South-Central Synod of Wisconsin

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

God’s work. Our hands.

“Incarnation, Subversive Faith, Public Word”

Featuring: Dr. Samuel Giere

October 7-9, 2018 Abbey Resort

Fontana, Wisconsin

Fall Theological Conference

for Rostered Ministers & Spouses of the

South-Central Synod of Wisconsin, ELCA

Relationships in our current North American political climate are

frail. Trust is worn thin. Trust in leadership. Trust in institutions.

Trust in one another. While this erosion of trust is not a new

reality, it has worn thinner and thinner over the last decade and is

now approaching a breaking point. This extreme weathering of

trust impacts how we are church and how we speak and hear the

Word. When trust is so fragile, how can I trust the preacher? Is

what she is saying true? Is this sermon simply more noise? Is

Good News just well-intentioned fake news with candles? How

do the unfiltered/unedited news stories spread via social media

platforms impact the truth of the Gospel?

In this series of presentations, we will explore the proclamation of

Jesus Christ in such a time as this. We will touch on the

foundation of Christian proclamation in the incarnation of the

Eternal Word, the trajectory of Christian proclamation as faith

alone, and the bold and ticklish call to proclaim this radical Word,

this radical faith in the public square…which includes each and

every one of our congregations. The textual fodder for our

explorations will come from weekly texts from Advent and

Christmas 2018.

Samuel D. Giere, PhD

Associate Professor of Homiletics & Biblical Interpretation

Wartburg Theological Seminary

Dubuque, Iowa, USA, Earth

Sam Giere (PhD, Old

Testament, University of St.

Andrews) joined the faculty of

Wartburg Theological Seminary

in the summer of 2006. His

teaching responsibilities focus

primarily on homiletics.

From Northwestern Minnesota,

Dr. Giere is an ordained pastor in the

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, having served parishes

in North Dakota. He is active in inclusivity and diversity work in

the Dubuque community, serves on the Candidacy Committee in

the Southeast Iowa Synod, plays bagpipes with the Dubuque

Fire Pipes & Drums, dabbles with photography, and is the creator

of www.withearstohear.org, a resource for those who listen to

Christian preaching. Dr. Giere is married to the Rev. Amy

Current, and they are parents to Isaac and Shonagh.

This year we are pleased to have Dr. Sam Giere, Professor at Wartburg Theological Seminary as our keynoter. He will be with us to address how the current political climate has eroded trust, adversely affecting how we speak and hear the Word of God. The keynote is entitled "Incarnation, Subversive Faith, Public Word.” Bishop’s Convocation provides an opportunity for us to have conversation about relevant and insightful ways we live together and reach out to our siblings in Christ. It allows colleagues to gather together for fellowship, relaxation and renewal. I look forward to sharing this time with you.

Message from Bishop Thomas-Breitfeld

Keynote: “Incarnation, Subversive Faith, Public Word”

Sunday, October 7, 2018 Tuesday, October 9, 2018

4:00 - 6:00 pm - Registration & Check in At the Abbey 7:30 - 8:30 - Breakfast & Connecting

6:00 - Dinner 8:30 - Program

7:30 - Program & Fellowship Time 11:30 - Wrap up and closing

12:00 - Lunch on your own

Monday, October 8, 2018

7:30 - 8:30 am - Breakfast

8:30 - 12:00 - Program Throughout the day Monday: ASSIST -

12:00 - 1:00 - Lunch Dr. Dan Feaster counseling times:

1:00 - 6:30 - Rest & Renewal (See Free Time Options) 11:00 - 12:00 and 1:30 - 5:00 pm

6:30 - Dinner (Individual 30 min. appointments at no cost)

7:45 - Worship & Fellowship

Event Schedule - (subject to minor changes)

Timeline: Early Bird Fee: Register and pay by September 18 to save $25. September 18 is also the deadline if you need

a room, wish to participate in a group activity, and/or need child care. After Sept.18, we cannot guarantee rooms. All other

registrations and payments are due to the synod office by September 26.

