How the Association of Congregations works
Recognizing the different polity and staffing structures represented within the Association, guidelines for how a congregation manages its membership status is adaptable. In some congregations a pastor will be assigned to ensure that the congregation is meeting the commitments of membership, in others a lay person or other professional staff will assume that role. The form your congregation adopts to meet membership requirements is flexible, but please clarify that arrangement with other representatives if you haven’t done so recently.
Oftentimes delegates are selected because of a connection to Â鶹ÊÓƵ (alum, parent, etc) but any member of your congregation who supports Lutheran Higher Education is eligible.
Delegates will:
- Attend the annual GACAC meeting.
- Inform our office of staffing and delegate changes in your congregation as soon as possible.
- Support Â鶹ÊÓƵ by serving as a goodwill ambassador for the college in your congregation.
The ELCA merger of 1988 brought together 28 Lutheran colleges and universities previously governed by the ALC and LCA under a variety of arrangements. When the new ELCA denomination was formed, each college was asked to choose one of three groups to approve their trustees: the National Church Convention; a regional Synod convention; or an Association of Congregations convention including a business meeting. Â鶹ÊÓƵ, of course, chose the latter option, and in 1988 the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Association of Congregations (GACAC) was formed.
Congregation pastor and delegate updates
It is important to us to update information about our Association congregations and keep our records current. We ask our Association of Congregations members to update us about changes to your roster, including your pastor and delegate representatives.
On-campus retreats
We are pleased to welcome our Association ministry partners to campus for overnight and day retreats.
Confirmation and youth retreatsÌýare a very popular program offering of Â鶹ÊÓƵ.Ìý
- The Â鶹ÊÓƵ Youth Hostel has four suites available for overnight housing for groups. Each suite consists of a living room with three rooms and can accommodate up to 20 overnight guests per suite for a total of 80 overnight guests.
- Many of the campus facilities are available for use during retreats (Christ Chapel, A/V equipped classrooms, athletic facilities, swimming pool).
- Each group is assigned their own retreat coordinator from Â鶹ÊÓƵ who helps the youth leader with the arrangement of campus facilities and retreat logistics.Ìý
Confirmation are available only during the school year.
Reservations
confirmation-retreats [at] gustavus.edu (Confirmation-Retreats[at]gustavus[dot]edu)
(507) 933-7001
Adult retreats are coordinated for many variety of groups; pastor gatherings, church councils, church staff, department retreats, choir retreats, women’s groups, men’s groups, bible study small groups, etc.Ìý
- The GACAC Retreat Center has comfortable space for group discussions and meetings, a small kitchen for light refreshments, and a conference room.
- The Retreat Center has seven bedrooms and can accommodate up to 18 overnight guests.
- Linens and towels are provided, and meals are available through campus dining service.
The Retreat Center is available year-round.Ìý
Ìý
Reservations
retreat-center [at] gustavus.edu (Retreat-Center[at]gustavus[dot]edu)
(507) 933-7001
Religious and Faith Community Matching Scholarships
Established scholarship funds awarded by a student's home religious and faith community--regardless of religion--will be matched by Â鶹ÊÓƵ up to $1,000 annually. Matched up to $1,000 ($4,000 over four years).
The Covenant Award
The Â鶹ÊÓƵ Association of Congregations recognizes individuals "who have made distinctive contributions which have strengthened the partnership between Â鶹ÊÓƵ and member congregations of the Association." The Association, through this award, celebrates the efforts of individuals, on-campus and off-campus, who creatively encourage this partnership.
- Bishop Dee Pederson and Bishop Regina Hassanally (2024)
- The Rev. Rodney L. Anderson (2023)
- Sister Sarah Hausken (2022)
- The Rev. James J. Lobdell '71 (2019)
- Florence Amamoto (2018)
- Ervin Gerber (2017)
- The Rev. John D. Hogenson-Rutford (2016)
- Katherine (Katie) Brown Sayre '80 (2015)
- The Rev. Wayne B. Peterson '77 (2014)
- The Rev. Craig E. Johnson '69 (2013)
- Marie Schafer Benson '53 (2012)
- Bishop Jon V. Anderson (2011)
- The Rev. Terry R. Morehouse (2010)
- The Rev. Gary F. Anderson '63 (2009)
- Dr. Paul F. Tillquist '63 (2008)
- The Rev. Dr. Darrell Jodock (2007)
- Jim Gilbert '61 (2006)
- The Rev. Ronald H. Koch '61 (posthumously) (2005)
- The Rev. Dr. Clair Johnson (2004)
- The Rev. Dennis Johnson '60 (2003)
- Chester O. ("Chet") Johnson (2002)
- Barb Eckman Krig '52 (2001)
- The Rev. Paul M. Youngdahl '59 (2000)
- Denise Floe '82 (1999)
- Pete Levander '37 (1998)
- Ronald S. Christenson (1997)
- Lutheran Brotherhood (1996)
- Shelley Reed (1995)
- The Rev. Roger Eigenfeld (1994)
- Florence Sponberg (1993)
- The Rev. Robert Esbjornson '41 (1992)
- Dr. John Kendall (1991)
The Â鶹ÊÓƵ Service Award
The Â鶹ÊÓƵ Service Award recognizes alumni and former students of Â鶹ÊÓƵ "who have made distinctive commitments and contributions to the service of others." The College and the Association celebrate the efforts of members of the College community who participate in service activities through volunteer work, involvement in the church, and extraordinary professional accomplishments.
- Dr. Jean Bjorling Young ’70 (2018)
- Dr. Steven Anderson '87 (2017)
- Bernadette Galvin '57 (2016)
- The Rev. Joseph A. Larson '79 (2015)
- Dr. Daniel Dewey '93 (2013)
- The Rev. Gerald (Jerry) Hoffman '59 (2011)
- Travis Dahlke '00 (2010)
Nathan Dahlke '02 (2010) - Susan J. Alexis '71 (2009)
- Mary Ellen (Torsden) Kitundu '65 (2008)
Dennis Lofstrom '51 (2008) - Ellen Ruiters '97 (2007)
Donn Escher '50 (posthumously) (2007) - Mary K. Nelson '61 (2006)
- Jean-Paul Bigirindavyi '00 (2005)
- Marjorie Knudson Olson '42 and Robert Olson '41 (dec.) (1999)
Mark W. Monson '76 (posthumously) (1999) - Joanna Lundgren Kuehn '64 (1997)
- The Rev. James Wiberg '61 (1994)
- Claire Hobart '35 (1993)
- The Rev. Thomas Neilson '73 (1992)