God. Then. tree of life. We are church together Section A: Welcome, Agenda, and Voting Materials. water of life, the river of the. of the nations.

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1 Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, Fort alonga, NY; Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, Bronx, NY; dvent Lutheran Church, Mattituck, NY; Advent Lutheran Church, New York, NY; Advent theran Church, Brooklyn, NY; All Saints Lutheran Church, Bronx, NY; All Saints Lutheran Church, Jamaica, NY; American ble Society, New York, NY; Ascension Lutheran Church, Franklin Square, NY; Ascension Lutheran Church, Deer Park, NY; Astor rvices for Children and Families, Rhinebeck, NY; Atlantic District-LCMS, Bronxville, NY; Atonement Lutheran Church, Saugerties, NY; nement Lutheran Church, Jackson Heights, NY; Augustana Lutheran Home, Brooklyn, NY; Bay Ridge Center for Older Adults, Brooklyn, NY; hany Lutheran Church, Elmhurst, NY; Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Baldwin, NY; Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, NY; Bronx Lebanon Hospital, nx, NY; Calvary Lutheran Church, Hauppauge, NY; Calvary Lutheran Church, Bronx, NY; Camp Herrlich, Patterson, NY; Camp Ma-He-Tu, Bear Mountain, Cathedral School of St. John the Divine, New York, NY; Christ for the World Chapel, JFKennedy Airport, NY; Christ Lutheran Church, Ellenville, NY; Christ Lutheran rch, Newburgh, NY; Christ Lutheran Church, Suffern, NY; Christ Lutheran Church, Wantagh, NY; Christ Lutheran Church, Floral Park, NY; Christ Lutheran Church, New Park, NY; Christ Lutheran Church, East Northport, NY; Christ Lutheran Church, Islip Terrace, NY; Christ Lutheran Church, New York, NY; Christ Lutheran Church, Staten Island, hrist Lutheran Church, Ozone Park, NY; Christ Lutheran Church, Fresh Meadows, NY; Christ Lutheran Church, Little Neck, NY; Christ Lutheran Church/Iglesia Luterana de Cristo, ort, NY; Christ s Lutheran Church, Woodstock, NY; Concordia College, Bronxville, NY; Covenant Lutheran Church, Ridgewood, NY; Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, Babylon, NY; ness Community, ELCA, Chicago, IL; Dobbs Ferry Lutheran Church, Dobbs Ferry, NY; Eger Lutheran Homes and Services, Staten Island, NY; Eltingville Lutheran Church, Staten Island, NY; el Lutheran Church, Pleasantville, NY; Epiphany Lutheran Church, Hempstead, NY; Epiphany Lutheran Church, Bronx, NY; Epiphany Lutheran Church, Laurelton, NY; Epiphany Lutheran Church, n, NY; Faith Lutheran Church, Syosset, NY; First Lutheran Church, Poughkeepsie, NY; First Lutheran Church, Bronx, NY; Fordham Lutheran Church, Bronx, NY; General Theological Seminary, New York, NY; Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Paul (EKD), New York, NY; Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, New Hyde Park, NY; Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Huntington Station, NY; Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Pearl River, d Shepherd Lutheran Church, Levittown, NY; Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Plainview, NY; Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Roosevelt, NY; Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, NY; Grace & St. Paul s Church, New York, NY; Grace Chinese Lutheran Church, Elmhurst, NY; Grace Lutheran Church, Greenwood Lake, NY; Grace Lutheran Church, North Branch, NY; Grace Lutheran Church, Scarsdale, NY; Grace Lutheran Yorktown Heights, NY; Grace Lutheran Church, North Bellmore, NY; Grace Lutheran Church, Malverne, NY; Grace Lutheran Church, Uniondale, NY; Grace Lutheran Church, Astoria, NY; Grace Lutheran Church, Forest Hills, NY; Adolphus Lutheran Church, New York, NY; Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Lake Ronkonkoma, NY; Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Commack, Commack, NY; Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, NY; Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, entre, NY; Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, New York, NY; Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Bellerose, NY; Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, NY; Hope Lutheran Church, Selden, NY; Iglesia Luterana de Espiritu Santo, Brooklyn, NY; Immanuel hurch, Kingston, NY; Immanuel Lutheran Church, New York, NY; Immanuel Lutheran Church, Staten Island, NY; Incarnation Lutheran Church, Cedarhurst, NY; Incarnation Lutheran Church, Bridgehampton, NY; International Rescue Committee, New alam Christian Church, Roslyn, NY; King of Kings Lutheran Church, New Windsor, NY; King of Kings Lutheran Church, Melville, NY; Kingsbridge Lutheran Church, Bronx, NY; Koinonia, Highland Lake, NY; Latvian Lutheran Church of New York, Melville, NY; Day School, Brooklyn, NY; Long Island Lutheran Day School, East Northport, NY; Long Island Lutheran Middle & High School, Brookville, NY; Long Island Lutheran Schools, ; Lutheran Care Center, Concord Village, Poughkeepsie, NY; Lutheran Counselin eola, NY; Lutheran Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY; Lutheran Ministries in Higher Education, New York, NY; Lutheran Schools Association, Maspeth, NY; Lutheran Social Services of New York, New York, NY; Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, Phila World Federation, Geneva; Lutheran World Relief, Baltimore, MD; Martin Luther High School, Maspeth, NY; Memorial Lutheran Church, Rhinebeck, NY; Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church, Staten Island, NY; Messiah Lutheran Church, Flushing, NY; Me klyn, NY; Mill Neck Family of Organizations, Mill Neck, NY; New Hope Lutheran Church, Valley Stream, NY; New Hope Lutheran Church, Bronx, NY; New Hope Lutheran Church, Jamaica, NY; New York Finnish Lutheran Congregation, New York, NY; No nhasset, NY; Oceanside Lutheran Church, Oceanside, NY; Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Chappaqua, NY; Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Seaford, NY; Our Savior Lutheran Church, Patchogue, NY; Our Savior s Lutheran Church, Glen Head, Section A: Welcome, Agenda, and Voting Materials Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city. On either side of the river is the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. Revelation 22

2 2015 Synod Assembly Bulletin of Reports Section A: Welcome, Agenda, and Voting Materials Bulletin of Reports Section B: Reports from Synod Council, Staff, Conferences, Committees and Partner Organizations Bulletin of Reports Section C: Financial Reports Guidebook is our mobile app for Assembly. You can access it through any mobile device or on your computer. You ll have easy links to maps, the agenda, and everything you need with up to the minute updates! To download on your device, search in the app store for ELCA. Once downloaded, find and add MNYS Synod Assembly On your computer, visit com/browse/ and search for MNYS Synod Assembly Tweeting? Use the hashtag #mnyssa15 Stay connected: facebook.com/mnyselca O Blessed Spring Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, Fort Salonga, NY; Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, O blessed spring, where word and sign embrace us into Christ the Vine: here Christ enjoins each one to be a branch of this life-giving Tree. Through summer heat of youthful years, uncertain faith, rebellious tears, sustained by Christ s infusing rain, the boughs will shout for joy again. When autumn cools and youth is cold, when limbs their heavy harvest hold, then through us, warm, the Christ will move with gifts of beauty, wisdom, love. As winter comes, as winters must, we breathe our last, return to dust; still held in Christ, our souls take wing and trust the promise of the spring. Christ, holy Vine, Christ, living Tree, be praised for this blest mystery: that word and water thus revive and join us to your Tree of Life. Text: Susan Palo Cherwien, b Text 1993 Susan Palo Cherwien, admin. Augsburg Fortress Find out more information about upcoming events, resources and subscribe to our weekly e-letter by visiting

3 What s Inside Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, Fort Salonga, NY; Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, Bronx, NY; Advent Lutheran Church, Mattituck, NY; Advent Lutheran Church, New York, NY; Advent Welcome from Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton A-1 Welcome from MNYS Bishop, Rev. Dr. Robert A. Rimbo A-3 Guiding Norms for Holy Conversations A-4 Churchwide Representative, Ms. Jessica Nipp Hacker, Diaconal Minister A-5 Quick Guide to Section A A-6 Agenda A-7 Plenary Session I, Friday, May 29 A-7 Plenary Session II, Friday, May 29 A-9 Morning Q&As and Workshops, Friday, May 29 A-12 Plenary Session III, Saturday, May 30 A-13 Plenary Session IV, Saturday, May 30 A-13 Display Tables A-17 Standing Rules of Assembly A-18 Using Your Voting Device A-20 Reference and Counsel A-21 Memorial A, Recommitting to the Churchwide Strategy for Engagement in Israel and Palestine A-21 Memorial B, Urging Divestment from Fossil Fuel Corporations A-22 Memorial C, Eco-Reformation in the Context of Climate Change A-23 Question and Answers about Divestment A-24 Resolution A, On Behalf of Augusta Victoria Hospital A-27 Resolution B, Awareness-Raising, Accompaniment, Advocacy in the Holy Land A-28 Resolution C, Continued Commitment for Addressing Racism in Church and Society A-29 Resolution D, Synodical Communion Practices A-30 Resolution E, To Divest from Fossil Fuel Corporations A-31 Action by Assembly, MNYS Disaster Plan A-33 Action by Assembly, The Policy of the Metropolitan New York Synod on the Transition and Call Process A-33 Constiutional Amendments, To combine the Nominating and Elections Committees A-33 Nominations and Elections A-40 Churchwide Assembly Voting Members A-40 Synod Council Mid-Term Replacement A-46 Rostered Leaders Anniversary Report A-47 Special Thanks A-49

