Don't forget to register
I want to remind all of our churches that we are nearing the end of the pre-registration period for Connect:2005, the BGAV annual meeting. Mail-in registrations must be postmarked no later than Monday, Oct. 17. Those choosing to register online at bgavconnect.net have until the end of Wednesday, Oct. 19, to submit their registrations.
In early August packets were mailed to every BGAV church clerk that included detailed essential information on the registration process, particularly the church ID and password that are required for online pre-registration. If your church's packet was lost in the mail or misplaced, please contact Belinda Plymak at 800-255-2428, ext. 1272, or belinda.plymak@vbmb.org to receive a replacement packet.
Also contained in that packet was an onsite registration form. Any person not pre-registered must bring that form, completely filled out and signed by the church's clerk or moderator, to the BGAV meeting in order to be registered. Persons with incomplete forms or without forms entirely will be sent to the credentials table. If you need a replacement form, one may be downloaded at bgavconnect.net, or you may contact Belinda Plymak.
We strongly recommend online registration whenever internet access is available. You'll find it the easiest way to go, plus there are incentives to all who register online: two lucky individuals who registered via the online interface will win a $100 gift certificate from either LifeWay or Smyth & Helwys.
Those who pre-registered last year appreciated how quickly the check-in process was at the meeting. Many who waited and registered onsite wished they had pre-registered. We encourage onsite registration be reserved for last minute registrants only and that everyone else pre-register.
If you have questions about online registration, please contact me at webmaster@vbmb.org. If you have questions about the meeting itself, please contact Joyce Journey at joyce.journey@vbmb.org.
We look forward to seeing everyone at Connect:2005!
Kirby Knight, Web Services Coordinator
Virginia Baptist Mission Board
Dress casually
This may be an insignificant suggestion, but I think it would be helpful to the atmosphere of this year's annual BGAV meeting if we invited everyone to dress casually for the occasion. If we are serious about appealing to young adults, we ought to make folks feel comfortable about dressing comfortably for the November gathering.
Most of us pastors don't wear a suit unless we have to for formal worship, a funeral, wedding, etc. Personally, I don't care to don a coat and tie for the BGAV annual meeting. Too stuffy! Of course, those who wish to dress formal are welcome to do so, but why not invite everyone to dress nice casual at Woodbridge in 2005? It would make for a more warm, relaxing time.
I wonder what other Virginia Baptists think about this?
Lee Ellison, Moseley