Synod assemblies 38
Walls campaign; memorialized the Churchwide Assembly to commit to socially responsible economic practices by encouraging members to invest in Palestinian economic endeavors and avoid products and services from companies that benefit from or support Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territory. • Called for conversations about minister- ing to same-gender couples and their families. • Commended the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America for changing policy that excluded gay youth from participa- tion; encouraged it to re-examine policy banning homosexual people in leadership roles. • Established a bishop’s advisory group to serve as a resource for individuals, congre- gations and communities who seek ways to “transform the culture of violence and substance abuse.”
West Virginia-Western Maryland, May 31-June 1, Morgantown,
W.Va. • Addressed the issue of health insur- ance for ELCA seminarians, calling for adequate and affordable cover- age and that no seminarian incur medical expenses totaling more than $1,500 a year.
Minneapolis Area, May 31-June 1, Prior Lake, Minn. • Supported legislation prohibiting employment discrimina- tion on the basis of sexual orienta- tion or gender identity. • Called for conversations about ministering to same-gender couples and their families.
Southeastern Iowa, May 31-June 1, West Des Moines, Iowa • Affirmed the Peace Not Walls campaign; memorialized the Churchwide Assembly to request that the churchwide organization provide information to ELCA mem- bers regarding companies that profit from actions that are in conflict with the campaign. • Heard from David
40 The Lutheran •
www.thelutheran.org
Beckmann, president of Bread for the World, who encouraged them to take on the issue of hunger as part of living out a Christian life through advocacy.
Southeastern, May 31-June 2, Chat- tanooga, Tenn. • Established a task force to encourage faithful stew- ardship of energy by the synod, congregations, administrative offices and members. • Encour- aged congregations to become intentional in welcoming people of all cultures. • Contacted friends and family during Mark S. Han- son’s sermon, telling them “You are a new creation in Christ”—a challenge by the ELCA presiding bishop to share the good news that we are “Always being made new.”
Montana, May 31-June 2, Great Falls, Mont. • Affirmed support for mem- bers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land; asked its congregations to study the issues, work for justice, and call on their elected leaders to hold hearings on whether Israel’s
use of U.S. financial aid violates the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act and Arms Export Control Act. • Asked the Churchwide Assembly to direct Congregational and Synodical Mis- sion to consult with ELCA seminar- ies and Portico Benefit Services to offer adequate and affordable health insurance coverage for seminarians.
Nebraska, May 31-June 2, Kearney, Neb. • Requested that Midland Univer- sity, Fremont, Neb., include a seat on its board for its bishop, with voice and vote, and involve the synod in other advisory boards. The college removed synod representation in its governance structure in 2012.
South Carolina, June 2-4, Charleston, S.C. • Ordained the synod’s first African- American, Jackie Utley, who is serving Ascension Lutheran Church, Columbia, S.C. • Donned matching red T-shirts on the second day of the assembly to filter into the city for 17 “Live Discipleship Experiences,” options for learning, growth, enjoy- ment and service.
DALE HORKEY
At the Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly, a 24-foot “tree of life” was created to anchor the theme, “Deeply Rooted, Bearing Fruit.” Congregations submitted pieces of bark with words of how people are “deeply rooted” and leaves with words of how they are “bearing fruit.” The tree was bare when participants arrived, but later came to life when the leaves were added.
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