Rostered Ministers Gathering
The Rostered Ministers Gathering Planning Team has worked diligently to create an engaging and relational gathering for our leaders.
We are excited to offer a three-day, two-night event this year to accommodate high quality content and meaningful retreat space to rejuvenate your being.
Our schedule begins the afternoon of Monday, October 2, with opening worship and will conclude at lunch time on Wednesday, October 4.
Participants will leave the retreat refreshed and equipped to compassionately tend to both themselves and others. It will be a healing-laden and hope-filled sending.
When and Where
When:
Monday, October 2 – Wednesday, October 4, 2023
Where:
Lawn Lawn Resort
2400 Geneva St., Delavan, WI 53115
Main Retreat Content
What does wise, connected leadership look like in a world still trying to emerge from one of the most traumatizing moments in modern history? In the wake of the pandemic and its attendant societal wounds and instabilities, many leaders responsible for soul care have been left feeling depleted and demoralized. In this immersive, healing, and informative three-day experience, Dr. Andrea Hollingsworth will give participants a chance to: (1) find rest and refreshment as they lean into the healing power of self-compassion, and (2) become inspired and equipped to lead with greater compassion in their congregations, communities, and lives.
Session One: Tending to Our Own Wounds
Session Two: Choosing Self-Kindness
Session Three: Tending to the Suffering of Others
Session Four: Healing Courses of Action
Tentative Schedule
The scheduled will be updated as we approach the event!
Monday, October 2
- 1:00 p.m. Arrival & Registration [please eat lunch prior to arrival]
- 2:00 p.m. Opening Eucharist
- Afternoon Plenary 1, Break
- Evening Dinner, Fun Activity
Tuesday, October 3
- Morning Breakfast, Plenary 2, Bp. Strickland Keynote, Lunch with Affinity Groups
- Afternoon Plenary 3, Optional Workshop with Bp. Strickland, Total Free-time or Structured Activities
- Evening Dinner, Evening Prayer, Q&A Session with Bishop Curry
Wednesday, October 12
- Morning Breakfast, Plenary 4, Closing Eucharist
- 11:45 a.m. Departure
Presenters
Dr. Andrea Hollingsworth (she/her)
Hi, I’m Dr. Andrea Hollingsworth. I’m passionate about helping leaders build cultures of care, emotional wellness, and spiritual depth in organizational environments. As a current psychotherapist and former university professor of theology, I’ve spent decades researching, counseling, and teaching on topics related to spirituality, wholeness, happiness, and interpersonal wellbeing. Since 2008, I’ve published and presented widely on the topic of compassion–a theme that remains central to my work with leaders and organizations. I adore good books, good conversations, good coffee, and all things cozy. I live with my family in the western suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota, where we attend Lord of Life Lutheran Church, an ELCA congregation.
The Rev. Kevin Strickland (he/him)
Bishop Strickland was elected Bishop of the Southeastern Synod on June 2, 2019. Prior to the election, he served in the ELCA Churchwide office since August of 2014 as the Assistant to the Presiding Bishop, Executive for Worship of the ELCA.
Born and raised in Lexington, SC, Bishop Strickland is an honors graduate of Newberry College (Newberry, SC) with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Philosophy and a minor in History. He also obtained a Master of Divinity from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (Columbia, SC). In December of 2019, Newberry College awarded him a Doctorate of Divinity. In August of 2021, he began work on a Doctorate of Ministry degree (class of 2024) in Church Leadership and Community Witness from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Bp. Strickland also holds a certificate in Executive religious fundraising.
Bishop Strickland served as pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran (Nashville, TN) and St. Paul Lutheran (Maryville, TN) prior and has served at Incarnation Lutheran (Columbia, SC), St. Philip’s Lutheran (Newberry, SC), Lutheran Church of Redeemer (Newberry, SC), and Mt. Tabor Lutheran (West Columbia, SC) in the area of youth and family ministry.
With a heart for justice and advocacy ministry, Bishop Strickland has served on various local and national non-profit boards. He currently serves on the boards of Georgia Interfaith Public Policy Council, Inspiritus, Middle East Ready Bench of the ELCA, Ecumenical and Interreligious Committee of the ELCA, Immigration Ready Bench of the ELCA, 1517 Media, Newberry College, NovusWay, Region Nine Council, James R. Crumley Archives, Day 1 Advisory Council, and many others.
Bishop Strickland has been published in several worship and preaching journals and books. In April of 2021, he was inducted into Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. College of Ministers. He and his spouse, Robby, are excited about what God has in store for the Southeastern Synod of the ELCA and look forward to walking this journey together.
Bishop Yehiel Curry (he/him)
Bishop Yehiel Curry was elected June 8, 2019, as bishop of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Previously, from 2013-2019, Bishop Curry served as pastor of Shekinah Chapel, an ELCA congregation in Riverdale, Illinois, where he also served as mission developer from 2007 to 2012. Bishop Curry received a Bachelor of Arts from Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois, in 1995, and a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago in 2013. He and his wife LaShonda are the parents of three daughters.
Cost and Scholarship Information
The registration cost includes 2 nights lodging, 5 meals, snacks during plenary sessions, and all gathering materials.
Early Registration [May 15 – June 15]
Single Occupancy Room – $350
Double Occupancy Room – $250 (with roommate preference)
Regular Registration [June 16 – August 15]
Single Occupancy Room – $400
Double Occupancy Room – $300 (with roommate preference)
Scholarships are available. Please contact Pastor Kyle Severson () for more information prior to registering.
There is also an opportunity to contribute toward the cost of a scholarship in order to sponsor a rostered minister. Simply add on an optional donation when you register. (And thank you for your generosity and #GoodStew!)
Registration
Online registration is CLOSED! Please contact Pastor Kyle Severson () if you have any questions or concerns.
Child Care Option and Registration
We are excited to be able to offer our rostered ministers the option of childcare during this event.
Childcare will only be offered during *focus sessions* but not during meals, evening activities, or free time.
For ages 1-5, care will be provided by professionals from Care.com so that children can remain on resort grounds.
Parents are responsible for providing snacks, diapers, milk/formula, toys, and any other basic needs for their child.
Naps can be coordinated and will take place in the bedroom of the child care suite. Parents will need to provide the pack and play/crib for nap times.
Kids & spouses/partners are welcome to join us for meals. Those meals will cost: $175/adult & $150/child
A $50, refundable deposit (if your child attends), is due, please pay for that deposit and your meals by sending a check to the Metro Chicago Synod Office.
Planning Team
We give thanks to the wonderful folks who have volunteered their time to be part of the planning team this year!
- Pr. Fanya Burford Berry
- Pr. Felicia Campbell
- Pr. Ann Gonyea
- Pr. Julie Grafe
- Pr. Laura Harris-Ferree
- Minister Rodger Jones
- Pr. Christina Klein
- Pr. Laura Kline
- Pr. Anders Nelson
- Pr. JoAnn Post
- Pr. Mark Rollenhagen
- Dcn. Lora Salley
- Pr. Michelle Sevig
- Pr. Kyle Severson (staff liaison)
- Pr. Matthew Smith-Laubenstein
- Pr. Linda Thurston
In Jesus’ name: we proclaim the gospel, make disciples, do justice.