Event Rates: Full conference rate includes all meals (5 meals), lodging, and program. A commuter rate is offered;

however, we encourage you to be present for the entire event.

Fees if paid prior to September 26:

Rostered Leader Full Conference - Single Room (Sunday & Monday night) . . . . . . $ 360

Rostered Leader Full Conference - Shared Room (Sunday & Monday night) . . . . $ 305

Spouse/Partner All Sessions All Meals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 240

Spouse/Partner All Sessions No Meals Complimentary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ - -

Commuter Registration All Sessions All Meals (no lodging) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 240

Fees if paid after September 26 - Above rate plus $25 per registrant.

Optional Items: **Outings run concurrently, so you can choose only one.

Meals for Spouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . each meal $ 35

Meals for children . . . . . . . . . Total cost for up to 5 meals $ 25 /child

Meals for children under 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Free

**Golf Outing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . each $ 45

**Lake Geneva School of Cooking Fee . . . . . . . each $ 50

**Canopy Tours Ziplining! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . each $ 50

**Cork & Canvas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . each $ 50

**Clue Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . each $ 25

Because we REALLY want all of our rostered ministers to be in attendance, we have arranged for child

care! The Abbey offers a fully staffed child care service and is one of the reasons we chose this venue

again. If child care concerns have prevented you from attending in the past, this year’s event will make it

easy to attend! It’s not just child care ...it’s fun care! The cost for child care is partially funded by grant

money to allow you to be able to participate in this year’s Convocation. Child care will be offered during

all plenary sessions. See agenda for more details. If you need childcare outside of these times, contact

Deacon Vicki Hanrahan at the synod office for more information.

Child care Fees: $15 per child per day - includes snacks and activities. Register by September 18 so the Abbey can staff

appropriately and plan age appropriate activities.

About the Offering:

We are excited to announce that our synod will be

planning a new synod-wide gathering for youth!

This year our Bishop’s Convocation offering will

help to support this gathering. Please plan to

take an offering in your congregation to allow your

members to participate in helping to make this

event happen. Offerings can be made on the

Registration site and/or at the event. Your

generosity is most appreciated!

HOW TO REGISTER:

You will register On Line for the Event: http://bit.ly/BishopsConvocation2018

You will be able to pay by credit card or by mailing a check to the synod office. Make payable to South-Central

Synod of Wisconsin indicate your payment is for Bishop’s Convocation and include the names of the attendees

for which your payment applies and mail to: South-Central Synod of Wisconsin, 6401 Odana Road, Suite 20

Madison, WI 53719 to reach our office by September 26.

CHILD CARE PROGRAM FOR KIDS!

Fees and Registration Timelines

We will continue the tradition of offering group

activities on Monday afternoon just because it’s so

much fun to do things together! The only catch

is...you need to register on time! We need

minimum numbers for each of these activities in

order to hold them.

Please register by September 18.

Here are the planned activities and associated

costs. As ever, if you need “me time,” you are free to spend the afternoon

on your own. Following the group activities listed here are several other

things you can do on your own. The afternoon on Monday starts after

lunch and is yours to do as you like. (Lake Geneva School of Cooking

registrants will eat lunch at the school).

Transportation to Group Activities

Shuttle service to and from the hotel will be provided per a pre-determined

schedule for the Lake Geneva School of Cooking and Cork and Canvas

Activities. You will be on your own for transportation to Ziplining and The

Lake Geneva Clue Room. Durations are approximate and do not include

travel time. Travel distance from the Abbey to downtown Lake Geneva

where these events take place is 10 miles and travel time is 20 minutes.

Back by Request!

Lake Geneva Clue Room! 1.5 hours

Try Your Mastery at This Latest Trend...Clue Rooms!

