Dear NACC Friends,
As the chair for the 2015 NACC National Conference, I invite each of you to join us for this very special time in our association as we gather to celebrate our 50th anniversary!
Our conference theme speaks about honoring the many gifts we have received. As we celebrate 50 years – our Jubilee! – it feels so appropriate to stop for just a few minutes and open our hearts with gratitude to the many blessings we have received from NACC, from each other, from our patients and colleagues, and perhaps most of all, from the ministry itself.
Our time together will be about honoring those gifts. We will celebrate our rich and amazing history, we will look to the future and explore the many ways chaplaincy – and our ministry settings as well – are changing. And finally, we will look within our own spirits, and reconnect to the call to ministry that brought each of us to this holy and amazing work.
I know that for many of us, budgets are tight. Give thought to how you might be able to make this possible. Consider that the conference hotel offers a free shuttle from the airport; conference registration includes a continental breakfast on three days; and the NACC offers scholarships and roommate programs. All may help bring costs within reach. We want to make it possible for you to come!
Our plenary speakers are nationally respected, the pre-conference sessions promise to be times of great learning, the workshops will feature some of the leading voices in our profession, and the prayer (as always) will touch your spirit. The annual pre-conference day of reflection will be held at the Washington Retreat House and we’ve even set aside some sabbath time Sunday afternoon to explore the special sites of our capitol—you can either go on your own, or sign up for one of our outstanding group experiences (more information to come on these in January). Oh, and by the way, we’ve also got a great party planned! This year is one you don’t want to miss!
On behalf of the entire conference team – Rev. Jack Crabb, SJ (Plenary Speakers/Board Liaison), Bridget Deegan-Krause (Workshops), Rev. Rich Bartoszek (Liturgy), Deacon Tom Devaney and Victoria Lucas (Local Arrangements) – I invite you to join us as we celebrate 50 years of rich and wonderful ministry.
Come to the celebration!! We’ll see you there!
Beverly M. Beltramo, D.Min, BCC
