Join rostered ministers and professional ministry staff of congregations for the 2023 Fall Gathering, “In the Midst.” This year’s Fall Gathering presenter is May Persaud who has served as Instructor in Biblical Languages at Wartburg Seminary for 38 years and will be talking about scripture. There will be time for learning, fellowship, conversation, and spiritual renewal. New this year, Monday and Tuesday gathering only. The Fall Gathering will take place on Monday, September 25, and Tuesday, September 26th at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Ames.
About the 2023 Presenter
May Burt Persaud has had the privilege of serving as an Instructor in Biblical Languages (Biblical Hebrew and New Testament Greek) at Wartburg Seminary for 38 years, as well as serving as an Adjunct Instructor for many years at the University of Dubuque and the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. The daughter of a Presbyterian pastor, May was born in New Jersey, grew up in Kansas, was awarded a National Presbyterian Scholarship to attend college in Pennsylvania, won a District Rotary Scholarship to do postgraduate studies in Scotland, and, upon marriage to Winston D. Persaud, lived in Guyana, South America, and taught in the Lutheran Church in Guyana. May began her teaching at Wartburg Seminary after Winston came to teach Systematic Theology at Wartburg in 1984. May and Winston are blessed with two sons, Winston Jr. and Alexander; two daughters (in-law!), Jamie and Ajin; two dear granddaughters, Irene and Georgiana; and two dear grandsons, Idris and Timothy. May’s passion for the Bible and for Bible instruction is no happenstance. Named for her maternal Grandmother May, who was named for the month her parents were married, and walking in the footsteps not only of her Grandmother May but also her mother Dorothy, both revered teachers of the Bible, May feels she has been blessed to bear a name that bespeaks her calling. In whatever setting she teaches, May brings a passion for Scripture and a desire to invite students to encounter and ponder the biblical text and its message for us today. As a teacher, this is at the center of her calling as a disciple and servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Registration
$100 per person, registration closes Friday, Sept. 15th. Please note registration does not include accommodations.
Overnight Accommodations:
There is no block of rooms reserved. There are several nearby hotels at varying rates. Please book your room early to ensure your preferred lodging. Please book your room early to ensure your preferred lodging. The Office of the Bishop Staff has elected to stay at the Courtyard Mariott in Ames.
Google Map search of hotels near Bethesda Lutheran Church in Ames.
Worship for October 1 (Sunday after the Gathering)
In order to give rostered ministers time to be present at the conference, an online pre-recorded worship service will be provided for Sunday, October 1st. These materials will be available shortly before the conference.
Schedule
Monday, September 25
9:00 am Check-in opens/ sign up for affinity groups
10:00 am -11:00 am Worship with Holy Communion (Bishop Current preaching)
11:15 am -12:00 am Time to get to know colleagues
12:00 -1:00 pm Lunch
1:30 pm -3:00 pm Session 1 – May Persaud
3:30 pm -5:00 pm Session 2 – May Persaud
5:15 pm-6:30 pm Dinner
6:30 pm – Affinity Groups/Social time
Tuesday, September 26
9:00 -10:00 am Affinity Groups
10:15 am -11:45 am Session 3 – May Persaud
12:00 pm Lunch
1:00 -2:00 pm Bishop Time
2:15-3:00 pm Closing Worship