Dear Brothers & Sisters,
The time for this year’s Conference, Lord willing, is drawing near. We hope you can take off a few days during the year-end holiday season to attend. This year's Conference is scheduled to begin the evening of Sunday, December 27, and will run through the morning of Thursday, December 31, 2009.
This will be our 41st Conference. Since the first one in 1969, our purpose has been, and still is, to magnify for a few days our God, our Lord Jesus Christ, and our love for each other. Without minimizing the importance of the First Principles of the Truth we share in relation to doctrine, the Conference has always emphasized the First Principles of LIVING THE TRUTH, as of equal importance.
To receive the most satisfying benefit and spiritual stimulation from the Conference, we encourage all who come to stay for the full time – three and a half days. Bring your Bibles, green hymn books, Praise the Lord hymn books, notebooks, and prayerful hearts and minds. The Conference will officially begin with a welcome fellowship hour at 7:30 p.m. on the 27th.
We look forward to sharing this brief time of edification and refreshing with all of you. May the care of our heavenly Father be with you all as you travel. We also look forward to our new host hotel and are confident that all will enjoy the upgraded facilities.
The Williamsburg Conference Committee
David Stanley dstanley.1@netzero.net
Dan Richard danbethr@comcast.net
Jonathan Midgett jmidgett@gmail.com
Bruce Parker joanieparker17@yahoo.com
Perseverance: Standing Firm in Troubled Times
Introduction
When facing the daily toil and challenge of discipleship in a society with so many powerful distractions, temptations, and trials, we need to understand and cultivate the virtue of perseverance. It is the strength and discipline needed to endure hardship and troubles. However, perseverance does not come naturally. We are commanded to “hold unswervingly the hope we possess” (Heb 10:23). Careful consideration of how the Scriptures describe perseverance should help strengthen our resolve and equip us to hold fast. We are told to persevere in well doing, in prayer, in the faith, and in waiting patiently for the Lord. We need to maintain these goals at all times, tirelessly. We never stop or falter in the actions that define these goals. This is the manifestation of steadfastness. Join us at this year’s Williamsburg Conference as we encourage one another to persevere.
The Structure
Morning sessions are devoted to building an understanding of the chosen theme through numerous sets of scriptural readings, exhortations, and hymns. Periods of quiet meditation throughout the morning allow us to focus on the personal implications of what we have considered and on our individual relationships with God.
The afternoons are devoted to smaller group sessions that again center around the theme. The goal is to discuss how we can apply the thoughts developed in the morning sessions to our own service. Group leaders guide but should never dominate the discussions. Group selection is purely random, so there is no age segregation and many brothers and sisters meet for the first time. This is all intentional. Participants find that they are able to speak from the heart and, for this reason many consider the afternoons extremely beneficial and the heart of the Conference.
Evening programs are more relaxed and varied. Usually, a music program will occupy one evening and a discussion about spreading the gospel may occupy another. The “Signs of the Times” and “optional Group Prayer for Others” sessions will now be part of the evening programs.
Care and classes for young children will be available, with parent participation. Please reply if you are willing to help teach a children’s class for one hour during the Conference. Sis. Beth Richard will be organizing these classes, so please contact her at danbethr@comcast.net
Please plan to join us for several days of intensive spiritual growth and introspection--a period of close fellowship with our God and our spiritual family.
Scheduled Exhortations:
Monday, 12/28: Perseverance
- 1. The True Source of Strength
- 2. The Messiah’s Example: Our Direction and Goal
Tuesday, 12/29: Standing Firm In Troubled Times
- 3. Components of Perseverance
- 4. Persevering in Grief and Suffering
- 5. Persevering When Others Give Up or Let Us Down
Wednesday, 12/30: Holding Fast in Distractions
- 6. Persevering in Well-doing
- 7. Holding Fast in Doubt
Thursday, 12/31
- 8. Standing Firm in Temptation
- 9. Immovable Ecclesias
Registration
If you know of anyone who wants to register but does not have internet access, please download and print the form below and give it to them or have them contact:
Sis. Connie Stanley
2433 Manakintown Ferry Rd.
Midlothian, VA 23113-9106
(804) 897-2874