2009 ConnECtion: Springs of Living Water

CONNECTION 2009

HOLIDAY INN
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA

Women’s Retreat
July 15-16, 2009

ConnECtion 2009
July 16-19, 2009

The Holiday Inn Palm Springs City Center will host the Evangelicals Concerned Western Region ConnECtion 2009

ConnECtion 2009 requires TWO registrations. The ConnECtion 2009 and the Women's Retreat includes two dinners (Thursday and Friday) and two lunches (Friday and Saturday). This does not include hotel accommodations. Because we are working in partnership with the Holiday Inn Palm Springs, you will be required to register both for ConnECtion 2009 AND separately for your hotel accommodations through the online Holiday Inn reservation system.

Holiday Inn has offered us a guaranteed room rate of $79 per night and this rate is good from July 13 through July 21 so if you want to extend your stay a few days before or after ConnECtion, you may do so at their preferred rate! Early arrivals and late departures can get the preferred rate for all dates by contacting Angelica Romero, Sales Administrator, at 760-323-1711 or email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to book any early reservations (July 13 or 14) or late departures (July 20 or 21) at the rate of $79 using the rate code: ECW

ConnECtion 2009 Donations and Scholarships: If you are interested in donating an additional amount to help us with the cost of ConnECtion 2009 or if you would like to donate an amount to be used as a scholarship for a particular individual, click here to use our online Paypal Donation form. At checkout you will have the opportunity to indicate how you would like to use your donation by typing in your comments in the "Add special instructions to seller" comment form.

Financial assistance to attend ConnECtion is available for first time attendees and members with special needs. Please visit our Scholarship page and complete our online scholarship application.

ROOMMATES: If you are in need of a roommate to help with cost of accommodations, e-mail your request to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and include the following: 1-A contact number or e-mail address 2-Your gender 3-The number of roommates you are seeking (2-4). 4-Any comments or questions In order to post to this forum you must register/login first! All contacts and/or arrangements made regarding roommates for ConnECtion 2009 are done at your own risk and are not the responsibility of ECWR.

Click Here to Complete your 2009 Conference Application

$195.00 - May 1st through June 30th
$225.00 - beginning July 1st forward

Once you have completed your application, you may click here to pay for the Conference portion ConnECtion using Paypal.

Note: If you have any difficulty with the above Paypal link, please contact the webmaster at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Click Here to Book your Holiday Inn Palm Springs City Center Accommodations. Or Call (760) 323-1711 and use the code ECW when you book your reservations.

$79 Preferred Rate plus local taxes and fees, currently 15.5%. This rate applies from July 13 through July 20, 2009. Note: This is a direct link to our preferred rate of $79 per night. If you have any difficulty booking your reservation online please call 760-323-1711 and use the code ECW. Do not call the Holiday Inn national reservation line because they may not offer the preferred rate.

Workshop Preview

“SPRINGS OF LIVING WATER”

“For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to the springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Revelation 7:17

2009 KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2009
Reverend Stacy Latimer

Reverend Stacey Latimer is an HIV-positive military vet who speaks openly about his relationships with men. Latimer has lead the black church’s growing fight against AIDS across America with over 15 years of experience serving communities in the field of HIV/ AIDS. His service in and to communities of faith has spanned nationally and across many denominational lines. As an Ordained Minister of the gospel and an Inspirational Motivational Speaker, Mr. Latimer travels extensively, heralding a message of hope in the midst of the horrific epidemic of HIV/AIDS. As a 20-year survivor of an HIV diagnosis, Mr. Latimer shares his wisdom and knowledge with the community through articles, speaking engagements, workshops, and conferences.

FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2009
Dr. Ralph Blair

Dr. Ralph Blair is the founder of Evangelicals Concerned, Incorporated and a psychotherapist in private practice in New York. Since 1980 Dr. Blair has sponsored ConnECtion, annual conferences in both the east and the west which have been life changing experiences for hundreds of gay men, women, and friends who are responding with trust to God’s love and who seek to live thankfully and faithfully under God’s grace and peace.

SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2009
Rev. Elise Elrod

Rev. Elise Elrod began her journey from presenting as male to presenting as herself in 1999. She is an ordained minister, a noted speaker, an award winning writer and published photographer. She lives in Nashville , TN with her spouse of thirty-nine years. They have three grown children and three grandchildren. She served two Southern Baptist churches, holds a Masters of Divinity degree and and is currently pastor of Christ's Community Church, Chicopee, MA. She has obtained Privilege of Call in the United Church of Christ. Because of discrimination, Elrod went from once making half a million a year as an engineer to 12 dollars an hour as a secretary. She speaks publically in churches, medical schools and universities concerning issues of diversity and gender. A Baptist pastor and former engineer, Elrod’s topics cover the true definition of Gender Identity Disorder (GID) and the issues faced by transition, “the nature of bias,” and answers questions about her personal life.