"On The Journey" Pregnancy • Infant Loss • Infertility • Adoption Printable conference flyer (.pdf file) The Missing GRACE Organization, an international parent bereavement support organization, is proud to announce the second annual GRACE Conference, "On The Journey" Pregnancy, Infant Loss, Infertility and Adoption", to be held in Minneapolis, MN at the First Coventant Church on March 26 and 27, 2004. The conference is unique in that it offers training and support for both medical professionals and bereaved parents as well as offering sibling-loss support. This year's conference offers "A Place for GRACE - A place for people to Grieve, Restore, Arise, Commemorate and Educate". On Friday evening we will honor the lives of babies who have died with a symbolic candle lighting ceremony and address the tender hearts of couples experiencing infertility. The evening includes music, drama, dance, and a powerful message delivered by Sherokee Ilse. On Saturday attendees will be able to select from 17 different classes during the four breakout sessions and will have the opportunity to gather resources and support from the multitude of exhibitors. Medical professionals and full-time students will benefit by participating in our medical track with CEU designed courses. The GRACE Kids Program is a journey of support, learning, crafts, games, music, snacks, and rest time. Created by bereaved parents, licensed educators and grief counselors, the program will include aspects that specifially address youth bereavement for those who have lost a sibling. Schedule Friday Program, March 26, 2004 5:00 - 9:00 pm Adult Registration: 5:00 - 6:00 Childcare Registration: 5:30 - 6:00 Refreshments: 5:30 - 9:00 Silent Auction Open: 5:00 - 9:00 "On The Journey" Program, An evening of inspiration, hope, and healing: 6:00 - 9:00 Saturday Program, March 27, 2004 8:30 am - 5:30 pm Registration (conference/childcare): 8:30 - 9:00 Silent Auction: 8:30 - 3:00 Exhibitors Open: 8:30 - 5:30 Refreshments: All Day Session 1: 9:15 - 10:30 Session 2: 10:45 - 12:00 Lunch: 12:00 - 1:30 Session 3: 1:30 - 2:45 Session 4: 3:00 - 4:15 Closing Ceremony: 4:30 - 5:15 Award Auction Items: 5:15 - 5:30 GRACE Kids Pick Up: 5:30 Class Options (will open in a new window) Featured Speakers and Performers Jason Collins, MD, OB/GYN The Pregnancy Institute, Inc., is a non-profit organization created to study normal pregnancies. It is designed to promote the likelihood of healthier pregnancies resulting in well monitored, full-term live births. Dr. Collins started this institute and has devoted more than 20 years to the research of stillbirth. www.preginst.com Sherokee Ilse Bereaved parent, international speaker, author of Empty Arms and many other books. Mission: To help improve the care families receive before and after the death of their child or loved one of any age. www.wintergreenpress.com Candy and Stephen McVicar Parents to Grace McVicar, their only child who was stillborn December 20, 2001. Candy is the Founder and Executive Director of the Missing GRACE Organization which serves to provide support and resources to parents of stillborns and helps to facilitate awareness and prevention of stillbirth. Mission: To help parents in their journey as the Grieve • Restore • Arise • Commemorate • Educate www.MissingGRACE.org Rev. John and Sylvia Regenmorter Directors and co-editors of Stepping Stones newsletter and co-authors of two books, Dear God, Why Can't We Have a Baby? and When the Cradle is Empty: Answering Tough Questions About Infertility. They experienced ten years of infertility and adopted two children through Bethany Christian Services. www.bethany.org/step Richard K. Olsen Founder and President of The National Stillbirth Society. Father to only daughter, Camille, who was stillborn at 40 weeks gestation. www.stillnomore.org Bruce F. Campbell, MD Dr. Campbell has been in the field of infertility since 1987 and is on staff at the Center for Reproductive Medicine which has a specialty practice focusing on the comprehensive evaluation and treatment of infertility. www.ivfminnesota.com Betsy and Corey Mills Original dance compilations Music by Dan and Sandy Adler with Heart of the City Ministries. Two original drama pieces have been created for this event and will be performed by Kirsten Frantzich and Clint Allen. They perform nationally on stage, in film and on television. GRACE Kids Program The GRACE Kids Program is a journey of support, learning, crafts, games, music, snacks, and rest time. Preregistration is required and must be received by March 20th. Space is limited to first 175 children, so please register early. The program for ages 6-11 years is held at North Central University located three blocks from the conference. All other ages will be on site at First Covenant Shurch. Please note on your registration form all allergies, food restrictions, or medical conditions. You may provide your own bag lunch for children or purchase a lunch for $6.95. Resource Tables Thirty organizations will participate in the conference by providing valuable resources and information for attendees. Opportunities will be provided to visit with each of the exhibitors at their tables between sessions and during the lunch break. Exhibitors include: adoption agencies, bereavement support groups, health care specialty providers, and related topic book stores. Registration Options You can register online or by mail. Payment can be made by credit card using PayPal or by check. Reduced rates available for Missing GRACE members and for registrations received before March 15,2004. Directions First Covenant Church 810 S. 7th Street Minneapolis, MN 55415 www.1stcov.org From the north (I-94): As you approach downtown Minneapolis, take the 4th street exit. Proceed down 4th street to Chicago Ave. Turn right on Chicago Ave. Go 2.5 blocks and turn left into the church parking lot. From the north (I-35W): As you approach downtown Minneapolis, take the Washington Ave. exit. Turn right onto Washington Ave. and proceed to Chicago Ave. Turn left onto Chicago Ave. Go 4.5 blocks and turn left into the church parking lot. From St. Paul (I-94): As you approach downtown Minneapolis, take the 5th Street exit. Proceed down 5th Street to Chicago Ave. Turn left onto Chicago Ave. Go 1.5 blocks and turn left into the church parking lot. From the south (I-35 W): As you approach downtown Minneapolis, follow the "Downtown Exits". Take the 5th Ave. exit. Proceed down 5th Ave. to 8th Street and go 3 blocks to Chicago Ave. Turn left, go 1.5 blocks and turn right into the church parking lot. From the west (I-394): As you approach downtown Minneapolis, stay to the left and follow the Downtown or 6th Street exit signs. Take the 6th Street exit. Proceed down 6th Street through downtown. Turn right onto Chicago Ave. Go .5 block and turn left into the church parking lot. FREE Parking available onsite at the First Covenant Church conference location. map to church map courtesy of www.MapQuest.com Hotel Reservations Blocks of rooms at discounted rates have been reserved for GRACE conference attendees at the following hotels: 1. Doubletree Hotel: $55, 1-4 person occupancy, complimentary continental breakfast & shuttle to conference, $8 parking. (815) 673-3922 2. Millennium Hotel: $59, 1-4 person occupancy, $6 parking. (866)866-8086 3. Crowne Plaza Northstar: $69, 1-2 person occupancy, $7.50 parking. (800) 556-7827 To reserve your room, please call the hotel directly by the reservation cut off date of March 15, 2004. Reservations received after this date will be accepted on a space available basis and the discounted rate is not guaranteed. Rates do not include the current 13% state and local occupancy sales tax. Each hotel offers Airport shuttle for $13 one way. Hotels are convieniently located next to conference in downtown Minneapolis.