July, August, September 2002

"What does a Prayer-driven church look like? What impact could fervent intercession have on our congregation's worship? How might we establish a dedicated Prayer Room in our church? What is vital to mobilize effective intercession for our clergy?"

The Rev. John Guernsey, Rector of All Saints Episcopal Church in Woodbridge, Virginia, is our conference keynote speaker and will address these key issues to help us and our congregations go deeper in prayer. Bishop Charles Duvall of the Central Gulf Coast, recently retired, will serve as Bible Study Leader. The theme he has chosen is "Praying to the God Who Is", a look at the 'I am' statements of Exodus 3 and John 6:15. Bishop Duvall is known for his story telling and a teller of 'The Story.' Some of you may remember him as banquet speaker of the 1999 AFP International Conference and his inspired and outrageously funny retelling of the Joshua story. Bishop William C. Frey , retired Bishop of Colorado and retired dean of Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry will give his Banquet talk on "No Designer Gods." He has long been known as a leader in the renewal movement in the Anglican Communion.

Carol Sherran and her conference committee have worked endlessly to put together this conference from the planing of eucharist, speakers, and the ten workshops that will be offered reflecting the theme "Mile High Praying for the Body of Christ." Please note that there is new leader for workshop #4, Nicholas Lee, who will present the workshop on "Prayer, Study, Community and the Mystery of Healing".

The Renaissance Hotel, located at Stapleton Plaza, Denver, has quoted a rate of $59 plus tax per night. Come early or stay after the conference and enjoy the Colorado sites at this rate. The rooms are spacious with two queen size beds per room and the rate is good for up to four people per room. Call or fax your reservation in today and be sure to ask for the Anglican Fellowship of Prayer Conference rate.

Three very interesting tours have been set up to give you a real flavor of Colorado. Tour #1 on Thursday will begin at 9:30 am and continue until 4:30 pm. You will learn about Western heritage and view 'Millionaires' Row', see the residences and life-styles of the silver and gold barons, and the most historic block in the city. The Victorian buildings still portray the 'early life of the gold rush days'. The tour will take us inside the U.S. Mint, one of the most interesting landmarks of the city where one can watch copper pennies being made. From there the tour will continue to the State Capitol, built entirely of granite, housing not only the governor's office, State House and Senate as well as the Colorado Hall of Fame. The marble and rose quartz walls and 24 carat gold dome is a site to see! On to "unsinkable" Molly Brown's house, quaint Ninth Street Park of middle class Victorian residences, to Larimer Square, to Bat Masterson and Wyatt Earp gaming tables and drive through Denver's most exciting revived area, LoDo. Lunch during the day will be on your own. A tour of the newly remodeled St. John's in the Wilderness Cathedral as a finale. This is a tour you will not want to miss!

Tour #2 on Saturday will begin at 1:00 pm and will take you to Colorado Springs to visit the U.S. Air Force Academy, see breathtaking mountain peaks and then drive through the 'Garden of the Gods,' a registered national landmark of red sandstone rock formations that formerly was a Ute Indian burial ground and encampment, now a geological park. A short stop in Old Colorado City, once the territorial capital of Colorado, a delightful neighborhood of distinctive shops and imaginative craftsmen, especially the Simpich Character Doll Factory and the Michael Garman Gallery.

Tour #3 on Saturday will begin at 6:30 pm and take you to Denver's newest shopping mall, Flatirons Crossing Mall. Join in the discovery of over one hundred and eighty stores, restaurants, and movie theaters to choose from. Have dinner on your own in one of the unique cafes. To help you get around, the 'Zip' trolley (with very helpful drivers) will take shoppers from the enclosed mall to the Marketplace with several stores and restaurants and to the Flatirons ponds.

I did say exciting tours are available for you. Be sure to sign up for all three to get a true taste of Colorado! The exciting times of going on tours together, meeting new friends and visiting old friends, sharing in response groups, celebrating Eucharist together, visiting the book table to find those books just recommended in your workshop are just a small part of every AFP International Conference. See you in Denver.