Events
Below is a chronological list of upcoming programs/events offered by Spirit in the Desert.
Payment Policy: Full Payment is Due Upon Registration unless otherwise noted.
All Day Event Programs must be paid upon registration. Longer programs allow for a deposit which also must be paid upon registration. Your registration cannot be booked without payment.
Cancellation Policy for Guests registering/paying individually for programs:
* 91 or more days prior to event: 50% refund
* 30-90 days prior to event: 25% refund
* 30 days or less prior to event: NO refund (for more info click here for Policies Page)
"God Is Already Speaking Then"
Dr. Walter Brueggemann 
October 17, 2010 7:00 p.m.
This presentation will explore the dynamics of interpretation that take place within the Bible itself. The outcome of such pluralism in interpretation in the Bible witnesses against the absolutism of much current theological contention, liberal and conservative.
Dr. Brueggemann is Professor Emeritus of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA. (Click here for more info) He has authored more than 58 books, hundreds of articles, and several commentaries on books of the Bible. He participated in Bill Moyers'' 1990s PBS television series on Genesis. Due to the popularity of this sought-after speaker, this event will require a larger venue and is being held at: Shepherd of the Hills Congregational United Church of Christ, 5524 East Lafayette Blvd., Phoenix Az. 85018.
Registration Cost: $20 per person (Must be paid in full upon registration)
Click here to register for this event
Tending to Mission in Anxious Times
A Workshop for Lay Leaders, Clergy, and Church Staff
November 7-9, 2010
Dr. Peter Steinke, nationally known church consultant, (CLick here for more info) will introduce his new book, A Door Set Open and DVD's about the challenge of change, family emotional process as it applies to congregations, the mission of the church and the ways a parish can make a difference in the world. Dr. Steinke has worked diligently for many years to help congregations deal with conflict and change, and move toward greater health. Previous books include, How Your Church Family Works: Understanding Congregations as Emotional Systems; Healthy Congregations: A Systems Approach; & Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times: Being Calm and Courageous No Matter What. A local pastor who attended a workshop on the last book mentioned, says, "Dr. Steinke was extremely helpful in terms of assisting us in understanding both the positive and negative dynamics in our congregation, and how we as leaders need to be less anxious than the people we serve. My lay leaders said it was the finest workshop of this type that they had ever attended." Combining over 20 years of working ecumenically with scores of congregations in conflict and change, Dr. Steinke offers new insights for clergy and lay leaders, especially in light of the great anxiety present in the church today. This event will fill up quickly so register soon!
Total Cost: $185 Includes all meals and workshop materials.
Registration Deposit: $100 Deposit must be paid upon Registration
Lodging: $85+tax per/night-dbl occupancy ($42.50 per/person per/night) -or- $65+tax per/person for single occupancy. If you are lodging with us, full payment for lodging must be received with registration deposit.
Click here to register for this event
Traveling to Bethlehem with Matthew with Dr. David Lose
November 11, 2010 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
A sought after speaker, preacher and Bible teacher, Spirit in the Desert is pleased to announce Dr. David Lose as this year’s Advent Text Study leader! Dr. Lose is the author of Making Sense of Scripture, Making Sense of the Christian Faith (new in Sept 2010!) and Confessing Jesus Christ: Preaching in a Postmodern World. He is the Director of Center for Biblical Preaching at Luther Seminary, host of Sermon Brainwave and the creator of WorkingPreacher.org. (Click here for more info)
Make this Advent Text study a Unique Journey with David Lose! Every year we share the timeless story of Jesus’ birth, beginning with Advent then into Christmas and Epiphany. Is there anything new that we can use to deepen our focus and spiritual journey during this season? Come to “Traveling to Bethlehem with Matthew” by Dr. David Lose and you will leave with a hearty yes! to that question! Dr. Lose will take you on a journey through the Gospel of Matthew and give you new insight and inspiration to take home to your congregation. Don’t miss this valuable preaching tool! Registration Cost: $40 p/person, includes lunch (Must be paid in full upon registration)
Click here to register for this event
Year 2011
Spirit in the Desert Presents their First Women's Retreat - for women of all ages, all faiths, and all walks of life!
