Nebraska Synod ELCA
Event
An Invitation from Deacon Sunni Richardson on Behalf of the Nebraska Synod Staff
Walk down the aisle of any bookstore and you will be overwhelmed with titles that shout change. I look at my own bookshelves and I see liminal times, doubt, leaders, leadership, vision, inspired, church, questions, servant, stories, tempered, resilience, Spirit, team, weird, spiritual, migration, radical, inclusive, innovative, post-quarantine, welcome and prayer, just to name a few. Every author has wisdom to share and not one of them has the magic answer for getting people back in the pews. Nor do they offer a simple step-by-step formula for how to be Christ’s church in changing times. While some may find that discouraging, others are energized by the freedom to blaze a new trail. Amid these changing times, there is one constant. We know without a doubt that God is at work in the world, and we are called to join the adventure.
Priya Parker writes, “Gathering — the conscious bringing together of people for a reason – shapes the way we think, feel and make sense of the world.” (page ix “The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters”) She goes on to write, “I have come to believe that it is the way a group is gathered that determines what happens in it and how successful it is.” (page xiii)
With Priya Parker’s words in mind and the assurance that “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20) I invite you to come, to gather. Come as colleagues, leaders, lifelong learners, wanderers, reformers, disciples, and apostles.
Rev. Scott Johnson, who by the time we gather in October will have been installed as Bishop and served 54 days, will share his insights. His presentation is titled “Courage to Stand? Look to the Rock”.
Deacon Peggy Hahn, Executive Director with LEAD will invite you to come catch up with yourself and live with freedom from perfection within a courageous community. (waytolead.org) Dr. Courtney Wilder, Midland University, will ground us with scripture and provide language and images to reflect on and speak honestly about our struggle and God’s presence.
Workshops will provide an opportunity for shared conversation and learning. Meals will give us fellowship time. Worship will ground us as children of God and at Christ’s table we will be fed the bread of life.
RE: Formation 2022 is for you – pastor, deacon, parish ministry associate (PMA), and other key leadership staff! See you in Kearney October 24-26.
Download Keynote Biographies & Summaries Here
Date: October 24-26, 2022
Location: Holiday Inn – Kearney, Nebraska (110 2nd Ave, Kearney, NE 68847)
Cost:
Attendee (Rostered under Call, PMA, Interns, Staff) — Early Bird (until 8/26): $200⎮Regular (until 9/24): $230⎮Late (until 10/7): $270
Attendee (Lay Spouse, Retired) — Early Bird (until 8/26): $170⎮Regular (until 9/24): $210⎮Late (until 10/7): $250
Registration Deadline: October 7, 2022
Wednesday Workshops: Wednesday morning workshops are available to participants for an additional fee. A full breakfast in included.
Download Workshop Descriptions
Housing: There are rooms available at the Holiday Inn in Kearney at a discounted rate of $114.95 per night. If you are interested in staying at the Holiday Inn, please call the hotel directly at (308) 237-5971 to book your room.
COVID Protocol: Participants are required to be fully vaccinated OR have had a negative COVID test within 24 hours of start of event.
Contact: Deacon Sunni Richardson, Director for Leadership Development at sunni@nebraskasynod.org