You are invited to join colleagues in ministry to study with Dr. Edward Schneider, Dr. Emlyn A. Ott, and Dr. Samuel Giere at the Luther Academy of the Rockies, Wartburg Theological Seminary's premier LifeLong Learning educational program for rostered leaders and their families.

~25 Contact Hours or 2.5 Continuing Education Units~

Speakers

Dr. Edward Schneider will present a series of lectures dealing with “Luther’s Ethics and Social Responsibility in a Pluralistic Society.”  These sessions will demonstrate the relevance of the Lutheran ethical tradition for developing a theological framework for personal and political involvement with social issues.

Dr. Schneider received his B.D. from Wartburg Seminary, a Th.M. degree from Princeton Seminary, and his Ph.D. degree from the University of Iowa.  He has served the church in a variety of positions, including serving as pastor of three congregations in Illinois.  He has taught Christian Ethics at Luther Seminary, and been an adjunct Instructor of Religion at Augsburg College.  He served as Associate Director for Studies of the ALC Office of Church in Society, as Assistant to the Presiding Bishop of the ALC, and as ALC Liaison to the Commission for a New Lutheran Church.

In retirement, he continues to serve on the Editorial Council for the Journal of Lutheran Ethics, and has filled in as its acting editor. Dr. Schneider has written a number of journal articles, and has edited a book, Questions at the Beginning of Life. Dr. Schneider and his wife Nancy have two daughters, Ann Rasmus and Mary Laskowski.      

Dr. Emlyn A. Ott serves as Executive Director and CEO of Healthy Congregations, Inc., an ecumenical not for profit that provides education and consultation on emotional process for congregational and community systems. She will speak on the following topics; Family Systems Theory is Not for the Faint of Heart, Healthier Congregations and Emotional Process, The Triangle: Friend or Foe?, Distinguishing Between Anxious Absence and Non-Anxious Presence, and Leaders and Disciples in Times of “Super Anxiety”.

Rev. Dr. Ott completed her doctoral work in pastoral counseling and congregational dynamics at Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She co-directed the Stillwater Interfaith Counseling Center, served as one of its staff counselors and continues to work with congregations and judicatories of many denominations in consultation around the development of emotional systems understanding. She is a Clinical Fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors and currently is in her third year serving as a leadership scholar in the post-graduate program at the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family following four years of study at The Center for Family Process, also known as “The Friedman Center.”

She and is a member of the Choral Union at Capital University. She completed her first half marathon in 2009 and recently enlisted the spirit of Julia Child as a mentor in the kitchen. Emlyn is the spouse of Dr. Robert Ward, a musician, educator and conductor who is on the faculty of the School of Music of The Ohio State University.

Rev. Dr. Samuel Giere, Assistant Professor of Homiletics at Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa, will present "The Old Testament and the Proclamation of Christ Crucified."  Starting from an understanding of preaching as a "Sacrament of the Word," the lectures will explore preaching from the Old Testament in light of the Church's history of interpreting Old Testament texts. The specific texts looked at will come primarily from lectionary Year A (2010-2011), with emphases on pericopes from the Pentateuch, Isaiah, and Ezekiel.

Dr. Giere's academic interests are a confluence of Old Testament studies, theology, and proclamation.  Prior to serving on the faculty at Wartburg, Dr. Giere served ELCA congregations in North Dakota and as an adjunct instructor at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota.  His publications include A New Glimpse of Day One: Intertextuality, History of Interpretation, and Genesis 1.1-5 (deGruyter, 2009), along with contributions to the Lutheran Study Bible (Augsburg, 2009),  WorkingPreacher.org, New Proclamation (Augsburg Fortress, forthcoming), and the Biographical History of Women Biblical Interpreters (Baker Academic, forthcoming).  He is an alumnus of the University of St Andrews, Scotland (PhD - Old Testament), Wartburg Theological Seminary, and Concordia College, Moorhead.

He is married to the Rev. Amy Current, and they have two children: Isaac (10) and Shonagh (5).   His interests include golf, table tennis, and the intersection of beer and theology.

History
Modeled after similar continuing education events for pastors and spouses in Germany, Dr. Michael J. Reu designed and directed the first academy  in 1937 at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, IA.  It was the first Lutheran continuing education event in this country, with an original registration fee of $5.00 for the 10 days. The academy remained an annual event in Dubuque for the next 31 years, with a brief respite during World War II.  Before it was moved to Colorado in 1969,  Dr.William Streng, Professor of Christian Education at Wartburg, expanded the format of the academy to include pastors, spouses, and families in a setting that focused on a blend of theological education and relaxation.  Today the Luther Academy of the Rockies is a cooperative program of the Covenant Cluster and may be the only LifeLong Learners event in the country that includes education for the entire family.

