The Fellows of the Hill Country Institute for Contemporary Christianity, Concordia University at Austin and the volunteers organizing this conference invite you to join us for a stimulating time of growth in our personal journeys and educational capabilities. We will enjoy a rich and rewarding walk through the writing of C.S Lewis on education. Come along and consider the challenges of education today, both in the classroom and as continuing education for each of us, personally and in our families.

C.S. Lewis was a thoughtful and prolific writer on many topics of interest. His ability to express ideas and articulate key points in an interesting way was extraordinary. His work included literary criticism, children’s fiction, science fiction and Christian apologetics.

Joel Heck has studied the many ways in which Lewis,an educator, considered the current thought and trends in teaching students, and found so much of education to be a dry and values suffocating desert.  He observed this desert  needed the powerful irrigation of clear, concise thought and well articulated principles and values.

Dr. Joel Heck, our featured speaker, has written a fascinating study of Lewis’s thought and approach to education, Irrigating Deserts: C.S. Lewis on Education. In the words of one reviewer, “In Irrigating Deserts, Joel D. Heck of Concordia University at Austin has produced a wonderful book on the educational philosophy of the noted educator and writer C. S. Lewis.”

In preparing to teach at this conference, Joel has gleaned from his research for the book and the writings of C.S. Lewis to give us a feast for the soul and for the mind. You will leave better prepared to understand and teach values education, whether you teach in a classroom, lead your own self education or actively lead others in the learning process in various settings.

Musical Arts and Artistic Interludes
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The conference will feature live music as a prelude to the day’s events, as well as artistic interludes in the morning and afternoon. Check back for additional details.

Registration and Conference Fee
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We are no longer accepting online registrations; however plenty of space is still available.  Tickets will be $60 at the door and subject to availability. 

Special Needs for Handicapped
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Please let us know if you have special needs when you register so we may assist you.
 
Hotel Information
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There are a wide variety of hotel and motel properties near Concordia University. We have contacted three properties, two with special rates for Concordia and one which does not have a special rate, but is a low cost property and part of a national chain. If you call Drury or Crown Plaza, be sure and ask for the special rate for Concordia University or you will not receive the special rate. These rates were quoted to us on the phone and we do not guarantee they are available, but the information was provided by their reservations departments.

Drury Hotel: 6711 N. IH-35, about ½- ¾ miles north of 290/2222, on the east side of IH-35. Phone 512.467.9500. Rates quoted for Concordia University-King Suite-$119.99/night. For four-$129.99/night. They informed us the Suite will accommodate two couples with their own private room, so this could be a good value for couples traveling together. Two Queen Bed Suite-$109.99/night. Two double beds-$$89.99. One king bed-$99.99.

Crown Plaza: 6121 N. IH-35, 1 block north of 290/2222, on the east side of IH-35. Phone 512.323.5466. Rates quoted for Concordia University-Standard 2 Double Beds or one King-$99.99.

Motel 6: 5330 N. IH-35, about ½- ¾ miles south of 290/2222, on the west side of IH-35. 512.467.9111. No special rates quoted for Concordia University. Single occupancy-$55.99/night, $61.99/night.

 
Schedule
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8:00AM Registration Opens
8:30AM Musical Prelude-Morris Nelms, Jazz Pianist
9:00AM Welcome
9:10AM Opening Remarks-Pat Forgione
 9:25AM Joel Heck-First Plenary Presentation
"The Foundations of Education"
10:40AM Break
10:55AM Artistic Interlude-The White Witch of Narnia, by

Claudia Teinert
11:05AM Joel Heck-Second Plenary Presentation
    "The Four Cardinal Virtues in the Land of Narnia"
12:30PM Lunch
1:30PM Joel Heck-Third Plenary Presentation
    "Keeping Your Promises"
3:00PM Break
3:15PM Artistic Interlude
3:30PM Panel Discussion-Joel Heck, Nanci Boice, Ginger Umstattd, Bill St. Cyr 

 
Contributions and Volunteering
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If you have any questions, would like to volunteer, make a contribution, or would like additional information about the conference, please contact us.

Donors
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$500
Concordia University at Austin

$250
Tarrytown Methodist Church

$100
Anonymous
Dr. Evelyn Farmer
Steve and Martha Muckleroy
Redeemer Lutheran Church

Under the mercy,
Larry Linenschmidt, Executive Director
Hill Country Institute for Contemporary Christianity