Welcome to Kairos for Winter 2026

Sunday Mornings, 10:15 a.m., Fireside Room

February 22
Reflections from a Recovering ELCA College President
Rebecca Bergman, retired Gustavus Adolphus President

Bergman will share her journey as the 17th president of Gustavus and the first woman to hold that position.  During that time, the college experienced opportunities for growth and change as well as daunting challenges. Her tenure has been recognized for generating over $400 million in documented philanthropic support for the College, driving academic innovation, and leading three major campus building projects.

She will also offer insights about college and college students today, and what makes the 27 ELCA higher education institutions in the U.S. impactful in our communities and our world. Her non-traditional path to college leadership included 26 years at Medtronic, Inc., where she served in senior executive positions in research and development and was closely involved in long-term strategic planning. She is currently serving on the Incarnation Congregation Council.

March 1
Joy, Patience, and Perseverance in Christian Life Today
Deanna Thompson recently retired after 29 years in higher education

In the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul implores Christians to “rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, and persevere in prayer” (12.12). Paul’s charge was no small thing for Christians in the first century, and it’s no small thing for 21st-century Christians. Join Dr. Deanna Thompson as she explores what it looks like for us to be joyful, patient, and persevering in our world today.

Most recently, Thompson was the Director of the Lutheran Center for Faith, Values, and Community and Martin E. Marty Regents Chair of Religion and the Academy at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. Her scholarship focuses on topics ranging from Martin Luther and feminism to the intersections of cancer, trauma, and faith, and being the church in the digital age. She is the author of five books, including The Virtual Body of Christ in a Suffering World and, most recently, Glimpsing Resurrection: Cancer, Trauma, and Ministry.

March 8
LSS Center for Changing Lives: Frogtown
Kathryn Tiede, Associate Vice President of Philanthropy, Lutheran Social Services (LSS)

For decades, Incarnation has partnered with LSS to provide care for youth and young adults experiencing crisis, especially for young moms and their babies who live at LifeHaven. Pastor Tiede will tell about the new Center for Changing Lives in Frogtown/ Rondo. It will provide more apartments for youth in crisis, including some moms and their children who are ready to leave LifeHaven, but not quite prepared for independent living. The new building will have multiple social services, an early childhood learning center, expanded apartments, and much more!

As LSS Associate Vice President for Philanthropy, Tiede’s responsibilities include engaging in LSS fundraising activities on behalf of LSS, preaching and teaching on behalf of LSS. Prior to her LSS leadership, she served as pastor of Living Waters Lutheran Church in Lino Lakes.

March 15
Aging in Dignity — Transitioning to a New Stage of Life
Nancy Haugen, Board Chair of Elder Voice Advocates

Haugen will share perspectives on elder care and elder advocacy, drawing from her experience working with Elder Voice Advocates, a coalition of elders, adults with disabilities and their family members that supports the human right of all individuals to age in dignity as members of the community of their choice, Through public policy advocacy EVA promotes transparency and accountability of long-term care providers as well as working to secure enhanced rights and protections for older adults.

Haugen, a public health nurse with a M.S. degree in Mental Health Nursing, serves as board chair of Elder Voice Advocates and earlier served four years on the Minnesota Department of Health Home Care and Assisted Living Advisory Council

March 22 and 29 (use this 2^nd March 22, first March 22 and 29)
Waiting to Hear!!! Following Jesus into the Future
Karoline Lewis, Marbury E. Anderson Chair in Biblical Preaching,  Luther Seminary

Lewis will focus on what the farewell discourse in John’s Gospel teaches us about discipleship.  Chapters 1-17 narrate Jesus’ last night with his disciples before his arrest, during which he washed their feet and promised the sending of the Holy Spirit. These are also Jesus’ farewell words as he prepares his disciples for his departure and what is to come, sharing with his disciples and with us five characteristics of following Jesus. What does discipleship look like in Jesus’ absence?

Lewis is the author of a commentary on the Gospel of John and, most recently, the Together By Grace Bible Study on John for Augsburg Fortress. She oversees the popular preaching resource Working Preacher and leads conferences, workshops, and retreats internationally on the Gospel of John, the New Testament, interpreting the Bible, preaching, leadership, and women in ministry.

April 5: Happy Easter, No Kairos

Questions about Kairos? Contact The Kairos Committee.