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

Live update added 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 24, 2004

Two New Resolutions Come Out of Conference Caucuses

Two new resolutions were considered Saturday morning in conference committees at the 17th annual Southeastern Minnesota Synod Assembly.

One resolution, initially proposed by Minnesota River Conference attendants, asked the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to "look into the possibility" of reimbursing retiring pastors for their relocation costs. The same resolution was considered by Zumbro River Conference attendants. It was passed in both conferences.

The Rev. Arthur Thorstensen Junior, who proposed the resolution, said it would encourage retiring pastors to make way for their replacements. Existing ELCA policy states that retired pastors should not remain a member of the congregation they served.

Another resolution, considered in the Minnesota River Conference, instructs all churches within the synod to bring at least one young person to next year's assembly. Such people must be age 30 or younger.

The Rev. Joel Xavier proposed the resolution. He said churches should consider the resolution a challenge to identify young leaders and use the next year to get those people more involved in church activities.

At the Root River Conference caucus, outgoing Dean Beth Carrier led the conference caucus for the last time and introduced newly elected dean, Cheryse Sloan, as well as the other officers. Clergy new to the conference were welcomed. The current resolutions were reviewed.

Scott Hagen, Associate Pastor of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Faribault, and Steve Kruse, deployed military chaplain, addressed the Cannon River Conference caucus. An update was offered on Pastor Erik Feig of First Lutheran Church in Lake City, who is serving as a chaplain in Kosovo. The conference also reviewed the resolutions coming before the assembly.

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