Bishop’s Fall Gathering

Please join Bishop Deborah Hutterer at the Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center as we gather under our theme of Embody the Word.

We are extending a special invitation to active rostered ministers and any retired pastors actively serving in a congregation, as well as seminary students and those serving internships. Retired pastors are welcome to attend — rooms may not be available. If finances cause a challenge in attending, please contact the Office of the Bishop to inquire about scholarship opportunities.

All are welcome to attend as commuters as well, though we encourage you to stay at Spirit in the Desert for the full experience of connecting with other rostered ministers.

In addition to worship and synod updates, good food and fellowship, we will have two special guests: Rev. Andrea Roske-Metcalfe, from Diamond Lake Lutheran Church, and Elder Perci Ami, author and storyteller.

Please contact the Office of the Bishop with questions about this event, and not Spirit in the Desert.

Registration

Registration is closed.

  • Rooms available are in order of registration until we reach our limit.

  • All registrations include meals.

    • Dinner on Monday, October 21

    • Breakfast, lunch, dinner on Tuesday, October 22

    • Breakfast and lunch on Wednesday, October 23

  • Registration deadline for rooms: Friday, 9/13/2024

  • Registration deadline for communters: Friday, 10/11/2024

For any guests who have severe allergies, those guests are welcome to bring in outside food to the dining room to supplement what is being served. Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center cannot 100% guarantee that there won’t be any cross-contamination of food items (for example, no gluten or contact with gluten, etc.) in the kitchen and food preparation.

Click a link below to register:

  • Single room: $420

  • Double room (per person): $345

  • Commuters: $200

    • Meals are included for commuters, and are prepared and charged. Please enjoy the food to avoid food waste.

    • We encourage you to stay at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center for the full experience of connecting with other rostered ministers.

Please choose one registration at a time and fill out each attendee’s form as you add that registration to your shopping cart. Then we can capture each attendee’s email and needs.

Your cart is at the top right corner of the page, and you’ll see it fill up as you go. When you’re ready to check out and pay, click the cart.

For questions about registration or to make changes, email office@gcsynod.org or call the synod office at 602-957-3223. 

Speakers

Rev. Andrea Roske-Metcalfe

Andrea Roske-Metcalfe is a writer, storyteller, and ELCA pastor. She’s the winner of three Twin Cities Moth StorySlams and is a Twin Cities Moth GrandSlam champion. She teaches workshops and seminars on the craft of storytelling in group settings of all kinds, both inside and outside the church. Delighting in ministry among children, she’s the founder of the Pray-Ground movement and the author of the Kids Celebrate All Creation Sings workbooks. Andrea ministers alongside the people of Diamond Lake Lutheran Church in south Minneapolis, where she lives with her husband, Luke, and their daughters, Clem and Oli. She’s a graduate of Union Theological Seminary in New York City.

Grandmother Pershlie “Perci” Ami

Pershlie “Perci” Ami a member of the Hopi/Tewa Tribe, from the Village of Walpi, Az. Pershlie is an ambassador for Grandmothers who are educators, wisdom gathers/sharers, guides, messengers, and earth protectors. She has traveled internationally and nationally to visit with and learn from people of different nations, and religion. Pershlie assist individuals to heal broken spirits and minds by sharing her traditional beliefs, her life’s journey and her stories.

As a Hopi/Tewa Grandmother, Elder Perci Ami has travelled to support all grandmothers and grandfathers. It is her vision to create a healthy world for all grandchildren. Her most recent endeavors includes; her writings on suicide prevention, dealing with the death of a love one, and her motivation WOW cards. Pershlie played the leading role in the movie Touch the Water which allowed her to experience the role of an actress. She continues to be active in her community by her work with, MMIW awareness, Domestic Violence, and Suicide Prevention. She also teaches her classes on Self care and Self awareness, Lateral Violence in Native Communities.

Pershlie is the recipient of the Herstory Award for her work with creating Peace in native communities. She continues to share her teachings where ever she is called.  Pershlie’s mottos in life. “Laugh with an Elder and Pray with a Child” and “Take life seriously, but have fun doing it, have a good belly laugh every day.”

Tell the Story, Embody the Word

We will have three sessions on Notes on the Craft of Storytelling for the Future of the Church from Rev. Andrea Roske-Metcalfe.

  1. How Do You Do This, Anyway?
    The ins and outs of the craft of storytelling – tips & tricks, dos & don’ts, with lots of examples and opportunities for practice. Monday afternoon, 2 hrs w/breaks.             

  2. Story the People
    How do we use the craft of storytelling for the purposes of ministry? How do we curate stories, storytellers, and our communities to receive them well? This session will explore the myriad possibilities for storytelling in the context of the church. Tuesday morning, 2.5 hrs w/breaks.     

  3. Practice the Craft
    Four storytellers will provide stories of their own on a chosen theme, making space for facilitated feedback and further reflection on what a similar process could look like in a congregational setting. Wednesday morning, 1.5 hrs w/breaks.

Agenda

This agenda is tentative, and may change.

Monday, 10/21/2024

  • 1 pm: Welcome and Plenary Session 1 with Rev. Andrea Roske-Metcalfe

  • 3 pm: Break

  • 3:30 pm: Grand Canyon Synod updates

  • 5:15 pm: Social time

  • 6 pm: Dinner

  • 7 pm: Fun and hospitality

  • 7:45 pm: Evening prayer

Tuesday

  • 8 am: Breakfast

  • 9-11:45 am: Devotions and Plenary Session 2 with Rev. Andrea Roske-Metcalfe

  • Noon: Lunch

  • 3 pm: Plentary Session 3 with Elder Perci Ami, author and storyteller

  • 5:30 pm: Break

  • 6 pm: Dinner

  • 7 pm: Fun and social time

Wednesday

  • 8 am: Breakfast and checkout

  • 9 am: Plenary Session 4 with Rev. Andrea Roske-Metcalfe

  • 10:45 am: Worship with Pastor Andrea Roske-Metcalfe preaching

  • Noon: Lunch