Last weekend (Halloween/ Reformation) our synod hosted a combined first call rostered leaders and candidacy retreat. Thirty of us spent twenty-four hours together at Camp Onomia, one of the great outdoor ministries in our synod. Our gracious host Jim Schmidt and the staff, Tim and Cheri, at Onomia welcomed us to the very comfortable, modern, and spacious retreat center. The rooms, the meeting spaces, and the meals were excellent. If you are looking to host a retreat, you really should consider www.camponomia.org.

Catherine Anderson, the synod's Coordinator of Youth Ministry, led a lively hour of introductions based on the newest Discipleship Challenge resources, followed by Assistant to the Bishop Brenda Tibbetts, AiM, preaching at evening prayer. A great supper, meaningful small group conversations, and a boisterous social hour rounded out the evening.

On Saturday morning, Bishop Aitken spent an hour speaking to the entire group made up of new pastors, candidates for rostered ministry (pastoral and diaconal candidates), synod staff, and members of the candidacy committee about the joys and challenges of public ministry. Bishop's insights from his 30 years of ordained ministry were practical, humorous, and encouraging. We were also glad to welcome Terri Endres, diaconal minister, from Portico, who spent time helping the entire group understand the wide range of Portico's benefits and services (www.porticobenefits.org). Following a meal together and small group time, the retreat ended with the celebration of the Holy Communion with Bp. Aitken presiding at the table and Pr. Peter Kowitz accompanying on guitar. It was an excellent (first) combined retreat and we look forward to the ways in which something like it will take shape in the future.

It truly was a blessing to get a number of people in one place to focus on these two very similar topics: entering public ministry and beginning public ministry. We shared meals, we worshiped together, we got to know one another, and we had fun! We were able to have time in our smaller groups to talk about those things that are unique to our situation in ministry or discernment. Our bishop and his staff, together with representatives from Portico and Camp Onomia, were able to meet and spend time with our newest and future pastors and deacons. This is good news!

I am so proud to be a member of the ELCA, this synod, and this synod staff. It is a great pleasure and privilege to serve you in this office. The work we do and get to be a part of is inspiring and encouraging and that is why I want you to know about this last week's retreat: it is just another example of how we are church together, in the most healthy, joyful, Christ-centered way.

Pr. John Dietz

Assistant to the Bishop

Director for Evangelical Mission

Northeastern Minnesota Synod | ELCA