New Church Worker/Quest Conference

Two conferences combined in one day! Should you register for both or just one?

• The New Church Worker Conference is for ALL church workers who are new to the Michigan District, LCMS.
• The Quest conference is only for those new church workers who were ordained or commissioned in the last 10 months.

We look forward to seeing all of you at the New Church Worker Conference, and some of you at the Quest conference. Continue reading below to learn more about each portion of the conference.

NEW Church Worker Conference

What is it?

Members of the Michigan District are a community. As a community, we take the task of mutual support and care seriously. The New Church Worker Conference provides the District staff with an opportunity to help the newly-installed workers get connected to our community by giving them an overview of the Michigan District and its support systems. The gathering will include:

• Introductions to key staff
• Information about the District and its function
• Break-out sessions to discuss regional information and answer questions
• Fellowship
• Food
• An opportunity to get to know Concordia University Ann Arbor

Who is it for?

ALL new church workers are encouraged to attend. The list of invitees includes newly placed pastors, newly placed commissioned (non-teacher) ministers, ordained emeriti transferring in, ordained and commissioned (non-teacher) active workers transferring in, and ordained candidates transferring in and their spouses.

Schedule for New Church Worker Portion

The schedule for the first part of the day will be available soon, however, for your planning we will begin at 10 a.m. and concludes at 2 p.m. with an option to tour CUAA from 2-3 p.m.

Quest New Worker Conference

What is it?

The goal of Quest is to support a successful transition into the real world of parish ministry through a collaborative community and mentor interactions. The program is successful when the newly commissioned and ordained workers experience community support from peers and mentors.

The event will help you to learn more about the support systems available to those who are new to parish ministry, as well as cluster gatherings among the ministry specialties. The cluster gatherings will enable the newly ordained to discuss issues related to pastoral ministry and the newly commissioned to discuss issues related to their transition to parish ministry with other commissioned ministers. This fall gathering will serve as a foundation in preparation for an upcoming winter retreat.

Who is it for?

Church workers who have been ordained or commissioned in the last 10 months. Participants are encouraged to bring their spouses to the event.

Schedule for Quest Portion

3 – 4 p.m.            Getting to know the support team

4 – 4:30 p.m.      Q&A

4:30 – 5:45          Cluster Gatherings

6 p.m.                   Dinner on site

A note regarding masks during the COVID-19 pandemic:  The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has provided mask guidance that flexes based on three key COVID-19 phases (response, recovery, and readiness).  The Michigan District will follow any mask mandates by the MDHHS, local health departments, or venues that are in place at the time of an event or conference. Masks are generally available at the registration desk. If you are feeling unwell or have any symptoms of COVID prior to arrival, please stay home.