Embraced & Empowered
Prison and Reentry Ministries Conference

May 19-20, 2023
San Juan Capistrano, CA

Focusing on:
Character Transformation Before Release

This interactive in-person conference features dynamic sessions on how to become a corresponding or visiting chaplain, how to support former inmates as they reenter society, and how to form more effective partnerships with your local community. Zoom participants will be able to follow along on the live stream.

Download conference poster PDF

Jump to:

Dates | Who Should Attend? | Location | Sessions | What to Bring | Speakers | About the Area | Airports & Transportation | Accommodations | Registration & Fees | Contact Information | Purchase Tickets & Conference Sponsorships | Make a Donation

Dates

Friday, May 19 and Saturday, May 20, 2023

Who Should Attend?

• Christian Science chaplains, volunteers, and workers
• Those interested or curious about becoming a visiting or corresponding chaplain or volunteer
• State Institutional Committee members who want to increase participation in their regions
• Church members interested in supporting students of Christian Science whether they are in prison or about to be released (Angel Teams)

Location

First Church of Christ, Scientist, San Juan Capistrano, CA
31897 Del Obispo St #120
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 443-2537
Google Map | Driving Directions

Sessions

• Friday 5:00 pm – 8:30 pm (dinner included)
  • Session 1: Pre-parole and pre-release mindset
  • Session 2: Helping inmates prepare for release
  • Session 3: Preparing your church to welcome returning community members
  • Session 4: Post-release role of Angel Teams
• Saturday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm (breakfast & lunch included)
  • Session 1: Exploring unselfed love
  • Session 2: Making a real difference – our vision and mission
  • Session 3: Preparing for parole and release
  • Session 4: Effective correspondence programs
  • Session 5: Letter writing ministry
  • Session 6: Spiritual transformation on the inside
  • Session 7: Angel Teams helping to meet the need
  • Session 8: Mother Church support for Institutional work
  • Session 9: Spiritually preparing for the future

What to Bring

Please bring your laptop or tablet, pen and paper for taking notes. You will be participating in engaging interactive boot-camp style sessions and will want to take notes and use your own equipment to write practice letters, and connect with the community.

Speakers

• Anna Lisa Kronman, C.S., Board Chairperson, The Principle Foundation
• Sharon Sinclair, Christian Science Chaplain, Los Angeles, CA
• Trinka Wasik, C.S., State Institutional Committee Chair, Washington State Institutional Committee
• Troy Spann, Jr., Returning Community Member, Area Lead Supervisor, Urban Alchemy
• Sister Mary Sean Hodges, Founder PREP – Partnership for Reentry Program
• Sister Teresa Groth, DMJ, Executive Director of The Francisco Homes
• Carlos Vasquez, Owner “How To Battle”
• Marilyn McDonald, Christian Science Chaplain, Reno, NV
• David Fowler, Co-Founder Embraced:Fully
• Gabriel Serafini, Co-Founder Embraced:Fully
• Jeff Harbin, Grant Administrator, The Principle Foundation
• Barb Weiser, Secretary, Oregon State Institutional Committee
• Bob Woodard, Christian Science Chaplain & Angel Team Leader, Dallas TX
• Greg Nelson, Returning Community Member, Olympia, WA
• Brian Abbott, Institutional Committee Liaison, The Mother Church

Musicians

• Matthew Hammond and Davya Flaharty (LoveOnlyGrows.org)

About the Area

San Juan Capistrano is unique in Orange County and a rarity in California, a community whose foundation was laid by the earliest people to inhabit the land, and a community still evolving after more than 220 years. It is known for it’s historic downtown, excellent shopping, and closeness to the sea.

Airports & Transportation

The nearest major airport is John Wayne Airport (SNA / KSNA). This airport has international and domestic flights from Santa Ana, California and is 21 miles from the center of San Juan Capistrano, CA.

Another major airport is McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD / KCRQ), which has domestic flights from Carlsbad, California and is 38 miles from San Juan Capistrano, CA.

Long Beach Airport (LGB / KLGB) has domestic flights from Long Beach, California and is 40 miles from San Juan Capistrano, CA.

Accommodations

There are many local hotels and accommodations in the area. We have secured some group discounts at the following:

Please contact Marilyn McDonald for discount information and additional accommodation options: marilyn.mcdonald30@gmail.com

• Best Western Capistrano Inn
• Hampton Inn & Suites in Mission Viejo
• The Willows – SOLD OUT an independent living community for 55+ forward-thinking Christian Scientists, (limited availability)

Registration & Fees

Conference registration includes dinner on Friday night, breakfast and lunch on Saturday.

In-person conference seating is limited to 100 people total. Please register as soon as possible to secure your spot!

• Early Bird Registration – $120 – through April 30, 2023
• Regular Registration – $160 – May 1 – May 19, 2023

A limited number of needs-based scholarships are expected to be available.

Why are we charging money for this conference?
Embraced:Fully depends 100% on donors for funding. As a fiscally sponsored program of The Principle Foundation, we receive advice, administrative support, and the ability to collect tax-deductible donations due to their 501(c)(3) status. We do not receive any direct funding from The Principle Foundation.

Contact Information

• Marilyn McDonald, Conference Chairperson – ‭marilyn.mcdonald30@gmail.com – (775) 741-3655‬
• Gabriel Serafini, Embraced:Fully Co-Founder – gabriel@embracedfully.org – (415) 640-5984
• David Fowler, Embraced:Fully Co-Founder – david@embracedfully.org – ‭(760) 822-2133‬

Purchase Individual Tickets (In-Person and Zoom) and Conference Sponsorships