4 Welcome Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, Presiding Bishop of the ELCA Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, NY; All Saints Lutheran Church, Bronx, NY; All Saints Lutheran Church, Jamaica, NY; American Bible Society, New York, NY; Ascension Lutheran Church, Franklin Square, Oh, to grace how great a debtor daily I m constrained to be; let that grace now like a fetter bind my wand ring heart to thee. Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it; prone to leave the God I love. Here s my heart, oh, take and seal it; seal it for thy courts above. Evangelical Lutheran Worship 807, verse 3 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, We are church. As members in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), we are found by and abiding in Christ; we are God s beloved people gathered around word and sacrament. Every week you gather in your congregations to hear God s word and to share in the Lord s Supper, to know Christ crucified and Christ risen. My hope and prayer is that through our spiritual practices and our worship we are drawn closer to and are more aware of the love of God shown through Jesus death and resurrection. As we gather in Christ s name at our synod assemblies, I invite you to pray, with me, for one another and the work we do together across this church. Remembering the words of the apostle Paul: So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another (Romans 12:5). In my international travels earlier this year, it became clear to me that the ELCA is part of the body of Christ that spans the globe and the centuries. When we consider issues such as the ecclesiology of a global church, or a unified Word and Service roster, or ministry to and with same-gender families, it is never, nor can it ever be, a conversation just among us. This past fall, we entered the season of celebrating five years of our full communion partnership with the United Methodist Church. In late May, we join our Catholic sisters and brothers in Washington, D.C., to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the U.S. Lutheran-Catholic Dialogue, which over the years has produced 11 substantial reports. We continue our work in strengthening all of our ecumenical and inter-religious partnerships. We also are accompanying our brothers and sisters globally. We have visited with unaccompanied migrant children and families fleeing their homes in the Northern Triangle countries of Central America. Companions in the region have shared about their struggles, root causes of this migration and avenues for ELCA response. ELCA members, synod bishops and churchwide staff have borne witness to and talked about ELCA plans for strategic engagement. Through The Lutheran World Federation, we work with refugees and internally displaced people in Syria, Cameroon, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Kenya, Jordan, Ukraine, Iraq and many other places. We have made significant progress in controlling malaria and treating Ebola. We are developing a social statement on the social issue of women and justice. These are just a few of the ways that we are church for the sake of the world. A-1

5 This summer brings two wonderful events. Both the ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit and the Worship Jubilee in Atlanta will give us an opportunity to ask: How is God calling the church today, and what does God s work mean for our service to our community and the world? These events will be a time for rich conversation, faith formation and renewal of worship for the sake of the gospel and for the life of the world. Good progress continues to be made on the ELCA s observance of the 500th Anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation. Two communication platforms recently debuted: and the ELCA Reformation 500 Facebook page. The theme for the 500th anniversary observance is Freed and Renewed in Christ, with the tagline, 500 Years of God s Grace in Action. This will also be the theme for the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. You are invited to come to the Grace Gathering in New Orleans, which will be held concurrently with the Churchwide Assembly on its last four days, Aug , The goals of the Grace Gathering are for personal renewal in faith, to be equipped for meaningful observances of the 500th anniversary, and to increase the number of ELCA members who will take part in service learning activities in New Orleans as part of the Churchwide Assembly. Please come! Always Being Made New: The Campaign for the ELCA is off to a good start with more than $48.4 million in generous gifts and commitments toward the campaign priorities. This year we are seeking support for new and renewed congregations in The Campaign for the ELCA. The impact of the campaign will go far beyond the nearly $200 million goal. It will establish a strong culture of stewardship in which this church will be well-positioned to do God s work in Jesus name throughout the world for decades to come. Thank you for your support and prayers for this good work. This coming September 13, we will continue our tradition of a dedicated day of service. God s work. Our hands. Sunday is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America one church, freed in Christ to serve and love our neighbor. God s blessings to you as you meet, discern, pray, vote, worship and sing together. This is a wonderful church, and I am honored to serve in it with you. Thank you for your faithful witness to the gospel. God s peace, Elizabeth A. Eaton Presiding Bishop Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Claimed, Gathered, Sent: A Guide for Conversation Bishop Elizabeth Eaton recently wrote, We are church first. All of our work flows from this. In the spirit of the Reformation you are invited to consider, What does this mean? A-2 Claimed, Gathered, Sent: A Guide for Conversation includes a leader guide and five handouts, that outline a process for conversations in large and small groups and across all groups. Through conversation, videos, and Bible study, participants will be invited to reflect on several core texts of our faith Scripture, the Creeds and the Lutheran Confessions, as well as the ELCA constitution. Download this resource now at ELCA.org/faith. A-2

6 Welcome Bishop Robert A. Rimbo, Bishop of the Metropolitan New York Synod NY; Ascension Lutheran Church, Deer Park, NY; Astor Services for Children and Families, Rhinebeck, NY; Atlantic District-LCMS, Bronxville, NY; Atonement Lutheran Church, Saugerties, NY; Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ: It is my great joy to welcome all of you to a holy conversation: the 2015 Assembly of the Metropolitan New York Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. As we gather here I invite you to join in a number of holy conversations about how we are walking together and will continue to do so as a Synod. Key to our time together and our ongoing life and witness is one of the Means of Grace we Lutherans hold dear and practice: Mutual Conversation and Consolation. It is a spiritual practice captured for many of us lately in the Zulu word Indaba. We will gather for Indaba throughout our time together. There will be formal periods for conversation; times when we can get to know one another around meals; deliberate re-grouping of people across the barriers of our Synod s geography; Bible study on portions of the Book of Revelation; interest groups at workshops; informal conversations in hallways and at display tables; Indaba centering on difficult, challenging questions; and conversations regarding resolutions and memorials guided by our accepted parliamentary procedure; and many, many other moments of Indaba. While there will be an introduction to this led by our Indaba Working Group, I invite you now to review the next page entitled Guiding Norms for Holy Conversations. This is one of the many products of our Synod s Claimed Strategy Group and will serve us well as we assemble here, not only in times designated for Indaba but in all of our Holy Conversation. Please note that our Indaba times and all of our times are centered on listening and speaking with one another, guided by the Holy Spirit. Synod Assembly is a time for us to be together, this year especially in mutual conversation and consolation. I am pleased, again, to welcome you to this holy conversation and give thanks to God that you are walking together with us. Welcome to this holy conversation! The Rev. Dr. Robert Alan Rimbo Bishop Learn more about Indaba Download the Indaba Toolkit at: mnys.org/assets/1/7/indabatoolkit.pdf By the numbers: 115 number of one-on-one conversations between Bishop Rimbo and pastors as a part of our Quadrant Visits 17 number of one-on-one conversations scheduled as a part of the upcomming Conference Visit A-3

7 Guiding Norms for Holy Conversations We endeavor to keep the Eighth Commandment in the spirit of Martin Luther s explanation of it in the Small Catechism: You are not to bear false witness against your neighbor. What is this? Answer: We are to fear and love God, so that we do not tell lies about our neighbors, betray or slander them, or destroy their reputations. Instead we are to come to their defense, speak well of them, and interpret everything they do in the best possible light. When holy conversations are undertaken for the sake of seeking reconciliation, we endeavor to follow Jesus wisdom expressed in Matthew where Jesus exhorts us to take our concerns directly to each other. When We Listen We listen for what God may be telling us through what other people share and through what we share. We pledge to pray for one another. We seek to learn from others and deepen the bonds of affection among those who are different from us, that we may grow to genuinely celebrate our God-given diversity. We listen carefully and respectfully, paying attention to what others say without interrupting them. We will turn off our cell phones, laptops and tablets. We leave time and room for others to speak and to be heard, without one or more persons monopolizing the conversation. We honor each other s experiences, thoughts, opinions, and feelings, and don t try to correct or fix each other. What others say does not leave the room, unless they give permission, in which case participants are free to use information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed. When We Speak We use a mutual invitation model for conversation. That is, we invite others to speak and give everyone a chance to speak who desires to do so. We may always choose not to speak. We never have to share outside our comfort zones. We speak clearly and loudly enough for others to hear us. We speak for ourselves and not for others by always using I statements and language, owning what we say. When reflecting on what another person says, we will say what we hear them to have said and check with them that our hearing and understanding are correct. We will honor the facilitator and his or her guidance and instructions. We will not complain, nor be given to cynicism, stoking fears, or perpetuating and increasing anger. We will not manipulate or abuse others in our language. We will not deceive, tell half-truths, or give occasion for illusory hope. A-4