Hope, Relationships & Renewed Living
A Biblical Perspective for Women
January 23-25, 2011
A "Book of Faith Event!"
Begins with Dinner on Sunday, ends at Lunch Tuesday.
Diane Jacobson, Professor of Old Testament and Director of the ELCA's Book of Faith Initiative click here for more info
Janet Ramsey, Professor of Pastoral Theology, Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul, MN click here for more info
Are you trying to...
- Balance Hope & Reality?
- Find Joy in every day living?
- Live a Holy Spirit-led life?
- Practice wholeness in body, mind & spirit?
Being “spiritually resilient” is a tough task. Women from Biblical days to today have a lot in common as we juggle the many facets of our lives. The Scriptures are the heart of the answer to the balancing act women need today! Using video clips, lectures, journaling, small group discussions, and Scripture study, this workshop is for every woman!
Special All Inclusive Rate: $225 p/person-includes meals, lodging, class materials! Commuter rate: $175 p/person
Registration Deposit: $100 Deposit must be paid upon Registration (includes Commuters)
Click here to register for this event
Discover Your Call
January 25-27, 2011 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. daily
Discover Your Call workshops use the Dependable Strengths® process to invite people to reflect on positive experiences from their lives, to tell their stories, and to discern together what God is calling them to be. Unlike most gifts-identification processes, Discover Your Call helps people see how God calls them to ministry in their homes, communities, and workplaces, as well as in their congregations.
Combining brief lectures, individual exercises, and small group experiences, the course unfolds in two parts. In part one, you will run through the workshop as a participant. Here you will learn to identify your unique pattern of dependable strengths and reflect on your own callings in daily life. In part two, you will learn how to plan for and teach Discover Your Call workshops for groups in your congregation.
Come and learn more about yourself and how to teach others to identify their core abilities, talents, and skills—their dependable strengths!
Maximum enrollment 24 - register early for this very popular program!
Seminar Leaders:
Sally Peters, director, Center for Lifelong Learning at Luther Seminary, (Click here for more info) and Patty Bales, consultant, Future Path LLC (Click here for more info)
Tuition: $290 includes materials and meals
Registration Deposit: $100 Deposit must be paid upon Registration
Lodging: (must be paid upon registration)
$85+tax per/night-dbl occupancy ($42.50 per/person per/night) -or-
$65+tax per/person for single occupancy
Contact Hours: 20
Click here to register for this event
Lenten Text Study
A Book of Faith Event!
January 27, 2011 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.
Dr. Diane Jacobson, Professor of Old Testament, and Dr. Janet Ramsey, Professor of Pastoral Theology, Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul, MN will explore the texts for this upcoming Lent. They will concentrate not only on preaching these texts, but also on teaching them and encountering the texts with various groups in the congregation. As a group you will think together of ways that the Lenten texts can deepen the lives of both individuals and the community as a whole for the sake of God's mission in and for the world. Come - experience this Book of Faith encounter!
Registration Cost: $40 p/person, includes lunch (Must be paid in full upon registration)
Click here to register for this event
Youth & Young Adult Ministry Events
with Dr. Andrew Root!
We are offering a "Package Deal" for this event with Andrew Root, (click here for more info on Andrew Root) a sought after workshop leader! Youth & Next Generation pastors and leaders go at a hectic pace so we are offering a time away to rejuvenate, relax, renew, network, learn, and grow in their spiritual lives and ministry. Send your leaders for both events which includes 1 night's lodging and all meals - give them a much needed time away!
BOTH EVENTS: $175 p/person all inclusive price which includes lodging and meals!
Registration Cost: $100 Deposit Must be paid upon registration.