You Will Try Your hand with your friends at one of three clue rooms...you

can choose the room you’d like when you arrive, but here’s an example:

As a hotel employee, you’ve just been informed by

the hotel owner, Hobart, that Al Capone, archenemy

of Bugs Moran, has poisoned one of Bugs’ bootleg

bottles of booze. It now falls upon you to reveal and

remove the tainted hooch before Bugs arrives to pick

up his stash. Succeed and all will be ducky. Fail and

you’ll be taking the big sleep! Your cost is $25.

Lake Geneva School of Cooking!

3.5 hours

Join in for a fun afternoon at this popular Lake

Geneva destination and cooking class led by

renowned Chef, John Bogan. A completely new

and delicious menu has been planned by Chef

John to dazzle returning chefs too! You will

learn to make several culinary specialties that

will delight your friends at your table! While

cooking, you will enjoy wine pairings and a

special appetizer. At the end of the two hour

class, you will join each other at a banquet of

the creations you have prepared together. This

activity replaces lunch at the hotel. The cost of

lunch in your registration is used to offset the

$95 fee for this activity. Your cost is $50.

16 are needed to make our registration commitment, so encourage a

colleague! And by the way, our agenda on Monday evening has been

adjusted to serve dinner an hour later than previous years to

accommodate the later lunch for this group.

Feel free to call Assistant to the Bishop for Media, Communications &

Leadership Development, Deacon Vicki Hanrahan, with any questions or

for assistance in planning your day. She will be delighted to help you!

(608) 270-0201

Ziplining! 2.5 hours

Is adventure calling you? Got this

on your bucket list? Rated #1

attraction in Lake Geneva! You will

have an unforgettable time up in the

trees on this two-hour guided eco-

tour on 100 acres as you

experience 8 zip lines, five sky

bridges, 18 platforms and four spiral

stairways and finish off with a dual

racing zip! Super safe and pre-tested by your colleagues! If your

shoulders and knees are in good working order, you will have an absolute

blast! There is an extra $50 fee for this activity and a waiver form needs

to be signed. ($49 savings from regular rates! )

Cork & Canvas! This is always

a fun time! 3.0 hours

“Cork & Canvas” classes are a fun

way to paint your own canvas/

artwork. Class includes a glass of

wine (hence the cork), paint

supplies and canvas, plus a

professional art instructor. The

classes are laid back, and no

experience is necessary. At the

end of your session, you’ll have a beautiful new piece of art to hang, plus

some awesome art skills. Your cost is $50.

Golf Outing – Golf on the award-winning 18 hole golf course. Cost

includes greens fees and cart with a shot gun start. Pre-registration

required on the event registration site. Your cost is $45.

On-your-own activity suggestions:

Individual Appointments with Dr. Dan Feaster, Psychotherapist from

the Synod ASSIST Program. Thirty minute consultations are at no

cost for both rostered leaders and spouses. Appointments can be

made when you arrive at the event registration area in the resort.

(Scheduled on a first-reserve basis).

Abbey Resort Avani Spa - Award winning spa. We highly

recommend! Offers a large indoor pool, segregated spas and saunas

for men and women, soothing atmosphere and array of

complementary and fee-related services. Visit: abbeyresort.com

Lakeshore Path – Enjoy beautiful fall colors and views of the lake

following the peaceful waterfront pathway.

Big Foot Beach is a 147 acre state park of Wisconsin and is great for

fishing and hiking.

Duck Lake Natural Area known for its excellent bird watching. This is

a few blocks away from the Abbey.

Downtown Lake Geneva – quaint specialty shops, art, antiques,

museum, ice cream shops and restaurants.

Staller Estate Winery – voted best winery in the Milwaukee area

(608.883.2100) www.stallerestate.com

Showboat of Lyons Movie Theatre - (Lake Geneva)

Nap in your room! Comes highly recommended by some attendees!

You will register On Line for the Event:

http://bit.ly/BishopsConvocation2018

Monday Afternoon Free Time Activity Options