Ryan Hostler, Minister of Word and Service for Worship at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Vero Beach, is on the planning team for the first ever Rostered Ministers Gathering in 2017. ELCA pastors and deacons will gather to worship, pray, learn, rest and even play in Atlanta, August 7-10, 2017. With the unified roster of Word and Service passed at the 2016 churchwide assembly, the Rostered Ministers Gathering is the first time pastors and deacons will come together for their own learning and development, to support one another, learn from one another and worship together.
“I can’t think of a better way to do this than gathering in one place as we become a stronger community together, On the Way, with Christ.”
The theme for this gathering is “On the Way…Together,” inspired by the road to Emmaus story (Luke 24:13-35). As a church we believe God is calling us into the world – together. “This is especially important for the new Roster of Word and Service,” Hostler says, “as we live out the changes together and become one roster and one Diaconate.” The gathering will feature a variety of speakers, including Bishop Eaton, Dr. James Alexander Forbes Jr, and Rachel Held Evans. The gathering will also include over 50 workshops including “Theo-Poetics: Using Poetry and Hip Hop as tools of Worship and Resistance” led by David Scherer and Joe Davis, and “Biblical Storytelling,” led by Jason Chestnut. Dr. Shauna Hanna will be present to lead Bible studies and Rachel Kurtz, Jonathan Rundman and Peter Meyer will team up with other Lutheran musicians in leading a Beer and Hymns Concert to raise funds for the ELCA Fund For Leaders. Participants will also have opportunities for field trips and service learning trips.
There will be two pre-gatherings for this event–opportunities for specific groups of people to gather for additional time together: Federal Chaplains and Young Rostered Ministers (20’s and 30’s).
Registration for the Rostered Ministers Gathering will open March 1 – May 31, 2017 and will be $245/per person. This includes coffee breaks and four meals, keynotes, bible studies, workshops, evening concert, worship and interaction center. Regular Registration will be June 1 – July 23, 2017 and will be $295/person. There is a limited amount of financial assistance available for those who submit a scholarship application (signed by the bishop) by March 8.
Room rates will be $119/night + taxes at the Sheraton. More information will come in the fall. The hashtag is #ELCAOnTheWay. Watch Facebook and Twitter for more!
Questions? write 2017 Ministersgathering@elca.org or call 773-380-2552 or 800-635-3522.
