What’s Your Story?  We are gathering together story tellers for this year’s assembly.  We’ll be listening to clergy, lay leaders and others tell their stories while encouraging all attendees to do the same with workshops from those around the synod and beyond.  What’s your story?  Where is God in your story – and how can you share that with others?

Our keynote speaker for the event is Margot Leitman, storyteller, comedian, writer, and best-selling author of "Long Story Short - the Only Storytelling Guide You'll Ever Need" and “Gawky…Tales of an Extra Long Phase”.  Margot will be entertaining us with her storytelling expertise and teaching us to tell our own stories.

Special guest preacher at Saturday’s worship is the Rev. Leila M. Ortiz, Assistant to the Bishop of the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod. Her interests are in leadership, vocational discernment and discipleship. Although Pr. Ortiz does not sing or read music, she says, “I grew up worshiping six days a week in the Pentecostal church and can play a mean tambourine.”  She became a Lutheran as an adult and has brought together these two traditions in a rich and dynamic way as a Lutheran Pastor.

In addition to our speakers, we’ll have an array of workshops covering topics including interdenominational cooperation, healthy legacies, storytelling, creative worship techniques and more.  Representatives from ministries across the synod will be available to share the work they’re doing and invite you to get involved.  Special interest groups will meet during lunch on Saturday.

We’re in a new location this year - Assembly will be taking place at the DCU Center right in downtown Worcester.  You have a choice of five different hotels from which to choose for your accommodations.  The area also boasts several new retail shops and restaurants.  We begin midday Friday with plenary sessions and workshops stretching to dinner time - the evening is capped off with our keynote speaker, Margot Leitman.  Saturday we get back to business first thing in the morning with additional plenary sessions, anniversary recognitions, and more workshops.  We'll share lunch before School of Lay Ministry graduation and our festive worship close out the afternoon.

Won’t you join us for this year’s Assembly?  Come and listen as others tell their stories – and learn to tell your own.  We look forward to seeing you there.