BISHOP’S LEADERSHIP RETREAT

OCTOBER 8-10, 2023

Claggett Center
3035 Buckeystown Pike
Adamstown, MD 21710

For Such a Time As This… -Esther 4:14

This is the time. Now more than ever, rostered leaders need the collegiality, support, and prayers of one another to sustain the ever-increasing demands of ministry. Our Bishop’s Leadership Retreat this year is of a different content and format than that to which we have been accustomed. Under the leadership of Pastor Paul E. Hoffman of Seattle, the retreat will focus on deepening our relationships with and support for one another through the church’s cherished gifts: scripture study, worship, and prayer. This year’s leadership retreat will include its usual elements of fellowship, worship, the bishop’s hour, lectures, shared meals, and time with one another. It will also include several small group experiences for scripture study and prayer, intended to both introduce leaders to this type of collegial small groups and launch them for continuing support in the months and years to come. Because of the small group element of this year’s retreat, it it highly recommended that those registering attend for the entire time of the retreat.

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For the past ten years, Paul has served across the ELCA as a small group mentor for rostered leaders. Based on the catechumenal model which he led at Phinney Ridge Lutheran in Seattle for 18 years, and described in his book Faith Forming Faith (Wipf and Stock, 2012), Paul’s leadership of small groups for pastoral formation has been sought and applied in synods across the ELCA including our own. 

This retreat is open to rostered ministers, Members of the Order of St. Stephen, and seminarians serving on internship in our synod. Registration is now closed.

You may pay online or by check. To pay online, simply enter your credit card information at the end of the form and click “Register & pay.” If you would rather pay by check, make sure to note your total cost, use the promo code CHECK, click “Register,” and then mail your payment to:

Delaware-Maryland Synod, ELCA
ATTN: Cindy VanVliet
5699 Meridale Road
Baltimore, MD 21228

Checks should be made out to “Delaware-Maryland Synod” with “Bishop’s Leadership Retreat” in the memo line and must be mailed in advance of the retreat.

Sunday, October 8

4:00-8:00 PM Registration and Check-in
5:30 PM Dinner
7:00 PM Welcome and Introduction
7:30 PM Night Prayer; Pr. Paul Preaching
8:00 PM Hospitality

Monday, October 9

8:00 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM Hoffman Lecture; Q&A space
10:15 AM Break
10:30 AM Eucharist
Noon Lunch
1:00 PM Session 1- Small Group Exercise/Session
2:15 PM Break
2:30 PM Time with the Bishop – State of the Synod/Q&A
3:45 PM Break
4:00 PM Session 2- Small Group Exercise
5:30 PM Dinner
7:30 PM Session 3- Small Group Exercise/Session
9:00 PM Night Prayer
9:15 PM Hospitality

Tuesday, October 10

8:00 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM Check out
9:15 AM Session 4- Small Group Exercise/Session
11:15 AM Evaluation
11:30 AM Noon Prayer
Noon Lunch
  Depart