When: April 30, 2009

Where: Cumming First UMC, 770 Canton Highway, Cumming, GA 30040

What: "Using Technology in Traditional Worship" will be the theme as we look at the use of screens, video and more in traditional worship settings.

Speakers will include:
Davis Chappell from Lawrenceville to discuss preaching
                        with images
John Cromartie and his team from Cumming
Sean Robinson from Peachtree City who works with their
                      video and worship team and will talk about
                      "Tips for Starting your own Motion-Picture
                       Ministry," the practical needs of getting
                       started: (equipment, funding, personnel,
                       delivery, etc.), as well as practical and
                       philosophical pitfalls to watch for.
Matt Nelson from Augusta who will talk about
                      technology in the Small Membership
                      Church.

Detailed Bios for Speakers & CFUMC Team: 
John L. Cromartie, Jr., has been the senior pastor of Cumming First United Methodist Church since 1997. With degrees from Emory University (political science, philosophy and religion), University of Georgia (law) and Candler School of Theology (divinity), John is diverse in his interests and educational background, earning many awards in his legal and ministerial careers.
J. Michael Holbrook, Graduate of UGA (Drama/Production) has worked professionally in the field of video production for over 10 years as Director/Producer/Editor for Adelphia Cable & Charter Cable local TV stations. His clients include the UGA Alumni Association, Gainesville Downtown Business Association (Mainstreet Gainesville), UGA Cooperative Extension (Athens-Clarke Co. Office), Crescent Bank, King Green, John Megel Chevrolet, Johns Creek Baptist Church, Canton First UMC, Cumming First UMC, Petra Christian University (Surabaya, Indonesia) and many other local business (restaurants, hair salons, funeral homes, etc).
Lynwood D. Jordan, Jr., is the son of a retired Methodist minister and presides as Probate Judge of Forsyth County. Woody has been active in the broadcast industry since 1962, working in numerous broadcast facilities both on the air and as an FCC licensed engineer. Chairman of the Communications Committee at Cumming First UMC, he has been instrumental in technology and acoustic enhancements in the present sanctuary.
Ellen Ishino Rankart is the founder of Stonefield Productions, a non-profit corporation, that communicates the vision of organizations that benefit others through the medium of photography, graphic design and video production. Her clients include Cumming First UMC, Kennesaw State University, the Acoustic Neuroma Association, Women's History Month at Emory University and Men in Motion, an after school leadership program for at-risk youth.
Sean Robinson is a classically trained pianist. Sean first became interested in electronic music when he saw a photograph of legendary keyboardist Rick Wakeman onstage surrounded by synthesizers. Since then, he has been fascinated with recording, live sound, video production, and digital artistry. He is the founder of AVM Concepts LLC, an audio visual media production and consulting practice in Fayette County, and serves at Peachtree City United Methodist Church as Director of Audio-Visual Technology. He lives in Peachtree City with his wife, son, and a Labrador Retriever.
Neida E. Streit, Director of Communications at Cumming First United Methodist Church, has been in some capacity of the advertising field since 1977. Her love of design has grown from earning her degree in art through working in print medium sales and production. While serving as a cryptologic linguist in the U.S. Air Force, she also used her design skills to develop and publish training materials and newsletters at the National Security Agency. With an emphasis on print medium and electronic advertising, she now applies her marketing skills to publicizing the activities and ministries of her home church.