8 ELCA Representative Ms. Jessica Nipp Hacker, Diaconal Minister Director, Donor Relations and Donor Stewardship Atonement Lutheran Church, Jackson Heights, NY; Augustana Lutheran Home, Brooklyn, NY; Bay Ridge Center for Older Adults, Brooklyn, NY; Bethany Lutheran Church, Elmhurst, NY; Bethlehem Jessica Nipp Hacker, ELCA Diaconal Minister, is Director for Donor Relations and Donor Stewardship for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). She works with her colleagues to thank and to nurture relationships with the donors who generously support ELCA ministries. Jessica grew up in Minnesota and received a BA in Religion from Wartburg College, a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and a Faculty Certificate in Protestant Theology from Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet in Munich, Germany. After her consecration as a Diaconal Minister, Jessica s first call was to the ELCA Wittenberg Center in Wittenberg, Germany, where she helped Lutheran pilgrims explore their Reformation heritage in the context of their living faith. She then served as Director for Advancement at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC), raising funds for seminary scholarships and helping LSTC to succeed in its $56 million comprehensive campaign. Most recently, she served as Coordinator of the ELCA Malaria Campaign, encouraging congregations and individuals to support life-changing malaria programs in Africa. Jessica is a member of the Beirat (Advisory Board) of the ELCA Wittenberg Center. In 2014 she was awarded the Distinguished Alumna Award Emerging Voice from her alma mater, the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. She recently earned her international certification as a Certified Fund Raising Executive. Jessica lives outside of Chicago with her husband Scott and infant son, Simon. She is a member of St. Luke s Lutheran Church in Elmhurst, IL. 192 number of congregations in the Metropolitan New York Synod 215 the most miles between two congregations in our synod.1 the least miles between two congregations in our synod (that don t share a building) By the numbers: 13,500,000 number of people who live within the synod territory 63,959 number of baptized members within our synod 16,009 number of people in weekly worship throughout our synod 343 number of pastors on the Metropolitan New York Synod roster 32 number of ELCA rostered lay leaders 105 number of Synodically Rostered Deacons A-5

9 Quick Guide to Section A Lutheran Church, Baldwin, NY; Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, NY; Bronx Lebanon Hospital, Bronx, NY; Calvary Lutheran Church, Hauppauge, NY; Calvary Lutheran Church, Bronx, NY; Marked with the cross of Christ forever, we are claimed, gathered, and sent for the sake of the world. We are claimed: The Claimed Strategy helps people grow in their faith through interaction and engagement with the Lutheran Tradition. Be invited into holy conversations by Bishop Rimbo on page A-3 as a part of our emphasis on Mutual Conversation and Consolation, one of Luther s means of grace. During 3 out or 4 plenary sessions and at each meal, you will be invited into these conversations as well. Show us how you are connecting in the community when you visit the Claimed Strategy table. See all of the tables on A-17. Attend a workshop on communicating in a crisis on Saturday morning, page A-12. We are sent: The Sent Strategy networks congregations, ministries, and leaders to proclaim the Gospel while responding to specific societal needs and issues. See how the Sent Strategy is helping us to go forward in addressing racism and justice in our communities and world through their resolution on page A-29 and in their presentation about how we respond as people of faith on Friday evening. Learn even more Saturday morning at the antiracism introduction. You can also find resources for download on page A-9. Learn about the work of out newest committee, the Mideast Relations Committee, during their presentation in our first plenary session. You can also visit their table and read their proposed memorials and resolutions. Find out why divesting from fossil fuels is away for us to care for creation and use our financial resources well on page A-25. We are gathered: The Gathered Strategy ensures Word and Sacrament ministry is provided in the metropolitan New York area. Attend a forum on worship and evangelism in the African church, the possibility of an ELCA deacon roster, new methods for pastoral care, or find out how you can engage with the Sower s Grant for new and innovative ministries on page A-12. Recognize leaders and congregations who are celebrating milestone anniversaries in our synod on page A-47. Mark your calendars for upcoming resources and events that can help you as a leader on page A-49. We are stewards of resources: Plan to attend the Budget Breakfast Saturday morning to learn more about how we responsibily use our resources for ministry. Hear from Bishop Elizabeth Eaton about who we are as Lutherans and the work we are doing together among migrant children, refugees, ebola victims and beyond on page A-1. Learn more about our synod is on page A-5 and see who will be a part of our assembly on page A-19. Equip leaders in your congregation to facilitate strategic planning for the future during a forum on Saturday morning. Read ways that, as the church, we can respond to disasters with help and assistance on page A-33. Also find ways to be prepared for disasters in your church and community. Recursos en español Resources in Spanish will be posted on our Assembly Webpage, in our Guidebook, and available on site. Hear more about our budget on Friday s first plenary session. A-6

10 Agenda Friday, May 29 Claimed Gathered Sent Financial Management Camp Herrlich, Patterson, NY; Camp Ma-He-Tu, Bear Mountain, NY; Cathedral School of St. John the Divine, New York, NY; Christ for the World Chapel, JFKennedy Airport, NY; Christ Lutheran 8:00am Registration and Check-In Lobby Check in and receive all your materials. Be sure to note when the registration desk is open and the procedures for checking in and out. Display Tables Open Grand Ballroom Foyer Visit with almost 30 different committees and organizations hosting display tables. 9:00 Synod Assembly Orientation Tarrytown Ballroom Learn what you can expect during our time together and get the background on issues and initiatives we ll be discussing. 10:00 Claimed, Gathered, and Sent: Opening of Assembly Grand Ballroom Plenary Session I Church, Ellenville, NY; Christ Lutheran Church, Newburgh, NY; Christ Lutheran Church, Suffern, NY; Christ Lutheran Church, Wantagh, NY; Christ Lutheran Church, Floral Park, NY; Christ Lutheran 10:30 Welcome, Bishop Robert A Rimbo Grand Ballroom Introductions Pastoral Care Team, Chaplains Rev. C. Anderson James, Parliamentarian Pr. Jeanne Warfield, Chair, Reference and Counsel Assembly Planning Committee ELCA Representative, Ms. Jessica Nipp Hacker, Diaconal Minister Synod Staff Introduction to voting device, Mr. Jacob Wood Registration and Attendance, Dcns. Patty and John McDonnell Prayer, Pastoral Care Team Adoption of the Agenda, Bishop Robert A Rimbo Rules and Procedures, Bishop Robert A Rimbo Hymn, Blest Be the Tie That Binds Report and Procedure for Nominations from the floor, Pr. Kevin O Hara Sent Moment: Mid East Relations Committee, Pr. Amy Kienzle Claimed: Introduction to Indaba process, Indaba Working Group Claimed: Prayer and invitation to engage Indaba process, Indaba Working Group FMC: Report of the Treasurer, Mr. Frank Suttell Claimed, Gathered, Sent and FMC: Presentation of the 2015 Revised Budget and 2016 Budget, Mr. Ed Wagner Announcements, Pr. Paul Johnsen Prayer, Pastoral Care Team Claimed: Invitation to practice Indaba over lunch, Indaba Working Group 12:00 Lunch Tarrytown Ballrooms or Garden Terrace A-7

11 Blest Be the Tie That Binds Church, New Hyde Park, NY; Christ Lutheran Church, East Northport, NY; Christ Lutheran Church, Islip Terrace, NY; Christ Lutheran Church, New York, NY; Christ Lutheran Church, Staten Island, NY; Christ Lutheran Church, Ozone Park, NY; Christ Lutheran Church, Fresh Meadows, NY; Christ Lutheran Church, Little Neck, NY; Christ Lutheran Church/Iglesia Luterana de Cristo, Freeport, NY; Registration, Check-In, and Check-Out Please note that to help facilitate our voting process, the registration table will only be open during certain times. If you are a voting member, you must check-in to receive your materials during these times in order to be eligible to vote. Friday, May 29 8:00 am - 11:30 am 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm Saturday, May 30 8:00 am - 11:00 am 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm Worship Rehearsals Please note these worship rehearsal times: Friday, May 29 8:00 am: Band and dancers with Opening of Assembly 9:00 am: Leaders with Opening of Assembly 12:00 pm: Leaders with Friday s Eucharist 6:30 pm: Musicians for Friday s Eucharist Saturday, May 30 7:00 am: Leaders with Morning Prayer 12:00 pm: Leaders with Saturday s Eucharist Check-In Upon arrival, please check-in at the registration table. There you will receive all of your voting materials, participant materials, and name tag. Please note that payment must be received in full to check-in. Check-Out All participants must check-out. When you check-out, you will return your name tag and your voting device (if applicable). In return you will receive a receipt. Please note the times when the registration table is closed and ensure that you have checked out. For example, if you are only able to attend on Friday, make sure to check-out prior to dinner, even if you are planning to stay through worship. A-8

