About 100 Disciples seminarians from across the country will congregate next month for the Seminarians Conference, organized by Higher Education and Leadership Ministries and supported by the general ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

The meeting is a long-standing tradition in the denomination, held in years between General Assemblies. This year's conference will be held October 21-24 at the Scarritt-Bennett Center in Nashville, Tenn. Students who have completed their first year of seminary, regardless of which institution they attend, are invited to join the conference.

"This is a once-in-your-seminary-career opportunity to meet your colleagues in ministry and the leaders of your denomination," said Kathy Carson, HELM's Director of Program Services. "The connections you make at the Seminarians Conference can make a lasting difference in your ministry."

During the conference, seminarians will discuss the church's mission, ministry, heritage and traditions in a variety of ways.

Speakers at this year's conference include General Minister and President Chris Hobgood; Bill Edwards, former Associate General Minister and new Ohio Regional Minister; presidents of all General Ministries; and 15 additional staff members from various ministries who will lead workshops and organize other educational events.

The conference also includes a field trip - to the Disciples of Christ Historical Society down the block.

During the summer HELM sent postcards to every known Disciple seminarian. "Given the way seminarians change addresses often, we know there are some who don't yet know about this conference," Carson said. "There is still time for them to sign up and make sure they're included in Nashville.

The conference registration form and additional information are online at www.helmdisciples.org. The registration fee is $75. A limited amount of travel funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis through HELM. Students must contact HELM no later than September 30.

All 11 General Ministries help underwrite the costs of the Seminarians Conference.

Goodbye, DHE. Hello, HELM.

The Division of Higher Education officially changed its name to Higher Education and Leadership Ministries on August 1. With the change comes a new web site, new letterhead and business cards, new promotional materials, and more. Each of them displays HELM's new logo, a symbolic view of a ship sailing into uncharted waters.

HELM's board of directors approved the name change in May to reflect the division's new direction: nurturing leaders for the church and the world in partnership with all areas of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), including educational institutions and student ministry programs.

The new name meant a new logo.

In the logo, the prow of a ship pushes to the upper right, water rippling on either side of the ship. Falling across the prow is the shadow of a mast - a shadow in the shape of the St. Andrew cross depicted on the Chalice, the denomination's official logo. Below the image is "HELM" in block letters with the Chalice replacing the left vertical leg of the H. The logo's colors are four shades of blue and silver with hints of black.

Is your congregation supporting campus ministry programs? Let HEMA help spread the word.

By submitting your name to the Higher Education Ministries Arena (HEMA) Directory of Ministries in Higher Education, you'll be part of the fastest-growing directory of campus ministry programs across the country. Students and parents can use the HEMA directory to locate a Disciples-related campus ministry program near a college or university.

The directory also serves as a networking resource for campus ministers, university chaplains and congregationally-based campus ministries related to seven denominations, including the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Submit your information today by completing the HEMA Collegiate Ministry and Staff Profile form on the web at: www.higheredmin.org/directory.html.

Need more information? Contact HELM at helm@helmdisciples.org or (314) 991-3000.