Options for Rostered Ministers & Congregation Leaders

Our annual Bishop’s Convocation returns this October with two interactive online options: Thursday, October 21, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. , or Thursday, October 21, from 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Both options will be held over Zoom. Cost is $45

Due to the continued surge in COVID-19 cases across our synod, we have made the difficult decision to postpone all synod-wide, indoor, in-person events which can be held online until February 1, 2022. While we had great hopes of gathering in-person with Rev. Dr. Joni Sancken to engage the different nuances of preaching in times of chronic stress, we feel it is safest for us to move the physically gathered session to an online format. Please note that this decision applies only to synod-sponsored, large gatherings that can be held online and does not mean that Bishop Dunlop is discouraging congregations to worship in-person.

Morning Event Schedule:
9:00 AM  Morning Prayer and Opening Remarks by Bishop Dunlop
9:15 AM  Presentation #1: All our Grief to Bear: Preaching Hope to Wounded Souls
10:15 AM  Q&A with presenter
10:30 AM  Break
10:45 AM  Presentation #2: Words that Heal: Building Resilience After Trauma
11:45 AM  Q&A with presenter
12:00 Noon   Closing Remarks by Bishop Dunlop

Afternoon Event Schedule:

1:30 PM Welcome and Opening Prayer
1:45 PM Presentation #1: All our Grief to Bear: Preaching Hope to Wounded Souls (includes Q &A)
2:45 PM Break
3:00 PM Presentation #2: Words that Heal: Building Resilience After Trauma
4:00 PM Closing Remarks

Our keynote presenter for the day is Joni Sancken, PhD. She is a graduate of Toronto School of Theology, Emmanuel College, and is Associate Professor of Homiletics at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, OH. Sancken is passionate about supporting and encouraging pastors. She is an ordained pastor in Mennonite Church USA and is the author of several books related to theology of the cross and trauma-aware preaching.

To register, click here.