SPIRITUAL CARE AT THE EXTRAVAGANZA

For many years the Extravaganza has made a commitment to our members to offer an event that gives participants the opportunity to "renew, educate and connect."  Renewal can take many forms. This year we invite you to take time at the Extravaganza to renew your spirit and deepen your faith practices, as a part of our new Spiritual Care at the Extravaganza programming.

If you have questions about Spiritual Care at the E, please contact Charlie Roberts.

Morning Devotions & Daily Chaplains

Join us for devotional time to center on the Word and get set for the day. There are three different 30-minute sessions.
We are thrilled to welcome Network leaders who bring their own unique personality and style to these scriptural explorations within our Extravaganza theme. So often in our own ministries, we are leading these conversations. We hope you'll see this as a chance to come experience the Word in community with peers.

In addition to devotion leaders, the Extravaganza is pleased to offer time with chaplains throughout the event. These spiritual leaders will be available for prayer and conversation throughout the day and especially following each General Session. These daily Chaplains will be identified with a black tee that they wear the day with the Network logo on the front and the words 'Event Chaplain' on the back. Feel free to chat with one or all of our event chaplains throughout the event.

Morning Devotions at the E:

Thurs., Jan. 23 at 7:45am
Devotion Leader: Reverend Josh Toufar

Pastor Josh Toufar is a husband, father, pastor, and finally a dog owner. Because, when life finally seems like it might inch closer to normal with no more diapers and a spouse starting a second career...get a dog. Currently serving at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Eau Claire, WI where, if it were not for children, worship would be very difficult to pull off.
Fun fact: When I grow up I want to be just like my Uncle David. Mention this at the Old Lutheran Store in the Exhibit Hall and you'll get a chance to purchase some OL swag!

Fri., Jan. 24 at 8:30am
Devotion Leader: Joe Davis

Artist, Author, and Activator of Joy, Joe Davis is an award-winning spoken word artist and bestselling author who uses poetry to power possibility. He is the founder and director of Finding Your Freedom Practice, teaching holistic health and wellness practices through spoken word, writing, music, theater, and dance. Joe holds a Master of Arts degree in Theology of the Arts and also heads a multimedia production company, a soul funk band, and a racial justice education program. His work has been featured on BET, CNN, and VH1. Based in Minneapolis, he tours internationally to join schools, faith spaces, nonprofits, and businesses to practice envisioning and embodying a world of collective liberation and human flourishing.

Sat., Jan. 25 at 7:45am
Devotion Leader: Deacon Chelle Huth

Chelle Huth, a Deacon in the ELCA, has served United Lutheran Seminary (and it’s predecessor bodies, Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary & Philadelphia Lutheran Seminary) since 2000 in a variety of roles centered around faith formation and youth ministry. After completing a certificate in Children, Youth & Family Ministry through Wartburg Seminary she felt called to seminary education and received her MAMS in 2007 from Gettysburg Seminary. She is passionate about theological education and equipping leaders in the church for ministry in the world. Chelle also serves as Adjunct Faculty in Certificate study programs. Chelle has served on a variety of event planning teams to include the ELCA Youth Gathering, Region Youth Leaders Gatherings, Synodical Youth Ministries, Cooperative Ministry summits, just to list a few. She has also served as the Manager of the Curriculum Writing Team for the ELCA Youth Gathering and a consultant for a variety of contexts on faith formation and learning. Chelle lives in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania with her very understanding husband, Eric, 4 children, 3 cats and a Yorkie-Poo named Poppy.

Daily Chaplains at the E:

This event is planned specifically for you, a leader of children, youth and families within a ministry setting. As such we know this event creates an opportunity to dive deeper in the ministry life and all of the stuff that comes along with it. This caring group of folks to serve as daily Chaplains to be available to unpack thoughts or process the event. 

Thursday Chaplain: Charlene Rineer & Paula Rineer

Charlene Rineer is a life-long Lutheran with a lot of volunteer experience in working with youth and Christian Education before obtaining a master's degree in Lay Ministry from Trinity Lutheran Seminary. Worked for ten years at Emmanuel Lutheran in Hutchinson, Kansas as a youth director. Currently employed at Christ's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lewisburg, PA as a coordinator of Faith Formation.  Also works at Camp Mount Luther in Mifflinburg, PA as an assistant director in the summer and office administrator the rest of the year.

Paula is a part time Youth director for Advent Lutheran Church in York, PA as well as their Media Outreach coordinator, also part time. She has been working with youth groups off and on since she graduated from college.  She loves music, puzzles, and theater. Excited to be at the Extravaganza where she gets to get refreshed and reconnected, as well as hang out with her twin sister. 

Friday Chaplain: Casey Goslin

Casey Goslin has been in ministry since he was 15. In the past 30 years Casey has been a preschool teacher, lead ministries at camps,in juvenile corrections, and collaborative youth ministries between multiple churches. Currently, he is the Director of Gather Valley of the Sun and West Valley Young Adult Community, the Dean of Lutheran Campformation in the Grand Canyon Synod, is in the process of becoming a Synod Authorized Minister, and serves on the training team of Evangelism Outreach for Churchwide under the guidance of Pastor Miguel Gomez Acosta. In what little free time he has he is a proud Disney Adult and Star Wars nerd. Casey first attended the Extravaganza in 2020 where he was added to the Multicultural Initiative by Pastor G and was given the name he is now lovingly known by here as “White Casey.” If you haven’t heard the story yet make sure you ask him especially if Pastor G is standing with him.

Saturday Chaplain: Rev. Brad Dokken

Brad Dokken is an Associate to the Bishop in the Western North Dakota synod and pastor of Living Water Lutheran Church in Mandan. Brad has more than 20 years of experience in youth ministry and finds great joy in working with middle school and high school aged youth.
Brad enjoys talking about John Hughes movies, hearing about people's pets, and searching for the best piece of bread pudding.
Most of all, though, Brad wants you to know that God adores you and this world is a better place with you in it.

Sunday Chaplain: Charlie Roberts

Charlie serves as the synod Director for Faith Formation and Youth Ministry in Lower Susquehanna Synod in central Pennsylvania. He has also served as a congregational youth worker for the past 40+ years, serving various congregations in rural, suburban and urban Ministry Network and the ‘E’.
Charlie is also a personal trainer who enjoys daily workouts, loves hiking and biking, camping and gardening. “I believe finding a balance between physical, emotional, and spiritual health is key to our best life.”

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