1st Call Retreat
Calling All First Call Pastors and Seminary Students! You are invited to a special retreat designed just for you!
The Augustana District understands the challenges of a first call and would like to help you navigate some of those challenges by offering this retreat. It will be a time of resource sharing and gaining insights into the roles of pastors, leadership structures, and text studies.
Enjoy time with colleagues and build connections and relationships with fellow pastors in the district.
What To Expect
Pastors are frequently called to walk with others through some of life’s most vulnerable moments—whether in the birthing suite or at the funeral home—bringing with them the promises of God that offer hope, comfort, and life. But what about the vulnerability of the pastor themselves? As those entrusted with proclaiming the words of eternal life, do pastors have the time and space to acknowledge their own weaknesses? Can they confront their own brokenness while simultaneously leading and caring for their congregation? Join us at the 2025 Augustana District First Call Pastors Retreat to explore the delicate balance of vulnerability in the pastoral office. Engage with insightful speakers and participate in thoughtful discussions on what it means to be both a broken sinner and a leader in Christ’s Church.
Who Can Attend?
**Event Attendance Information**
All first-call pastors, seminarians, and spouses are welcome to attend.
**Fees:**
First-time attendees (first-call pastors and seminarians):
- $25 per person (After April 10, 2025 pricing will increase to $50)
**Spouses and returning attendees:**
- $160 per person to help cover lodging and meals.
**Saturday Attendance:**
All attendees are encouraged to stay overnight Friday and attend the 2025 District Convention on Saturday from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM.
If you're attending the Saturday convention, you don't need to register for that event. The First Call Retreat fee's covers all meals and lodging for the entire weekend, including Saturday’s District Convention.
**Financial Assistance/Sponsorship:**
Returning attendees may be eligible for Financial Assistance.
Financial Assistance
We do have financial aid funds available for those who need financial assistance. Please contact Wendy at 320.234.8403 for details regarding this BEFORE registering.
Don't Wait!!
TIP: Register BEFORE HOLY WEEK so you don’t forget and miss out on early bird savings!!
No registrations will be guaranteed after April 23, 2025 so please make sure to register earlier rather than later.
NOTE:
Each cabin houses 3-7 people (separate bedrooms, shared bathroom); if you choose a single cabin, it is an additional $40 expense for you. Please consider listing other attendees with whom you would be willing to share a cabin.
If Paying By Check
If paying by check, please mail the completed brochure form along with payment to:
Augustana District
335 Main St. S
Hutchinson, MN 55350
| Refund Policy | |
|---|---|
| 28+ Days before Event | 100% |
| 14 - 27 days prior to the event | 50% |
| 13 days or less prior to the event | 0% |
Thursday Itinerary
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5:30 PM Dinner
Supper Gathering at Carlos Creek Winery
(6693 County Rd 34 NW - Alexandria, MN)
Note: Please do not go to camp first. We will meet at Carlos Creek and then all go out to Mount Carmel together and move into our rooms. -
Arrive at camp After Dinner
After settling in, we will enjoy Campfire Fellowship (smores, conversation, networking, etc.)
Friday Itinerary
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8:00 AM Breakfast
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9:30 AM Opening Worship
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10:30 AM Keynote Session I.
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11:30 AM Lunch
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1:00 PM Panel Discussion
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2:30 PM Small Group Breakouts
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2:30 PM Small Group Breakouts
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3:30 PM Break
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4:00 PM Keynote Session II.
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5:00 PM 4 Rules for Lutheran Preaching
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6:00 PM Depart for Dinner
Saturday Itinerary
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9:00 AM Registration Begins
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9:30 AM Opening Worship
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10:00 AM Presentation 1
with Rev Scott Grorud
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11:00 AM Presentation 2
with Rev. Brian Crocker
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11:45 AM Lunch
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1:00 PM District Coordinator Reports
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1:45 PM Breakout Sessions
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3:00 PM Business Mtg
& Distinguished Service Award
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3:30 PM Blessing & Sending
Date
- May 01 - 02 2025
Location
- 800 Mount Carmel Drive NE, Alexandria, MN 56308
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Website
https://www.mountcarmelministries.com/
Speakers
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Rev. Dr. Marney Fritts❖ Tahoma Lutheran Church ❖ Maple Valley, WA ❖Rev. Dr. Marney Fritts is a theologian with an M.A. and Ph.D. in Theology and Doctrine from Luther Seminary. She is a professor of systematic theology at Saint Paul Lutheran Seminary, Director of the Th.D. program, and pastor at Tahoma Lutheran Church. She contributes to SIMUL’s theological journal and Connections magazine of Sola Publishing.
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Rev. Dave ChristensenLead Pastor ❖ Living Word Lutheran Church ❖ Marshall MNPastor David Christensen currently lives north of Marshall on the farm where his great-grandparents homesteaded. His wife, Julie, and their daughters; Johanna (married to Josh), Signe, Kaia, and Siri have a passion for ministry, music, and good food. They have a large garden that they tend alongside their organic farm and dairy operation. Life is good and delicious, because God is faithful! David attended St. Olaf College, where he majored in English, and Luther Seminary, where he received his M.Div. in 1998. His first call was to Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson, MN as co-lead pastor. He served there until 2008 when he moved to Marshall, MN, as a campus pastor at Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU). In 2010 a church plant started in Marshall. Living Word Lutheran Church would call David to full-time ministry that year. His role at Living Word includes preacher, teacher, and counselor.
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Rev. Nathan HansonAugustana District Mission & Stewardship CoordinatorPr. Nathan’s degrees are from Concordia College of Moorhead, Minnesota and Luther Seminary of St. Paul Minnesota. Throughout his pastoral service, his wife has been a contemporary witness and support. They were married during his internship in 1982, and he has had no experience in word and sacrament without her presence and perseverance They have raised three children together, all out on their own
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Rev. Culynn CurtisLead Pastor ❖ Holy Cross Lutheran Church ❖ Montrose MNPastor Culynn joined the Holy Cross staff in August 2012 as a pastoral intern. In April 2013, he was called to serve Holy Cross Lutheran Church as Lead Pastor and began his new role in June 2013. Pastor Culynn grew up in Mitchell, SD, home of the world’s only Corn Palace. He graduated from Luther College, Decorah, IA in 2006, where he studied religion and music. Upon graduation, he moved to the Twin Cities and began his studies at Luther Seminary, Saint Paul, MN. He graduated in May 2014 and was ordained in June 2014. Pastor Culynn, his wife, Meg, son Oliver, and daughter Margo, live in Montrose, MN. In his free time, Pastor Culynn enjoys being a dad, cooking, baking, reading, and making music.
