Bishop’s Convocation 2026

Register Here.

This year’s Bishop’s Convocation is intentionally designed as a retreat. A time to make space to rest, learn, worship, and reconnect with colleagues from across the Lower Susquehanna Synod. Bishop Stephen Herr values the opportunity to strengthen community and to share conversation over meals, between presentations and after-hours.

Our hope is that as many rostered ministers as possible will be able to participate in the full Convocation experience. Whether you choose to stay on campus, in a local hotel, or commute each day, we are able to offer this year’s experience at a reduced rate thanks to the generosity of the Lower Susquehanna Synod and Portico Benefit Services, who is sponsoring one of our receptions. If the cost of attending would create a financial hardship, we do not want finances to prevent your participation. Please contact Deacon Marsha Roscoe at mroscoe@lss-elca.org to inquire about confidential full or partial scholarships. We are offering two registration options.

Full Event $149 + Optional Housing (Housing additional; see below for housing options.)

Monday evening – Wednesday Morning. Available as either a residential or commuter registration, this option includes:

• • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Tuesday, and breakfast on Wednesday
  • All retreat programming, including three presentations by the Rev. Dr. Craig Satterlee
  • A copy of Dr. Satterlee’s new book, My Burden is Light: Making Room for Jesus in Preaching
  • An optional YMCA day pass
  • An optional Seminary Archives Tour
  • Two evening receptions
  • A panel discussion with the Rev. Dr. Craig Satterlee and other leaders
  • Closing worship in the Seminary Chapel

One-Day Option (Tuesday): $99 

Designed for those who are unable to attend the full retreat, this option includes:

• • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Tuesday
  • Tuesday programming, including one presentation by Dr. Satterlee
  • A copy of My Burden is Light: Making Room for Jesus in Preaching
  • An optional YMCA day pass
  • An optional Seminary Archives Tour
  • Tuesday evening reception
  • A panel discussion with the Rev. Dr. Craig Satterlee and other leaders

About The Rev. Dr. Craig A. Satterlee

Craig Alan Satterlee is a preacher, teacher, scholar, and minister of Word and Sacrament who has served Christ’s Church as pastor, professor, dean, and bishop. Craig served as bishop of the North/West Lower Michigan Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and taught preaching at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and the University of Notre Dame. Craig is known for regularly leading continuing education events throughout the church.

Craig received the B.A. (political science and rhetoric) from the University of Michigan, M.Div. and S.T.M. (pastoral care) from Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio, and M.A. and Ph.D. in homiletics and liturgical history from the University of Notre Dame.

Craig is the author or coauthor of ten books and numerous articles in both scholarly and ecclesiastical journals. Craig’s scholarly interests include the relationship of preaching and areas of congregational life and mission, including liturgy, spirituality, evangelism stewardship, mission, and leadership. He also studies patristic preaching, most notably that of Ambrose of Milan, and the worship of the early church.

As a scholar, Craig is described as belonging “to the relatively small group of working homileticians whose work can justifiably be said to have changed the agenda of the discipline.” His books are “superb examples of practical theology, remaining fully theological while engaging on-the-ground realities in the life of the church.”

Craig is past president of the North American Academy of Liturgy, and a member of Societas Liturgica, Societas Homiletica, and the Academy of Homiletics.

As a person who is legally blind, Craig has a passion for ministry with persons with disabilities and a unique perspective on the Christian faith, church, and world.

Convocation Schedule:

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Registration in Beekman Commons
Dinner on your own
7:00 p.m. Welcome and Evening Prayer in the Auditorium, Valentine Hall
7:15 p.m. Questions About Preaching led by The Rev. Dr. Craig Satterlee in the Auditorium
8:15 p.m. Convocation, Community, Connection led by Bishop Herr in the Auditorium
8:30 p.m. Reception held in the Coffee shop, Valentine Hall

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
8:00 a.m. Breakfast in the Refectory
9:00 a.m. Morning Prayer in the Auditorium, Valentine Hall
9:15 a.m. Where is Jesus When You Preach? presented by The Rev. Dr. Craig Satterlee in the Auditorium
10:15 a.m. Break
10:30 a.m. Mutual Conversation on Holy Communion Practices and Licensed Lay Ministers led by Bishop Herr in the Auditorium
11:30 a.m. Break
11:45 a.m. Urban Theological Institute Annual lecture (online) – Part of the ULS Bicentennial
12:30 p.m. Lunch in the Refectory
2:00 – 6:00 p.m. Afternoon For Wellness & Renewal: Choose from a variety of optional activities, including the Seminary Ridge Museum Tour, Gettysburg Battlefield Tour, access to the YMCA, a Seminary Library or Archives Tour, or simply take time to walk, run, rest, or explore the beauty of the campus and surrounding area at your own pace.
6:00 p.m. Dinner in the Refectory
7:15 p.m. Panel Discussion on Disability Ministry, Deaf Ministry, Autism Spectrum Ministry in the Auditorium
8:15 p.m. Compline in the Auditorium
8:30 p.m. Reception in Singmaster House

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
8:00 a.m.  Breakfast and checkout in the Refectory
9:15 a.m.  What is the Gospel? led by the Rev. Dr. Craig Satterlee in the Refectory
10:15 a.m. Time with Bishop Herr in the Refectory
10:45 a.m. Break
11:00 a.m. Holy Communion with the Rev. Dr. Craig Satterlee Preaching
12:00 p.m. Godspeed

Optional Activities

As part of your registration, please let us know if you plan to participate in any of the following optional activities:

• YMCA Day Pass (included with your registration)
• United Lutheran Seminary Archives Tour (included with your registration)
• Seminary Ridge Museum Pass (additional $20 fee to be invoiced and paid separately at a later date.)

This information helps us make the appropriate arrangements in advance.

Please Register Here.