Gustavus to Host Association of Congregations Convention

The 24th annual convention of the Gustavus Adolphus College Association of Congregations will be held Saturday, April 9. Gustavus will host pastors and delegates from the more than 540 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America congregations from the state and across the country that are current member congregations of the association.

The theme of this year’s convention is “A Year of Living Purposefully: Savoring Life Through Servant-Leadership.” In the keynote presentation, featured speakers Richard Leider ’66 and Larry Spears will detail a graceful, practical, and spiritual process for making your unique purpose central to your life and leadership.

Leider is founder and chairman of the Inventure Group in Minneapolis, which is dedicated to helping people live passionately for today and purposefully for tomorrow. Spears served for 17 years as President and CEO of the Robert K. Greenleaf Center for Servant-Leadership and in 2008 established the Larry C. Spears Center for Servant-Leadership.

The morning worship service at 10 a.m. in Christ Chapel will feature the Rev. Rodney L. Anderson as homilist and will include music by the Choir of Christ Chapel and the Christ Chapel Brass. At a noon luncheon, the Association’s annual Covenant Award will be presented by Gustavus President Jack R. Ohle to the Rev. Jon V. Anderson for significant and distinctive contributions toward strengthening the partnership between Gustavus and member congregations.

After the closing reception at 3 p.m., the College will hold a grand opening for its brand new Center for Servant-Leadership. Tours of the new Center will be available for those interested.

The entire schedule for the day is as follows:

• 8:30 a.m. / Registration and coffee / Jackson Campus Center
• 9:15 a.m. / GACAC business meeting / Christ Chapel
• 10 a.m. / Morning worship / Christ Chapel
• 11 a.m. / Keynote address by Richard Leider and Larry Spears / Christ Chapel
• 12 p.m. / Luncheon / Alumni Hall
• 1:30 p.m. / Afternoon Workshop / Jackson Campus Center
• 3 p.m. / Closing Reception / O.J. Johnson Student Union Foyer

For more information about the Association of Congregations Convention, visit gustavus.edu/churchrelations or contact Marilyn Beyer in the Office of Church Relations at 507-933-7001 or mbeyer@gustavus.edu.