2019 Lutherhostel Desert Sojourn – Week 2
March 10 – March 15
Join Us for a Desert Sojourn in March 2019!
For 20 years, Spirit in the Desert has been host to an exceptional “Lutherhostel” week of worship, learning, and fellowship. As one of Spirit’s most well-known and popular retreats, it is a beloved time to be immersed in powerful worship experiences, dive into challenging topics led by outstanding teachers, and deepen commitments to renew one’s calling in the 3rd chapter of life.
By 2009, these events were so popular that we added a second week, enabling more retreatants to participate. In addition to retired lay and clergy participants, those still working have taken off time to attend the event as continuing education or as an opportunity for spiritual renewal.
Now the focus of these retreats continues to broaden in an effort to include and invite a more ecumenical audience. In 2019, there will again be two weeks of programming offered:
- Week 1–more intentionally ecumenical in focus.
- Week 2–a stronger Lutheran focus.
Of course, Lutherans and other adults of all ages are welcome to register for either or both weeks!
Week 2: Sun, March 10 to March 15 Led by Jason Mahn-Radical Lutherans/Lutheran Radicals
Jason is associate professor of religion at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL, where he teaches courses in contemporary Christian theology and directs Augustana’s Presidential Center for Faith and Learning. Jason is a graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College, Luther Seminary, and Emory University, where he received his PhD. In addition to teaching students at the college, he frequently offers presentations for area clergy, lay leaders, and educators within Lutheran higher education.
Like Dan Spencer, Jason has also taught during the summer months at Holden Village retreat center. He is the author of Fortunate Fallibility: Kierkegaard and the Power of Sin (Oxford, 2011) and Becoming a Christian in Christendom: Radical Discipleship and the Way of the Cross in America’s “Christian” Culture (Fortress, 2016).
Jason will be addressing topics relating to his 2017 co-authored book, Radical Lutherans/Lutheran Radicals, which follows Martin Luther, Soren Kierkegaard, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Dorothee Soelle, and others, as they sink deep roots into the Lutheran Christian tradition while simultaneously resisting the status quo with their words, their deeds, and sometimes their very lives.
Learn how Lutheran theology–when deeply and creatively retrieved–can inform political protest, intentional living, and other countercultural movements. Discover how a Lutheran can be socio-politically radical, and how a radical can be theologically and faithfully Lutheran!
Each day, participants will be invited to read a portion of the short book as we consider one particular radical Lutheran/Lutheran radical:
- Monday-March 11: Introduction and Martin Luther
- Tuesday-March 12: Dietrich Bonheoffer
- Wednesday-March 13: Dorothee Soelle
- Thursday-March 14: YOU! (your vocation and ecological justice)
Music & Worship for Both Weeks Led by Mary Preus and Tom Witt
Mary has worked as the music director and song leader at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Minneapolis since 1991. She is also the worship and music coordinator for the ecumenical Community of St. Martin and the artistic director of Minnesota Community Sings, working to build the culture of community public singing in Minnesota. Tom is a Minneapolis-based keyboardist, worship leader, song-leader and worship planner. He is the music coordinator at United Theological Seminary in the Twin Cities, and also serves part-time on the chapel music staff at Luther Seminary. Both Mary and Tom co-founded Bread for the Journey, an ensemble which is committed to encouraging congregational singing, sharing music with theological integrity, and helping music ministers to inspire the community’s song and serve the community’s prayer.
Begins 3pm Sunday check-in, 6pm dinner. Ends with Lunch at Noon on Friday.
Package costs below are per/person and include: 15 meals, 5 nights lodging, conference room, program, tuition. Off-campus excursions are not included.
$945 – Private Room w/ Bath; $475 deposit required.
$810 – Shared Room w/ Bath; $475 deposit required.
$465 – Commuter, includes everything except lodging
IMPORTANT INFO: We are out of space for early arrivals/late departures or rooms in-between each week. If you want to attend both weeks, or arrive early/stay a day after, you will need to find lodging. When you call we can assist you with options for this. If space does open up, we will post this to the website immediately.
Cancellation Policy: Full refunds of deposit/payment less 15% handling fee, will be given up to 90 days before the event. After 90 days, no refunds are given. We do expect a waiting list for these events. Should we be able to replace a cancellation (exact exchange) a full refund less 15% handling fee will be given.
To register, please call our Program & Development Director, Cyndy Warnier, at (480) 488-5218, or email: [email protected]