September 7-10, 2025

Gather with your colleagues for a time of renewal and fellowship at the Eastern North Dakota Synod Fall Theological Conference at Fair Hills Resort in Detroit Lakes, MN. All rostered ministers are expected to attend this annual event, and lay ministers are welcome to attend (Synod Lay Ministers, youth directors, and other lay ministry professionals). This year's speakers will be Deacon Colleen Bernu and Pastor Beth Pottratz. The theme of their presentations will be "Abiding in Creation: Theology of the Cross for a critical time in God's Creation" (details below!). 

Please note that there are two parts to the registration process. 1. Register online at the link below, and 2. Call Fair Hills (218-847-7638) to reserve your lodging and meals. 

• Download the Draft Agenda
• Download Fair Hills Lodging & Meal Options

Register here!  

About This Year's Theme & Speakers

"Abiding in Creation: Theology of the Cross for a critical time in God's Creation"

God created the seas and the sky, vegetation and living creatures, and humankind to live in reciprocity* with creation. Gathering in retreat for renewal, the natural world gifts us stories to learn from and take back home with us. As we listen to God’s creation speak, we also hear the pain of a planet in climate crisis.  Although we all experience the wonders and the suffering of creation, how we interpret it and articulate it to the world is profoundly intertwined with our cultural worldview. Since we culturally interpret our experiences, how might we translate them in a way that stands in solidarity with God’s creation? How might we hear and share the translations of others so that all can see the climate crisis for what it is?  How might these experiences equip us to be Hope in Action through the promise of resurrection and new life for a hurting creation?

Bios:
Deacon Colleen Bernu (Fond Du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa) lives on the Fond Du Lac Indian Reservation with her family. A graduate of University of Wisconsin - Superior with degrees in Biology and Mathematics education, Colleen is dedicated to using her training and experience as a teacher to bridge diverse communities through increased understanding, shared language, and mutual dialog. Colleen is a Minister of Word and Service through the ELCA, formerly serving as mission developer for Together Here Ministries and later DEM and Minister for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Northeastern Minnesota Synod. Her professional experiences combined with the traditional ecological knowledge of her ancestors and Ojibwe community offers her a unique perspective through which to interpret the climate crisis of our time.

Rev. Beth Pottratz lives in Motley, MN with her husband and 4 children, 3 dogs, and more than two dozen chickens. She is currently the EcoFaith Network Communication Coordinator for the Northeastern MN and St. Paul Area synods care of creation teams and a stay-at-home-mom.  Before her call to ministry, Beth was a Spanish teacher in inner-city Minneapolis at a charter high school.  Since her graduation from Luther Seminary in 2016, Beth has served in rural ministry as a congregational pastor, pulpit supply, and as a hospice chaplain.   Since January 2025, as the EcoFaith Communication Coordinator, Beth has first-hand experience at living out Creation Justice and Care of Creation at the congregational, synodical and regional levels.

Event Contact: Deacon Alex Benson-Tuff

September 8-11, 2024

Fair Hills Resort (Detroit Lakes, MN) 

Thank you for joining us for Fall Theological Conference 2024! Our guest presenter was Rev. Dr. Matthew Skinner, Professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary. His presentations focused on the 2024-2025 lectionary readings (book of Luke.) We look forward to seeing you next year! 

Thank you for joining us for Fall Theological  Conference 2023! Our guest presenter was the Rev. Dr. Ray Pickett, Rector at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. He focused on the book of Acts and the Early Church during his presentations.

We hope to see you next year at Fair Hills! 

The 2024 Fall Theological Conference will take place September 8-11, 2024 at Fair Hills Resort.