12 Plenary Session II Christ s Lutheran Church, Woodstock, NY; Concordia College, Bronxville, NY; Covenant Lutheran Church, Ridgewood, NY; Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, Babylon, NY; Deaconess Community, 1:15 Hymn, What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine Grand Ballroom Prayer, Pastoral Care Team Call to Order, Bishop Robert A Rimbo Claimed, Gathered, and Sent: Bishop s Bible Study, Bishop Robert A Rimbo Introduction of Synod Council, Bishop Robert A Rimbo Claimed, Gathered, and Sent: Synod Council Report, Ms. Maria DelToro Hymn, The Church s One Foundation Sent Moment: Environmental Stewardship Committee, Mr. Gerry Falco Attendance and Registration Report, Dcns. Patty and John McDonnell Prayer, Pastoral Care Team Common Ballot, Pr. Kevin O Hara Reference and Counsel, Session 1, Pr. Jeanne Warfield Sent Moment: Ministries with Youth and Young Adults, Ms. Abigail Triebel Gathered: Introduction of Conference Deans, Pr. Kathleen Koran Gathered: Recognition of Rostered Leaders and Congregation Anniversaries Pr. Kathleen Koran, Ms. Amy Finney Claimed: Introduction and invitation for Indaba process, Indaba Working Group Sent Moment: Justice and Reconciliation in our Synod Pr. Marsh Drege and Ms. Barbara Johnson Claimed: Interfaith and Ecumenical Guests, Bishop Robert A Rimbo Announcements, Pr. Paul Johnsen Prayer, Pastoral Care Team Claimed: Invitation to practice Indaba over dinner, Indaba Working Group Claimed Gathered Sent Financial Management We need to talk... As a church called to witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, writes Presiding Bishop Eaton in a recent message on racial justice, we must continue to listen deeply, to speak out about racial equality and inclusion, to respect and uplift the dignity and humanity of every person and to join with others in organizing for change. In baptism we have become part of the body of Christ and in Christ there is no barrier between us. Throughout our assembly, we will be engaging in Indaba Conversations that will help us to listen, speak out, and respect all who are a part of our communities in the Metropolitan New York Synod. Here are some additional resources for the journey: Bishop Eaton s full message on racial justice: Bishop Rimbo s statements in the past year: In response to unrest in Baltimore: statement_in_response_to_recent_unrest_in_baltimore/ A call for reconciliation: reconciliation/ A pastoral letter regarding racism: pastoral_letter_regarding_racism/ Further resources: A-9

13 Friday, May 29 continued 6:00 Dinner Tarrytown Ballrooms or Garden Terrace 7:30 Claimed, Gathered, Sent: Festival Eucharist Grand Ballroom Bishop Robert A. Rimbo, presiding and preaching Claimed Gathered ELCA, Chicago, IL; Dobbs Ferry Lutheran Church, Dobbs Ferry, NY; Eger Lutheran Homes and Services, Staten Island, NY; Eltingville Lutheran Church, Staten Island, NY; Emanuel Lutheran Church, Sent Financial Management What a Fellowship, What a Joy Divine Pleasantville, NY; Epiphany Lutheran Church, Hempstead, NY; Epiphany Lutheran Church, Bronx, NY; Epiphany Lutheran Church, Laurelton, NY; Epiphany Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, NY; Faith A-10

14 The Church s One Foundation Lutheran Church, Syosset, NY; First Lutheran Church, Poughkeepsie, NY; First Lutheran Church, Bronx, NY; Fordham Lutheran Church, Bronx, NY; General Theological Seminary, New York, NY; A-11

15 Saturday, May 30 Claimed Gathered Sent Financial Management German Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Paul (EKD), New York, NY; Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, New Hyde Park, NY; Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Huntington Station, NY; Good Shepherd Lutheran 7:00 am FMC: Budget Breakfast Tarrytown Ballroom Learn and ask questions about our proposed budget. (Bring your copy from your packet.) Strategic Plan Question and Answer Tarrytown Ballroom 8:00 Claimed, Gathered, and Sent: Morning Prayer Grand Ballroom 8:30 Racial Relationship Building Westchester B This panel of pastors will bring their experiences with community concerns related to race, law enforcement and faith based responses. Facilitating Strategic Planning, Mr. Tom Massey, Daxko Westchester A This forum is a follow up to this year s Quadrant meetings on strategic planning. The forum will be a discussion to help you facilitate a strategic planning process for a congregation. Brainspotting and Pastoral Care Dutchess Room Pr. Martha S. Jacobi, LCSW, Pastoral Psychotherapist; St. Luke s, NY The forum introduces participants to Brainspotting, a transformational brain-body approach to healing and wellness, and how it can be integrated into various areas of congregational life and social ministries. ELCA Deacon Roster, Mr. John Litke, Pr. Cherlyne Beck Hudson Room The ELCA plans to form a new leadership office of deacon using the gifts of existing rosters, Learn about this process, emphasizing the church s diaconal witness. Wartburg Care at Home, Ms. Janet Palazzolo, Wartburg Putnam Room Wartburg s Vice President of Residential Services will give more information about what is offered in our area and how this can help members continue to participate in their faith community. Justice in the Holy Land, Pr. Amy Kienzle, Mideast Relations Committee Lyndhurst Room This brief film will highlight the challenges of daily life, including racism, for Palestinians living under occupation. Following the viewing, there will be a brief time for discussion. Learning about Worship, Evangelism and the Bible Pocantico Room from the African Church, Pr. Arden Strasser, St. David s, Massapequa Park After 14 years of living and working with the church in Africa, Pr. Strasser will share practical ideas and perspectives for praying, preaching, singing, leading, interpreting the Bible and even fundraising. Communicating in Crisis, Rubenstein Associates Sleepy Hollow Room This forum will help to equip our leaders to communicate effectively and professionally with various media outlets, especially in times of crisis. The Sower s Project: Rockland Room Seed Money for New Ministries, Pr. Benjamin McKelahan, Innovation Team Do you know a community where the gospel would flourish? Do you know someone who with the gifts to start ministries? Learn more about how our strategic plan is enabling seed money. Display Tables Open Grand Ballroom Foyer Visit with almost 30 different committees and organizations hosting display tables. Tell us more... Serving the global church is a great opportunity to engage with and learn from other cultures, travel and discover more about who you are as a Christian. The Global Mission Unit is developing a recruitment strategy for members of the ELCA, especially members of ethnically diverse populations and those whose first language is other than English. Your input will be the basis for the strategy. We are interested in hearing from all regarding what would make global service appealing. Participate now: En Español: Thank you for your time! A-12

16 Claimed Plenary Session III Gathered Sent Financial Management Church, Pearl River, NY; Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Levittown, NY; Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Plainview, NY; Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Roosevelt, NY; Good Shepherd 9:30 Call to Order, Bishop Robert A Rimbo Grand Ballroom Hymn, Beautiful Savior Prayer, Pastoral Care Team ELCA Report, Ms. Jessica Nipp Hacker, Diaconal Minister Attendance and Registration Report, Dcns. Patty and John McDonnell Prayer, Pastoral Care Team Reference and Counsel, Session 2, Pr. Jeanne Warfield Sent Moment: Tanzania Companionship Committee, Pr. Daniel Ward Claimed, Gathered, and Sent: Strategic Plan Steering Committee, Ms. Maria DelToro Claimed: Prayer and invitation to engage Indaba process, Indaba Working Group Hymn, Lift Every Voice and Sing Sent Moment: Lutheran World Relief Announcements, Pr. Paul Johnsen Prayer, Pastoral Care Team Claimed: Invitation to practice Indaba over lunch, Indaba Working Group 12:00 Lunch Tarrytown Ballrooms or Garden Terrace 1:30 Claimed, Gathered, and Sent: Eucharist Grand Ballroom Bishop Robert A. Rimbo, presiding and preaching Plenary Session IV Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, NY; Grace & St. Paul s Lutheran Church, New York, NY; Grace Chinese Lutheran Church, Elmhurst, NY; Grace Lutheran Church, Greenwood Lake, NY; Grace Lutheran 2:35 Call to Order, Bishop Robert A Rimbo Grand Ballroom Attendance and Registration Report, Dcns. Patty and John McDonnell Prayer, Pastoral Care Team Sent Moment: Wartburg, Pr. Carol Fryer Claimed, Gathered, Sent and FMC: Budget Questions and Adoption Mr. Frank Suttell and Mr. Ed Wagner Second/further Common ballot, Pr. Kevin O Hara Sent Moment: Portico Announcements, Pr. Paul Johnsen 3:30 Claimed, Gathered, and Sent: Closing of an Assembly A-13

17 Beautiful Savior Church, North Branch, NY; Grace Lutheran Church, Scarsdale, NY; Grace Lutheran Church, Yorktown Heights, NY; Grace Lutheran Church, North Bellmore, NY; Grace Lutheran Church, Malverne, A-14

