Mission and Accompaniment Retreat
Feb. 19, Luther Point Bible Camp, Grantsburg, Wisconsin. Accompaniment—literally, walking together side by side— is the model for mission used by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The model is lived out daily in companion synod relationships. In this retreat, we’ll explore the accompaniment model through a variety of activities with the goal of equipping participants to be better “walkers” with their companions. Our retreat leaders will be: Diane Kaufmann, Northwest Synod of Wisconsin companion synod coordinator;  Joseph L. Mbele, citizen of Tanzania, currently a professor in the English department at St. Olaf College; the Rev. Tom Nielsen retired ELCA pastor, involved in the companion synod relationship of Saint Paul Area Synod and the Iringa Diocese of the ELCT (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania). For more details and registration, go here. Contact Barb at 715.689.2347 or Barb@LutherPoint.org if you have questions. The cost is $20.

•Conference Assemblies
Feb.24, 2:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m. (registration); Roseville Lutheran Church, 1215 West Roselawn Ave., Roseville. Bishop Sally Dyck, Minnesota Annual Conference, United Methodist Church, is the speaker. The work of individual conferences, which happens at conference assemblies undergirds the work of the synod assembly, particularly this year. Important work on resolutions—which are often directed to the synod assembly—occurs in the conference caucus. In addition, conferences will elect individuals to serve as voting members to the 2009 Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis and nominate persons for bishop. Some conferences will be electing representatives to other synod committees as well. A registration booklet with information about both conference assemblies and the synod assembly will be mailed in January. If you have questions before then, please call the synod office. More information>

•A Minnesota Without Poverty Metro Gathering (Note change of date and time!)
Feb. 28, 7:00-8:30 p.m., Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 285 Dale St. No., St. Paul. The theme for this gathering is " Successes--Commission to End Poverty--Action." For information, call 651.224.4313 or visit www. mnwithoutpoverty.org.