Commuters: BOTH Events: $95 p/person includes meals
ONE Event: $55 for each event p/person includes meals
Commuter Registration Cost: Full cost must be paid upon registration
Event One: Relationships Unfiltered: A Workshop on Youth Ministry Today
February 15-16, 2011 Noon Tuesday to Noon Wednesday
Dr. Andrew Root, Professor of Youth and Family Ministry, Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul, MN author of a newly (and very timely) published book, The Promise of Despair, will conduct several workshops at Spirit for youth and young adult ministry. He says, "It seems that at its most basic, youth ministry is about relationships. But relationships are anything but basic. So then what are relationships in youth ministry and what are they for? This workshop will explore relational youth ministry in order to uncover some of the blind spots in our contemporary understanding of relationships with young people. Relational ministry will be re-imagined NOT as seeking to influence kids toward some end (to accept Jesus/to avoid immoral behavior) but rather, seeing it as place-sharing.
Session 1. Youth Ministry and the Relational Crisis
In this presentation we will explore many of the cultural transitions that have made relationships an essential part of youth ministry. We will explore the changes in the family, the high school, and in adolescence itself.
Session 2. From a Youth Ministry of Influence to Place-Sharing
This presentation will explore a theological recasting of the practice of relational youth ministry; considering how using relationships to influence young people may be problematic. We will instead re-imagine relational youth ministry as place-sharing.
Session 3. The Shape of Faithful Place-sharing
How would I go about being a place-sharer in youth ministry? What would it look like personally? In this presentation we will explore these questions seeking to provide a way of imagining our very person in ministry with and for young people.
Click here to register for this event ONLY
Event Two: The Future of Meaning, Identity, Belonging & Community in the Church: A Workshop on Young Adult Ministry
February 16-17, 2011 Noon Wednesday to Noon Thursday
Dr. Andrew Root continues in young adult ministry workshops with three presentations that will explore our cultural transitions and what these changes mean for the church, most especially in relation to youth and young adults, as well examining the theological significance of these transitions.
Session 1. The Melting of Meaning & the Hyper-Real
Is the church different for a generation of people raised in the digital age? If their attention is directed toward computer, TV, and cell phone screens, are they constructing meaning in different ways than people in the past? We will explore the effects our screen-based living has on how we make meaning and the ways meaning has become harder to construct. What theological perspective might we take to address a generation making their primary meaning not in the "real" but in the "hyper-real" of screen worlds?
Session 2. The Melting of Identity
One of the greatest pursuits for late modern people (especially those of younger generations) is to construct an identity for themselves. But as we have seen recently, the fluidity of our culture does not allow for our identities to be carved in stone. Instead our identities are always transitioning with new jobs, new marriages, and new ideas. The cultural necessity of identity transition can be painful and difficult; it is easy to feel lost within the transition. What then should the church do?
Session 3. The Melting of Belonging & the Community of the Trinity
There has been much talk about the theological and practical necessity of the church being community in a postmodern world. But what does this mean? What is community? This presentation will assert that we have not quite fully understood how belonging functions culturally and how unbound we are to any communal realities. From here we will reflect theologically on the cross, seeing if it might allow us a way forward in imagining community.
Click here to register for this event ONLY
Click here to register for BOTH events
Spiritual Well Being for Clergy
February 22-24, 2011
The Rev. Sandy Rothschiller, ELCA Board of Pensions, (Click here for more info)
The ELCA Board of Pensions and Spirit in the Desert are partnering to provide this important opportunity for clergy.
As spiritual leaders of the church you are called to provide spiritual guidance to your parishioners. But where do you go to obtain your own spiritual guidance? The time at Spirit in the Desert is designed to focus on your own spiritual journey. It will be a time to look at what makes your life whole through spiritual, emotional, physical, social, financial and intellectual wellness. The work of a parish pastor can bring challenges to being centered, and finding wholeness. This time away in the desert, a quiet, serene environment will provide the time, the space and materials to guide you on your own spiritual journey. Afternoons will be free from scheduling so you can rest, soak in the hot tub, golf, whatever works for you. You are encouraged to take a day to yourself on either end of the class for rest and reflection.
The class begins on the 21st at 9:00 a.m. and ends with lunch on the 24th.
Tuition: $175 which includes meals.
Registration Cost: $100 Deposit - Must be paid upon registration
Lodging: We're offering a special lodging rate for this program - $65 per night per person for a solo room or $85 per night for a double occupancy room ($42.50 per person) Such a deal!! Lodging must be paid upon registration.
