2005 Synod Assembly

Participants Register, Gear Up for an Exciting Assembly

(Live Update added 9 a.m., Friday, May 6, 2005)

Peg Mowery Photo by Pastor Todd Hawkins

Hundreds of people are expected to attend the 18th annual Southeastern Minnesota Synod Assembly today and tomorrow.

The Assembly is themed "Called into God's Marvelous Light...Today!" The event had 672 pre-registrants. Carolyn Goulet, who coordinates registration, said about one dozen additional people registered before opening worship Friday morning at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester.

Peg Mowery, who helped plan the Assembly, said prayer will play an important role throughout the event.

Mowery said among those sharing in prayer are high school and college students. A resolution passed during last year's assembly encouraged congregations to bring their younger members to help consider resolutions.

"I just think it's neat to see the congregations working together for the good of the whole," she said. "This is the building block of the whole church."

New England Synod Bishop Margaret G. Payne, who serves as chair of the ELCA's Sexuality Task Force, will give this year's keynote address.

Other speakers include the Rev. Dr. Richard Carlson, who teaches Biblical Studies at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg, Penn., and Churchwide representative Kathryn Sime, who directs the ELCA's World Hunger and Disaster Appeal.

The Rev. Harold L. Usgaard, bishop of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod, said he has many hopes for this year's assembly.

"I hope that this is an educational and inspiring time for our people," he said. "Our emphasis on faith reminds us that we're not alone, and the spirit works with us and through us."

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2005 Assembly photo album