Empower Ministerial Convention 2018
The Empower Ministerial Convention will be held Feb 6-10 2018 at Avondale College, Cooranbong NSW. This is an Australia-wide minister’s convention that takes place every 5 years. Avondale will be buzzing with over 620 ministery leaders coming together for equipping, networking and being empowered for the ministry God has called us to.
The convention will include time to recalibrate, resource launches, inspiring plenaries, worship environments and workshops that focus on discipleship including spiritual refreshment, theological engagement, mission and leadership. For more details visit aucministerial.org
Travel to and From Avondale College
Funding your travel to the event (getting to Avondale College, Morisset Station or Newcastle Airport) is the responsibility of your Conference. Arranging it is your responsibility. Check with your conference in terms of their guidelines for travel expense/arrangements and what they will cover including if your conference covers spouse travel or not.
Shuttle Service from and to Morisset Station and Newcastle (NTL) airport
Incoming Shuttle services have been arranged to meet known flights and trains on Tuesday 6th. If you have enquiries/ changes to arrangements please contact Jacui Wall at jacquiwall@adventist.org.au.
Outgoing Shuttles to Morisset Station and Newcastle airport will operate as below:
• FROM Morisset station and Newcastle airport on Tuesday 6th,
• TO Morisset station only on Saturday evening 10th from 8:30pm,
• TO Morisset station and Newcastle airport on Sunday 11th as arranged via the information desk.
Unfortunately we’re unable to accommodate early arrivals or late departures. If you require extra accommodation before or after the convention please contact Avondale directly.
If your arrival or departure is outside of these times you will need to make your own arrangements to get to/from Avondale College.
Accommodation
If you are staying on-site at Avondale you may be required to have a room-mate. If you have a preference for who you would like as a room-mate please enter their names on the registration form.
More Information available on the Convene Live Events App
Download the free Convene Live Events App (by Thomson Reuters) from your App store. Complete a simple app registration to login, and scroll down to Feb 6 to find the EMPOWER Ministerial Convention. For information on how to use the app, visit the demo at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5VjbcWoKQ4
Looking forward to growing, sharing, connecting and being empowered with you.
NOTE: Avondale is currently experiencing an unusual number of mosquitoes. This situation may have changed by the convention dates however you may wish to pack insect repellant or insect bite products.
Frequently asked questions FAQ
Q. ARRIVAL – What if I’m arriving early or leaving late?
A. Unfortunately we’re unable to accommodate early arrivals or late departures. If you require extra accommodation before or after the convention please contact Avondale directly.
We will only be running shuttle service to Morisset Newcastle aiports on Tuesday 6th, Saturday evening 10th and Sunday 11th. If your arrival or departure is outside of these times you will need to make your own arrangements to get to Avondale College.
Q. ATM Location
A. An ATM is available 24/7 and is located outside the Admissions Building.
Q. AVONDALE COLLEGE OFFICE HOURS
A. The AVONDALE COLLEGE OFFICE will be open Tues-Thurs 8.30am-5pm, and Fri 8.30am-12 noon.
Q. AVONDALE COLLEGE LIBRARY HOURS
A. Avondale Library hours are 1pm-7pm on Tuesday- Thursday and 9am-12noon on Friday.
If you are a former Avondale student ask about library services for Alumni.
Q. BEDDING – Do I need to bring any?
There is NO need to bring any – Linen, pillow and towels are provided in the dorms.
Q. CHECKOUT Sunday Morning 11th
A. The convention closes at 8:30pm on Sabbath evening on Feb 10. Accommodation/ breakfast is provided on Saturday night for those who have booked in to stay on Sunday 11th. Checkout time for all rooms is by 11am Sunday morning.
Q. CHILDREN – Why can’t they come to Empower?
A. While one of the Ministerial Association’s focus areas is the pastor’s family (empower workshops reflect this), unfortunately Empower will not be able to progam or cater for children. It would be nice to have an Australia wide pastors family camp however Empower fills a different space as a professional development event. While spouses are invited logistics and the nature of the event mean you will need to make arrangements for your children to be looked after if you both choose to attend. We are at full capacity in terms of accommodation and meals and so cannot accommodate children in the dorms. We have made some exceptions, in individual circumstances, where mothers are feeding their babies. Please talk to us if you fit into this category.
Q. CHOIR
A. If you would like to be part of a choir that joins the orchestra for Sabbath practise time is Wed and Thurs evenings at 5-6pm in the College Church. Choir members will then be in the second meal group regardless of conference.
