Fall Retreat - The Zen of Lutheran Theology

The topic for this retreat will be “The Zen of Lutheran Theology”.

Pr. Doug Ryniewicz, Christ the King Windsor, CT and professor at Central CT State University will be our speaker. 

Pr. Doug describes “The Zen of Lutheran Theology” in this way. The essential hallmarks of Luther's Theology were conceived by Luther as paradox or as they say in the East: yin and yang, both and... for example: Law/Gospel, Sinner/Saint, Kingdom of the Left/Kingdom of the Right, Word of God/word of man.. A learning and memory device as well as a powerful way to explore "What is it really that Lutherans Believe" from a solid, yet creative theological point of view.

Videos of Pr. Doug's presentations are now available on the school website under "The Zen of Lutheran Theology"

SLM Informational Video

Please watch our video to learm more information about the School of Lay Ministry and to hear student testimonials.

School of Lay Ministry Website

The School of Lay Ministry now has a website. Please check it out.  www.nesynodslm.com.

Articles written about SLM

I have been working on updating my blog as well as putting up a SLM website while I have some free time on this rainy Monday. As I was working I came across several articles that have been written about the school and its graduates and students. I thought I would start an archive of them for people to read. If you come across any please send me the link.

New England Synod Website - Third class to graduate at Synod Assembly on June 4, 2011. This article includes Eric Lane's sermon based on John 20: 19-31, the Gospel for May 1, the Second Sunday of Easter. Eric gave this sermon at the SLM the Spring 2011 retreat.
http://www.nesynod.org/resources/news-and-publications/news?start=8

Grace Lutheran Church in West Springfield, MA. The graduates were Karen Blanchard, Carol Goulet and Ryan Lynch.
http://gracelutheranonline.com/2011/06/20/grace-celebrates-three-new-lay-ministry-graduates/

Christ the King - Nashua, NH - This article was written by Steve Uurtamo, class of 2013. http://www2.ctknashua.org/news/1063/school-of-lay-ministry-info/

Retreat Dates for 2011 - 2012 school year

The School of Lay Ministry Retreat dates for the 2011 - 2012 school year are as follows:
Fall Retreat - October 28 - 30 2011 - Camp Calumet, Lake Ossipee NH
Spring Retreat - May 4 - 6 2012 - Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference Center, Andover MA

Spring Retreat 2011 changes

Date change: New date is April 29 - May 1

Due to the very good chance of there still being snow at Camp Calumet for our spring retreat and the large number of students, we will need to change the retreat site and date for the Spring retreat. The board members have searched New England for what we thought would be the best alternative and we have found Rolling Ridge, in North Andover, MA. Please take a look at their website www.rollingridge.com and I'm sure you will agree that this is a very nice place to "Come away to a quiet place.... and rest awhile"

Fall Retreat 2010- Don Larsen

Another absolutely wonderful Intro to the Biblical year by Don Larsen. Many of us were "pushed out of our boxes" by some of the ways Don helped us to look at this amazing Book.

Fall Retreat at Camp Calumet

Hello everyone,

The fall retreat at Camp Calumet is one week and two hours away. Are we all as excited as I am to be starting another year of community and study. How awesome is this..... Pr. Don Larsen will be joining us for another unbelievable weekend of Biblical Study. If you would like a taste of what you are in for next weekend, check out the notes of his last retreat on the sidebar.

2009-2010 School Members

How awesome is this. In 2007, the first class began in the school with 18 students. This year the incoming class total was 35. Below are the classes of 2010 and 2011 at the fall retreat at Camp Calumet.

Class of 2010

The second graduating class of the school. Go to shutterfly to see more pictures of the graduation at synod assembly. Click on shutterfly or the word pictures in the left side bar.

Rev Elaine Hewes 106a.mov

Watch Rev. Elaine Hewes sermon for the 2010 School of Lay Ministry graduation. Click on this video to go to YouTube and view part 2 and 3.

Pastoral Care with Pr. Susan Nachtigal, Spring Retreat 2010

This video is a few photo's from Pr. Susan's presentation on Pastoral Care. Faning the flame of our Baptism by giving away Christ's presence to the other.

Baptism

Sometimes there is nothing to do but act out what is stirring inside you.

The First Two Years

Enjoy this video!!!!! It is a compilation of pictures taken during retreats in the first two years of the school.

The Dean

In the summer of 2009, Judy Armelin was added to the team as Dean of the school. Six lay people were also added to the School's Board.

Pastor Don Larsen's presentations on the Bible

At the fall retreat in 2008, Pastor Don Larsen presented on .... Bible as Word of God.... that creates, creates right relatedness, becomes Prophetic Word, is Wisdom, becomes flesh.

Class of 2009

The school of lay ministry began in the New England Synod in the fall of 2007. The synod leaders were hoping to have a handful of students that first year. To their surprise 18 people applied to be a part of the school.

Our Leaders

Pastor Ted Asta, Associate to the Bishop and Pastor Nancy Eldredge Hess led the school for the first two years. They were awesome leaders as well as compassionate companions on this "new" journey for us all.

What can I "BE" at the end of the program?

The School embodies the belief in the “priesthood of all believers”, empowering its students to greater service to God and their congregations. It gives the students knowledge that fosters the confidence to be a stronger leader, teacher, mentor, and evangelizer.

What is the School of Lay Ministry?

It's not a curriculum.....

It's a community!!!

The New England Synod School of Lay Ministry is an opportunity for fellowship, spiritual growth and learning together.

The school is organized as a two year commitment of study. One year focuses on a Theological curriculum, including Lutheran Theology, church and ministry, Luther's Large and Small Catechism, Lutheran Heritage, and an introduction to other religions in America. The second year focus is Biblical Studies; How Lutherans Interpret the Bible and a Historical and Literary exploration of the Old and New Testaments.

Each year begins and ends with a retreat. The Fall retreat topic prepares the student for the course of study for that year. The Spring retreat focuses on topics related to how lay people minister in the church.

The time between retreats is spent in geographical study groups viewing "Select" courses related to the curriculum and engaging in reflection on each topic using study guides.