Allegheny East Conference Communication Team Celebrates Anniversary on Cruise

Story by LaTasha Hewitt

Allegheny East Conference’s Communication Department recently celebrated its 10th anniversary of their Connection and Ministry Communication Conference (CAMCON) on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship. On the seven-day cruise, attendees participated in seminars on the sailing days (Tuesday and Friday) and a seminar and worship service on Sabbath—where they welcomed almost 20 additional worshippers on the ship for the Sabbath School and worship experience.

Part of the voyage included participating in a photo scavenger hunt where participants captured moments from their time on the ship and various items from the port destinations, including CocoCay, Bahamas, St. Thomas, and St. Kitts and Nevis.

“Deciding to host the conference on a cruise was less about the conference itself and more about celebrating the ministry of local church communication and media teams,” says LaTasha Hewitt, AEC Communication director. “Local communicators are some of the most undercelebrated ministers in the local church, and burnout is real. We wanted to encourage them to take time to relax and recharge.”

CAMCON was birthed in 2015 with the goal of providing an opportunity for local church communication and media team members, along with pastors, to come together to learn, brainstorm and network on how to more effectively proclaim the gospel locally and globally.

Organizers thank the Columbia Union Conference Communication Department for sponsoring the event’s welcome bag, as well as Janet Baddol of Paradise Resort Travel and a member of the Metropolitan church in Hyattsville, Md., for coordinating the travel arrangements.