2026 Candidacy Retreat
October 16, 2026 – October 17, 2026
The 2026 Candidacy Retreat will be October 16-17 at Abbey of the Hills. We are excited to share that this will be a joint retreat between the SD Synod and Eastern ND Synod. This retreat is not only for candidates for ministry in both synods, but also Candidacy Committee members. The purpose of the retreat is to learn and grow in our understanding of candidacy, as well as the changing landscape of ministry leadership in the Church. We also look forward to praying and worshiping together, as we build relationships for the sake of the Gospel.
Please register as soon as you are able, indicating your dietary needs and the day you will arrive at the event. We are always glad to have a conversation with you or answer your questions.
Registration Cost: $50
Registration closes October 1, 2026
Location:
Abbey of the Hills
46561 147th St, Marvin, SD 57251
Venue Website
Lodging:
Please indicate which night you will arrive so we can better plan for the event’s needs. All registrants will be assigned their own room unless they would like to share with another. Please e-mail Pr. Renee if you’d like to share a room.
Description:
This year, we will welcome the expertise of Malcom Chapman, as we focus on the Candidacy competencies of “leadership.” Malcom’s mission is “To convene individuals and groups of people in authentic, honest, and respectful conversations across difference (https://www.malcomchapman.com).” We will also look forward to learning more about spiritual practices from Deacon Koren Lindley (certified spiritual director), who currently serves Trinity Lutheran Church in Madison, SD. Bishop Tessa Moon-Leiseth and Bishop Constanze Hagmaier will also be in attendance to present and be available for conversation. Structured and unstructured social time is built into this retreat, along with conversations in affinity groups, creating opportunities for peer learning.
Please complete the course “Bridging and Belonging,” which includes resources on the book The Power of Bridging by john powell at the Pasque Learning Community HERE. You can find a full schedule for the event HERE.
Speaker Information:
Malcom Chapman: Malcom “Chap” Chapman founded the Chapman Group, a leadership consulting firm that provides retreat facilitation, strategic planning, coaching, seminars, and keynote addresses to organizations and businesses.
He is a former U.S. Marine Corps officer and has served three terms as a Rapid City Councilman.
Chap holds a master’s degree in public administration and received the 2008 South Dakota Municipal League Excellence in Municipal Government Award. He was also named a Bush Fellow for the 2015-2017 term in recognition of his work with service organizations and leadership development.
Service has been a central theme throughout Chap’s life, and he is actively involved in several local, state, and national boards.
Chap and his family currently reside in Rapid City, SD.
Read a full biography on Malcom’s website.
Deacon Koren Lindley: Deacon Koren is the Faith Formation Director at Trinity Lutheran Church in Madison. Her professional background is in Child & Family Studies and Psychology, and she holds master’s degrees in both Marriage & Family Therapy and Diaconal Ministry.
She is passionate about Cross+Generational Ministry and providing opportunities for people of all ages to learn and grow in their faith together while building long-lasting relationships with one another.
She is a certified Spiritual Director and is honored to teach others about spiritual practices as well as walk with them on their faith journey, wherever they may be on the journey. Read more on the Trinity Lutheran webpage.
Bishop Constanze Hagmaier: Bishop Constanze was elected to the Office of Bishop on Saturday, June
1, 2019, at the South Dakota Synod Assembly. She was reelected by the 2025 South Dakota Synod Assembly on May 30, 2025. She is the synod’s fourth bishop. Read more here.
Bishop Tessa Moon Leiseth: Bishop Tessa was re-elected to serve a second six-year term on June 7, 2026. She is the synod’s fifth bishop and first female bishop.
Questions? Contact Pastor Renee Splichal Larson, Associate to the Bishop, at rsplichallarson@sdsynod.org or call 605-274-4024.
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2026 Candidacy Retreat
10/16/2026 - 10/17/2026
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Venue: The Abbey of the Hills
Venue Phone: 605-398-9200
Venue Website: https://www.abbeyofthehills.org
Address:
