Join with Lutheran Campus Ministry staff and guests for the 2017 ELCA Campus Ministry Staff Conference in Austin, Texas.  All campus ministry staff (part-time, full-time  and retired) are encouraged to attend this important event where everyone benefits from connecting with and learning from each other and guests from Churchwide, synods, seminaries and others serving in connection with LCM. This year, we extend a special welcome to our colleagues from the ELCA college campuses.

THEME AND SPEAKERS

“Reformation: There’s an app for that!”

This year’s summer conference in Austin will move commemoration of the Reformation beyond ceremony to contextualizing Reformation theology especially as it applies to campus ministry.

With this goal in mind, we are excited to hear from Dr. Mindy Makant (Lenoir-Rhyne University), recently consecrated a deaconess in the ELCA and whose work has focused on the redemptive process of sharing stories of suffering.  Also with us will be Dr. Christy Lohr Sapp (Duke University) whose specialty is bringing Reformation theology to bear upon interfaith dialogue.

We’ll hear from two panels of practitioners who will respond to our two keynotes and share how they have applied Lutheran theology in ways that resonate with our theme.

And duh: You’ll have time with colleagues to share ideas, deepen relationships, and support one another.

Pack up all your weirdness and bring it to Austin; you’ll have the opportunity to see bats from a boat, take a plunge in Barton Springs, re-create, refresh, and renew yourselves in a city that’ll Hook you, fo’ sho’!”

LOCATION

The University of Texas is located in Austin, Texas, the capital of Texas, self-proclaimed live music capital of the world, showcasing the TV show “The Austin City Limits,” home of the SXSW film/music/multimedia festival, and proud to promote our motto, “Keep Austin Weird.”

SLEEPING ACCOMMODATIONS

Conference accommodations are at Dobie Twenty21,  an apartment style residence.  Each suite includes a common living and kitchen area with a refrigerator.  Participants will have a private bedroom and bathroom, sink and shower area, located on either side of the shared space.  Basic linens (sheets, towels, pillow and blanket) and toilet paper will be provided. You are responsible for toiletries and other personal needs.  

A fitness room, basketball court and swimming pool are available to use, free of charge.  Bring workout clothes and swimsuit if you want to work out.

• Check-in time will be 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 21
• A $50 key deposit will be required at check-in.  Please be prepared to pay by cash or use a credit card.  Your money will be refunded at the time of your departure when you return your key. 
• Additional night stay

Tuesday night stay is available for an additional $45 per person. If your region, work team, etc. would like to arrive early for a planning meeting, please contact Rebecca Guengerich (rguengerich@gmail.com) to arrange meeting space.

WORKSHOP FACILITIES AND MEALS

The conference sessions, workshops, worship and meals will take place in various locations near campus including the University Catholic Center, Dobie Twenty21, the LuMin Student Center and the University Presbyterian Church. All areas are handicapped accessible and AIR CONDITIONED. Texans love air conditioning so bring a sweater or jacket to keep you warm if the facilities are too cold for your comfort level.

Meals will be served in the following locations:

• Breakfasts and lunches will be served in the dining hall @ Dobie.
• The Dobie Terrace will be the location of our first evening reception.  Yes, it will be HOT; however, air conditioning and a swimming pool are only steps away.  Texas BBQ will be served, so boots and cowboy hats are welcome for Two-stepping and the Cotton-Eye Joe. 
• Thursday dinner will be on your own.  Many “fine” college establishments are located on “The Drag,” an easy walk from our meeting space.  Later that evening, a bus will transport the group to Lady Bird Lake for a riverboat cruise through downtown Austin and bat watching at sunset. 
• Friday evening is Fiesta night (Conference Banquet, Awards and Recognition) at the University Presbyterian Church.  Dress attire is casual, bright fiesta colors.       
• Coffee shops & convenience stores are located close to campus for additional needs.

PARKING

A parking pass may be purchased for $15.00 per day to park in the garage across the street from Dobie.  This will be billed to your credit card.

The pass must be returned at the time of departure. YOU WILL BE CHARGED $10.00 for an unreturned parking pass.

TRANSPORTATION

TRAVEL EXPENSES ARE ON YOUR OWN. Limited scholarship funds for travel equalization are available for airfare over $400. Please send requests for scholarships to Lori Ruge-Jones, pastor@universitylutheran.org, by May 10.