Space is being held before/after the event and we encourage you to spend a day on either or both ends of the event to further your well-being.
Click here to register for this event
Process Preaching
February 21-23, 2011
Rev. Jerry Larson
"Dr. Jerry Larson's Process Preaching Seminar is the best workshop on preaching methodology I have been to in thirty years of parish ministry (and seminary). He has developed a method of sermon delivery that has the clarity of content and wordsmithing of manuscript preaching with the freedom and authenticity of extemporaneous preaching. His method is rather simple, but not easy, because the biggest hurdle faced is the courage to try it. That is why you can't really learn it from a book: one needs to be coached in a workshop setting. All 20 or so preachers in my workshop were able to do it, and it improved the preaching of all of us." Pastor Brian Erickson, D.Min., Phoenix, Arizona
Process Preaching is a system for delivering sermons freely without reading a manuscript or simply speaking off the cuff. During the seminar preachers learn how to convert their written words to oral communication. This is done principally by learning a certain kind of oral rehearsal. Using this system, preachers are able to deliver their sermons freely using oral language to express the meaning and ideas of the written text. Students are asked to bring with them a manuscript for a sermon on which they are currently working.
Jerry Larson, D.Min., Luther Seminary, was a parish pastor for 39 years. He retired in 2004 from Calvary Lutheran Church, Edina, Minn., where he continues to serve as pastor emeritus. (Cli ck here for more info)
Begins at 1:30 on Monday – Concludes at 11 a.m. on Wednesday
Cost: $195 includes meals and all class materials.
Registration Cost: $100 Deposit - Must be paid upon registration
Lodging: $85+tax per/night-dbl occupancy ($42.50 per/person per/night) -or-
$65+tax per/person for single occupancy
This program is presented in partnership with Kairos at Luther Seminary.
Click here to register for this event
Lutherhostel 2011
Week One: March 6-11
Book of Faith Adventure with Diane Jacobson
Professor of Old Testament, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN and Director of the ELCA's Book of Faith Initiative (teaching on "The Living Power of Scripture in the Midst of Change" click here to read), Diane is working on her theme and presentation for this week of Lutherhostel and we will have more information soon.
BOTH WEEKS:
Music & Worship by Tom Witt & Mary Preus!
(Click here for more info)
Week Two: March 13-17
"Interruptions that Shape Our Lives"
Herb Chilstrom, former ELCA Bishop and his wife, Corinne Chilstrom
1. Interruptions: What would Jesus do?
2. Interruptions: Keeping life uncluttered.
3. Interruptions: Pathways to new ventures.
4. Interruptions: Reconsidering our purpose.
Music & Worship by Tom Witt & Mary Preus!
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Cost: $625 p/person per week
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Registration Cost: $300 p/person Must be paid upon registration
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Want to come for BOTH Weeks: $1050 p/person - a savings of $200!
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Registration Cost: $550 p/person Must be paid upon registration
Early Bird Specials!
$600 p/person if you sign up BEFORE September 1, 2010
Registration Cost: $300 p/person Must be paid upon registration
Attending Both Weeks: $995 p/person - a savings of $255!
Registration Cost: $500 p/person Must be paid upon registration
*NOTE: for those attending both weeks who desire to stay on campus, we offer a special lodging rate of: $85 p/night double occupancy ($42.50 p/person p/night) or $65 p/night for a single. Meals, if available, can be purchased as well.
Click here to register for this event
Church Musicians Workshop on Improvisation in Worship
March, 2011 - March 4-5, 2011 7:00 p.m. Friday to 3:00 p.m. Saturday
Music Serving the Word Ministries will be leading a powerful workshop for musicians involved in worship. (Click here for more info)
All Inclusive Cost: $130 p/person, includes 1 night lodging, two meals & class materials!
