The Annual Social Ministry Gathering
February 25 - February 28, 2001
"Poverty in the Midst of Plenty:
Challenges for the Catholic Community"
The year 2001 brings a new millennium, a new Congress and a new Administration. Most importantly, it brings important opportunities to help shape the priorities of our nation. As leaders within the Catholic community, we are challenged to refocus the resources and energies of our Church and our nation on the needs of the poor. The planning committee for the 2001 Annual Social Ministry Gathering decided at its very first meeting to focus on this important challenge. Thus we chose the theme:
Poverty in the Midst of Plenty: Challenges for the Catholic Community.
Overview
We encourage you to come to Washington and be a part of this important meeting. We are moving to the refurbished, Washington Court Hotel, just one block away from the Holiday Inn where we have met for many years. We will build on the stunning and successful
Encuentro 2000: Many Faces in God's House gathering held in Los Angeles in July. We will continue to connect our prayer and our teaching with our learning and action. And we will create both time and space for you to meet with old friends and get acquainted with new ones. We will prepare ourselves for meetings with Senators and House members so we can effectively share our message of hope for the poor and vulnerable around the world. We will also take this opportunity to hold a hearing on the moral dimensions of economic globalization that can inform future efforts by the U.S. bishops to address this complex issue. We hope you will come prepared to share the experiences, hopes, and concerns of people in your diocese as they participate in the global economy.
In the spirit of Encuentro, we ask you to share this booklet and invitation with the African American, Hispanic, and other office directors, staffs and leaders in your dioceses. We hope to continue to experience the rich diversity of the church that was displayed at Encuentro.
And as always, we will have fun! Our "Mardi Gras" entertainer this year will be Ms. Christine Kane who impressed people with her wonderful performance at the Jubilee Justice Gathering. You won't want to miss Christine's first time with us as the headliner. In short, there are a lot of reasons for you to be in Washington for this important gathering. We look forward to seeing you!
The Planning Committee
Registration
By Mail: Send the completed registration form (enclosed), with full payment to Social Ministry Gathering 2001, C/O Event Solutions Unlimited, P.O. Box 32862, Baltimore, MD 21282. Make checks payable to USCC/SDWP. You may also pay by VISA or MasterCard.
By Fax: Fax completed form to Event Solutions Unlimited at (410) 559-2217. If you use fax to register, you must pay by VISA or MasterCard.
By Telephone: Call toll-free (800) 937-8728, Monday through Friday, 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. (Eastern Time). Have completed form and credit card ready when you call. Must pay by credit card, VISA or MasterCard.
On-Line: www.usccb.org/sdwp (click on Social Ministry Gathering). Must use VISA or MasterCard to register on-line.
Confirmation and Name Badges
A confirmation and name badge will be mailed to you approximately two weeks after you register. You must bring your name badge with you as it is your admission pass to all Gathering events. If you do not receive your confirmation package within three weeks of your registration, please call the conference registrar at (800) 937-8728.
Event Location and Accommodations
Washington Court Hotel: All Gathering events, other than the Tuesday afternoon visits to Capitol Hill, will be held at the Washington Court Hotel located at 525 New Jersey Avenue NW, in Washington, DC. The Hotel phone number is (202) 628-2100. We have blocked overflow rooms at the Holiday Inn On the Hill in case we sell out at the Washington Court Hotel. The Holiday Inn is less than one block from the Washington Court.
Accommodations: While the Washington Court Hotel is the headquarters hotel for this event, all reservations for registration and accommodations are being made through Event Solutions Unlimited. This will save each registrant who reserves a room at least 15% because all room payments will be made by USCC/SDWP, a tax exempt organization. Rooms always sell out for this Gathering, so please reserve your room early!!! The rates are $129.00 for a single, $159 for a double, $187 for a triple, and $215 for a quad. Valet parking is available at the hotel for $15 per day and $18 overnight.
Hotel Room Sharing: If you would like to be matched with a roommate by Event Solutions Unlimited, please mark the box on the registration form and indicate your gender. The registration company will match roommates on a first come, first served basis, based on gender. If you know that you will need a room but would like to be matched with the first available roommate, payment will be due at $159.00 double room rate for each night needed. Once a match has been found, each roommate will be refunded the appropriate amounts within two weeks of the match. Neither the USCC nor the registration company are responsible for roommate compatibility.
If registrants match themselves with roommates, full payment must be received on one registration form and the necessary accounting should be done between the roommates. Housing payments cannot be split between registrants.
Travel
We have arranged a special airline discount for this gathering. The discount is equal to 5 - 10% off the lowest available price. Please call (800) 805-3976 to make your airline reservations. The closest airport to this Gathering is Reagan National Airport (DCA).
Disability Access Needs
We are working once again to make this meeting as accessible as possible. If you would like to have a meeting coordinator contact you about your disability access needs, please mark the box on the registration form.
Audio Tapes
Audiotapes will be available for purchase on-site.
Important Registration Deadlines
Early bird registration rate is available until December 31, 2000.
Last day to receive refund for registration or housing is January 24, 2001.
Hotel group rate will not be available after January 24, 2001.
Advance registration deadline is February 16, 2001. After this date, registration will be available on site.