ABOUT THE CONVO …
The Bishop’s Convocation is the theological conference of the Central States Synod, ELCA. It is an opportunity for leaders — lay and ordained — to gather and learn. The program costs are subsidized by the synod. Spouses and significant others are welcome as full participants; lay leaders are invited to attend.
ABOUT THE THEME … Ambassadors of Salvation: A Model for Christian Advocacy
You can’t be around the Church long before some talk about “salvation” comes to the fore. As often as not, the word has more than a hint about the afterlife: “Are you saved?”
But in Greek, the word “salvation” means more about the present life, by way of health, healing, and wholeness.
What happens when Christians think of themselves as Ambassadors of Salvation in the sense of healing the world, rather than being concerned about what happens when we leave it?
At our gathering, Rev. Dr. Anna Madsen, theologian at OMG: Center for Theological Conversation, will present some theological grounding for reconsidering the notion of salvation. By spending some time thinking about all-too-dusty-words like eschatology and prolepsis, we will see how Jesus’ ministry and the ministry of the early church might speak some new words to the church of today.
Meanwhile, Rev. Andrew Genszler, Director of ELCA Advocacy, will pose some questions about how this manner of thinking through salvation might change the way the Church thinks through advocacy. Rather than speaking as one body, i.e., the Church, to another body, i.e., the political system, perhaps the Body of Christ can instead embody salvation. In so doing we can be ambassadors of health, healing, and wholeness, rather just than speak on behalf of it.
Dr. Valerie Yancey will explore with us how pastors, parish nurses, and congregations might become Ambassadors of Salvation with veterans and their families returning to post-war life. Too often we have believed that once home from war, the struggles are over. Instead, the pressing need for advocacy and healing calls us to create communities of hope in our collective recovery from the traumas of war.
Come and enter the conversation.
ABOUT THE LOCATION …
We will meet at the Lodge of the Four Seasons, 315 Lodge of the Four Seasons Dr., Lake Ozark, MO 65049. For directions go to: www.4seasonsresort.com/directions.php. We will be meeting in the Granada meeting rooms.
Rooms are $99 per night. You must make your reservations directly with the Hotel. You can call the Hotel Reservations Department toll-free at 888-265-5500 or reserve on-line by CLICKING HERE. To assure a room at this rate, please reserve by October 13, 2012. A 72-hour notice is required for cancellation.
ABOUT CONVO REGISTRATION …
REGISTER ONLINE to pay by credit card or complete the downloadable CONVO REGISTRATION FORM and mail along with a check for the registration fee of $110 per person. Registration deadline is October 13. The registration fee includes dinner Tuesday evening, three meals Wednesday, breakfast Thursday and breaks.
We are happy to be able to keep Convo registration the same as last year’s rate. Registration fees are being subsidized by the savings incentive received from Portico Benefit Services. These savings were realized due to our participants completing their Health Care Assessment last year by the deadline, allowing the synod to reach its goal. YOUR participation helps us all save!
ABOUT THE SCHEDULE …
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13
Registration begins at 11 a.m. (lunch on your own)
The convocation begins at 1 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14
After the morning sessions and lunch, the afternoon is free.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15
The Convocation ends at 12-noon (lunch on your own)
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS …
ANDREW GENSZLER
Andrew D. Genszler is the Director for Advocacy and the Washington Office for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). A graduate of Wittenberg University in political science, he completed his M. Div. at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in 2000. He was a domestic policy intern in the Washington Office while completing a thesis in Christian ethics at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. He was the Associate Director for Public Policy for Lutheran Services in America 2001-02. Andrew then earned a Masters degree in public theology from the University of Oxford in England in 2004. Most recently he was the Director for Domestic Policy for the ELCA before being named to his current position in 2007. Pr. Genszler is also a chaplain in the US Navy Reserve.
ANNA MADSEN
Anna Madsen is a “freelance theologian,” writer, speaker, and consultant through her venture OMG: Center for Theological Conversation.
Before beginning OMG, she taught for two years on the religion faculty at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, received a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology in Regensburg, Germany, and served as a pastor in Badger, South Dakota. Anna earned her M.Div from Trinity Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, Ohio and her B.A. from St. Olaf in 1991, with a degree in English.
Anna has two “tangible Easters” in her children, Karl (11) and Else (9), and has been married to her husband, Reynold Nesiba, since 2010.
VALERIE YANCEY
Dr. Valerie Yancey holds undergraduate degrees in English and Education from Valparaiso University, and undergraduate and graduate degrees in nursing from St. Louis University. Her doctorate in American Studies from St. Louis University, focused on religion and health care ethics. She has worked as a bedside nurse in the burn unit and medical intensive units for twenty five years. Her areas of publication, research, speaking, and teaching include holistic nursing, ethics, spirituality, and end of life care.
Dr. Yancey is currently Associate Professor of Nursing at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She holds certification in Critical Care, Advanced Holistic Nursing, and Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing. She is the co-author of Welcome Them Home, Help Them Heal, a guidebook for pastors, parish nurses, and congregations partnering with returning veterans and their families. Valerie is a member of Bethel Lutheran Church in University City, Mo., pastored by her husband, Rev. Bill Yancey.
LANDON WHITSITT
The Rev. Landon Whitsitt is the Executive and Stated Clerk of the Synod of Mid-America (PCUSA), and served as the Vice-Moderator of the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
When he is not engaged in the life of the church, this trained writer, director, actor, and musician can be found speaking about his book, Open Source Church: Making Room for the Wisdom of All (Alban, 2011) and serving as Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of PLGRM Magazine (plgrmmagazine.com).
AT THE CONVO . . .
Tuesday night will be Movie Night in the Cordoba Theater at the Lodge.
The Rev. Landon Whitsitt, Executive & Stated Clerk of the Synod of Mid-America (PCUSA) will preach at Eucharist on Wednesday morning.
Bishop Mansholt will be reflecting on our ministry together in Central States Synod at the banquet on Wednesday night.
Rev. Paul Aebisher, Regional Representative from Portico Benefit Services will be with us to meet with individuals about their ELCA benefits.
Joyce “JP” Palmer, Regional Director of Lutheran Planned Giving, will be present to work privately with individuals on their own estate planning and to help them discover what options are available in their situation to accomplish their legacy goals. To schedule an appointment in advance, call “JP” at 816.204.5181.
Paula Kitt, our Mission Investment Fund Area Representative will be present. The Mission Investment Fund is subsidizing the costs for one of our breaks.
Our thanks go to Thrivent Financial for Lutherans for subsidizing a portion of our audio/visual costs.
WHAT TO BRING: Your Bible and an ELW (if available)
