Workshops

 Continuing the Journey Toward a Broader Church Leadership

Location: Concourse

The Seminaries of the ELCA are engaging a conversation about identifying a broader church leadership.  The ELCA faces a crisis of leadership in the coming years. With a shortage of more than 1,000 leaders within the next 4 years, how do we identify, nurture, and sustain a broad spectrum of leaders as we continue to be church for a radically changing world?

Lead By: Matthew D. O'Rear (Matt) serves as Assistant to the President at Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa, one of the seven Seminaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and as the Executive Director of the Richard Hay Barkalow Charitable Seminary Fund of the inFaith Community Foundation. In both these roles, Matt is committed to living out his calling by helping people discover how they can serve as "public theologians" to the world in need.

Pastor Matt James currently serves as Director of Admissions at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC). Prior to coming to LSTC, Matt served as Associate Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Worcester, Massachusetts. There Matt worked largely with youth and young adults including serving as a chaplain at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Matt is a member of Proclaim, a group of LGBTQIA+ rostered leaders and seminarians associated with Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries (ELM), and currently serves as co-chair of the board of ELM. Throughout his ministry Matt continues to find great joy in walking with God’s people as they live out their baptismal call of loving God through service of their neighbor.

Continued Bylaws Conversation with Board

Location: Augsburg Chapel

Join ReconcilingWorks Board members do deeper conversation about the Amended and Restated Bylaws of ReconcilingWorks.  Bring your questions and wonderings to the conversation and learn more about how these proposed changes will make an impact on the life and longevity of the organization.  Members of the Governance Committee look forward to this time of conversation and understanding.

Lead By: The Governance Committee of the Board of Directors, Dr. Marge Charmoli, Cheryl Stuart, Dan Graney, Rev. Ellen Taube

Enriched and Transformed! Introducing Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries (ELM)

Location: Concourse

Since 2009, it has been “legal” to be an out LGBTQ pastor in the ELCA. That was a watershed decision, one that has led to an increasingly rapid transformation for LGBTQ people and our church. How did this happen, what is it like for LGBTQ seminarians and clergy today, and what is next? Come find out about transformational work of Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries (ELM), and what we can we do individually and collectively to encourage synods, congregations, members, and leaders to expand our vision about who is called to serve in rostered ministry!

Lead By: Meagan McLaughlin After nine years of working at The Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis, ELM member Meagan McLaughlin (she/her/hers) studied at Luther Seminary and United Theological Seminary and graduated with her MDiv in December of 2015. She is currently working at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Minneapolis while eagerly seeking first call. Meagan, her wife, Karen, and their three cats live in Minneapolis, and when they are not working, they enjoy hiking, camping, travelling, and spending time with their two nephews and niece.

Asking the Right Questions as You Age in the LGBTQ Community

Location: Augsburg Chapel

Many people as they age require care from nursing homes and assisted living facilities.  Often LGBTQ seniors do not feel welcome or comfortable in these settings. In this workshop we will discuss needs specific to the aging LGBTQ community and what to pay attention to from both the patient and family member perspective. Learn what types of questions to ask and how to evaluate which setting is best for you or your loved one. We will also discuss advanced healthcare directives and the importance of ensuring your medical choices are honored.

Lead By: Rev. Heather C. Thonvold (pronouns they/them) is an ordained minister from the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and a Board-Certified Chaplain with the Association of Professional Chaplains. She holds a Master of Divinity and a Post-Master Certificate in Pastoral Leadership from the Seattle University School of Theology and Ministry and a Bachelor’s degree from Marquette University. Heather currently serves the patients and families of the AllinaHealth Hospice program in the greater Twin Cities Metro area.