The Community of Hope in the Episcopal Diocese of Texas offers a conference each summer dedicated to developing Benedictine spirituality, community, and pastoral care skills through worship, workshops, prayer, lecture, and fellowship for members of The Community of Hope and churches or institutions that desire to become a COH center.  The conference is held at Camp Allen Episcopal Conference Center in Navasota, Texas.  Our keynote speaker for the 12th Annual Conference, June 11 – 13, 2009, is the Reverend Murray R. Powell.  Mr. Powell will be speaking on our conference theme, Welcoming the Stranger.  The Right Reverend Rayford High, Suffragen Bishop of the Diocese of Texas will be the celebrant at the Thursday evening Eucharist.  The Trinity Jazz Ensemble will provide the music for that service.  The Friday evening Taize Service will be led by musicians from Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church.  Father Peter and Brother Michael will both talk about humility in The Rule of Benedict.

With this conference, The Community of Hope initial training became more accessible to churches in the Episcopal Diocese of Texas and other churches and institutions throughout the United States, initiating significant growth for COH.  A curriculum developed from the early years of The Community of Hope through notes and outlines of lectures given by knowledgeable faculty, speaking on a number of topics relative to pastoral care.   Several churches began offering the training on their campuses, and a strong interest began to grow as other churches became aware of it.  St. Luke’s Episcopal Health Charities awarded their first grant to COH in 1997, producing a training manual and followed by the first conference presenting the new curriculum in 1998.

The conference is designed to enhance pastoral and leadership skills as well as deepen the lay pastoral caregivers’ spiritual life.  Some participants find the event becomes a retreat as wells as a conference. Each year knowledgeable speakers and workshop leaders teach on a variety of topics with opportunities for meaningful worship and meditation.  Over time, the conference has developed its own feel and habit, which many observe, yet find it difficult to define.

Christian hospitality is a core value at Camp Allen, making it an ideal home for our conference.  Camp Allen warmly receives its guests and desires to make your stay comfortable; if you need something, just ask!  The accommodations and food are outstanding and offered at a very reasonable rate.  We invite you to be a part of this rich community experience, whether you have attended all of the conferences or if it will be your very first visit.   We appreciate your inquiry and hope you will be able to join us this summer.  Provided below are links for you to learn more about the conference.  If you have any questions, please call the COH office at 832-355-4388 or email us at lbogard@sleh.com.

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