The 2017 Los Angeles Religious Education Congress is only a month away. Are you ready? Did you receive your Registration Guidebook? Have you picked your workshops? Have you registered? You can do all that and get info online at www.RECongress.org.
If you haven't yet registered, don't wait. You can register as an individual or as a group (a group is just 2 or more, all paying with one credit card) and now you can pay online with a credit card or check (use the ACH process).
And remember these upcoming deadlines: January 27 is the last day to order customized Youth Day T-shirts; on February 2 many hotels' special rate offers end; and February 22 is the last day you can purchase specially priced Disney tickets.
It's in the bag at Congress!
Everyone who registers for RECongress 2017 will receive a souvenir gift bag, available at the Program Book Pick-Up area. This year Catholic Cemeteries & Mortuaries is sponsoring the "swag" bag, featuring the Congress logo on one side and the Cemeteries logo on the other. Items in the bag include a lanyard sponsored by My Saint My Hero, the RECongress Program book, and a special edition of Angelus, the newsweekly of the Los Angeles Archdiocese.
Next week is the last week to custom order your official Youth Day T-shirts from Seraph7 Clothing. Customize your Youth Day shirt with your youth ministry or parish name on the back for only $3 more. All orders must be with payment must be received by January 27, 2017 for direct shipping.
Orders online at www.seraph7.com or email them directly at seraph7clothing@gmail.com for any questions.
Fear of uncertainty, messing up, being rejected and feeling awkward can keep us paralyzed in our “comfort zone.” But stress, worry and loneliness are the real costs of staying “comfortable.” Our God calls us to risk choosing a life of action, adventure and vulnerability. By learning to lean into fear, awkwardness and uncertainty, we can discover the joy, peace and happiness God promises.
The Youth Day staff invites any adult not chaperoning a parish or school group to be a volunteer for our event. Youth Day volunteers are assigned to a variety of positions throughout the day. This is a great way to experience Youth Day without the duties of being a chaperone – and to enjoy our event for free of charge. To volunteer for Youth Day 2017, all adults must be compliant with their Diocese’s Safe Environment policies and procedures (fingerprinting/background checks, etc.) including compliance with required Safe Environment Adult Training. Please contact your Diocesan Youth Ministry Office to find out details about your required programs. For more information about volunteering or to submit your name to be part of our team, please contact Erin Avila at RECYouthDay@gmail.com or at (559) 259-8232. Come join the fun! We need you.
Theologian and frequent Congress speaker Jim Wallis is author of 10 books, including the New York Times best-seller “God’s Politics” and his most recent, “On God’s Side: What Religion Forgets and Politics Hasn’t Learned about Serving the Common Good.” Wallis is founder and President of Sojourners and Editor-in-Chief of Sojourners magazine. His columns appear in major newspapers and blogs, and he regularly appears as a television and radio commentator. He has taught at Harvard University in Massachusetts and currently teaches a course on faith and social justice at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.
In this session, Jim Wallis will take a look at the intersection of faith, religion, society and politics in the United States. Biblical as well as secular versions of “social justice” will be explored.
Appointed in 2015, Bishop David O’Connell is Episcopal Vicar of the San Gabriel Pastoral Region, one of the five pastoral regions in the Los Angeles Archdiocese. He served as Associate Pastor at St. Raymond in Downey, St. Maria Goretti in Long Beach, and St. Hillary in Pico Rivera, and also as Pastor of St. Frances X. Cabrini, Ascension Church, St. Eugene and St. Michael parishes, all in Los Angeles.
OCP artists, songwriters and storytellers Sarah Hart and Jesse Manibusan team up to share stories and songs, both new and old, for Sunday lunchtime entertainment. Come experience the joy of these two friends, and sing along!
The Religious Education Congress has made arrangements for airport transportation with Karmel Shuttle, offering direct service between Los Angeles International (LAX), John Wayne (SNA), and Long Beach (LGB) airports to and from the Anaheim Resort area. Rates for Los Angeles International (LAX) to/from Anaheim Resort with the discount is $22 for a one-way transfer (reflects a $4 discount). Rates for John Wayne Airport (SNA) to/from the Anaheim Resort is $15 for a one-way transfer (reflects a $4 discount). Reservations are required a minimum of 24 hours in advance.
if you haven't already done so, be sure to make your hotel reservations. RECongress has contracted with a number of nearby hotels to the Anaheim Convention Center for special rates for attendees. To get the quoted rates, be sure to inform them that you are attending RECongress and ask for the REC or Religious Education Congress Block Group Rate. Note: Many of the hotels guarantee special rates only through February 2.
Religious Education Congress attendees may purchase specially priced Disneyland resort eTickets prior to their arrival. There is special pricing for Twilight Convention tickets (after 4 pm), 1-day 1-park, multi-day and park hopper tickets. This eTicket offer is only available online at mydisneygroup.com/recongress2017 and ends February 22, 2017. The tickets are valid from Thursday, February 17, 2016, through Tuesday, February 26, 2017.
Ralphs Grocery Company, the Southern California supermarket chain, has a program to non-profit organizations with annual contributions. We invite you to register and/or re-register your Ralphs Rewards Card to benefit the RECongress. The current term began September 1 and runs through August 31, 2019. You may do that online or by calling (800) 443-4438. This is an annual program that must be renewed each year. Even if you registered earlier this year, you are required to re-register each new term.
You can find all Congress information and updates online. Our RECongress Emailings feature some Congress Spotlights and we will be adding speaker and hotel information. Check our site for the latest updates and announcements.