Gathering of the Ministerium
September 28-September 30, 2026
Gathering of the Ministerium
September 28-30, 2026
The Gathering of the Ministerium is an annual event for all rostered ministers, interns, vicars, actively serving synod authorized ministers, and spouses who are living or serving in the Virginia Synod.
Gather to meet, reconnect, worship, relax, learn, sing, pray, and play together while overlooking the ocean. The Gathering of the Ministerium includes valuable continuing education for all rostered ministers and synod authorized ministers. Everyone who attends, whether in person or online, will receive 10 CEUs.
2026 Gathering of the Ministerium
A Call to Create: Rethinking Vocation for the Ecozoic Age
As the church continues to articulate our understanding of Ministry for every age, how can we express the vocation of rostered leaders in a way that is theologically grounded, fit for our time, and life giving? In our ecological age, how can an ancient understanding of God as maker of all that is seen and unseen help us reimagine Ministry? From his perspective as an eco-theologian and a leader in the global church, Dr. Chad Rimmer will guide us as we retrace our steps through the Christian confession, in order to cast a fresh, ecumenical vision of Ministry that is rooted in the mission of the Triune God, who is Love.
The Rev. Dr. Chad Rimmer
The Rev. Dr. Chad Rimmer joined Lenoir-Rhyne as rector and dean of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS) in April 2023. In this role, Rimmer serves as the lead academic and church administrator for LTSS and works to further develop the seminary to an exemplary status within the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.
Rimmer is rostered in the North Carolina Synod, which is the land and people that formed him. In the U.S., he has been an adjunct lecturer at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, the United Lutheran Seminary, and served congregations in York, Pennsylvania, and Copenhagen, Denmark. His vocation as a teaching theologian led him on a global, ecumenical path of theological education in Scotland, France, and Senegal with people of diverse contexts, cultures, and bioregions across the Lutheran communion. Most recently, Rimmer served as program executive for theology and practice at the Lutheran World Federation Department of Theology, Mission and Justice in Geneva, Switzerland. This role included teaching across the seven regions of the Global Network for Theological Education and Formation.
His research interests include the intersection of theology and natural sciences, social ethics, climate justice, and aesthetics. At LTSS, Rimmer teaches in the areas of eco-theology and ethics, constructive theology, liturgy, and worship.
He is the author of many books and journal articles, including co-author of “Contemporary Ecotheology, Climate Justice and Environmental Stewardship in World Religions” (Ecothee volume 6, Orthodox Academy of Crete Publications), “Religion, Sustainability and Education pedagogy, perspectives, and praxis towards ecological sustainability,” “We Believe in the Holy Spirit, Global Perspectives on Lutheran Identities” (Evangelische Verlagsanstalt Leipzig/Lutheran World Federation) and “Greening the Children of God ‐ Thomas Traherne and Nature’s Role in the Ecological Formation of Children” (Pickwick Publications, reprinted in 2021 by Lutterworth Press).
Rimmer and his wife are the parents of four humans and one dog, Lucy. Away from seminary, he is likely backpacking in the mountains, playing guitar, climbing a tree, growing, cooking, or running. You are welcome to come hike, jam, climb, till, eat, or run… if you can keep up.
Event check in will start at 12:30 PM on Monday, September 28, with the event starting promptly at 1:45 with worship.
Click here to download the event schedule from the event brochure.
The 2026 event will be located at the Holiday Inn and Suites, North Beach in Virginia Beach. Their address is 3900 Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach.
The room block closes on August 28.
To make your room reservation, click here.
Or you can call the hotel at 757-428-1711 and use the group code VSY to receive the group discount of $126 per night, plus taxes.
2025 Gathering of the Ministerium
Coexistence: Creative Inspiration for Living Together
This year’s theme invites interns, SAMs, deacons, and pastors to think deeply on Psalm 107:30, “They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.” The Rev. Dr. Patricia Cuyatti Chávez using her global ministry experience, biblical scholarship, and Lutheran theological voice will explore the gift and trust of being the Body of Christ in the world through four sessions that will bring a biblical and theological perspective to our current times and equip the Ministerium for leading with a Gospel-centered hope and vision.
