2022 Bishop’s Convocation
Sunday, October 16 – Tuesday, October 18, 2022
Welcome!
Rostered Ministers, spouses, interns, and collaborative learning students currently serving in a ministry setting, and retired Rostered Ministers of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin are invited to join us for our annual theological event. Bishop’s Convocation will gather under the theme Building, Rebuilding. This year, we are pleased to come together in the southern region of our synod at the Ironworks Hotel located on the beautiful Rock River in Downtown Beloit.
Photo courtesy North Park University
We are honored to welcome Dr. Rajkumar Boaz Johnson, professor of Hebrew, Bible and Theological Studies at Chicago’s North Park University as our keynote presenter.
Growing up in the slums of New Delhi, Dr. Rajkumar Boaz Johnson’s search for the meaning of life began early. When he walked to Hindu grammar school, Dr. Johnson faced a dilemma. “I encountered two different realities,” he says. “One was the reality of poverty and injustice. The other was that of high-caste Hindu learning.” He wrestled with this dichotomy, and expanded his spiritual search.
“The philosophy of life taught and espoused by Jesus the Messiah, as seen in the Gospels, captured my mind and imagination,” Dr. Johnson says, “I realized that in this person lay the answers to the questions that plagued my mind.” Decades later, that initial encounter with Jesus continues to fascinate Dr. Johnson, and informs his life and work as an expert on the relationship of evangelical Christianity to world religions.
Today, Dr. Johnson walks with students at North Park grappling with their own big questions as part of the diverse biblical and theological studies department. “It is a joy to mentor students and see them develop their own skills, which incorporate their faith journey with their academic learning,” he says.
Since it’s inception, Beloit has seen nearly 180 years of American history unfold. The town played a role as a way station on the Underground Railroad and actively participated during the Industrial Revolution, thanks to the ingenuity of its citizens. Fast-forward a century to find Beloit’s workforce helping to meet production demands during WWII. During this time, the invention of Korn Kurls made big waves in the food industry.
Innovation is still thriving in Beloit; only now, there’s a little more fun involved. Tech-savvy, forward-thinking businesses are building their enterprises in the little town that could. Take a look at the historical timeline to view some of Beloit’s rich history and learn more about Beloit at https://visitbeloit.com/.
Photo courtesy Visit Beloit
Photo courtesy Beckman Mill
On Monday afternoon we will have time for relaxation and rejuvenation. In addition to exploring Downtown Beloit or the surrounding area on your own there are several options you may choose from that we ask you to make a reservation for when registering:
- Tour of the Beckman Mill – $5.00
Includes a guided tour of the historic mill and grounds - Hiking on the trails at The Confluence – $5.00 (Donation)
Includes trail map and self-guided hiking along the Rock River & Turtle Creek - ASSIST Counseling Appointments Available
Sign-up at registration for complimentary 30-minute sessions through our Synod ASSIST program.
Some of these options do have capacity limits and registration will be handled on a first-come-first-serve basis. We will be making adjustments to the online registration form as options become filled and our registrar will reach out if an option you chose becomes unavailable. The costs listed are per person and should be added to your advance payment in full. Participants will need to provide their own transportation (or arrange to carpool) to these destinations.
Except for our Sunday evening worship and keynote presentation, we will gather for our general sessions, networking, and meals at the Ironworks Hotel. A luxury boutique hotel located on the banks of the Rock River, in historic downtown Beloit, the Ironworks Hotel is inspired by America’s industrial heritage. The hotel’s name, style, and décor are traced to 1858, 22 years after the founding of Beloit, when Orson E. Merrill came to Beloit from Vermont and started a foundry at 637 Third Street. Within a year, he took in a partner, George Houston, and the firm became known as the Merrill & Houston Ironworks. Its principal product was a water wheel developed by George Houston, but the firm could also supply horseshoe nails, iron and steel castings, saws, augurs, spokes, and a variety of iron products.
Overnight Accommodations
All those attending Bishop’s Convocation are encouraged to spend the nights in Beloit. We are partnering with several hotels to offer accommodations to meet the needs of all of our leaders. Hotel reservations and assignments will be made by the synod on your behalf, please do not contact the hotels but if you have a preference based on hotel amenities or brand you may indicate that in your registration.
Host Hotels (Downtown Beloit):
- Ironworks Hotel – SOLD OUT
- Hotel Goodwin – SOLD OUT
Our two host hotels are located in the heart of Beloit and offer rooms with either one king or one queen bed. Both hotels offer a light continental breakfast each morning for all guests. All of our Monday & Tuesday programming will take place at the Ironworks Hotel.
