not take disciples”; keynoter Paul Hoffman, a retired ELCA pastor, challenged congregations to “wel- come the stranger.” In resolutions the assembly lifted up ministries for the disabled and encouraged congrega- tional involvement in prison minis- try. Participants made prayer shawls for seminarians. They were treated to a 5K Fun Run and a Night of the Arts featuring faith stories, music, paint- ing and drama. —Mitch McCartney
West Virginia-Western Maryland, May 30-31, Bridgeport,
W.Va. Meet- ing under the theme “With Hands Uplifted,” the assembly’s work covered nine Synod Council recom- mendations. The most important was No. 4, “The Way Forward,” where the council proposed that the synod elect a full-time bishop during the 2015 assembly. From the remaining recommendations, the 2014 budget was revised, and the 2015 budget and 2015 mission support formula were adopted. The worship offering was designated for our companion, the Betioky Atsimo Synod of the Mala- gasy Lutheran Church in Madagas- car. —Barbara Higgins
Metropolitan Chicago, May 30-31, Tinley Park, Ill. (
www.mcselca.org/ assembly). Meeting under the theme “Into All the World,” the assembly focused on the work of ELCA World Hunger and the ELCA Malaria Cam- paign. Closer to home, the assembly learned about Affiliated Mission Communities, where congregations give birth to spiritual communities ministering to specific contexts. —Jeff Drake
Western North Dakota, May 30-31, Bismarck, N.D. (http://wndsynod. org/synod-assembly). In a celebra- tion of local and global mission, an ELCA Glocal Event brought lively
“Pedal for a Purpose” cyclists leave Lake Springfield Marina to ride the last 10 miles to the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Springfield, Ill. The ride began in Metropolis, Ill., and raised funds for Lutheran Campus Ministry.
music, speakers and workshops. Our companion synod relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Central African Republic was celebrated. ELCA missionary Susan Smith shared stories of the ongoing ministry of the ELCA and the EEL- RCA despite civil unrest. “A Sweet Deal for CAR” offering in congrega- tions and a “Mission Fest Gala Din- ner and Auction” raised more than $38,000 to aid the EELRCA in relief efforts and recovery as it works to reestablish peace. —Beth Anderson
Southeastern, May 30-June 1, Chattanooga, Tenn. (https://sites.
google.com/a/elca-ses.org/elca/ newsandevents/2014-synod- assembly). Under the theme of “Liv- ing Into the Future Together,” Rolf Jacobson, a professor at Luther Sem- inary, St. Paul, Minn., challenged us to think about where God is already at work in the world, inviting us to join in God’s mission. Workshops provided ideas to help congregations live into the future. The assembly approved resolutions on immigration
detention reform, stewardship (pre- sented by synod youth), and encour- aging congregational and synodical conversation about ministering to same-gender couples and families. It also approved a memorial calling for a blessing rite for same-gender couples. —Michelle Angalet
Sierra Pacific, May 30-June 1, Burlin- game, Calif. (
http://spselca.org). Vot- ing members passed five resolutions; updated compensation guidelines for full-time rostered leaders, provided financial support to Lutheran Episco- pal Advocacy in Nevada, encouraged congregations to use certified Inten- tional Interim Ministers during pasto- ral transitions, set guidelines encour- aging mission support through pro- portional share giving, and directed its bishop to request Thrivent Finan- cial to amend its “neutrality policy” to live into our social statements. —Diana Suruki
Southeastern Iowa, May 30-June 1, Coralville, Iowa (http://seiasynod. org/news-events/synod-
August 2014 37
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