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

School of Lay MinistryNew 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 students2010 – 12 students2011 - 33 studentsThere 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, VTfor the Fall retreat.

This began the first school year of the New England Synod

School of Lay Ministry

First group of students enrolled in the 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 reflection3. Study Groups – set up geographically around

the Synod4. 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 AstaChurch History Fall 2007, 2009

Pr. Nancy Eldredge HessTheology 101 Fall 2007, 2009

Pr. Don LarsenBible Fall 2008, 2010

Pr. Tim KeylLiturgy / Music Spring 2008

Pr. Henry MorrisLiturgy Preparation Spring 2009

Pr. Susan NachtigalPastoral Care Spring 2010

Pr. Ted AstaHomeletics 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 GroupsLearningTogether…….

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.”