2005 Synod Assembly

Report on 2004 Resolutions

2004-01: A Renewed Vision for Missionary Sponsorship in the Southeastern Minnesota Synod
Action called for: raise synod-wide contributions to the Missionary Sponsorship Fund of the ELCA to $200,000 in 2005; and develop a plan to invite additional congregations to participate in the Missionary Sponsorship program of the ELCA.
Action taken: The Global Mission/ Companion Synods Committee met with Pastor David Lerseth of the ELCA Division for Global Mission to develop strategies for encouraging Southeastern Minnesota Synod congregations to grow in Missionary Support. The committee is developing a two-pronged approach to invite congregations to consider new commitment to Missionary Sponsorship:
1) A general letter of invitation has been sent to all congregations to consider becoming a sponsoring congregation; and,
2) The Global Mission/Companion Synods Committee task force will identify five to ten congregations in each conference that are currently not involved in the program. The committee will make specific contact with the pastors/mission committees of these congregations to share a packet of information provided by DGM and to personally invite the congregation's participation. The committee has also developed an "ideas" flyer to assist congregations with a wide variety of strategies to fulfill a commitment, from budgeted to non-budgeted special gifts, and fundraiser-type activities.

2004-02: Morogoro District Support Fund
Action called for: encourage congregations to support Rev. Herbert Hafermann's ministry in the Morogoro Mission District, Tanzania.
Action taken: The Global Mission/ Companion Synods Committee reports that two congregations are actively supporting this mission. Other congregations have expressed interest.

2004-03: Synod Constitution Amendments
No action required. Changes were reported to the Office of the Secretary of the ELCA. Updated Constitution has been published.

2004-04: Recommended Amendments to the Synod Constitution
No action required. Changes were reported to the Office of the Secretary of the ELCA. Updated Constitution has been published.

2004-05: New Mission Starts
Action called for: each conference in the synod to start one new congregation or redevelop one existing congregation by 2007; work with the Division of Outreach, ELCA; involve pastors and laypeople in each conference in the decision and implementation.
Action taken: Conferences have been in conversation about possible new ministry/ authorized worship community/ redevelopment sites and will vote at conference assemblies in February 2005 on a project.

2004-06: Minimum Compensation and Benefits Guidelines
No action required. The guidelines have been published in River Crossings, the synod handbook and the synod web site.

2004-07: The Strategic Plan for the Southeastern Minnesota Synod, 2005-2007
Action called for: called on the assembly to adopt the strategic plan; requested that congregations support the plan by participating in the programs in 2005-2007; and requests congregations support the plan financially.
Action taken: The Synod Council in conjunction with the synod staff has implemented the strategic plan. Details of the programs laid out for 2005-2007 can be found on the synod web site at
www.semnsynod.org/strategicplan/marvelouslight.html

2004-08: Invitation to Bishop Sijifredo Buitrago, IELCO
Action called for: invite the IELCO Bishop to the 2005 Synod Assembly
Action taken: A letter of invitation has been sent to Bishop Sijifredo Buitrago to attend the 2005 Synod Assembly and he has accepted the invitation. Plans are underway for this visit.

2004:09: Retirement Moving
Action called for: directed the Synod Council to look into the possibility of establishing a fund which would assist pastors in paying the cost of moving following retirement; and forward this resolution to the ELCA Church Council for consideration.
Action taken: Upon extensive research and review, the Lay & Clergy Leadership Development Team has determined that the feasibility of establishing a Retired Pastors' Moving Fund is not practical and should not be further pursued for the following reasons: 1) the benefit would be taxable and dictated by IRS Guidelines, eliminating most of the value of the benefit; 2) the cost of establishing, managing, and fundraising for this benefit would exceed the perceived value of the benefit; and, 3) pastors affected by this need may have other avenues available to them. This recommendation was received by the Synod Council and has been communicated to the Office of the Secretary, ELCA.

2004-10: Call Young People into Assembly
Action called for: encourage congregations to identify young people with gifts for leadership and bring at least one voting member to future assemblies who is age 30 or less; and ask the assembly planning committee to include events and activities that appeal to young voting members and are considerate of their schedules.
Action taken: Pastors were reminded at the 2004 Theological Conference about this resolution and were encouraged to bring young people to Assembly. The Executive Committee took action at a meeting October 26 to offer a registration rebate of $25 for high school aged voters. The rebates will be paid to congregations after Synod Assembly when attendance is confirmed by the assembly registrar. If a congregation sends two high school voters, they will receive a rebate of 50% of the total registration for two people.