Focus: Coaching for Ministry Effectiveness and Leadership

Key Goals: To provide a time away for our Rostered Ministers and SAWLs of worship, fellowship, and learning. The learning will be focused on informing and equipping leaders to understand the concepts of ministry coaching. Particularly the basics of how to ask good questions, reflectively listen, set goals, and achieve accountability in relationship with trusted coaches. Two morning sessions will provide this introduction and development with those interested in follow-up invited back for a session in January 2018.

Trainers: Amy Walter-Peterson, Coordinator of Area Ministry Strategies, Coaching, and Natural Church Development for the ELCA; and The Rev. Nathan Swenson-Reinhold, Pastor of Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Northern Virginia, Coaching Coordinator for the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod, and Coach Trainer for the ELCA

Schedule: Please note the timing changes. Convocation will begin on Sunday evening and officially end at 12noon on Tuesday. However, there will be opportunity for groups to meet by conference, interest group, or to meet with staff regarding any issues you wish to discuss. Bishop and staff will remain through dinner on Tuesday evening. Lodging is available also on Tuesday night if you prefer to return home on Wednesday morning.

These changes have been made to facilitate a maximum of learning hours while also time for fellowship, worship, retreat, and learning. The cost of the convocation has been held steady this year due to these changes.

Pricing $185 for Oak Grove (8-12 person cabin), $160 for Trails End (18-person cabin), $150 for Commuter (all 3 days) and $140 for Commuter Spouse (all 3 days), $55 per day for Commuter (less than 3 days) and $50 per day for Commuter Spouse (less than 3 days). Quail Run is sold out. This pricing includes all programming and meals!

Online registration closed on October 9. If you are still interested, please email sharon@briarwoodretreat.org.

Tentative schedule

Sunday, October 15

5pm Check in

5:30pm Dinner

6:45pm Evening with the Bishop

8pm Worship (Vespers)

9pm Fellowship

Monday, October 16

7:30am Breakfast

8:30am Morning Prayer

9-12noon: Learning Session

12noon: Lunch

1-5pm: Free time (Golf, Skeet, Climbing Wall, Hiking, Practice Coaching)

5pm Happy Hour

6pm Cookout

7:30pm Eucharist

9pm Fellowship

Tuesday, October 17

7:30am Breakfast

8:30am Morning Prayer

9-12noon Learning Session

12noon Lunch (by Reservation, included in fee) and free to go

1-5pm Free time (Meetings of clergy, conversations with staff, Practice Coaching)

5pm Dinner (by Reservation, included in fee) with the Bishop and Staff

Tuesday Night lodging available on request (included in fee)