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The 583 people, 535 voting members, were welcomed to the assembly during the second plenary by Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World. He told those gathered that the world is making progress in combating hunger and poverty. In the last 20 years the number of extremely hungry people has been brought down by 60%. The proportion of the world’s population that is undernourished has also dropped dramatically. He stressed the importance of recognizing that this is God at work in the world through our efforts to reduce hunger and poverty. Lutherans have always encouraged advocacy, which is what makes a real difference. In the last ten years, the church has provided leadership in reducing debts for the poorest countries. The biggest improvements are in Africa. The average economic growth rate in African countries is close to 7%. Access to HIV Aids treatment is now available to Africans where it wasn’t in the past and millions more children are in school. God’s saving presence in our history is evidenced in the work of the church in these countries, and it is a history we need to share with our children. The same progress is not being made in our own country. There are more families and children in poverty than ever in our history. Beckman is also presenting a workshop on Bread for the World and is the keynote speaker for Friday evening's cena, Colombian evening meal. Bishop Harold Usgaard also addressed the assembly for his oral report. Two questions, “What is God doing is southeastern Minnesota? What does God want to do here?” were the focus of his report. Those questions came up again later when Usgaard spoke on the plans for the synod’s new strategic plan. In the coming months, congregation members will be asked his first two questions. Answers will be sent to the synod office and people from around the synod will use them to develop plans and themes for the coming years. He hopes that, like this year's them of “A Synod at Table with the Hungry,” the results of the new strategic plan will give the synod direction for the assembly as well as ministries and projects throughout the year. Bishop Usgaard also announced his plans for a three-month sabbatical beginning July 2008 to focus on a healthy, and balanced lifestyle. The second plenary was rounded
off with the handling of the 2008 resolutions.
Two late resolutions were addressed. The first, Advocating for Peace, was voted to be brought forward for consideration (necessary for any late resolutions). The resolution, meant to encourage discussion about and promotion of peace efforts, was passed. The second late resolution, Health Insurance Costs, brought on more discussion. The synod Committee on Reference and Counsel recommended the resolution be referred back to the authors, the executive committee of the synod council and the ELCA Board of Pensions to be reworked and clarified before bringing it to vote. During discussion, Rev. Paul Forde, Fountain and Root Prairie, Fountain, stated that, because of questions as to the sources for some figures, it needed further review before bringing it to the floor. Heidi Magnuson, Lands Lutheran, Zumbrota, also objected to dealing with the resolution at an assembly without having time to research and understand the resolution, especially in consultation with congregational councils. The assembly voted not to address the resolution at this time. Bishop Usgaard told the assembly that the Board of Pensions and synod council will continue to look into the issues addressed in the resolution. Leading out of the discussion on health insurance, Usgaard asked the lay people at the assembly to ask their rostered leaders whether they have taken their health risk assessment to help the synod reach the 75% participation mark in order to help everyone save money on their health premiums. |
