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We're excited to have as our guest speaker Jimmy Allen (Hartford, CT); John Causey (Los Angeles, CA); Mike and Anne Brigette Taliaferro (San Antonia, TX).  I'm confident the Lord will use them to powerfully communicate His Word during the conference. We're doing things a little differently this year.   1. The Schedule: We received so much positive feedback last year from those who stayed at the hotels.  Families enjoyed spending time together.  The teens enjoyed hanging out after the sessions fellowshipping with one another in the lobbies and restaurants of the hotels.  With this in mind we wanted to encourage more and more families and singles to stay in the hotels.  In order to help it was decided that we'd begin the conference on Saturday morning at 10:00 and move the Friday night program to Saturday night.  This means participants would only be paying for one night's stay at the conference. 2. The Registration Fee: We modified the Registration Fee to more adequately meet our financial obligations while at the same time making it more attractive for families.  Therefore we introduced for the first time and Family Maximum amount.  The rates are: Adults $50,  Campus, Teens and Seniors are $25.  With a maximum of $125 per family.  The rates increase a few weeks before the conference to: Adults $60; Campus, Teens and Seniors $30.  With a maximum of $150 per family.  Obviously, it saves to register early. 3. School Aged Children's Program (K-4th grade):  We wanted to make it easier for every member in a family to participate in the conference.  Therefore we'll be offering a School Aged Children's Program.  The program will be Saturday morning and afternoon.  The evening session will include an interactive concert that we're confident the kids will like. 4. Ministry Staff Workshop: On Friday afternoon we're offering a workshop for ministry staff.  The workshop will include a luncheon, lesson and discussion and will run from 12:00 - 4:00 PM (lunch 12:00 - 1:30PM, workshop 1:30 - 4:00 PM).  The Lord has been using the conference guest speakers in some amazing ways and we thought it would be a benefit to the NE staff to spend some time with them.  Please make your plans to attend.  Most likely most of the hotel rooms won't be available until after the workshop.  We will try to get some rooms for early registration and use them for ministry staff with young children. 5. Leaders Workshop: This year we're gong to invite all the leaders from the NE and NY churches to join us for a workshop geared towards them.  This includes Family Group Leaders, Bible Talk Leaders, Teen Leaders, etc. Right now it looks like there will be no charge for the workshop.  We are recommending leaders who attend stay at the hotel Friday night.  Some churches are subsidizing the hotel cost for one night to help their leaders out. 6. Storr's / UCONN church Planting: Last year it was announced that in 2008 the NE churches were planning on sending out a new church planting in New England. It has been exciting as the plans have come together.  This year - we'll see the first NE church planted in some time.  Praise God!   7. Contribution for the Poor and Needy:  Last year is was suggested that we take up a combined contribution for the poor and needy.  Therefore on Saturday night we'll be taking up a collection for the poor and needy.  It's a great opportunity for us to give and help meet a need.  It's also a great opportunity for our children to participate in something so dear to God's heart.