Q. EXPO Hall (Audo) Opening Hours
A. Wednesday to Friday, the Expo Hall is open between the following hours: 12:45pm-2pm, and 4:30pm-6pm
Q. FOOD INTOLERANCES/ ALLERGIES – IMPORTANT
A. Generally, meals will be OVO-LACTO (Vegetarian, including milk/ milk products and eggs). If you have indicated that you have a food intolerance/ allergy, PLEASE ADVISE jacquiwall@adventist.org.au ASAP if your reaction to certain foods is severe or life-threatening. Requests for vegan food cannot be catered for without medical reasons for same as we are not able to cater for preferences, only intolerances and allergies. Thank you
Q. INFORMATION DESK HOURS – College Church Foyer
A. The Information desk will be in the College Church Foyer and open 8-9am, 10:30 -11am, 7-7:30pm and 9-9:30pm. For general questions ask one of the Empower Ask Me team wearing the red shirts or visit aucministerial.org/empower.
Q. LOST PROPERTY
A. If you find any Lost Property please hand it in at the information desk or give it to a staff member in a Red Shirt. Any Lost Property received will be available for collection at the Information desk will be in the College Church Foyer and open 8-9am, 10:30 -11am, 7-7:30pm and 9-9:30pm. For general questions ask one of the Empower Ask Me team wearing the red shirts or visit http://www.aucministerial.org/empower.
Q. INTERNET
A. Connect your device to the “Conference” wifi network. Login details are available to registered participants via the Convene Live Events App – FAQ section.
Q. THE APP LEADERBOARD
A. There are some fun prizes on offer for the winners of the Leaderboard at the end of the week. Points are awarded inside the app for interacting with the content at the Convention – helping you get to know what’s happening across EMPOWER and for interacting with the App.
Points are given as below
- 5pts Interact with Sponsors/ Exhibitors in the Expo Hall (Audo) to earn a Scan of their Psartners QR code. 5pts per code
- 5pts Favourite a session
- 5pts provide Ratings and feedback (only available on combined group sessions)
- 10pts Build attendee profile etc
Q. MEAL INFORMATION
A. Lunch each day – apart from Sabbath, will be in meal packs. Sabbath lunch will be in the cafeteria. Evening meals Wed-Fri are in the cafeteria in two sessions as below.
WEDNESDAY
5pm: Session 1 – NNSW, NA, SA, SNSW, SPD, GSC
6pm: Session 2 – VIC, WA, SQLD, AUC, TAS Partners in Ministry tea, 5pm, Ladies Chapel.
THURSDAY
5pm: Session 1 – WA, NA, SNSW, SQLD,VIC, SPD
6pm: Session 2 – AUC, GSC, NNSW,TAS, SA Women in Pastoral Ministry tea, 5pm, Ladies Chapel.
FRIDAY
5pm: Session 1 – AUC, NNW, NA, SA,TAS, GSC
6pm: Session 2 – SPD, WA, SNSW, SQLD, VIC
Sabbath evening’s meal (Saturday evening) will be in a meal pack.
Q. MEALS – PURCHASING (non registered guests)
A. For those who are not registered but would like to purchase meals, this can be done online at $22.50 a meal.Visit <www.avondale.edu.au/onlinestore> and select tickets, or simply click the link below
http://avondaleaustralia.spiffystores.com/collections/tickets/products/dinner-meal-tickets
Q. MEDICAL SERVICES – CONTACT INFO
A. In case of Emergency – dial 000
Waratah Medical Services 02 4978 1100, 89 Dora St, Morisset NSW 2264
Cooranbong Pharmacy 02 4977 1757, 2/563 Freemans Dr, Cooranbong NSW 2265
Wyong Public Hospital 02 4394 8000, Pacific Hwy, Hamlyn Terrace NSW 2259
Q. NCD Consultation
A. Adam Johnstone, Managing Direcotr of NCD Australia, has vast experience with NCD in the Adventist Context and is valuable to talk to about your church’s NCD results. He will be located in the Expo Hall during Expo opeing hours.
Q. PHOTOS – update your headshot
A. Adventist Media will have a photographer on site in the Expo Hall during open hours (12:45-2pm, 4:30-6pm) so that you can update your headshot for ministry use etc.
Q. RECREATION and FITNESS
A. SPORTS – Tennis, squash and sports on the eld are available for use. Tennis and squash racquets and balls plus soccer, rugby and a balls are available from the information desk. Please remember to sign borrowed equipment out and back in.
FITLIFE GYM – Your FitLife gym membership has been paid for the convention. Please remember your lanyard for entry. Gym is open 6am-9pm Tues-Thurs, and 6am-5pm Friday.
POOL – The pool is part of the FitLife gym facility. The pool will be open Tues 6am-9pm, Wed & Thurs 6am-11pm and Friday 6am-5pm.
Q. SUNNYSIDE HISTORIC HOME & SOUTH SEA ISLAND MUSEUM
A. Sunnyside (home of Ellen White while on Cooranbong) is only a short walk from the end of girls walk at 27 Avondale Rd. It will be open Wed 2pm-4pm and Sabbath 2pm-4pm.