School of Lay Ministry New England Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

The History of “the School” The School of Lay Ministry is a treasure of the New England Synod. It was started in the Fall of 2007 in response to the need for spiritual growth and education for laity. The school is four years old and has graduated three classes: 2009 – 18 students 2010 – 12 students students There were 65 students in the school this year. 33 students graduated this June at Synod Assembly

Fall Retreat 2007 Pr. Nancy Eldredge Hess and Pr. Ted Asta gathered with twenty students at the Blue Gentian Lodge in Londonderry, VT for the Fall retreat. This began the first school year of the New England Synod School of Lay Ministry

School Organization The School of Lay Ministry is a two year program divided into 4 parts 1.Retreats – one in the Fall and Spring of each year. 2.Personal study and reflection 3.Study Groups – set up geographically around the Synod 4.Graduation – at Synod Assembly at the completion of the required coursework

Since then most retreats have been held at Camp Calumet

Retreats

Topic presentations in a classroom setting ….. presented by highly qualified speakers

Pr. Ted Asta Church History Fall 2007, 2009

Pr. Nancy Eldredge Hess Theology 101 Fall 2007, 2009

Pr. Don Larsen Bible Fall 2008, 2010

Pr. Tim Keyl Liturgy / Music Spring 2008

Pr. Henry Morris Liturgy Preparation Spring 2009

Pr. Susan Nachtigal Pastoral Care Spring 2010

Pr. Ted Asta Homeletics Spring 2011

Finding God in Nature ….

With comfortable Lodging …

Great Food …..

Compassionate Leaders …….

With time for ……… Personal reflection

Rest, Relaxation,

Recreation

…… just hanging around….. Sharing.

and worship.

Study Groups Learning Together…….

while developing community.

Graduation at Synod Assembly

Class of 2009

Class of 2010

Class of 2011

Spring Retreat 2011 Rolling Ridge Conference Center, N. Andover, MA

For one member of the 2011 graduating class, Eric Lane, the best thing about the school has been the people he’s met, especially his classmates and instructors. “I've felt a deeper connection to the church and the individuals in it,” said Lane, “because of the experiences I've had at the School of Lay Ministry, not to mention a deeper understanding of the Bible.”