SAM Ministry Retreat: Living into our Baptismal Calling Together
All faithful people are called by God to live, hear, proclaim, serve, and strive. No matter whether we are rostered ministers, synod authorized ministers, or lay members of congregations, our baptismal calling is the same. Yet, we live out this calling in different ways. Thus, Northern Illinois Synod's first SAM Ministry Retreat is called "Living into our Baptismal Calling Together."
Synod Authorized Ministers, their rostered mentors, and two lay leaders from congregations served by SAMs are invited to a special retreat this January 15-16 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rock Falls, IL. Registration is $25 for SAMs and lay leaders. Mentors attend for free. This event is sponsored by our CaSTLE Grant, which covers the expenses for a hotel room and three meals for each participant.
We will be joined by Teresa Stewart, the author of the Small Church Advantage. She will be expanding on the lessons that we have learned from her book and from her presentation at last year's Small, Scrappy Congregation event. Her book focused on engaging worship practices, and she will be extending those lessons into all of ministry.
Each day will be a mix of keynote learning and small group discussions. We will begin and end each day with worship. On Friday, January 15th, we will begin at 9:30 a.m. and go until 7:30 p.m. Saturday, January 16th will go from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. There will be plenty of breaks, allowing time for all that we are learning to soak in.
Registration opens October 1, 2026.
