2016 SYNOD ASSEMBLY Bishop Steven L. Ullestad SATURDAY EVENING CELEBRATIONS. SLIDE Tonight we have dedicated some time to celebrate some of the

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1 2016 SYNOD ASSEMBLY Bishop Steven L. Ullestad SATURDAY EVENING CELEBRATIONS Tonight we have dedicated some time to celebrate some of the people and ministries in our synod. We do this to offer our thanks for faithful service in Celebrating Renewal: St. Elizabeth of Hungary Service. We begin with Pastor Jay Ilten who saw empty rooms in the church and envisioned a shelter for homeless men. Pastor Jay Ilten of St. John s Lutheran, Dubuque, received the Hometown Builders Award from Dubuque s Fraternal Order of Eagles at their May 14 banquet. The award is given annually to a good neighbor who strengthens the qualities of friendship and goodwill in the community and makes Dubuque a better place to live, work and play. The award was presented to Ilten in recognition of the work that he and members from St. John s have done to offer the Almost Home mission to shelter, serve and support homeless people in Dubuque. Ilten spearheaded the opening of the St. John s Guest House ministry in the church basement in 2012 to take in homeless men when the nearby Rescue Mission becomes full. St. John s also offers free clothes through its Open Closet. The Eagles recognized Ilten as someone who puts a face to those suffering from homelessness by treating them with dignity and respect. In addition to 1

2 providing shelter, Ilten s vision has been to work with area agencies to connect the men with permanent housing, employment and counseling. Some 72 percent of the men who have moved from the shelter to their own apartments have successfully kept their new homes through the first 90 days. Pastor Burton Everist has been recognized as a recipient of the Wartburg Theological Seminary Living Loehe Award. This award honors individuals who have given distinguished service to and through the church and who exemplify Christ s call to be disciples in the context of their own daily lives and professional commitments. Everist received the award for his pastoral, teaching and volunteer service in the church and community. Throughout his ministry, Everist has served and still serves on committees and councils for Civil Rights, community groups, and ecumenical coalitions. His ministry foci include inner city, youth, media, and religious education. He has decades of teaching experience at colleges, universities, divinity schools and seminaries. Currently, Everist serves as chaplain at Luther Manor Communities in Dubuque and Asbury, Iowa, and as a member of the WTS adjunct faculty. Big Canoe Lutheran Church, Decorah, and Pastor Kurt Bockoven--I have always known Big Canoe as one of the most beautiful church buildings and settings in our synod. 2

3 The refurbished chandeliers are stunning. Now I will always remember them for something more. Big Canoe is the only congregation in the history of the synod who more than tripled their mission support in one year s time. Thank you Pastor Bockoven for your love of the church s mission and leadership. Thank you Big Canoe for your commitment. Cross Roads Lutheran Parish was formed after a two-year process led by Pastor Jack Gannett and Pastor Joel Dahlen. They called the right leaders at the right time-team Wergi: Pastor Dave Werges and Diaconal Minister Elayne Werges: Parish choir, Contributions to the synod publications from the Home Life Network, Annual mission trips: Haiti, 2 trips to Alabama and South Carolina for Habitat, Annual leadership training event, Combined parish confirmation, youth group, family nights, Milestone Camp, Combined worship with guest preacher, Canoe trips, ski trips, Youth Encounter and food pack. God s work, Our Hands Day- 3

4 lunches to farmers during harvest, local co-op ad thanking the parish NEWS AD with ppics All this in one year while battling a life threatening bout of cancer and teaching us how to face illness with grace and faith. This year we wish to honor congregations celebrating the anniversaries of their witness and service. On page 29 in the pre-assembly book is the list of congregations celebrating anniversaries. Voting members of those congregations please rise. (Read the years) APPLAUSE. If your congregation is nearing an anniversary, you may want to visit with some of these people to gather their best ideas. My advice: start the planning two years before the celebration. We celebrate with you. Congregational Anniversaries Years Washington Prairie, Decorah East Clermont, Clermont 160 Years St. John (Maxfield), Denver 155 Years Zion (Jubilee), La Porte City St. John s, Decorah Immanuel, Independence St. Peter, Eldorado 150 Years Orleans, Ridgeway 4

5 First, Waterloo St. John (Crane Creek), Tripoli 145 Years Nazareth, Cedar Falls St. Peter, Toeterville St. Paul, Postville Fredsville, Cedar Falls St. John (Rock Twp.), Osage Trinity, Mason City 135 Years St. John (Bennington), Waterloo 130 Years St. John (Stapleton), Sumner Zion, Rockford 125 Years St. Paul, Aurora St. James, Allison 120 Years Our Savior, Osage On page 26 in the pre-assembly book you will find the list of anniversaries for rostered leaders and their years of service. (Say the years) Ordination Anniversaries Years Edwin Schick 60 Years H. George Anderson 55 Years A.Thomas Kraabel Andrew G. Oppedahl, Jr. Clarence H. Baalson Gene H. Hermeier Henrik G. Engebretson Joseph B. Nesheim Vincent C. Fricke William P. Thalacker 50 Years Burton L. Everist Gary K. Lee John W. Gannett 45 Years Dale A. Halverson Darryl D. A. Torrin James M. Magelssen Robert F. Ericson 40 Years Allen L. Bidne James K. Knudson Jerome G. Godson Paul C. Nelson Phillip E. Olson Robert L. Edwards 5

6 35 Years Walter C. Bouzard Dave A. Nerdig Gary L. Johnson Lance L. Kittleson Lois D. Knutson Luther H. Thoresen Randy S. Nielsen Thomas E. Martin 30 Years 10 Years Amy K. Strydom Brian A. F. Beckstrom Cindy S. Krause 5 Years Corey W. Smith Nicole L. Woodley Alan R. Schulz Joelle Colville-Hanson Kevin G. Frey 25 Years David D. Kebschull Jane A. Granzow Jeffrey R. Hansen Kathleen J. Graves 20 Years Brian C. King David O. Sorenson M. DeWayne Teig Marion Pruitt-Jefferson Ronald L. Roberts 15 Years James F. Harbaugh, Jr. James P. Mehltretter Patricia L. Shaw Certification Anniversaries Years Mildred Dieter 15 Years Jean P. Rieniets Consecration Anniversaries Years Elayne Werges 6

7 We celebrate the faithful service of these leaders from 5 to 70 years (Dr. Edwin Schick). These are milestones for our rostered leaders, worthy of recognition in the congregations and ministries they serve. We ask that those in attendance please stand and receive our thanksgiving for your faithful service. APPLAUSE You have seen which of these rostered leaders is near you. Please take a few minutes right now to engage these leaders in a conversation about where their greatest joys are and where they have experienced the support of those they serve. Get up, move around, make a small group. Thank you. Now, one more thing. Visit with those around you about the possibility of encouraging someone about attending seminary to become a rostered leader. 7