Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. -- Romans 12:2
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Join us November 15-17 at the DoubleTree Resort at Lancaster/Willow Valley for fellowship, refreshment and stimulating conversation with Phyllis Tickle, author of The Great Emergence, and Stephen Bouman of the ELCA's Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission unit, about Christianity at the Crossroads. Cost including room and meals is $340 (shared) or $415 (single) by Oct. 1, and $375 (shared) or $450 (single) thereafter. Registration deadline is Oct. 20.
Welcome from Bishop BurkatNow to Him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly for more than all we can ask or imagine, to Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen ~ Ephesians 3:20-21
Have you noticed that the ground seems to be shifting beneath the church as we know it? Denominational loyalty is disappearing. More and more people identify as “spiritual but not religious”. Young people especially, seem to mix-and-match from various spiritual traditions, Christian and not, to connect with the divine. The church is truly at a crossroads.
Five centuries after the Reformation, we are blessed as well as challenged to be living through a similar transition. Dr. Tickle points as examples to a renewed focus on the person of Jesus, on Christian community, and on new avenues for communicating the Gospel and connecting believers, all the while rearticulating traditional beliefs with new energy and relevance. Join us for a fascinating conversation about this “Great Emergence” of the Church, and how our own denomination also finds itself at a crossroad. We have invited the Rev. Dr. Stephen Bouman, Executive Director of the ELCA’s Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission unit, to share his perspective of how this shift is affecting the ELCA, and he will lead us to explore how we will respond on the synodical and congregational arenas. Bring your questions and ideas, your hopes and fears, and share with colleagues and our presenters as together we wrestle with the future God is calling us into, and as we seek the power of the Holy Spirit to work within and through us. Bishop Claire Burkat
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This upheaval is to be expected, according to our 2010 Convocation keynote speaker Dr. Phyllis Tickle. In her fascinating book “The Great Emergence” she argues that the church had held just such a “rummage sale” every 500 years or so since Jesus’ time, when Christians re-examine traditions and world-views in order to keep what is essential and discard the adiaphora.Presenters
Dr. Phyllis Tickle is the founding editor of the Religion Department of Publishers Weekly and is frequently quoted in print sources such as USA Today, in electronic media including PBS, NPR, The Hallmark Channel, and innumerable blogs and web sites. Dr. Tickle is an authority on religion in America and a much sought after lectuerer on the subject. In addition to lectures and numerous essays, articles, and interviews, she is the author of over two dozen books in religion and spirituality. Dr. Tickle is a founding member of The Canterbury Roundtable and serves now on a number of advisory and corporate boards. A lay eucharistic minister and lector in the Episcopal Church, she is the mother of seven children and with her physician-husband, makes her home on a farm in Lucy, TN.
Rev. Dr. Stephen Bouman was called to the position of Executive Director for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission unit in February, 2008. He previously served as bishop of the Metropolitan New York Synod for almost twelve years. He is a graduate of Concordia Theological Seminary/ Seminex, and holds the Doctor of Ministry degree from New York Theological Seminary. Pastor Bouman is a published author of a number of scholarly articles, books, curricula and devotionals. Two recent books are Grace All Around Us, published in 2007 and the just-released They Are Us: Lutherans and Immigration, co-authored with Ralston Deffenbaugh. He is married to the former Janet Luce, and they have three grown children.
ELCA Board of Pensions Presentation
Mr. John Kapanke, President and CEO, of the ELCA Board of Pensions has been invited to come before the Convocation begins to update and answer questions about the ELCA Pension Plan Monday morning at 10:00. If you are not registering for Convocation but would like to attend just the ELCA Board of Pensions presentation, please call or email Ginny Bailey by October 18. The Board of Pensions presentation is FREE and you are welcome to stay for lunch for the cost of $12.00.
Schedule
Monday, November 15th
*DoubleTree check in time at 4 pm on Monday*
9:00 am Registration
10:00 am Presenter – Mr. John Kapanke, ELCA Board of Pensions
12:00 pm Lunch
1:15 pm Opening Devotions
1:30 pm Presenter – Mr. John Kapanke – Wrap-up and Q&A
2:15 pm Break
2:30 pm Presenter – Dr. Phyllis Tickle
4:30 pm Free Time
6:15 pm Dinner
7:30 pm Worship – Holy Communion
Following worship fellowship activities are available onsite
Tuesday, November 18th
7:30 am Breakfast
9:00 am Worship
9:45 am Presenter – Rev. Dr. Stephen Bouman
11:00 am Break
11:15 am Presenter – Dr. Phyllis Tickle
12:30 pm Lunch
1:30 pm Free Time
6:15 pm Dinner
7:30 pm A conversation with Bishop Burkat
8:30 pm Worship
Following worship fellowship activities are available onsite.
Wednesday, November 17th
7:30 am Breakfast
8:45 am Presenter – Rev. Dr. Stephen Bouman and Bishop Claire S. Burkat
10:30 am Worship
11:15 am Lunch
Massage available by appointment.
Signup at the rear of the meeting room.
Registration information
Registration cost is $115 by Oct. 1, $150 Oct. 2-20.
Lodging/meals cost is $225/person, $300 for a single room.
Scholarships are available. To apply, fill out the form in the registration brochure and submit a check for the full amount of your convocation fees. If a scholarship is granted, you will be reimbursed in the amount of the award.
Registration deadline is Oct. 20, 2010
Contact: Ginny Bailey
Convocation Staff
Joanne Carlson
Assistant to the Bishop for Global Vision and Events
Mrs. Carlson coordinates major synod meetings and events including the Convocation in addition to her work with our international partnerships with companion synods. Contact her with information about logistics, reservations, facilities, costs and scholarships.
Contact: 267.323.3759 |
Ginny Bailey
Administrative Assistant
Ms. Bailey serves as registrar for the Convocation. Contact her with registration questions.
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ELCA Presiding Bishop Addresses Discernment, Repentance, Reconciliation
On a recent morning walk I reflected upon familiar words from Ecclesiastes, "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1, NRSV). As I walked, I prayed and pondered about this time in the life of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). It is my prayer that we use this time for discerning and engaging; for repenting and reconciling; for restraint but not timidity; and for rejoicing. A Time for Discerning and Engaging Throughout the ELCA I hear people asking, "Is my voice heard? Will my voice be respected as we seek together to discern God's purpose for us?" The answer is yes. Nevertheless, people of deep faith and a desire to be part of this church wonder: Do we mean it when we say we can preach, teach and hold divergent views on sexuality and be full participants in the ELCA's life and witness? Again, the answer is yes.