18 Lift Every Voice and Sing NY; Grace Lutheran Church, Uniondale, NY; Grace Lutheran Church, Astoria, NY; Grace Lutheran Church, Forest Hills, NY; Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church, New York, NY; Holy Cross Lutheran A-15

19 A-16

20 Display Tables Claimed Gathered Sent Financial Management Church, Lake Ronkonkoma, NY; Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Commack, Commack, NY; Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, NY; Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Rockville Centre, NY; Holy Here are the committees, partner organizations and vendors that are hosting tables at our Assembly: Camp Ma-He-Tu, A summer camp for girls Claimed Strategy, Strategy area to help people grow in their faith Children Youth and Family Network, A committee providing resources and support for ministry CM Almy, A vendor for a variety of vestments and worship needs The diakonia Program (NY), A program providing local education and training for lay leaders Environmental Stewardship Committee, Works to educate on issues of environmental integrity Gathered Strategy: Innovation Team, Learn more about the Sower s Grant and how to apply Koinonia, An outdoor ministry in Highland Lake, NY The Lutheran Care Network, A network of 11 senior health care facilities Lutheran Schools Association, Facilitator, advocate, and partner to assist ministries of Lutheran Schools Lutheran Services New York Alliance, Providing interfaith professional education for ministry Lutheran Social Services of NY, Strengthening lives, families and communities for more than 125 years Mideast Relations Committee, Provides advocacy and awareness for Israel and Palestine Mission Investment Fund, A way for your investments to help strengthen the ministry of our church MNYS Malaria Campaign, Working to eliminate Malaria and strengthen communities in 13 African countries Parish Resource Center/Augsburg Fortress, Providing resources and events for churches Pinecrest Lutheran Leadership Ministries, A summer camp for youth Seafarers and International House, A ministry to seafarers, refugees, and asylum seekers St. Peter's Business Services, A vendor that assists congregations with financial management issues Tanzania Companionship Committee, Working with our companionships in Tanzania Thrivent Financial, more than financial services, a not-for-profit, membership organization of Christians Wartburg, A health care ministry in Mount Vernon, NY Women of the ELCA, As a community of women committed to faith, support, and engagement World Hunger Committee, Bringing awareness and advocacy to issues of domestic and world hunger Bring it with you At the Claimed Strategy s Table, you re invited to bring pictures of how your congregation or ministry connects in the community or with each other. We ll also have materials for you to write your thoughts at Assembly. A-17

21 Standing Rules of the Assembly Trinity Lutheran Church, New York, NY; Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Bellerose, NY; Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, NY; Hope Lutheran Church, Selden, NY; Iglesia Luterana de Espiritu Santo, S SA2003 A. Parliamentary Rules 1. With the permission of the assembly, the chair shall have the authority to call items of business before the assembly in whatever order the chair considers most expedient for the conduct of the business of the assembly. 2. Unless this rule is suspended by a 2/3 vote, in all plenary sessions persons speaking from the floor shall be limited to 3 minutes and no person shall speak more than twice on the same question. This rule shall not apply to persons presenting a report, or when direct questions are posed to specific individuals for clarification. 3. Only one who is specifically recognized to move the previous question may make the motion for the previous question. 4. All substantive motions shall be written by the mover on forms provided for that purpose, signed and sent to the secretary s table. The chair may use discretion not to open the floor for debate on a motion until a written copy is available to the chair, the secretary, or the assembly membership. 5. When the motion to Amend by Substitution is before the assembly, a vote must first be taken to substitute before the surviving motion may be amended. B. Non-voting Members of the Assembly 1. Assistants to the Bishop who are not otherwise voting members shall be advisory members of the assembly and have voice but not vote. 2. All youth officially registered for the assembly shall be granted the privilege of participating in its proceedings with voice but not vote. 3. Official visitors may address the assembly at the request of the chair or by majority vote. 4. Visitors shall be seated in the designated areas. 5. (SA2004) Rostered Synodical Deacons who are not otherwise voting members but who are in attendance as registered visitors to the assembly shall have the privilege of voice in the assembly. C. Resolutions 1. The Committee on Reference and Counsel may assist the chairperson in the schedule for handling business items, consider requests for the distribution and posting of materials and give other assistance as the chairperson may request. New business shall be processed through this committee. 2. If any voting member proposes to add any new item of business, it shall immediately be referred to the Committee on Reference and Counsel. The committee may establish a deadline for such items at any time following the first plenary session. The committee shall report to the assembly its recommendation for handling such new business, which may be that the matter not be considered. In such matters, a two-thirds vote of the assembly shall be required to add the item of business to the agenda. 3. Priority shall be given to those resolutions received in advance of the assembly on or before the deadline for submissions. Insofar as possible, resolutions shall be considered in the order in which they were received. 4. When two or more resolutions addressing the same general topic are received the committee on Reference and Counsel may adapt, edit, amend or combine them as seems helpful, securing the consent of (or consulting with) the original author(s) if at all possible. If the committee presents a substitute resolution it becomes the main motion. The maker of the original resolution has the right to place the original resolution on the floor as an amendment by substitution. A-18

22 5. Resolutions to amend the budget as recommended by the Synod Council must be submitted in writing to the treasurer by the conclusion of Plenary Session in which the budget is put before the assembly. 6. All resolutions proposing the establishment of any new committee, board, commission or task force etc. must include a plan for funding. Those resolutions which do not include such a plan shall be automatically referred to the Synod Council. D. Nominations 1. Floor nominations for all positions to be elected at this assembly shall be called for at the beginning of the assembly during the report of the Nominating Committee, except for those positions closed under S a. 2. Floor nominations must have the support of at least ten (10) credentialed voting members (by signature) on the forms provided at the assembly. 3. Nominations forms including biographical information shall be submitted to the secretary on the form provided by the close of the first plenary session. 4. After floor nominations have been closed, a brief summary of data on each nominee shall be distributed to the members of the Assembly. Floor nominations whose nomination and biographical forms have not been received by the secretary by the end of session in which the nominations report is given will be considered withdrawn. E. Rules pertaining to the election of a Bishop (intentionally omitted) SA2014 F. On-Site Registration 1. Voting Members not registered in advance of the Assembly are permitted to register and be credentialed as Voting Members as space permits. By the numbers: 537 participants registered for Synod Assembly 22 percentage of assembly participants that are persons of color percentage of African Descent participants percentage of Indian and Alaskan Native participants percentage of Arab and Middle Eastern participants percentage of Asian and Pacific Islander participants percentage of European Descent participants percentage of Latino participants Ages of Participants percentage of participants under 19 percentage of participants between 20 and 29 percentage of participants between 30 and 39 percentage of participants between 40 and 49 percentage of participants between 50 and 59 percentage of participants over 60 A-19

23 Using your voting device Brooklyn, NY; Immanuel Lutheran Church, Kingston, NY; Immanuel Lutheran Church, New York, NY; Immanuel Lutheran Church, Staten Island, NY; Incarnation Lutheran Church, Cedarhurst, NY; On/Off To turn on/off the remote, press and hold the menu key for about 2 seconds (words will appear on the remote). Send Key Battery Indicator low batt indicates new batteries are needed. Visit the hospitality table in the Grand Ballroom for help. Scroll Keys Clear Key Yes/True and No/False Letter/Numeric Keys How to Vote After it has been announced that voting is open, press Yes or No or the letter or numeric choice then press the Send Key. To change your answer, press the Clear Key. Retype your answer and press the Send Key. If you accidentally press the Menu Key rather than the Send Key, your remote may say help, User ID, or Session. Simply use the Scroll Keys to scroll to Exit and press the Send Key to submit your vote. If your screen says......push KEY It is in sleep mode. Push a button to wake the remote up....no NET Press the Send Key to connect...low BATT Head to the hospitality table in the Grand Ballroom to switch out your batteries or device. A-20

