The 132nd annual Convention of the Sunday School Association of Effingham County will be held May 1 at 10 a.m. with participating Sunday Schools ready to march under the tabernacle at 9:45 a.m. at the Effingham County Methodist Campground on south Laurel Street in Springfield.

This is Lutheran year, with Ralph Gnann of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church serving as president and Dana Lee Dasher Smith of Zion Lutheran Church is vice-president. All Sunday Schools are welcome to participate and provide special music if desired. Following the worship service, the time will be announced for the Sunday School Association’s afternoon Business Meeting with a break for delegates to get lunch.

Guest speaker for the day is The Rev. Dr. John Largen, pastor to the seminary community at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Columbia, S.C. As the seminary pastor, he offers a variety of special programs in contemplative Christian spirituality, helping ministerial candidates to make the connection between the prayerful life and public ministry.

A native of Virginia, Pastor Largen was graduated from Newberry College, Newberry S.C.; Lutheran Theological Seminary, Columbia, S.C.; and the Graduate Theological Foundation of South Bend, Ind., where he earned the Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Direction.

Ordained in 1980, Pastor Largen previously served The Quicksburg Lutheran Parish near New Market, Va.; and then as Admissions Director for Southern Seminary.  He is married to the Rev. Dr. Kristin Johnston Largen, associate professor of systematic theology at Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary in Gettysburg, Penn.

“Everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the music, preaching and fellowship at the Sunday School Convention, a traditional event unique to Effingham County for the last 131 years,” said Gnann.

For more information contact Gnann at 754-6613 or Stuart Exley at 754-3402.