Sat. Mar. 7, 7 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church in North Bethesda, Md. 

The 50-voice Wagner College Choir or Staten Island, NY, will present "A New York Romance (and Other Passions)," conducted by Dr. Roger Wesby. The program opens with sacred works by Copland, Virgil Thomson, Gretchaninoff, Rachmaninov and others, then moves on to Duke Ellington's "Come Sunday," plus much more such as works by Stephen Foster and the Gershwins. A freewill offering will be taken. Concert information at 301-881-7275.

Tue. Mar. 10, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Mar-Lu-Ridge Conference Center in Jefferson, Md.

The Sojourners Connect Spring session has begun with W.J. "Bill" Buckley, who leads discussion on topics such as suicide and depression, dementia and euthanasia in a series called, "Religious Meanings and End of Life Decision-Making." Gatherings ongoing on 2nd Tuesday of each month.

Mar. 20-22, Northern Virginia 4H Center in Front Royal, Virg. 

Shekinah 2015 is a synod-wide youth ministry event for junior high (7th and 8th grade) youth. Through large, small, and e-(xperiential) group sessions, Shekinah provides opportunities for learning, growing in faith, worshiping, meeting new people and renewing old friendships - and having fun with other youth just like themselves outside of their home congregation. Our theme this year will challenge us to look at identity - how do we see ourselves, how do others see us, and how does God see us - and to explore what it means to be a beloved and baptized child of God. Registration details at www.metrodcelcayouth.org. 

April 11, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., The Villages at Rockville in Rockville, Md. 

"Love Thy Neighbor" is the theme for this year's Synodical Women of the ELCA Organization (SWO) Convention. Find registration in "Joyful News," the SWO's newsletter, at www.metrodcelca.org/publications/joyfulnews/.

April 17-20, locations in Washington, D.C.

The 13th annual national gathering of Ecumenical Advocacy Days for Global Peace with Justice is titled, "Breaking the Chains: Mass Incarceration and Systems of Exploitation." Join more than 1,000 Christian advocates, including Lutherans, from all over the country in building a movement based upon Acts 16:16-40. The ELCA is among sponsors. Registration information and other details at http://advocacydays.org/2015-breaking-the-chains/.  

Thu. Apr. 30, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at Gettysburg Seminary 

LTSG's Preaching Perspectives continuing ed resource for preaching will focus on "Preaching from the Heart of the Holy Land: Reaching toward Unity and Peace in Our (?) Broken World." The Rev. Dr. Angela Zimmann will present. More at www.ltsg.edu.  

May 11-15 in Pittsburgh, Penn.

"Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders" will be offered by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center of Illinois. The five-day institute includes skills for dealing effectively with interpersonal, congregational and other forms of group conflict, plus a component on congregational mediation and consultation placed within the context of family systems theory. More at www.lmpeacecenter.org.  

May 13-17, Heartwood Retreat and Conference Center in Trego, Wisc.

This 2015 Lutherhostel announced by Adult Lutherans Organized for Action (ALOA) is themed "Passing on Our Legacy of Faith, Family and Patriotism," and is cosponsored by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. More at 800-930-2562 and https://aloaserves.org/events/luther-hostels/.  

July 30-Aug. 1,Bon Secours Conference Center in Baltimore, Md.

"Transforming Congregations through Spiritual Practice: Creating a Discipleship Community" led by Jessicah Duckworth and Paul Hoffman is an event for pastors, seminarians, educators, musicians and other parish leaders. The North American Association for the Catechumenate, an ecumenical organization, is hosting the 2015 Annual Gathering for those who envision their ministry to be "making disciples for the sake of the world." More at www.catechumenate.org.

Sept. 13 at your congregation

Start dreaming about activities in your congregation for the third annual, ELCA-wide "'God's Work. Our hands.' Sunday." More at www.elca.org/Resources/GWOH-Sunday.

Sept. 27-Oct. 2 or Oct. 4-9 at Heartwood Retreat and Conference Center in Trego, Wisc.

Colorama Lutherhostel 2015 announced by Adult Lutherans Organized for Action (ALOA) will be offered on two different weeks. A day trip, a service project, Bible study, worship and outdoor activities are cosponsored by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. More at 800-930-2562 and https://aloaserves.org/events/luther-hostels/.  

Oct. 26-28 and subsequent dates OR

Nov. 9-11 and subsequent dates at First Church of Lombard, UCC in Lombard, Ill. 

The "Clergy Clinic in Family Emotional Process" meets three times per year following a format of basic themes articulated in Edwin Friedman's Generation to Generation, with reflection on the minister's three interlocking families: the minister's own family, the parishioner family, and the congregation as a family. More at www.lmpeacecenter.org