The Rev. Dr. Patricia Cuyatti Chávez
Born in Huancayo City, Peru, Patricia is rooted in the Quechua and Afro-Peruvian cultures and traditions. After attending a technological seminary and gaining work experience, Patricia completed a degree in Theology at the Seminario Evangélico de Lima and a Master’s in Theology at the Instituto Ecumênico de Pós-Graduação in São Leopoldo, Brazil. In June 1999, she was ordained to the Word and Sacrament in the Lutheran Church of Peru (ILP). She served as a part-time pastor and was elected the Pastor President of the ILP (Bishop’s office). After completing one term, Patricia declined to be reelected to allow other pastors to learn and grow in leadership.
After her term as the Pastor President, Patricia completed a Ph.D. in Philosophy and Theology at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and one year of hospital chaplaincy. She served as the Regional Secretary for Latin America, the Caribbean, and North America in the Lutheran World Federation and moved to the U.S. in 2022. Since moving to the U.S. she has served in a variety of ministry roles and continues to hold numerous board and leadership positions that connect to her local and global communities. To learn more about Patricia, click here.
Download the Event Brochure to see the schedule for the event.
The 2025 event will be located at the Holiday Inn and Suites, North Beach in Virginia Beach. Their address is 3900 Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach.
The room block closes on August 29.
To make your room reservation, click here.
Or you can call the hotel at 757-428-1711 and use the group code SYN to receive the group discount of $122 plus taxes per night.
2024 Gathering of the Ministerium
Called to Lead in an Age of Anxiety: The Vocation of Baptized Children of God
This year’s theme invites the Interns, SAMS, Deacons, Pastors, and spouses to remember and claim our baptismal identity in the present season of ministry that is marked by both anxiety and hope. The event will include a total of 4 sessions. Sessions 1, 2, and 3 will include 30 minutes of large group time with Pastor Danielle and 60 minutes of workshop time. Session 4 will include 90 minutes of presentation time from our speaker. When you register for the Gathering, you will select what workshops you will attend for Sessions 1, 2, and 3.
Pastor Danielle DeNise serves as the Director for Evangelical Mission in the North Carolina Synod. Prior to beginning that role in 2017, she served as the Pastor for Discipleship at St. John’s, Salisbury and the as a deacon and Director of Congregational Life at Christ the King, Cary. Pastor Danielle is a graduate of American University and Duke Divinity. She is set to begin her doctoral work this fall at United Seminary. Pastor Danielle loves that her work allows her to walk alongside so many different types of congregations and bear witness to the remarkable moves of the Spirit happening in our midst. Pastor Danielle is an Ohio girl (Go Buckeyes!) that moved south as quick as she could to enjoy the sunshine. She is married to Michael and they have two kiddos – Moses and Olive. Our family loves the beach and baking. Danielle enjoys swimming and reading.
2024 Gathering of the Ministerium Schedule
The 2024 event will include a total of 4 sessions. Sessions 1, 2, and 3 will include 30 minutes of large group time with Pastor Danielle and 60 minutes of workshop time. Session 4 will consist of 90 minutes presentation led by Pastor Danielle. When you register for the Gathering, you will select what workshop you will attend for Sessions 1, 2, and 3.
The 2024 event will be located at the Holiday Inn and Suites, North Beach in Virginia Beach. Their address is 3900 Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach.
The room block closes on August 30.
To make your room reservation, click here.
Or you can call the hotel at 757-428-1711 and use the group code TVS to receive the group discount of $122 plus taxes per night.
Click here for information on the hotel.
2023 Gathering of the Ministerium
Leading with Hope in a Season of Change; Walking the Road Together
As Christian leaders, our preaching and teaching centers around a message of hope and resurrection. There are times, however, when it seems difficult to walk this road ourselves, let alone walking it with others. Over these sessions, we’ll spend some time in the text of the Road to Emmaus; exploring how questions and coaching can accompany us as leaders and equip us for walking with our people more deeply.
The Rev. Dr. Dawn Alitz joined the staff at Luther Seminary in 2016, where she designs and coordinates programming and coaching experiences to equip Christian leaders. Dawn received her Master of Arts in lay leadership from Luther Seminary in 2003 and her Ph.D. in 2009. Dawn has taught in adjunct positions at the seminary, as well as with Augsburg College and Lexington Theological Seminary. Prior to her work at Luther, she served in a number of ministry settings including mission start and established congregations.
Below you can find the Rev. Dr. Altiz’s presentations for your reference. Please credit her if you reference her work or feature her images.