Worship:
The retreat will begin this year with a celebration of the Holy Eucharist on the Day of St. Michael and All Angels. The Daily Offices will be prayed and there will be opportunity for individual confession.

The Rev. Peter Jacobson, STS, of the Sangre de Cristo Chapter and Pastor at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Wichita, Kansas, will serve as Chaplain. Annette Lindal, organist and music director of Gloria Dei, will serve as Cantor.

Opportunity for individual Confession and Absolution will be provided and the retreat will open with the Holy Eucharist.

There will be opportunities to subscribe to the Rule of the Society during the opening Eucharist and after Matins on the last day. Deans who have been elected since the last General Retreat will be installed during the opening Service.

Teaching Theologians:
Concluding our exploration of Martin Luther's seven Marks of the Church are:

The Rev. Dr. Kent Burreson, Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology and Assistant Dean of the Chapel at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, will offer a presentation on public prayer, praise, and thanksgiving,

The Rev. Rodney Eberhardt, STS, Dean of the Metropolitan New York Chapter and Pastor at St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Farmingdale, NY, will give a presentation on the Holy Ministry.

The Rev. Frederick J. Schumacher, STS, retired in Manchester, New Jersey, will make a presentation on icons.

Times: Arrive Tuesday in time to check in for lunch at 1 pm, followed by the Eucharist at 2 pm. The Retreat concludes on Thursday with lunch at 1 pm.

Monday arrivals: For those who wish to arrive on Monday, the extra charge is $55 for overnight lodging. Meals can also be arranged: Monday evening supper for $12; Tuesday morning breakfast for $8. You must make reservations in advance directly through Dick Arnold at (847) 970-4936 or darnold@usml.edu. Deadline: September 8, 2009.

Costs: Members of the Society pay for their participation in the General Retreat when they remit their annual dues of $250. Cost of the retreat - including lodging and meals - for non-members is $200.

How to register: Members of the Society in chapters register through their Deans. Members at large will receive this form in a separate mailing and register through the Secretary of the Society. Non-members of the Society should mail this form. Deadline: September 8, 2009.

Travel directions: Avoid the rush hour if possible! The campus is large, so don't get alarmed if it takes a little while to find the Center Residence Hall where you will register for your room.

For those who are driving: Click here for map.
From the North: from I-94E take the IL-21/Milwaukee Ave. exit. Follow IL-21 and turn right onto Rt. 176. Continue about 3 miles. Enter University of St. Mary main entrance on right. Keep left following signs to Center Parking. From the South: take I-94W to Rt. 176/Rockland Rd. exit. Turn right onto Rt. 176. Continue about 4 miles. Enter University of St. Mary main entrance on right. Keep left following signs to Center Parking.

For those traveling by air: use O'Hare International Airport if at all possible. Northshore Limousine Service, Inc. provides the most reliable and economical transportation from the airport to Mundelein. Before you travel, call (800) 543-0037 or (847) 816-7474 to make reservations for a "shared ride." Maximum fare is $43 plus tip and toll (if you're alone in the limo). Rates per person go down considerably the more people there are. (For example: a ride for 3 people costs $63 plus tip and toll). You don't need to organize your "shared ride." Northshore will do it for you. After claiming your luggage, call (800) 543-0037 to schedule pick-up. Air travelers can also arrange (free!) pick-ups with other STS members who are traveling by car by posting arrival times, etc., on one of the STS list-serves.

Travel equalization: Members of the Society may be reimbursed for travel expenses exceeding $175. The plan requires that you book flights early so as to secure lower fares. Travel Equalization claim forms will be available at the retreat.