Past Gatherings
January 5–7, 2011
Astor Crowne Plaza, New Orleans, Louisiana
The topic was “Considering Christian Ethics as Drama” with major presentations by Sam Wells. Nancy Arnison, Ryan Cumming, Samuel Keen, and Roger Willer responded.
January 6–8, 2010
Doubletree Hotel, San Jose, California
The gathering topic was "Written on the Heart? Lutherans and Natural Law." Papers were presented by Thomas Pearson, Cristiania Traina, J. Daryl Charles with response to each by David Baer.
January 7–9, 2009
Cenacle Retreat Center, Chicago, Illinois
The gathering focused on “The Intersection of Theology, Science and Ethics”. Presenters included Roger Willer, Gayle Woloschauk, and Kevin Powell.
January 2–4, 2008
Simpsonwood Conference and Retreat Center, Atlanta, Georgia
The gathering topic was "Lutherans and the Law in Human Society." John Witte, Jr. presented with responses by Robert Tuttle, Mark Ellingsen and Svend Anderson.
January 3–5, 2007
Catholic Conference and Retreat Center, Dallas, Texas
The gathering topic was "Human Sexuality." Presenters were Wanda Deifelt, Martha Ellen Stortz, Kathryn Ott, Laurie Jungling, Gary Simpson, and Don S. Browning.
January 4–6, 2006
Franciscan Renewal Center, Scottsdale, Arizona
The gathering topic was "Lutherans in Public." Presenters were Robert Benne, Cynthia Moe-Lobeda, Mark Ellingsen, Stefan Heuser, Ronald Duty, Richard Hoehn, Charles Lutz, and Diane Yeager. Ronald Thiemann responded.
January 5–7, 2005
Manresa Retreat Center, Miami, Florida
The gathering topic was "Vulnerability and Security." Presenters were Ulla Schmidt, Raag Rolfsen, Sturla Stalsett, Wanda Deifelt, Ryan LaHurd, Gary Simpson, H. David Baer, Mary Gaebler and Diane Yeager.
January 7–9, 2004
Loyola at the Cenacle, Chicago, Illinois
The gathering topic was "Lutheran Contributions to Bioethics." Presenters were Paul Nelson, Mark Hanson, Klaus Tanner and Leland Glenna.
January 8–10, 2003
St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center, Pittsburg Pennsylvania
The gathering topic was "War and Peace in the Islamic Tradition." Abdulaziz Sachedina and Schaail Hashmi presented. David Perry and John Kelsay responded.
January 9–11, 2002
Rosemary Heights Retreat Center, Surrey, British Columbia, Canada
The gathering topic was "Economic globalization." Presentation by members of the Tataskweyak Cree Nation and other Canadians. Discussion of the Lutheran World Federation's Engaging Economic Globalization as a Communion.
January 2–5, 2001
Loyola at the Cenacle, Chicago, Illinois
The gathering topic was Professor Oliver O'Donovan's book The Desire of Nations: Rediscovering the Roots of Political Theology.
January 5–7, 2000
College of Preachers at the National Cathedral, Washington, D.C.
The gathering topic was the church's public policy advocacy. Alan Geyer presented a paper, and Russ Siler formed a panel of advocates.
January 6–8, 1999
Mercy Center, Burlingame, California
The gathering was three panel discussions on the Significance of The Promise of Lutheran Ethics for Constructive Lutheran Ethics, for Teaching Ethics in the College and Seminary Classrooms, and for moral formation and teaching ethics in parish ministry.
January 7–9, 1998
Simpsonwood Conference and Retreat Center, Norcross, Georgia
The gathering topic was a conversation on Steward Herman's paper: "Luther, Law, and Social Covenants"; Robert Michael Franklin, "Moral Formation in Congregations"; Conversation on Gene Outka's paper: "The Particularist Turn in Theological and Philosophical Ethics."
January 9–10, 1997
Friarhurst Retreat Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
The gathering topics were "Voices From the 'Margins': How they emerge from, challenge, and affect Lutheran ethics today"; "The Lutheran Ethics Project"; "How Can We Better Equip People to Engage in Moral Deliberation?"
January 4–5, 1996
Madonna Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico
The gathering topic was "Veritatis Splendor." Discussions of George Forell essays and of Gil Meilaender's article on "Veritatis Splendor."
January 5–6, 1995
Hyatt Regency Crystal City, Arlington, Virginia
The gathering topics were "What Sources in the Lutheran Tradition are Crucial in Your Work in Ethics? How?"; and "The Role of the Church as a Moral Teacher in This Society Today"
January 6–7, 1994
Dominican Retreat Center, River Forest, Illinois
The gathering topics were "Who Are We and What Are We Teaching, Writing, Doing?"; "What Makes Ethics 'Lutheran'?"; and "The Current Ecclesial Context for Ethical Deliberation in the ELCA" Shared syllabi and brief papers on what is distinctive about Lutheran ethics. Gene Outka wrote a report on this "consultation of Lutheran ethicists."
January 8, 1993
Ascension Lutheran Church, Savannah, Georgia
January 12, 1992
A restaurant in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (that no one remembers)