Opportunities to engage in grace-filled conversations were woven throughout the Metropolitan New York Synod Assembly May 29-30. Participants learned to practice indaba, a model for engaging one another in purposeful discussion.
BOB WILLIAMS
Northeastern Pennsylvania, May 29-30, Reading, Pa. (
www.nepsynod.org/ synod-assembly-2015). Participants were “UNLEASHED” to follow Jesus Christ, to live out their baptismal callings, and to do big, bold things for the gospel. Keynote speaker Karl Krueger, director of the Krauth Memorial Library and a professor at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, showed how Martin Luther was unleashed to proclaim that the righteousness from God is given as a free gift. He also noted that Luther’s use of cutting-edge tech- nology of the time allowed his mes- sage to spread throughout Europe. —Paul Braden
Greater Milwaukee, May 29-30, Keno- sha, Wis. (http://milwaukeesynod. org/synod-assembly). Green Bay Packer running back Eddie Lacy shared stories about his experience with Hurricane Katrina and how his faith helped him through the disaster. Members celebrated the 20th anni- versary of Outreach for Hope, which supports ministries for the poor in the synod’s communities. —Sarah Christiaansen
Western Iowa, May 29-30, Spencer, Iowa. The assembly theme was “We are Church … Growing in Faith” and featured speaker Jim LaDoux of Vibrant Faith Ministries. Discus- sion topics included what it means to be church and how, as church, we can grow in faith. Attendees were invited to participate in forums
about advocacy, companion synod relationships, faith formation and more. They also painted boards to be used in service projects during the ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit. —Angie Lawson
South Dakota, May 29-30, Rapid City, S.D. (
www.sdsynod. org/15assembly). Members voted to raise funds for a roof at Woyatan Lutheran Church, Rapid City, S.D., and to encourage the state governor to expand health-care coverage to the poor. The assembly launched the “Listen God Is Calling!” Appeal to raise $2.5 million to provide future leaders for the ELCA, go where God is leading and support its partners. Nearly $8,000 was raised in offerings for its companion synod in Nicaragua and for South Dakota campus minis- tries, more than $2,000 for a disaster relief trailer, and $3,000 plus for the ELCA Malaria Campaign through a bike ride across South Dakota. —Kevin Stillson
Metropolitan New York, May 29-30, Tarrytown, N.Y. (
www.mnys.org/ holy_conversations). Over the past year the synod has used the theme of mutual conversation and con- solation to anchor events. Leaders and congregations learned to prac- tice indaba, an adaptable model for engaging one another in purposeful discussion. Opportunities for indaba were threaded throughout the assem- bly, leading to conversations at meals and microphones. Participants voted
to urge the ELCA to divest from fos- sil fuels, require regular antiracism training, recommit to the church- wide strategy for engaging in Israel and Palestine, adopt a disaster plan and adjust synodical communion practices. —Sarah Gioe
Metropolitan Chicago, May 29-30, Tinley Park, Ill. (
www.mcselca.org/ assembly). The assembly met under the theme “… and a little child shall lead them.” Participants focused on how the church responds to the needs of children, youth and families. Partner and churchwide ministries that focus on children gave reports highlighting their work. The assem- bly also explored how to share the good news in ways that will reach all generations. —Jeff Drake
Northwest of Wisconsin, May 30-31, Eau Claire, Wis. “The Generosity Proj- ect” was the theme for the assem- bly. Participants heard from Nathan Dungan, founder and president of Share, Save, Spend. He engaged the audience in conversation about their values and ideals with regard to their personal finances and then encour- aged them to open up an intergen- erational conversation in their faith communities. —Elizabeth Bartsch
Central/Southern Illinois, June 4-6, Springfield, Ill. The synod received almost $28,900 in offerings for the Malagasy Lutheran Church, Mada- gascar (its companion synod)— $7,025.69 was received at the
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