More than 1 in 5 US adults live with a mental illness and 1 in 25 adults live with a serious mental health condition. While mental health is discussed more often today, that doesn’t mean the problem is new. Martin Luther’s Letters of Spiritual Consolation cover many issues like anxiety and depression with his family and friends, as well as addressing the spiritual aspects of these struggles. What is the role of the church in the mental health concerns of the people we care for? How does our own mental health as pastors and leaders fit into the equation. Join us for Augustana District’s annual Convocation of the Cross entitled Pastoral Care: Battling Doubt, Despair and Desperation as Dr. John Pless and Pastor Randy Freund present on these topics.
Rev. John T. Pless, M.Div. D. Litt
He is an assistant professor of pastoral ministry and missions at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, where he serves as field education director and editor of For the Life of the World.
Pastor Randy Freund
Current LCMC Board of Trustee, past Augustana District Coordinator, and pastor. He has been a leader in navigating church conflict and creative ministry.
With additional panel participation from Pastor Nathan Hanson, Bob Bogue, and Gretchen Nassen.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2
As you arrive you are invited to gather in the atrium for a free happy hour and then move to the in-house restaurant for a group dinner (not included in the registration fee) at 6:30 PM.
Please let us know at registration if you plan to attend the group dinner on Sunday and/or Monday evening so we can give the restaurant a head count.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3
9:00 AM – Welcome and Opening Worship
10:00 AM – AD Update
10:30 AM – Break
11:00 AM – Session 1: Pr. John Pless
12:00 PM – Lunch
1:30 PM – Session 2: Pr. John Pless
2:30 PM – Q & A
2:45 PM – Break
3:00 PM – Panel Discussion
4:00 PM – Closing
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4
9:00 AM – Opening Prayer and Announcements
9:15 AM – Session 3 Pr. Randy Freund
10:15 AM – Q & A
10:30 AM – Closing Worship and Sending
per person
per person
per person
per person
per connection (early bird)
per connection
per person
per person
You are welcome to stay at any hotel you would like. If you wish to stay onsite at the Embassy Suites the AD has reserved a block of rooms for $144 per night that will be held until midnight January 12, 2025.
You can make your reservation online at
https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/augustanadistrictconference25/
Or call 800-317-8143 and state that you are with the Augustana District conference room block and give them the group code 90Z.
Hotel Address:
Embassy Suites by Hilton Minneapolis Airport
7901 34th Ave. S.
Bloomington, MN 55425
To partake in the Monday luncheon,
please register on or before
January 20, 2025.
Before January 7th = 100%
January 7th - 21st = 50%
After January21st= 0%
Questions?
Phone: 320.234.8403 -or-
Email: [email protected]
Augustana District
335 Main St S
Hutchinson MN 55350
Note: The newsletter is sent on the first Friday of every month and the newsletter deadline is the Monday prior to that Friday.
The Augustana District is pleased to partner with you in bringing awareness of your organization or cause to attendees at this event. Out of respect for today’s organizers, your fellow vendors, and all those who will be in attendance, please be aware of the following:
Please note: the Augustana District staff reserves the right to limit vendor registrations at each event based on space restrictions or incongruity of sharing the Augustana District mission.