• TO/FROM AIRPORT: Upon arrival to Austin, travel to Dobie Twenty 21 (2021 Guadalupe Street; drop off spot is on Whitis between 20th and 21st Street) located on the University of Texas Campus about 10 miles or 25 minutes from the Austin-Bergstrom Airport using one of the following options:
  • Campus Ministry shuttle — Make arrangements with Lori Ruge-Jones, pastor@universitylutheran.org. Please include arrival and departure days and times with email.
  • Airport Flyer (city bus) 40 minute ride, 6 block walk, $1.25. 512-424-1700
  • Austin Super Shuttle – 30 minute ride, $19. Call  800-851-4528 to schedule.   
  • Ridesharing in Austin: Uber and Lyft do not operate in Austin, but several others do; here’s a list: http://kxan.com/2016/06/02/travelers-guide-ridesharing-apps-offer-rides-from-austin-airport/
  • Cab –  +/- $50, from Ground Transportation Center at airport.

Upon arrival at the Dobie, proceed to the second floor off the Whitis Street Entrance and look for the conference registration table in the main lobby.

• SHUTTLES: 

Our sleeping and meeting facilities are 5 blocks apart. If you will need transportation between them, please contact Lori Ruge-Jones, pastor@universitylutheran.org

Limited transportation will be provided for Friday afternoon free time, and for the Bat Cruise (see below).

BAT CRUISE (Thursday evening)

It is a spectacular sight to see the bats emerge from the bridge at sunset! An estimated 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats live under the Congress Avenue Bridge. It is the largest urban colony in North America, recognized by National Geographic, The Discovery Channel, and various other news media. Transportation will be provided from the Dobie to the bat cruise, but many people will be out and about getting supper on your own prior to the cruise. Return transportation will be provided at specified times.

FRIDAY RECREATION TIME

Off-Campus Sites

Friday afternoon is unscheduled, to allow you time to explore the great city of Austin. Limited transportation will be provided, depending on demand. Some suggestions are:

• Swim at Barton Springs or hike/canoe/standup paddle board at Zilker
• Walk around the lake on the trail (1 to 4 miles depending on where you start)
• Shop at South Congress Stores, experience Amy’s ice cream, coffee at Joe’s coffee shop, take your picture at the iconic “I love you” sign
• Visit the Capitol
• Hang out in Downtown Austin area restaurants/bars/Austin City Limits studio with Willie Nelson Statue

Places on/near the U.T. Campus

• Ransom Center– “Spirituality and Art” reflection for the exhibition which will be: Stories to Tell: stories of inspiration, adaptation, innovation, confrontation, collaboration, and frustration—all selected from its extensive cultural collections. This exhibition includes manuscripts of David Foster Wallace, Julia Alvarez, and Gabriel García Márquez, Henri Matisse’s Jazz, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s spirit photographs, and the hat that accompanied the green curtain dress worn by Vivien Leigh in Gone With The Wind. The Ransom also displays a Gutenberg Bible.
• ​Blanton Art Museum – The Museum will be in between exhibitions but the permanent collection will be available for viewing.
• Bob Bullock Texas History Museum – http://www.thestoryoftexas.com/
• Sky Spaces http://turrell.utexas.edu/ Sit in a Kiva style structure and view the sky through a hole in the ceiling….It is a cool (as in not hot) space to sit in the summer. No Reservations are required during the day.
• Take a self-guided tour of the landmarks public art installations on campus (the sky space is one of the art installations)   https://landmarks.utexas.edu/collection
• LBJ Presidential library http://www.lbjlibrary.org/
• U.T. Student Union: bowling (glow in the dark bowling); Hang out at the Cactus Cafe and Bar, check out their live music calendar once you arrive (tickets are about $20); escorted tours to the top of the U.T. tower, if they are open in June. https://universityunions.utexas.edu/texas-union/scene/underground/facilities-and-rates,
• Hang out at the shops on the Drag and the 10 best bars on the Drag https://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=bars&find_loc=The+Drag%2C+Austin%2C+TX

REGISTER @ https://www.luminelca.org/register/ 

REGISTRATION DEADLINES

• Early Registration: until April 25
• Late Registration: April 26  –  May 27 on a space available basis 

Conference Fees:

Commuter (Staff or ministry partner.) Meals and conference only (no housing) $150

LCM Staff – Leadership/Conference Planning Team (Tuesday Arrival) $210

LCM Staff and ELCA College Campus Pastors– Late Registration @ Subsidized Rate (April 25 – May 27th on a space available basis) $210

LCM Partner – Exhibitors, Retired/Former Campus Ministers, etc. $250

Partner/Spouse/Family – $250

Honored Guests (Speakers & Bishops) no fee

PAYMENT

Make your payment online or mail in payment.

If paying by check, send to: LCM Network 1101 E 56th St. Chicago, IL 60637 c/o Ben Adams

ANY QUESTIONS?

 

Contact Rebecca Guengerich, Conference Registrar: rguengerich@gmail.com