2008 Winter Family Weekend

Update: October 31, 2008

Winter Family Weekend 2008 - Schedule of Events brochure

We are less than two months away from the 2008 Winter Family Weekend in Louisville, Kentucky. A stellar lineup of educational opportunities, sporting events and family fun activities are being planned for all ages. We hope you will make plans to join us this year. Gas prices are going down at just the right time. The theme of this year’s Winter Family Weekend is "Called to Lead." God has called us into training. He has called us to develop our leadership skills. There is no time like the present to focus specifically on honing these skills.

Register online for the activities and to volunteer!

General donations to help pay for all the venues and activities may be sent to:
UCG - Louisville
PO Box 1387
Louisville, KY 40201-1387

* Please make checks payable to United Church of God and mark on the check that it is a donation for the Winter Family Weekend.

Update: October 3, 2008

We have GREAT NEWS to share with everyone…We’re back on! Three weeks ago hurricane force winds came through Louisville, which caused much damage in the area. Power outages were at an all-time record high, and downed trees on power lines also created many fires. The Clarion Hotel was one of the properties that suffered fire damage as a result of downed trees on power lines.

Long story short: God answered our prayers and has provided us with a new hotel and conference center in which to host this year’s Winter Family Weekend. The Galt House Hotel and Suites finished a $60 million renovation within the last two years, making it one of the premier hotels in all of Louisville. It is also the largest hotel (with 1,300 rooms) and sits right on the Ohio River. What this means is that unlike in past years, we can all stay in the same location where most all of the activities will take place. We have not signed a contract with any other hotels and request that you make your reservation at the Galt House, as this helps us secure excellent housing rates for you as well as helps the Church afford all the activities that are put on at this event.

The Galt House is offering us an unprecedented rate in their history since the renovations of $59 per night per room. We have also contracted their executive suites for the same rate. What this means is that you may request an executive suite (which is a bedroom with 2 queen beds and television, bathroom, and another room with foldout couch, television and mini-fridge) on a first-come, first-served basis. Once they have filled their suites, all remaining reservations will be standard rooms of either 2 queens or 1 king bed. No rooms offer microwaves.

We encourage you to make your reservations by going online or calling (800) 843-4258. Please be sure to let them know you are with the United Church of God if you call them. By way of reminder, the event opens with a family dance on Tuesday evening (Dec. 23) and ends late Saturday night (Dec. 27). Reservations may be made immediately. Online reservations may be made until November 25th, afterwards please call the 800 number.

Parking fees will be waived as long as you park in the Galt House Suites Tower parking lot.

Many more details about the event as well as how to register will be shared via announcements in your local congregations or by logging on to www.ucg.org/familyweekend when we all return from the Feast.

Mark Winner — Event Coordinator

Update: September 25, 2008

Due to a recent fire at the Clarion convention center (which started as a result of downed trees on power lines when the Hurricane Ike winds blew through Louisville), this year's Winter Family Weekend in Louisville, KY will not be able to be held at that location. Currently I am working with another establishment in an effort to secure the necessary hotel and convention space. Please do not make any reservations at the Clarion or Holiday Inn as in past years. We will not be using these facilities. An announcement will be posted on the Winter Family Weekend website to indicate where and when you may make reservations as soon as everything has been finalized.

Thank you for your patience.
Mark Winner