2004 Synod Assembly: "Called Into God's Marvelous Light"

Live update added 2 p.m., Friday, April 23, 2004

First Plenary Features Reports, Additional Nominations, Budget Presentation

The Rev. Harold L. Usgaard, bishop of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod, welcomed attendants of this year's assembly by offering some perspective.

He said the synod, which formed 17 years ago, has existed within the same culture as many teenagers. Usgaard said that culture, however, is much different than the one in which most assembly attendants were raised.

"Bert and Ernie are old enough to be our parents," he said. "There has always been an association between fried eggs and our brains."

Despite any difference in perspective, though, Usgaard said all people are called to serve God together. Consequently, the title of this year's assembly and strategic plan is "Called Into God's Marvelous Light."

After the welcoming, assembly attendants accepted the proposed agenda. The synod's new strategic plan was then discussed.

Outlined through a video presentation delivered by Usgaard, the strategic plan was the first resolution considered during the assembly. After the video concluded, attendants were asked to vote for the plan by shining provided flashlights toward the main stage. It received unanimous support.

"The light has shined, bishop," said Shirley Gangstad, the synod's vice president. "The resolution passes."

During the assembly's first plenary, Usgaard introduced selected speakers and guests. Among them was the Rev. Carmala Aderman, an assistant to the bishop of the Northwest Synod of Wisconsin. She will deliver the assembly's keynote address at 2 p.m. today.

Other introductions included: The Rev. Eric Shafer, director of communications for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and representative of Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson; the Rev. Hans Arneson, an associate to the bishop of the New England Synod, the sister synod of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod; and the Rev. Katherine Bradley Love, who will lead Bible study during the assembly. Two visitors from Tanzania, Pastor Allan Kingu and Pastor Elirehema Nkungu, were also introduced.

Usgaard also told attendants about the ongoing Habitat for Humanity House Project, which entails synod volunteers renovating a Rochester home to house a Bosnian family with two daughters.

"A lot of work has already been done on the house," he said. "We will continue to update you on the progress made on this house as we demonstrate yet another way we are called into God's marvelous light."

The ballot was also presented, as well as the audit and the budget. The plenary concluded with a presentation by the synod's Hunger Task Force, who demonstrated how much cereal we can buy with $100 versus how much can be purchased by a food shelf with a $100 cash donation.

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