December 27-31, 2008
COMFORT
2Cor. 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort.
2Cor. 1:4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
This passage presents a mandate to disciples of Jesus. Comfort is described as one of God's activities. Providing comfort is an essential skill for believers to practice and perfect for times of trouble. It may require a word in season or willful silence, providing physical aid or emotional support. Both the ability and willingness to comfort AND the character to graciously accept comfort during trials are virtues that can be learned and regularly practiced to bring glory to God. In the development of our own character and our attempts to be like the Lord Jesus, have we paid attention to what consoles the weary, sad and sick? Do we allow ourselves be comforted? Join us at this year's Williamsburg Conference as we consider the scriptural concept of comfort and explore how and when it is needed, where we search for it foolishly and wisely, how it is created, and how it can be humbly accepted.
The Goal
God is a very real and powerful being. The goal of the Conference has always been to magnify God's presence in our lives. Each year, the theme of the Conference is chosen with the aim of motivating us to lift our eyes to Him and to see Him for what He is and what He wants us to be.
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, a discussion about spreading the gospel may occupy another.
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.
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.
The Williamsburg Conference Committee
