2009 Disciples Seminarians Conference
March 5-8
Scarritt-Bennett Center
Nashville, Tennessee

The Conference Planning Committee has worked to build a program that will be informative and enjoyable. We are pleased that you are planning to attend and invite you to take full advantage of the opportunities to renew acquaintances with old friends and meet new friends. We welcome you to Nashville and hope this conference is a growing experience for you!

Registration
When you arrive at the Scarritt-Bennett Center, you will receive a registration packet and your room key at the Rooms and Guest Services front desk, which is located in the Laskey Building. If you arrive between 7:00 p.m. and midnight Thursday, please pick up your registration packet in Laskey Hall. If you arrive after midnight, your key will be left at the security office in the front lobby of the Laskey Building. Please notify us if you know you will be late so we can alert security. Harambee Auditorium in Fondren Hall will be the location of our plenary sessions.

The registration packet will contain information about the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), a conference schedule, and various materials that may be of help during your stay in Nashville. A review of these registration materials will enable you to feel the flow of the week in more detail.

Schedule
The Conference officially begins with dinner at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, and concludes with lunch on Sunday, March 8. People may arrive anytime on Thursday, but may not be able to get into your rooms until 3:00 p.m.

• Tentative schedule (PDF)

Ground transportation
Flying to Nashville International Airport: Arrangements have been made with Gray Line Airport Express. When you are ready to leave the airport, go to the Gray Line Express desk on the airport's ground transportation level, one level below baggage claim, and let them know you are with the Disciples Seminarians Conference. They will have a list of prepaid seminarians. When you arrive at Scarritt Bennett, we will collect departure times when you check in to make sure you have plenty of time Sunday to check in at the airport.

Driving to Nashville: The Scarritt Bennett Center is located a few miles southwest of downtown Nashville. Driving directions are available online at http://www.scarrittbennett.org/about/maps.aspx

Attendance
The conference is designed to introduce seminarians to the mission, ministry, and staff of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). All sessions are important, and adequate time has been planned for relaxation and fellowship, so it is expected that all persons will participate in all sessions.

Attire
Dress is casual. Photos will be taken throughout the conference. There will be a free evening to see Nashville. What you choose to wear will depend on what you may want to do; anywhere from walking around town to going to a country/western nightclub. The conference will be housed in different buildings on the Scarritt-Bennett Center campus, so bring appropriate clothing. Nashville forecast

Lodging
The Scarritt-Bennett Center has three residence halls where most of the rooms are singles (single bed), which share a full bath with another single room. There are no elevators in the residence halls, so please indicate first floor needs. Linens are provided.

Food
The Scarritt Bennett Center's large dining will allow us to eat together at all meals. All regular meals are served buffet style and offer vegetarian options. For those of you with allergies and other dietary concerns, Scarritt-Bennett staff will be happy to discuss the ingredients of our meals. Snacks will be provided at most break times.

Expenses
Your registration fee and financial support from the general ministries sponsoring the conference covers food and lodging costs for the conference. Your only additional expenses will be for food to and from Nashville and spending money for your free evening.

Smoking
Smoking is not allowed inside any of the buildings including the sleeping rooms.

Near Scarritt Bennett
Two Disciples institutions are within blocks of the Scarritt Bennett Center: The Disciples of Christ Historical Society, which will be open for tours, is across the street, and the Disciples Divinity House at Vanderbilt is just three blocks away. Between the conference site and Vanderbilt University, a few blocks west, are several restaurants and a pharmacy in case you left something important at home.

Contacts
The address of the Scarritt-Bennett Center is 1008 19th Avenue South, Nashville, Tennessee 37212-2166 and the phone number is (615) 340-7500. (www.scarrittbennett.org)

Questions?
E-mail helm@helmdisciples.org or call 314-991-3000.