SAM retreat in Brookings

Our synod’s first SAM specific retreat will be November 2-4, 2025 in Brookings. It is specifically for our Synod Authorized Ministers, Rural Ministry Ambassadors, and congregational leaders who often fulfill aspects of these two official roles within their communities. This event is made possible by the generous support of Wartburg Theological Seminary’s CaSTLE Project.

Our leader for this event is Rev. Dr. Anna Madsen. Her first call as a congregational pastor was in the South Dakota Synod. Anna Madsen now serves as a public theologian in the Northeastern Minnesota Synod. She hosts The Spent Dandelion Theological Retreat Center and, with husband David Willis, runs Karl’s Wheelhouse, established for her son Karl and others with disabilities to offer meaningful, rather than menial, work.

Rev. Dr. Madsen will be leading us through a 4 week Advent study based in the Advent scriptures for this November and December. The study will be immediately applicable in congregational settings this Advent and lean into the CaSTLE Project’s emphasis on baptismal ecclesiology.

We will be recording our sessions with Rev. Dr. Madsen, and these recordings will be made available to all via Pasque (sdsynodlearns.org). And we hope the in person training will give all who attend a greater confidence in leading this study in their congregations.

The cost of the event: Free (thank you, CaSTLE Project)! And we have a group rate at the Comfort Suites in Brookings at $110 per night. Click here to book your stay at the discounted rate.

The basic schedule for this event:

Sunday evening, Nov. 2 – arrive when and how you want. There will not be a specific learning goal for Sunday evening, but for all who are driving a distance or wanting some fellowship we will meet for dinner.

Monday, Nov. 3 – We will meet with Rev. Dr. Madsen at the University Lutheran Center: 1404 8th St, Brookings, SD 57006

Tuesday morning, Nov. 4 – We will be joined by Bishop Constanze Hagmaier to be in conversation with what our SAMs and their congregations need moving into 2026.

A more detailed schedule will be provided to all who register. We hope to see you in Brookings this November! Still have questions? Reach out to Pastor Joel Pakan.