Heartland Cradlesong
Nashville, TN - 29 October 2006 - The theme of the 2007 national convention of Friends of the Creche is "Heartland Cradlesong". The convention will be held Thursday 8 November 2007 - Saturday 10 November 2007 in the Embassy Suites Hotel, Dublin, Ohio and the Mill Run Church complex.
Why "heartland"? Locationof the convention! Why "cradlesong"? Lullabies at the manger cradle! This convention in America's heartland will have a special emphasis on music related to the creche.
Another subject being considerd is "Herbal Lore in the Nativity Tradition". There are scores of herbs with creche-related legends that might surprise you. Do you know why the flower of the rosemary changed from white to blue at the time of the Nativity? Hint: It has to do with wash day and Mary's mantel.
We will be hearing more on displaying and exhibiting your creches and something entirely different is under consideration also -"The Traditional Placement of Manger Figures". Yes, there is a customary place to set the kings and another place just for the angel. Who knew?
Donna and David Hahm, co-hosts of the 2007 national convention have tentatively announced what they call "Programs in Progress".The keynote address will be delivered by Pastor Paul Ulring, senior pastor of the Mill Run Church. There will be presentations on the cultural traditions that have shaped the American Mid-west, such as German, Scandinavian, Irish, Greek, Slovakian, and African-American traditions.
Other topics being considered include "Creche Design for the Twenty-first Century", "Constructing Nativity Settings", "Displaying Nativities in a Home Setting", "Advent Calendars", "Collecting Nativities on a Budget", "Nativity Quilts and Stitchery", and "All About the Magi".
Registration will be an on-going activity on Thursday. The ever-popular Manger Mart will open at noon on Thursday, followed by the Hotel Manager's Reception. The Special Creche Exhibit will feature selections from the world-renowned collection of the Marian Library at the University of Dayton, explained by Father Johann Roten. The talented Music Ministry at the Church at Mill Run is busy preparing a special program of music and dialogue for Friday evening of the convention. There will also be a carol sing in which we may all participate, even the tonally-challenged.
In order to increase the opportunity for social interaction among convention attendees, the Hahms are investigating the feasibility of other meals shared in common in addition to the closing banquet. Ethnic foods of Christmas will certainly be a delicious taste experience. The early morning Interest Groups initiated at the Santa Fe convention will be continued so that individuals will have the opportunity to gather and hear presentations in particular areas of interest. The Hahms will also initiate "Splinter Groups" for those who may choose to forego free time during two hours on Saturday afternoon and instead gather for presentations on particular topics.
The Hahms report that the Mill Run Church, a Lutheran faith community, has graciously given us full use of their beautiful complex and that Friends of the Creche will occupy the entire hotel. Both the church complex and the hotel are totally accessible to those with disabilities.
There will be raffles and an auction, seven formal presentations in addition to the keynote address and increased free time to meet and mingle. In keeping with the Friends of the Creche mission to further the tradition of Christmas Nativity scene, designated times and places will be open to the general public.
The pre-convention event will be not just one but hopefully two guided motor coach tours of the many interesting local attractions. You get to choose. There will also be a list of recommended sites for those who may wish to investigate the area on their own.
The 2007 convention will begin to draw to a close on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. with the banquet, preceded by the Hotel Manager's Reception. All should be over by 10:00 p.m. on Saturday.
The Hahms stress that these events and programs are subject to change since plans are still in preliminary stages of development, but it's enough to give you some inkling. With a year to go, it's already clear that this will be one terrific gathering - a "down-home convention" filled with friendliness, variety, enthusiasm, music, food, and of course lots and lots of useful information on the tradition of the creche.
For information on the Church at Mill Run (Upper Arlington Lutheran Church or UALC) visithttp://www.ualc.org/. For general 1nformation on the hotel visit http://www.embassysuites.com/en/es/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=CMHESES. Special hotel guest room rates should become available as the convention date approaches.
The convention registration fee is $180. The special FOTC guest room rate at the hotel is $125 per night, plus tax. Mark your calendars now!
Why "heartland"? Locationof the convention! Why "cradlesong"? Lullabies at the manger cradle! This convention in America's heartland will have a special emphasis on music related to the creche.
Another subject being considerd is "Herbal Lore in the Nativity Tradition". There are scores of herbs with creche-related legends that might surprise you. Do you know why the flower of the rosemary changed from white to blue at the time of the Nativity? Hint: It has to do with wash day and Mary's mantel.
We will be hearing more on displaying and exhibiting your creches and something entirely different is under consideration also -"The Traditional Placement of Manger Figures". Yes, there is a customary place to set the kings and another place just for the angel. Who knew?
Donna and David Hahm, co-hosts of the 2007 national convention have tentatively announced what they call "Programs in Progress".The keynote address will be delivered by Pastor Paul Ulring, senior pastor of the Mill Run Church. There will be presentations on the cultural traditions that have shaped the American Mid-west, such as German, Scandinavian, Irish, Greek, Slovakian, and African-American traditions.
Other topics being considered include "Creche Design for the Twenty-first Century", "Constructing Nativity Settings", "Displaying Nativities in a Home Setting", "Advent Calendars", "Collecting Nativities on a Budget", "Nativity Quilts and Stitchery", and "All About the Magi".
Registration will be an on-going activity on Thursday. The ever-popular Manger Mart will open at noon on Thursday, followed by the Hotel Manager's Reception. The Special Creche Exhibit will feature selections from the world-renowned collection of the Marian Library at the University of Dayton, explained by Father Johann Roten. The talented Music Ministry at the Church at Mill Run is busy preparing a special program of music and dialogue for Friday evening of the convention. There will also be a carol sing in which we may all participate, even the tonally-challenged.
In order to increase the opportunity for social interaction among convention attendees, the Hahms are investigating the feasibility of other meals shared in common in addition to the closing banquet. Ethnic foods of Christmas will certainly be a delicious taste experience. The early morning Interest Groups initiated at the Santa Fe convention will be continued so that individuals will have the opportunity to gather and hear presentations in particular areas of interest. The Hahms will also initiate "Splinter Groups" for those who may choose to forego free time during two hours on Saturday afternoon and instead gather for presentations on particular topics.
The Hahms report that the Mill Run Church, a Lutheran faith community, has graciously given us full use of their beautiful complex and that Friends of the Creche will occupy the entire hotel. Both the church complex and the hotel are totally accessible to those with disabilities.
There will be raffles and an auction, seven formal presentations in addition to the keynote address and increased free time to meet and mingle. In keeping with the Friends of the Creche mission to further the tradition of Christmas Nativity scene, designated times and places will be open to the general public.
The pre-convention event will be not just one but hopefully two guided motor coach tours of the many interesting local attractions. You get to choose. There will also be a list of recommended sites for those who may wish to investigate the area on their own.
The 2007 convention will begin to draw to a close on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. with the banquet, preceded by the Hotel Manager's Reception. All should be over by 10:00 p.m. on Saturday.
The Hahms stress that these events and programs are subject to change since plans are still in preliminary stages of development, but it's enough to give you some inkling. With a year to go, it's already clear that this will be one terrific gathering - a "down-home convention" filled with friendliness, variety, enthusiasm, music, food, and of course lots and lots of useful information on the tradition of the creche.
For information on the Church at Mill Run (Upper Arlington Lutheran Church or UALC) visithttp://www.ualc.org/. For general 1nformation on the hotel visit http://www.embassysuites.com/en/es/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=CMHESES. Special hotel guest room rates should become available as the convention date approaches.
The convention registration fee is $180. The special FOTC guest room rate at the hotel is $125 per night, plus tax. Mark your calendars now!