24 Reference and Counsel Report Incarnation Lutheran Church, Bridgehampton, NY; International Rescue Committee, New York, NY; Kalam Christian Church, Roslyn, NY; King of Kings Lutheran Church, New Windsor, NY; King of Memorials address broad policy issues and are passed by Synod Assemblies for consideration by the Churchwide Assembly. Resolutions are requests for consideration or action synodically. For more information, please see the Standing Rules of the Assembly. Memorial A to the Churchwide Assembly Recommitting to the Churchwide Strategy for Engagement in Israel and Palestine Kings Lutheran Church, Melville, NY; Kingsbridge Lutheran Church, Bronx, NY; Koinonia, Highland Lake, NY; Latvian Lutheran Church of New York, Melville, NY; Leif Ericson Day School, Brooklyn, NY; WHEREAS the situation on the ground in the Holy Land has grown increasingly tense and untenable for both Palestinians and Israelis due to expansion of barriers to peace, such as the separation wall, illegal settlement building, violence perpetrated by individuals, groups and the state; and WHEREAS the leaders and members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) with their bishop Munib Younan are a catalyst for a just peace, working as bridge builders among the nations, [seeking] to be brokers of justice, ministers of reconciliation, and apostles of love, and are committed to ministries that enrich the lives of Palestinians living under occupation, while witnessing to the hope and peace of the resurrected Christ; and WHEREAS 2015 marks 10 years since the Evangelical Lutheran Church adopted its Churchwide Strategy for Engagement in Israel and Palestine (2005) that commits us to working in partnership with ecumenical and interfaith partners and others of good will to bring about peace with justice for the sake of Palestinians and Israelis, and through the Peace Not Walls campaign of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America affirms the three A s of awareness-raising, accompaniment and advocacy; be it RESOLVED that the Metropolitan New York Synod Assembly memorialize the 2016 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to recommit to a robust effort in accomplishing the goals set out in the Churchwide Strategy for Engagement in Israel and Palestine (2005) that include but are not limited to: IN THE HOLY LAND 1. Peaceful coexistence of Palestinians and Israelis in their own recognized states 2. Economic empowerment of Palestinians 3. Negotiated final status agreement on two states with a shared Jerusalem 4. Protecting the endangered Christian witness 5. Ending illegal settlement building in the occupied territories IN THE US 1. Education among ELCA members about the situation in the Holy Land 2. Advocacy by ELCA members with their members of Congress that reflects the urgency of the situation 3. To be the voice of the voiceless on behalf of the Evangelical Lutheran Church In Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) in US policy-making decisions. Mideast Relations Committee: The Rev. Perucy Butiku, MNYS Staff The Rev. Khader El-Yateem Mr. Dennis Frado [Advisory Member, ELCA Staff] The Rev. Dr. Marvin Henk The Rev. Dr. Timothy Kennedy The Rev. Stephanie Kershner The Rev. Khader Khalilia The Rev. Amy Kienzle, Chair Ms. Mary Margaret Powers The Rev. David Rommereim Ms. Brita Rose The Rev. James Sudbrock The Rev. Lamont Wells, MNYS Staff The Rev. Elise Brown Reference and Counsel Committee recommends adoption A-21

25 Memorial B to the Churchwide Assembly Urging Divestment from Fossil Fuel Corporations Long Island Lutheran Day School, East Northport, NY; Long Island Lutheran Middle & High School, Brookville, NY; Long Island Lutheran Schools, ; Lutheran Care Center, Concord Village, 1 2 WHEREAS, God has created us and all that exists, given and preserves our bodies and all the necessities for life [The First Article: On Creation, Luther s Small Catechism]; and WHEREAS, the 1993 ELCA Social Statement Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope, and Justice affirms that we are called to care for the earth as God cares for the earth; and WHEREAS, the 1999 ELCA Social Statement Economic Life: Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All recognizes that the growth of economic activity during the twentieth century, and the industrialization and consumerism that fueled it, radically changed the relationship between humans and the earth. Too often the earth has been treated as a waste receptacle and a limitless storehouse of raw materials to be used up for the sake of economic growth, rather than as a finite, fragile ecological system upon which human and all other life depends; and WHEREAS, climate research is clear that there has been a rapid rise in the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, occurring most rapidly in the past 200 years during the worldwide Industrial Revolution 123 and leading to current levels of around 400 ppm the highest in 2,000,000 years; and WHEREAS, climate research is clear that burning fossil fuels is the major source of the rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, negatively impacting not only our climate but also the health and wellbeing of all life on the planet 4567 ; and WHEREAS, with Caring for Creation, this church realized the urgency was already widespread and serious, according to the preponderance of evidence from scientists worldwide [of] dangerous global warming, caused by the buildup of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels, and that action to counter degradation, especially within this decade, is essential to the future of our children and our children s children; and WHEREAS, in Caring for Creation, the ELCA declares that it will seek to incorporate the principles of sufficiency and sustainability in its life, and that we will, in our budgeting and investment of church funds, demonstrate our care for creation; and WHEREAS, in 1990, the Church Council transmitted [CC ] investment screens on Energy and Environment for social purpose funds of the ELCA Board of Pensions, which recommend limiting investments made in corporations that are the most egregious in terms of damage to human health or the natural environment and investing in corporations which are taking positive steps toward a sustainable environment, and, in 2007, approved [CC b] the updated Environmental Social Criteria Screen; therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Metro New York Synod Assembly memorialize the 2016 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to urge that, by May 1, 2017, all Evangelical Lutheran Church in America congregations and independent, cooperative, and related Lutheran organizations and investment corporations: a) Publish a list of the values of all their stock and 35 bond holdings in companies whose primary business is the exploration, extraction, production, or refining of coal, oil, or natural gas, and instruct asset managers employed by those entities do the same; and b) Cease any new investments in companies whose primary business is the exploration, extraction, production, or refining of coal, oil, or natural gas, and instruct asset managers employed by those entities do the same; and A-22

26 c) Ensure that, within five years, directly held or commingled assets in companies whose primary business is the exploration, extraction, production, or refining of coal, oil, or natural gas are removed from portfolios related to the ELCA; and d) With the exception of congregations, release quarterly updates, available to the public, detailing progress towards such divestment. MNYS Environmental Stewardship Committee: Gerard Falco, Chair Pastor John Flack Terra Rowe Sarah Gioe Kristin Quell-Garguilo Pastor Jim O Hanlon Patrick Almonrode Reference and Counsel Committee recommends adoption Notes 1 Climate Change: The Evidence and Our Options, Lonnie Thompson, Ohio State University. Concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) over the last 800,000 years. Fig. 6, pg LTonly.pdf IPCC Working Group. Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration has continued to increase and is now almost 100 ppm above its preindustrial level. es.html. 3 EPA: Causes of Climate Change. Since the Industrial Era began, humans have had an increasing effect on climate, particularly by adding billions of tons of heat trapping greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. climatechange/science/causes.html. 4 NRC (2011). Climate Stabilization Targets: Emissions, Concentrations, and Impacts over Decades to Millennia. National Research Council. The National Academies Press, Washington, DC, USA. Emissions of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels have ushered in a new epoch where human activities will largely determine the evolution of Earth s climate. 5 NASA: Global Climate Change; Vital Signs of the Planet. Humans have increased atmospheric CO2 concentration by a third since the Industrial Revolution began. This is the most important long lived forcing of climate change. Over the last century the burning of fossil fuels like coal and oil has increased the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). 6 USGCRP (2009). Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States. Thomas R. Karl, Jerry M. Melillo, and Thomas C. Peterson (eds.). United States Global Change Research Program. Cambridge University Press, New York, NY, USA. It is clear that impacts in the United States are already occurring and are projected to increase in the future, particularly if the concentration of heat trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere continues to rise. n&lr=&id=ucg7inahksc&oi=fnd&pg=pa13&dq=usgcrp+%282009%29.+global+climate+change+impacts+in+the+unite d+states&ots=uxe7hdvn2i&sig=3ociartthzaksx5jwz BrWNEj59A#v=onepage&q&f=false. 7 NOAA, USGS: Climate change impacts to U.S. coasts threaten public health, safety and economy Coastal Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerabilities: A Technical Input to the 2013 National Climate Assessment. the effects of climate change will continue to threaten the health and vitality of U.S.coastal communities social, economic and natural systems. Memorial C to the Churchwide Assembly Eco-Reformation in the Context of Climate Change Poughkeepsie, NY; Lutheran Counseling Center, Mineola, NY; Lutheran Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY; Lutheran Ministries in Higher Education, New York, NY; Lutheran Schools Association, Maspeth, WHEREAS, 2017 will mark observances of the 500th anniversary of 1 the Reformation, which addressed fundamental threats to human well-being and all of God s creation in theological, social, and political ways; and WHEREAS, the 1993 ELCA Social Statement Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope, and Justice affirms that, we are called to care for the earth as God cares for the earth; and WHEREAS, in 1993 with Caring for Creation we realized the urgency was already widespread and serious, according to the preponderance of evidence from scientists worldwide [of] dangerous global warming, caused by the buildup of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels, and that action to counter degradation, especially within this decade, is essential to the future of our children and our children s children. Time is very short; and A-23