Program
Morning lectures, designed for adults, feature theologians from diverse backgrounds and create an academic atmosphere. Afternoons are free for hiking, sightseeing, picture taking, horseback riding, or just quietly enjoying the beauty of the Rocky Mountains.  Nearby Estes Park offers golfing, shopping, swimming, and other diversions.  Evenings bring many surprises!  There may be additional lectures, music, square dancing, potlucks, talent night, or other group participation events.  A morning program for children and teens, ages 4-18, (while adults are in lectures), provides an exciting team building experience, incorporating music, crafts, recreation and environmental awareness. Child care is provided for children ages 3 and under.  Children and teens are welcome at all evening programs and events. Teens should come prepared to spend $15.00-$20.00 for horseback riding or other activities during one of the morning sessions.

Setting
Home to the Academy for the past 38 years,  Meeker Park Lodge is an old time, rustic, mountain lodge surrounded by housekeeping cabins.  Its natural setting lends itself well to outdoor recreation and relaxation, as well as to spiritual and intellectual renewal.

Facilities
Meeker Park offers both cabins and rooms in the lodge.   Cabins (which sleep up to 9 people) are  fully equipped with bedding, basic cooking utensils, linens, and bathrooms. Some of the cabins have fireplaces.  Privately owned cabins and cabin camps may also be available in the area. A few pleasant sleeping rooms, without cooking facilities, are available in the Meeker Park Lodge.  Camping sites are available at Olive Ridge Campground, maintained by the National Forest Service, as well as in the Estes Park area.  A primitive campsite is available one mile north of Meeker Park Lodge.  For further information or reservations please contact the Estes Park Chamber of Commerce.

Housing
In order to accommodate as many registrants as possible, cabins must be fully occupied. If you are alone or in a small party, please consider sharing accommodations. Housing rates are set accordingly. The housing deposit is forfeited if cancellation is less than 21 days prior to the opening of the Academy. If you know of someone with whom you would be willing to share a cabin, please indicate this on your registration form, or simply indicate your willingness to share accommodations with another participant(s). 

Meals
Breakfast and Lunch are served in the Meeker Park Lodge.  Lodge room guests, faculty and staff generally take advantage of these meals, but they are available for others as well.

Staff
Dean - Dr. Frank Benz, Professor Emeritus, of Old Testament at Wartburg Theological Seminary, and his spouse, Joyce, are now residing in Loveland, CO.  During his tenure at Wartburg, Frank filled a variety of positions.  In addition to teaching, he was acting dean during sabbaticals as well as dean of students and other administrative positions.

Directors
Rev. Kristi Beebe and Rev. Dr. Scott Beebe are Wartburg Seminary graduates presently serving two separate congregations in Colorado. Kristi and Scott manage the program, local arrangements, and all of the details necessary for a good Academy. They may be reached at the following:
 Home: 303-795-7885, address: 7384 S Crescent Dr, Littleton, CO 80120
 Kristi’s work: 303-288-1212, e-mail: nlchurch1004@qwestoffice.net
 Scott’s work: 970-476-6610, e-mail:skbeebe@vail.net

Cost  Individual: $250; Couple: $320; Each Child: $80. Registration fees and a housing deposit of $100 must be paid at the time of registration. Registration fees are refundable in case of cancellation. Balances due are paid on arrival via cash, check or credit card. Housing fees are waived for children ages 2 and under. Visitors are welcome at a daily cost of $45 per person for the lectures. Extended family members (adult children, grandchildren, etc) housed with Academy participants are required to pay the published rate for registration and housing. Due to demand and limited facilities, no part-time registration or housing is possible. Those with extended family may need to be housed in cabins outside of walking distance. Special needs may be met by conferring with Rev. Kristi Beebe.

Registration for the Luther Academy of the Rockies will be limited to 70 registrants and their families.  Brochures will be sent sometime in February. All registration goes to Kristi in Colorado. Please send in your registration as soon as possible to ensure a spot.

Extended family staying for part of the week must pay housing cost for the full 10 days. There is no housing charge for children ages 2 and under. Pets are not allowed. Crib request: A charge of $15.00/crib. Please indicate your need for a crib on your housing request, as there is limited availability. If we cannot honor your request, we’ll let you know in early June. Meals: Breakfast and Lunch are served in the Meeker Park Lodge. Room guests, faculty, and staff generally take advantage of these meals, but they are available to others as well.

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