Synod assemblies
grant from the Mission Investment Fund, we were able to provide the Guidebook app for voting members and visitors. —Neal Fischer
Carolyn Lesmeister, pastor of First Lutheran Church, West Lafayette, Ind., weaves a strip of fabric into a collaborative wall hanging representing shared community at the Indiana-Kentucky Synod Assembly.
assemblies/2014-synod-assembly- led-by-the-spirit). More than 450 voting members and guests gathered around the theme “Led by the Spirit.” Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton served as the churchwide representa- tive, providing updates and stories of the work we do together as the ELCA and overseeing the bishop’s election. —Minda Davison
Virginia, May 30-June 1, Salem, Va. Speakers said some of the challenges of Christian faith formation in a changing world can be met by telling Bible stories. David Lose, a professor at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minn., said, “Most of us are drowning in information today. … Stuff only makes sense in stories (but) we don’t know our stories very well.” Andrew Root, also of Luther, said parents and children have fewer meaningful hours together so “we need to articu- late our own experiences and share them at church.” —George Kegley
Montana, May 30-June 1 Billings, Mont. (
www.montanasynod.org). “Meet the Future Boldly: Reimag-
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ine a Life of Faith”—this statement was one of five benchmarks adopted by the synod council. It was both the assembly theme and highlight as each presentation discussed how we, as ELCA Lutherans, might move toward this benchmark. In this time of great upheaval, we were inspired to think broadly and boldly about what God might be doing in our church. As we reimagine who we are, we are con- sidering the question: “How will we serve Christ in the midst of this change?” —Jenny Kunka
Upstate New York, June 1-3, Roches- ter, N.Y. (
www.upstatenysynod.org/ assembly). Based on Philippians 2:6-7, “Going Public: Poured Out for the World” explored how through the waters of baptism our lives are like being poured out in love and service to the world. The assembly heard a positive financial report; voted to support the ELCA Malaria Campaign; and passed resolutions in support of couples of all sexual ori- entations and gender identities. The assembly raised almost $30,000 for ELCA World Hunger. Thanks to a
Southern Ohio, June 5-6, Springfield, Ohio. It was a joyous event as mem- bers from our congregations cele- brated our theme of “We are Church Together.” The assembly was filled with learning, worship, synod busi- ness and fellowship. We re-elected our synod council vice president, Barbara Klatt, and a new treasurer, Jeffrey Davis. We added three mem- bers to our synod council: Robert Swanson, Shawn Krumm and Mela- nie Powderly. —Susan Barton-Nonno
Indiana-Kentucky, June 5-7, India- napolis. Keynote presenter Melissa Reed evoked Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead to lift up a culture of shared stories, both good and ugly. Sharing tears and joys shamelessly leads to trust, breaking the narra- tive of despair and creates a sense of community, new life. Attendees shared money stories and discussed questions such as, “What if people connected their hearts and faith with their money? If they are not doing this now, why not?” Upon closing of the assembly, 19 people participated in a protest in Indianapolis against payday lending. People at stoplights expressed support, including folks who rolled down their windows and shouted: “We’re Lutherans too!” —Danielle Burrus
Central/Southern Illinois, June 5-7 Springfield, Ill. The assembly defeated a memorial asking the 2016 Church- wide Assembly to “hereafter issue no further social statements or social messages and instead focus on those things that unite us as a church body, in particular, the redeeming message
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