27 WHEREAS, in the 1999 ELCA Social Statement Economic Life: Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All, this church declares that Too often the earth has been treated as a waste receptacle and a limitless storehouse of raw materials to be used up for the sake of economic growth, rather than as a finite, fragile ecological system upon which human and all other life depends; and WHEREAS, the Statement of Vision and Expectations for Ordained Ministers in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) stipulates that the people of God are called to the care and redemption of all that God has made. This includes the need to speak on behalf of this earth, its environment and natural resources and its inhabitants. This church expects that its ordained ministers will be exemplary stewards of the earth s resources, and that they will lead this church in the stewardship of God s creation; and WHEREAS, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton wrote in a pastoral letter on September 19, 2014: Daily we see and hear the evidence of a rapidly changing climate. Glaciers are disappearing, the polar ice cap is melting, and sea levels are rising. Incidents of pollution-created dead zones in seas and the ocean and toxic algae growth in water supplies are occurring with greater frequency. Most disturbingly, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is rising at an unprecedented rate. At the same time we also witness in too many instances how the earth s natural beauty, a sign of God s wonderful creativity, has been defiled by pollutants and waste The present moment is a critical one, filled with both challenge and opportunity to act as faithful individuals and churches in solidarity with God s good creation ; and WHEREAS, the Lutheran World Federation has already, with its three-33 fold theme Salvation: Not for sale. Human beings: Not for sale. Creation: Not for sale., signaled its intention to include creation at the center of global 2017 anniversary commemorations; be it therefore RESOLVED, that this Metropolitan New York Synod Assembly, recognizing the need for ongoing reformation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, memorialize the 2016 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to make climate change and ecological justice major themes in Evangelical Lutheran Church in America planning and activities leading up to and following the observance of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. MNYS Environmental Stewardship Committee: Gerard Falco, Chair Pastor John Flack Terra Rowe Sarah Gioe Kristin Quell-Garguilo Pastor Jim O Hanlon Patrick Almonrode Pastor James Rowe Pastor Albert R Ahlstrom Ms. Abby Tribel Ms. Kathryn Meyer Ms. Elizabeth O Rourke Mr. Stephen Fardig Mr. Art Gould Pastor Dennis O Rourke Mr. Dan Wingard Reference and Counsel Committee recommends adoption Questions and Answers about Divestment 1 What s this about? The synod s Environmental Stewardship Committee is proposing two resolutions to be considered at the upcoming Synod Assembly. The first resolution calls for the synod to (a) cease any new investments in companies whose primary business is the exploration, extraction, production, or refining of coal, oil, or natural gas, and request that all congregations within the synod do the same, and to (b) shed, within five years, any such investments that the synod currently holds. The second resolution calls on the synod to memorialize the 2016 Churchwide Assembly to do the same. The synod s Financial Management Committee has voted to support these resolutions. Why should we do this? There is a compelling case, based on Christian and ethical principles and on Lutheran teaching, for fossil fuel divestment. Divestment would also be consistent with previous actions and statements of both our synod and the ELCA as a whole. There is also a strong case for divestment based on financial (fiduciary) considerations. Both of these cases are explored below. A-24

28 What other religious bodies and institutions have done this? A number of churches and religious institutions worldwide have taken some action on divestment, and the list is growing every day. The World Council of Churches, the Uniting Church in Australia and in Western Australia, and the Church of Sweden are among the larger bodies that have voted to divest. In the US, the national body of the UCC; Union Theological Seminary; the University of Dayton (RC); the Maine Council of Churches; many meetings of the Society of Friends; Pacific School of Theology; the Unitarian Universalist General Assembly and many individual UU congregations have all voted to divest. 2 And the Oregon Synod and the New England Synod of the ELCA voted in 2013 to memorialize the Churchwide Assembly. What do Lutheran principles teach? The first command of God to human beings was to have dominion over the earth. Some have understood this to mean that we human beings can do whatever we want. This misses the mark, because when God told human beings to have dominion, God meant for us to have dominion as God does the dominion of love, tender care, and the dominion that brings flourishing. The command of God is enough for us. But Lutheran theology also impels us to care for creation. Luther wrote in an essay on the Eucharist, God is essentially present in all places, even the tiniest tree leaf. The reason is this: It is God who creates, effects, and preserves all things through his almighty power and right hand as our Creed confesses. Luther goes on to say, If he is to create and preserve [creation] he must be present and preserve his creation in its innermost and outermost aspects. Therefore, indeed, he must be present in every single creature in its innermost and outermost being, on all sides, through and through, above and below, before and behind, so that nothing can be more truly present and within all creatures than God himself with his power. Thus, to care for creation is to join in God s redeeming and sanctifying work. It is the work of our baptisms. We are bound to God in the Eucharist, which is made from the fruits of the Earth, where God is present. To do harm to Creation is also to assault God. And when humans assault God, there is only one outcome, and it is not a good one for humans. This Lutheran position is nothing more than following the implications of Colossians 1:15-20, in which the eternal Christ, raised from death, reconciles all things to God. We are reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, together with all things, and through Christ we become reconciled to one another and to all creation. And, if these things are true, we have no choice but to divest from corporations that profit from the unsustainable exploitation of the earth. What s the financial case for divestment? Given the profound risks to our environment from climate change, the fossil fuel sector may no longer be the blue-chip investment it once was. Recent performance data suggest that the volatility of this group is on the rise. Many managers, investors, and analysts believe that fossil fuel investments are becoming too risky. This is because the profitability of these companies is based largely on their ability to dig up and bring to market their fossil fuel reserves. But it s now widely accepted by a broad consensus of scientists that, to have any hope of preserving a livable planet, we can dig up and burn only about 20% of known fossil fuel reserves. In other words, we have to leave 80% of known fossil fuel reserves in the ground. And once governments wake up to this fact, these reserves the chief assets of fossil fuel companies become stranded and valueless. Not everyone subscribes to this argument. However, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (the foremost global authority on climate science), NASA climate scientist James Hansen, and many other prominent members of the scientific community agree that these reserves cannot be burned. And no less an institution than the Bank of England decided in 2014 to deepen and widen its inquiry into the vulnerability that fossil fuel assets could pose to the stability of the financial system in a carbon constrained world. 3 This was the first major acknowledgement from a financial regulator that most of the world s listed coal, oil and gas reserves could become stranded assets and have significant financial consequences. 4 For these reasons, leaders including former Archbishop Desmond Tutu, UN Secretary Ban Kimoon, Al Gore, Mary Robinson (the former President of Ireland), Paul Krugman (economist and NY Times columnist), and many others have publicly endorsed divestment. Finally, a growing number of prestigious institutions (in addition to the religious bodies listed above) have committed to some form of divestment, such as Stanford University, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, and cities including Seattle, WA, Portland, OR, and San Francisco, CA. Won t divestment hurt our portfolios? Several studies have shown that fossil fuel free portfolios would have performed about the same as, or even slightly better than, carbon-invested portfolios over different timeframes. In fact, the Fossil A-25

29 Free Indexes outperformed the S&P 500 by 1.5% in In addition, a UC Berkeley professor recently presented data showing that from 1988 to 2013, there was no significant difference in performance in the broad market Russell 3000 Index whether or not the index contained fossil fuel companies. 6 And a February 2015 article in Forbes magazine noted that A variety of recent analyses have suggested that a fossil-free portfolio would have actually proved advantageous over the last decade or so, 7 citing in particular a 2013 report by the research firm S&P Capital IQ which found that a hypothetical endowment that pulled out of the top 200 fossil fuel companies would have avoided substantial losses. 8 Of course, no one can predict the future with certainty. But many managers, investors, and analysts do subscribe to the stranded asset theory described above. 9 According to that theory, over time it could actually hurt our portfolios to remain invested in fossil fuel companies. It s also important to remember that the synod is not currently heavily invested in fossil fuel companies. If the synod were to divest, it would have to reallocate only about 4.5% of the portfolio. We believe the portion of the ELCA S current investments that would be affected is similarly small. The reallocation of such relatively small parts of the portfolios would not greatly increase risk, even in the worst-case scenario. Won t this affect pensions? Our pension obligations remain the same. Based on our research and current understanding, our ability to generate returns to cover those obligations is not likely to be significantly impacted by divestment over time. And, as noted above, the energy sector represents a relatively small percentage of the current total portfolio. What effect would our divestment have on the fossil fuel companies? Wouldn t shareholder activism be more effective? The fundamental truth is that the business model of the fossil fuel companies which depends on the development, refining, and burning of carbonbased energy resources is simply incompatible with the careful stewardship our planet requires to avert major catastrophic climate change. No amount of shareholder activism will make these companies change that business model at least, not in a timeframe that will make a difference. Why then would we want to commit any resources to a strategy that is bound to fail? Now, to be sure, divestment won t immediately make these companies change their business model, either. But divestment would allow us to put our funds to more beneficial use; it would protect us from the stranded asset risk described above; it would send a strong signal in the investment community, the faith community, and in the world at large; and it s simply the right thing to do. After all, if it s wrong to damage God s Creation, as these companies are doing, it s wrong for us to profit from investing in that damage. NY; Lutheran Social Services of New York, New York, NY; Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA; Lutheran World Federation, Geneva; Lutheran World Relief, Baltimore, 1 Prepared March, 2015 by the MNYS Environmental Stewardship Committee (Gerard A. Falco, Chair), with substantial assistance from Kimberly Gluck, Walden Asset Management. 2 For a more complete list of church bodies that have taken some action on divestment, visit programs/divest-and-reinvest/listing-of-known-religious-divestment-efforts Id. 5 The fossil fuel sector currently comprises about 8.0% of the S&P 500 Index. 6 The fossil fuel sector currently comprises 7.5% of the Russell 3000 Index Id. 9 For instance, in 2014, Norway s sovereign wealth fund an $850 billion pension reserve built on that nation s oil and gas resources divested from more than 49 companies, many involved in coal and unconventional oil extraction, over [u] ncertainty about the sustainability of their business model. Id. A-26

