2008 Southeastern Minnesota Synod Assembly
A Synod at Table with the Hungry
2008 Synod Assembly > News > Assembly Gathers for Worship, Business, and Study

Assembly Gathers for Worship, Business, and Study
By Joanne Hamilton

Song is always a part of Synod Assembly. This year's piano player and worship coordinator is Robert Tewes, AIM. Photo by Rev. Peter Soli

The gathering of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod Assembly began with registration at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, April 18. The theme for this year’s assembly is “A Synod at the Table with the Hungry.”

Ruby Florine from Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Rochester is looking forward to, “Getting together for the morning worship with similarly faithed people.”

Arlene Herneke from Wangen Prairie Lutheran Church, Cannon Falls said, “I am looking forward to the entire assembly as I have never attended one in the past.”

Following opening worship, the assembly officially opened with the Bishop Harold Usgaard, Southeastern Minnesota Synod, giving the welcoming address and blessing of the gathering. This year's participants are enjoying Fair Trade coffee and  water served from large containers to emphasize the theme for the assembly and as a reminder of the more than one billion people around the globe lack access to safe drinking water.

Rochester mayor, Ardell Brede, welcomed participants to Rochester and highlighted the hunger relief effort in Rochester.

The Credentials Committee reported that 548 people were in attendance at the assembly, 507 voting members, 10 voice without vote and 31 visitors. Adoptions of the agenda and rules.

Bishop Usgaard introduced Shirley Gangstad, synod vice president; Mark Bradley, synod treasurer; Betty Ann Hernke, synod secretary and Ron Jensen, assembly parliamentarian.

A report from the treasurer Mark Bradley was given. He stated that the synod had much to be thankful for in giving to the synod, area disaster relief and world relief totaling almost 3 million. He stated that the audit will be discussed in a hearing today at 11:30 a.m.

Bishop Usgaard introduced recent graduates from Luther Seminary that have been assigned to the synod. The assembly also welcomed Bishop Peter Rogness, Saint Paul Area Synod, who will lead Bible study; Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World, the keynote speaker; and Andrew Genszler, Director for ELCA Washington Office, the churchwide representative.

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