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2009 Southeastern Minnesota Synod Assembly
God's work, our hands...unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
2009 Synod Assembly > News > Recap
2009 Synod Assembly
God's work, our hands...unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
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Resolutions make a difference. When the Synod Assembly gathered in 2008, the resolution "Advocating for Peace" was passed, and its call for the 2009 Synod Assembly to focus on a peace and justice theme. Thus, the assembly gathered on May 1-2, 2009 at the Mayo Civic Center, Rochester, Minn. under the theme, "God's work, our hands...Unity of Spirit in the bond of peace."
This theme was seen throughout the assembly. Glen Stassen, Professor of Christian Ethics at Fuller Theological Seminary, presented a keynote address on his "Ten Practices of Just Peacemaking." Rev. Stephen Bouman, Executive Director for the Outreach and Congregational Mission unit of the ELCA, led the assembly in a two-part Bible study on justice, particularly on justice in issues of immigration.
The worship of this year's assembly continued the theme of justice. Bishop Usgaard preached on stretching our limits to help those who need it, not just those we wish to help, and in so doing, being God's instruments for peace and justice. Rev. David Vásquez, campus pastor at Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, also preached on issues of justice, especially on the need to talk about the tough subjects. In his sermon he shared his experience working in the town of Postville, Iowa, following the May 12, 2008 immigration raid.
Other presentations included Stanley Noffsinger, General Secretary, Church of the Brethren, sharing about historic peace churches and a portion of the ELCA MOSAIC video "Healing in a Holy Land," featuring Augusta Victoria Hospital, the recipient of this year's assembly offering. Participants were also invited to participate in a number of workshops with focuses ranging from local to global, world religions to ELCA programs. Even the decor reflected the theme by featuring a peace pole, available for congregational use in 2009.
Another resolution from 2008 that helped to shape this year's assembly was a resolution to become a Book of Faith synod. As part of our agreement to engage in discussion and study of the Bible, this year's assembly was "Dwelling in the Word" moments in which scripture was read and reflected upon.
Resolutions made the difference this year as well because the assembly addressed a total of 13 resolutions. They passed resolutions of thanksgiving for and encouragement of continued hunger response efforts, encouraging ELCA World Hunger's "Taking Root" materials, establishing a Lutheran Campus Ministry fund, asking for congregations and the synod office to be more deliberate about making environmentally conscious decisions and talk about being considerate of all creation, asking for research to ensure the best insurance coverage for clergy and other staff, welcoming and supporting persons of same-gender sexual orientation, and to become a Reconciling in Christ synod. They also passed a new set of Minimum Compensation and Benefits Guidelines document and a budget for 2010.
Other resolutions considered, but not passed, were a resolution asking the ELCA Church Council to change the rules for the 2009 Churchwide Assembly to require a two-thirds vote to change current rostering practices, a memorial to the Churchwide Assembly rejecting the proposed social statement on human sexuality, and another memorial rejecting the recommendations on ministry policies.
With so many resolutions, time for discussion was somewhat limited. Recognizing the need for discussion on the social statement on human sexuality and the recommendations on ministry policies to be brought to the 2009 Churchwide Assembly, voting members did spend an hour and a half Friday evening discussing their positions on the documents.
The assembly voted not to consider a resolution on teaching intelligent design and tabled a memorial to the Churchwide Assembly in support of the proposed social statement on human sexuality and the recommendations on ministry policies.
Other business included a number of elections for synod boards and committees. There were no contested elections and the assembly voted to pass a unanimous ballot.
As the one time a year that so many people from throughout the synod gather together, there are many other recognitions that need to be made. Rejoice! in Northfield was officially welcomed as a congregation in the Southeastern Minnesota Synod and Nile Our Saviors Chapel was recognized as becoming the synod's first Synodically Authorized Worshipping Community in 2008. Clergy celebrating anniversaries of ordination and retirements were recognized. Seminarians and pastors in their first call were awarded scholarships. Congregations were presented awards for giving to ELCA World Hunger and for being leaders in social ministry. The assembly concluded by commissioning the voting members to the 2009 Churchwide Assembly.
More Information
The synod website has full coverage of the entire Synod Assembly. Go to www.semnsynod.org/assembly.html to get information on:
About Our Synod
The Southeastern Minnesota Synod is a faith community of 131,000 baptized
people in 184 congregations as well as related institutions of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Its geographic area includes
15 counties in the southeastern corner of Minnesota.
The Bridge is a monthly
publication of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod, ELCA. For more information,
contact the synod office:
Southeastern Minnesota Synod,
ELCA
1001 14th St. NW, Suite 300
Rochester, MN 55901-2551
(507) 280-9457
www.semnsynod.org |