Registration Cost: $100 Deposit - Must be paid upon registration
Commuter Cost: $85 p/person-no lodging
Commuter Registration Cost: $85 Must be paid upon registration
Click here to register for this event
Christianity in Dialogue with Islam & Other Faith Traditions
March 29, 2011 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Dr. Mark Thomsen, former Global Mission Director of the ELCA, (Click here for article by Dr. Thomsen) and Dr. Harold Vogelaar, former Professor of Christian-Muslim Relations at Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. (Click here for more info)
The presentations and conversations for the day will focus on the blessings, tragedies and challenges recognized and experienced by Muslims and Christians in their relationships experienced in our own families, communities and nations.
In session One Dr. Harold Vogelaar will describe contemporary challenges faced by Muslim and Christian peoples as they live out their lives within a world of religious pluralism.
In session Two Dr. Mark Thomsen will present a Biblical vision for Inter-Faith relations with the Muslim community rooted in "Jesus crucified" who is at the heart of our faith.
In session Three, Dr. Vogelaar and Dr. Thomsen will discuss the contemporary Palestinian-Israeli crisis and its ramifications for Christian-Muslim relations. Dr. Thomsen and Dr. Vogelaar have taught a class dealing with this crisis several times at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.
Dr. Thomsen's has a PhD in Systematic Theology from Northwestern University and Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, Ill. He has taught at Dana College, Luther Seminary, the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, and the Theological College of Northern Nigeria.. In 2008 he published Jesus, the Word, and the Way of the Cross: An Engagement with Muslims, Buddhists, and Other Peoples of Faith.
Dr Vogelaar has a PhD in Muslim-Christian Studies from Columbia University, New York. He began his ministry with the RCA in 1963 in the Arabian Gulf where he served as a missionary in Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman. Later he moved to Cairo, Egypt where he served with the LCA and ELCA from 1972 to 1990. After the death of his first wife Neva, Harold married Mai who is a Muslim from Bangkok, Thailand. Mai served in the Thai government as the supervisor of Muslim schools in Thailand. They have conducted many events dealing with inter-faith marriages.
Registration Cost: $40 p/person, includes lunch (Must be paid in full upon registration)
Click here to register for this event
Advent Text Study
November 10, 2011 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Dr. Ray Pickett, Professor of New Testament, Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, IL. This study of the Advent texts for Year A will focus on how the Gospel of Matthew develops a proactive hope in the coming of the kingdom of heaven that engenders agency and action on the part of Jesus’ followers. The eschatological themes that emerge during Advent will be related to Matthew’s emphasis on righteousness and judgment. Some attention may also be given to Matthew’s use of Isaiah. The readings from Romans for Advent may also be discussed. (Click here for more info)
Registration Cost: $40 p/person, includes lunch (Must be paid in full upon registration)
Click here to register for this event
Year 2012
Exploring the Lenten Texts for 2012
"Thunder & Angels" Preaching Between Two Gospels
February 16, 2012 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Dr. Karoline Lewis, Professor of Preaching, Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul, MN. (Click here for more info) The Gospel lessons for Lent, Year B, are from both Mark and John, two very different stories of Jesus and portraits of Christ. What connections can we make? What themes for Lent might surface if we put the two in conversation with each other? How well might our Lenten journey be shaped by a dialogue between two Gospels?
Registration Cost: $40 p/person, includes lunch (Must be paid in full upon registration)
Click here to register for this event
Preaching Workshop:
"Wine, Water Jars & Witness" Preaching the Gospel of John
February 17-18, 2012 10:00 a.m. thru Lunch on Saturday
Dr. Karoline Lewis, Professor of Preaching, Luther Theological Seminary, St. Paul, MN. The Gospel of John does not have its own lectionary year, as we all know. How does the preacher give the Fourth Gospel a fair hearing? What’s at stake when preaching John? Our study will look at key theological themes in John’s story of Jesus as a lens through which to interpret John and to lift up its unique voice in our understanding of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
$130 p/person includes meals, 1 nights lodging and class materials
Registration Cost: $100 Deposit - Must be paid upon registration
Commuter rate: $85 includes meals only
Commuter Registration: $85 must be paid upon registration
Click here to register for this event
Special Pricing if you register for both the Lenten Text & Preaching Workshops!
ALL Inclusive: $175 p/person, includes meals, 2 nights lodging and class materials
Registration Cost: $100 Deposit - Must be paid upon registration