Beloit Area Hotels (3.5 Miles from Host Hotels)
These three hotels come from two respected hospitality leaders. Each offer rooms with either one king bed and the Hampton Inn and Fairfield Inn offer rooms with two beds. All three of these properties offer a hot breakfast each morning according to their respective brand standards.
Schedule
The agenda for our time together is a work in progress as we finalize programming details but here is a rough outline for your planning purposes:
Sunday, October 16 @ St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (Beloit)
- 3:00 p.m. – Hotel Check-In Begins / Dinner on Your Own
- 5:00 p. m. – Registration Opens
- 6:00 p.m. – Holy Communion Worship
- 7:00 p.m. – Keynote
- 8:30 p.m. – Cider & Donut Reception
Monday, October 17 @ Ironworks Hotel
- 9:00 a.m. – Gathering & Fellowship*
- 9:30 a.m. – Programming – Marks of Vitality Presentation: PPT / PDF
- 12:00 p.m. – Lunch
- 1:00 p.m. – Relaxation & Rejuvenation Time (See Below)
- 4:00 p.m. – Fellowship with Cash Bar Available
- 5:30 p.m. – Dinner
- 6:30 p.m. – Programming & Keynote
- 8:00 p.m. – Fellowship Options at Ironworks Hotel & Rooftop @ Hotel Goodwin
*You are asked NOT to arrive to our meeting space at the Ironworks Hotel before 9:00 a.m. so that we may complete final set-up and arrangements for our time together.
Tuesday, October 18 @ Ironworks Hotel
- 9:30 a.m. – Gathering & Fellowship
- 10:00 a.m. – Programming
- 12:00 p.m. – Box Lunch & Sending
Registration
Registration has now closed. If you have questions about your registration please contact Rev. Jason Poole-Xiong, Contract Staff, via email at jasonx@scsw-elca.org. All payments were due received to the synod office (via check or credit card) by 12:00 p.m. (CT) on Tuesday, September 13, 2022.
Registration Fees
Registration fees cover the cost of the program, materials, and all meals. Registration rates are per person.
- Rostered Ministers Registration:
- Full Registration (Includes Two Nights Single Bed Lodging): $450.00*
- Full Registration (Sharing A Room** with Another Rostered Minister): $300.00
- Commuter Registration (No Overnight Lodging): $150.00
- Spouse Registration:
- Full Registration (Sharing a Single Bed Room with Rostered Minister): $150.00
- Commuter Registration (No Overnight Lodging): $150.00
Notes About Registration
- *[“Early Bird” registration has now ended as of August 30, 2022 and all rooms at the two host hotels have been reserved.] An “Early Bird” registration discount of $50.00 Applies to the first 25 registrations and will be guaranteed rooms at ONE of the host hotels (Ironworks Hotel and Hotel Goodwin). The discount will be applied manually upon registration and you will receive an updated email confirmation within 72 hours of registration. Discount applies only to full registration package.
- **If requested, note that rooms with two-beds are located only at the Hotel Goodwin, Hampton Inn & Fairfield Inn.
- Please note that sadly, due to our contractual obligations and because of the current economic climate late registrations will not be able to honored.
- Registration can be paid either by credit card HERE or by sending in a check. Registration and full payment is due to the synod office by 12:00 p.m. (CT) on Tuesday, September 13, 2022. If you are paying by check, please note “Bishop’s Convocation” with your remittance so that we apply payments appropriately. Please do not mix your payment in with your mission support.
- Upon registering an email confirmation of your registration will be sent to your email automatically. This email will include registration fee information, payment link, and the link to book hotel reservations. Note that this email will come from a generic scsw-elca.org email address and may end up in your spam or junk folder – especially for Office365 and GMail users due to their policies. Thank you for your understanding.
- If you do not receive an email, need a copy, or have a question prior to or after registering please email our Registrar at jasonx@scsw-elca.org and we will resend a new one to you.
Have Questions? Need Help?
Contact:
Rev. Jason Poole-Xiong
Contract Staff – Bishop’s Convocation Registrar
(847) 893-9226 – Cell
jasonx@scsw-elca.org
Cover Image: Tiffany Stone Bridge, built in 1869, crossing over Turtle Creek in rural Rock County. Photo courtesy Visit Beloit.