Dear Sisters,
The time has come to register for the Concordia Deaconess Conference’s 2025 annual conference. This year, our conference will be heading back to Concordia University Chicago, the home of the first LCMS diaconal training program, July 28-31. We are in for a special time of fellowship and learning as we go "Back to the Basics" with presenters Nancy Nemoyer, Amy Rast, and Jennie Asher presenting on visitation, diakonal virtues, and the Pastor/Deaconess working relationship. We will also enjoy a time of rest and renewal with Dr. Bev Yahnke of Doxology.
Conference will begin on Monday, July 28 with registration from 3-5 PM and end Thursday, July 31 with checkout at 11 AM. Your registration includes all meals from dinner on Monday to breakfast on Thursday morning. Coffee and snacks will be available in the morning and afternoon breaks.
As you make plans to head to Chicago, know that there is parking available onsite in the CUC parking garage. If you will be flying into the Chicago area and need a ride to campus, please send your itinerary, especially airport, arrival time, and departure time, to cdconferencelogistics@gmail.com so we can help arrange ground transportation to get you to and from CUC.
Housing on campus will be double occupancy. There is a spot on the registration form to indicate a roommate preference. If there is no preference indicated, you will be assigned a roommate before arrival.
Please fill out your registration form carefully. There is a registration fee of $395 for all deaconess and student attendees who will be staying on campus and $260 for commuters, which includes the food, speakers, worship, and other associated costs. In addition to the conference registration fee, there will be spaces to indicate choir interest, accessibility considerations, dietary restrictions, and more.
Childcare: Childcare arrangements are still being organized and the cost for this service, per CDC policy, will be the responsibility of the parent. Look for details to come in the next few weeks. If you need to bring your children and they will require childcare, you may wish to wait to register until this information is available. If you are bringing a spouse who will be watching your children while you are in meetings and sessions and your children will NOT need childcare, you can register those children as guests (see the next paragraph).
Spouses and guests: Spouses and children who DO NOT NEED CHILDCARE can register as guests for housing and meals. Each person attending (deaconess, spouse, child) needs to register. Adults and older children who need a bed and meals can register for $250 a person. Younger children who will eat meals but will not need their own bed will be $115. Infants and children who will not need a bed or meals do not need to register, but please indicate in the notes section of your registration form that you will be bringing them. If you have any questions or issues as you navigate the registration options for guests, please email cdconferencelogistics@gmail.com.
Scholarships: The Executive Committee will be offering scholarships to cover a portion of the registration fee. If this is something you are interested in pursuing, please email your request for a scholarship to cdcsecretaryofficial@gmail.com by May 9, 2025.
NEW THIS YEAR: Conference Orientation Meeting: We will be hosting an orientation Zoom meeting for first time attendees and others covering such information as what to pack, what to expect, how conference runs, and anything else that you may be wondering! We will hold this meeting in early July so that everyone feels prepared for a successful conference experience. You will receive an email with more information as the date approaches.
EXCUSES FOR THOSE UNABLE TO ATTEND: According to the CDC Constitution, Article 4, A.3.b.ii, members are responsible to "Attend the yearly CDC conference. Excuses should be made to the chair of the Membership Committee." The Membership Committee Chair is Deaconess Raquel Rojas. Her email address is cdc.membershipchairofficial@gmail.com. Please send excuses to Raquel or register online with registration option "Regrets." Absentee ballots will only be sent to CDC members who have given their excuse for absence by June 28, 2025.
*The last day to register for this conference will align with the last day to submit excused absences, June 28, 2025.*
Looking forward to seeing you all in Chicago!
Karen Suter
CDC Conference Logistics Chair
cdconferencelogistics@gmail.com
(507) 848 0412
