2002 Synod Assembly
Workshops
All workshops will be presented at both 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Friday, May 3.
1. God's People Building Bridges: Multicultural Ministry Forum - Riverview Suite C
This interactive workshop on cultural awareness will address these issues:
Pastor Victor E. Jortack, our Synod's Multicultural Minister, is an Argentine-born ELCA pastor. In his home country, he worked as lawyer, judge, and college professor (sociology). He has served congregations in Minnesota, Florida, and Wisconsin. He has led workshops at the synodical, regional, and Churchwide levels.
2. Joy and Hope in Rural Communities of Faith - Elliott Room
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What does it take to revitalize rural congregations?
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How do we bring hope and focus on "thriving" not just "surviving?"
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Where do we turn for help?
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What will the part-time contracted Rural Minister do to help us?
Pastor Barbara Holzhauser is ELCA Associate Director for Small Town and Rural Evangelism. She served as a pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Salem, Ohio for eight years prior to joining the ELCA Evangelism team. At Holy Trinity, Pastor Barbara worked with the Holy Spirit to turn a declining, small town congregation into a thriving Great Commission congregation. She will discuss the book
Discovering Hope - Building Vitality in Rural Congregations, and will explore what is necessary for congregations to continue to be an oasis of grace and a viable expression of God's love in the heart of their communities.
3. Explore the Call Process - Ballroom A
Come and explore our synod call process. Hear from Audree Catalano, Synod Minister responsible for the call process, as well as congregational call committees and pastors who have recently been through the process.
Pastor Audree Catalano spent ten years as a Franciscan at Assisi Heights and has now returned (November 2001) to serve as Southeastern Minnesota Synod Minister with joy, excitement and gratitude for the wondrous ways God has guided her life. She has three grown daughters and four granddaughters. She loves to travel and cook, specializing in a multi-course Italian dinner. Pastor Catalano is primarily responsible for the Candidacy and Call process. She interviews potential pastors seeking calls, meets with church councils and call committees, is in touch with bishops of other synods regarding candidates, and seeks information about the character and service of candidates. She tries to match pastors to congregations and vice versa.
4. Talking Together about Talking Together about Homosexuality: Models for Constructive Conversation on Difficult Issues - Ballroom B
We will walk through a sample forum offered in a congregation, and we will discuss responses in congregations where such forums have been offered.
Pastor Jim Arends, who serves Trinity Lutheran Church in Spring Grove, and Pastor Kris Wee, who serves St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin, will help to facilitate the discussion.
5. Getting to Know Your Companion Synods - Riverview Suite D
Many people first became familiar with our companion synods through the "Walking Three by Three" emphasis. We have been richly blessed through our fellowship with the Central Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Colombia (IELCO). In this workshop, you will have an opportunity to meet Bishop Gideon Maghina of the ELCT and five representatives of IELCO, including Pastor Jairo Suarez, who will give us an update on the violent situation in Columbia.
Pastor Byron Meline, Chair of the Synod Global Mission Committee, serves Trinity Lutheran Church in Wanamingo.
Bishop Gideon Maghina has been Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania since 1999. He visited our synod in 1994-95 and again during his two years as a student at Trinity Seminary in Columbus, Ohio (1997-99).
Ms. Rosura Buitrago for the past 15 years has been the secretary of IELCO.
Mr. Alfonzo Corzo is President of the United Bible Society in Colombia. He provides leadership and oversees the production and distribution of Bibles in Colombia, working with churches of all denominations.
Ms. Luzmila Parada is President of the Lutheran Women of Colombia and is the wife of Pastor Nehemias Parada, Bishop of IELCO.
Ms. Cecilia Rodriguez, a Certified Public Accountant, is the IELCO accountant.
Pastor Jairo Suarez is Director of the Office for Justice and Life in IELCO. He works to mobilize churches in Colombia and around the world to do advocacy work on behalf of the people of Colombia, especially for the internally displaced population of Colombia, which now includes 2.3 million people.
Pastor Karl and Holly Dalager (translators) live in Austin, Minnesota. They formerly were volunteer missionaries in Bogota, Colombia, and currently serve part-time at La Puerta Abierta (The Open Door) congregation in Austin.
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