at Luther College.
Wednesday, February 8, begins with morning worship. Chris Dodge, Senior Pastor at St. Michael Lutheran Church in Bloomington, Minn., will preach. This contemporary worship will feature musicians from St. Michael Lutheran as they lead us into a full day of conference activities. ALDE lifers may remember Dodge from when he was the conference chaplain at the 2001 ALDE conference, also held at the downtown Minneapolis Hilton. Pastor Dodge is an amazing preacher, deeply engaging the listener in his words on The Word.
Our conference concludes with a meaningful sending service on Thursday morning, February 9. One of our own members, Cindy Halverson, Director for Development of the Evangelical Covenant Church, will give the sermon. Drawing on her wealth of experience as a fundraising executive and a participant in this conference, Cindy will send us on our way with God’s mission to fulfill. Piano accompaniment will also be courtesy of an ALDE member, with Brenda Moore, Gift Consultant, ELCA Foundation, leading us in song.
Servant Event: ALDE Teams up with LWR
NEW THIS YEAR - right at conference hotel
This year you will have the opportunity to volunteer on site at the hotel throughout the conference. A special project area where you can help assemble 1,200 Personal Care Kits for Lutheran World Relief to distribute throughout the world will be available on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. By packaging basic hygiene supplies, you will help families stay healthy while they are in difficult living conditions. Drop in to the LWR Personal Care Kit assembly area whenever you have time during the first three days of the conference. Your gift of time will make a powerful difference! Conference worship offerings will help cover the cost of shipping the assembled Kits to countries around the world where people need them.
Servant Event Schedule:
Monday, Feb. 6 - 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 7 - 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 8 - 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.