30 Resolution A On Behalf of Augusta Victoria Hospital MD; Martin Luther High School, Maspeth, NY; Memorial Lutheran Church, Rhinebeck, NY; Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church, Staten Island, NY; Messiah Lutheran Church, Flushing, NY; Messiah WHEREAS The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) of which the 1 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is a member, has managed Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH) in East Jerusalem for over 65 years and continues to provide life-saving care to all people regardless of their ability to pay; and WHEREAS, Augusta Victoria Hospital provides medical care not available elsewhere in Gaza or the West Bank, including pediatric oncology services, mammography services, pediatric dialysis and diabetes care through a mobile unit that travels throughout the West Bank to people in low-service areas; and WHEREAS a large percentage of Augusta Victoria Hospital patients are referred to the hospital by the Palestinian Authority and the Authority s debt to the hospital is approximately $20 million dollars and growing by over $2 million dollars a month; and WHEREAS 2015 funding has been appropriated by the US Congress to support the Palestinian Authority, but Congress must issue a letter authorizing the disbursement of funds through the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for Augusta Victoria Hospital and the other East Jerusalem hospitals; and WHEREAS, the need for the release of these overdue funds is urgent; be it RESOLVED that the Metropolitan New York Synod Assembly direct Bishop Robert A. Rimbo to draft a letter to the current Administration of the United States of America and members of the United States Congress within the boundaries of the Metropolitan New York Synod asking these leaders them to encourage Congress to issue the letter authorizing the disbursement of funds through support an anticipated letter of notification from USAID allowing USAID to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people, including covering the Palestinian Authority debt to Augusta Victoria Hospital and the other East Jerusalem hospitals; and be it RESOLVED that the Metropolitan New York Synod 26 Assembly invite members of our congregations to support our Bishop by contacting their own Senators and Representatives asking those leaders them to do the same; and be it RESOLVED that the Metropolitan New York Synod Assembly encourage congregations to have an annual Sunday of prayer and information sharing about the ministry of Augusta Victoria Hospital. Mideast Relations Committee: The Rev. Perucy Butiku, MNYS Staff The Rev. Khader El-Yateem Mr. Dennis Frado [Advisory Member, ELCA Staff] The Rev. Dr. Marvin Henk The Rev. Dr. Timothy Kennedy The Rev. Stephanie Kershner The Rev. Khader Khalilia The Rev. Amy Kienzle, Chair Ms. Mary Margaret Powers The Rev. David Rommereim Ms. Brita Rose The Rev. James Sudbrock The Rev. Lamont Wells, MNYS Staff The Rev. Elise Brown Reference and Counsel Committee recommends adoption A-27

31 Resolution B Awareness-Raising, Accompaniment, Advocacy in the Holy Land Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, NY; Mill Neck Family of Organizations, Mill Neck, NY; New Hope Lutheran Church, Valley Stream, NY; New Hope Lutheran Church, Bronx, NY; New Hope Lutheran Church, WHEREAS the situation on the ground in the Holy Land has grown increasingly tense and untenable for both Palestinians and Israelis due to expansion of barriers to peace, such as the separation wall, illegal settlement building, violence perpetrated by individuals, groups and the state; and WHEREAS the Metropolitan New York Synod is home to a diversity of people from every corner of the world and its congregations are located in areas with large Jewish and Arab communities, whose lives are impacted by the ongoing conflict in Israel-Palestine and the wider Middle East; and WHEREAS 2015 marks 10 years since the Evangelical Lutheran Church adopted its Churchwide Strategy for Engagement in Israel and Palestine (2005) that commits us to working in partnership with ecumenical and interfaith partners and others of good will to bring about peace with justice for the sake of Palestinians and Israelis, and through the Peace Not Walls campaign of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America affirms the three A s of awarenessraising, accompaniment and advocacy; be it RESOLVED that the Metropolitan New York Synod prayerfully discern means to support our sisters and brothers in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, who work daily to promote understanding and peace through their ministries, schools and advocacy work; and be it, RESOLVED that the Metropolitan New York Synod support the work of the Peace Not Walls campaign and the MNYS Mideast Relations Committee through prayer and participation in work that seeks to foster dialogue between Christians, Jews and Muslims around issues of justice in the Middle East; and be it RESOLVED that the Metropolitan New York Synod commit to raising awareness among its members and congregations about the situation on the ground in Israel-Palestine [i.e., by going to elca.org/peacenotwalls and the website of our sister church The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (elcjhl.org) to find resources; by reading the Kairos Palestine Document, A Moment of Truth: A Word of Faith, Hope and Love from the Heart of Palestinian Suffering (2009); by attending film screenings and book discussions; by taking trips to the Holy Land that are focused on seeing the reality of occupation firsthand and speaking with Palestinians and Israelis working for peace and justice]; and be it RESOLVED that the Metropolitan New York Synod Assembly invite the members of its congregations to reach out to their members of Congress and the current Administration, asking them to do what they can to reignite peace talks between the Palestinian and Israeli authorities and call for an end to settlement building, home demolitions and policies that work against negotiated peace with justice for the people of the Holy Land. Mideast Relations Committee: The Rev. Perucy Butiku, MNYS Staff The Rev. Khader El-Yateem Mr. Dennis Frado [Advisory Member, ELCA Staff] The Rev. Dr. Marvin Henk Reference and Counsel Committee recommends adoption The Rev. Dr. Timothy Kennedy The Rev. Stephanie Kershner The Rev. Khader Khalilia The Rev. Amy Kienzle, Chair Ms. Mary Margaret Powers A-28 The Rev. David Rommereim Ms. Brita Rose The Rev. James Sudbrock The Rev. Lamont Wells, MNYS Staff The Rev. Elise Brown

32 Resolution C Continued Commitment for Addressing Racism in Church and Society Jamaica, NY; New York Finnish Lutheran Congregation, New York, NY; North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, NY; Oceanside Lutheran Church, Oceanside, NY; Our Redeemer Lutheran For he [Christ] is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. - Ephesians 2: WHEREAS, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton recently wrote to the 1 whole church: We need to talk. Ferguson, Missouri; Norman, Oklahoma; Madison, Wisconsin; Staten Island, New York (North Charleston, South Carolina) and Charlottesville, Virginia: recent events in these and other places prove we are not living in a postracial society. I know it s difficult to talk about race because too many Americans do not want to believe racism still exists in our country. Yet, as always, Christ promises to be alongside us, even in the most difficult of times, working for our reconciliation. Because of God s promise, we can and must have a deep, honest and even painful conversation about racism. WHEREAS, she wrote: Overt forms of racism are no longer legally sanctioned, but the legacy of racism, sadly, endures. Institutional policies and practices still privilege some while limiting access and opportunities to others. We have said, Racism a mix of power, privilege, and prejudice is sin, a violation of God s intention for humanity. (Freed in Christ: Race, Ethnicity, and Culture, 1993); and WHEREAS, she concludes: Ongoing racial justice conversations are occurring and work is happening. But in cases where these are not, we shouldn t wait until another racial event is widely reported before we talk; 1 and WHEREAS, at the Service for Justice and Reconciliation held on January 17, 2015, Pastor Heidi Neumark preached value for conversation and timeliness for training to deconstruct racism 2 ; and WHEREAS, racism must be confronted and broken whenever it appears; therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the continued commitment of the Metropolitan New York Synod to address racism in the church and society be affirmed; and be it further RESOLVED, that the Metropolitan New York Synod, as part of its strategic plan, design and implement antiracism training for all elected and volunteer synodical leaders; synodical boards, committees, teams; rostered leaders, synodically-rostered leaders, candidates in the call process, and staff in the Metropolitan New York Synod; and be it further RESOLVED, that appropriate funds (out of the Sent budget) for the antiracism training of all elected and volunteer synodical leaders; boards, committees, teams; rostered leaders, synodically rostered leaders, and staff within the Metropolitan New York Synod be allocated continually within the Metropolitan New York Synod s annual budget; and be it further RESOLVED, that by a certain date the Metropolitan New York Synod require elected, called, and volunteer synodical leaders; synodical boards, committees, teams, and staff to undertake the antiracism training developed by the Metropolitan New York Synod on a regular basis through which they can develop a common analysis, a 34 n antiracist identity, and the knowledge that will assist them in addressing, confronting, and working toward the dismantling of racism; and be it further A-29

33 37 38 RESOLVED, that the leadership of the Metropolitan New York Synod form an anti-racism team tasked with implementing the preceding resolutions. Sent Strategy Committee: Barbara A. Johnson, Co-Chair Pr. Marsh Luther Drege, Co-Chair Pr. Albert Ahlstrom Pr. Linda Bell Pr. Perucy Butiku Deacon Ingrid Compton Zachary Dean Deacon Eric Faret Pr. John Flack Sarah Gioe Pr. Anna Rieke Pr. James Sudbrock Reference and Counsel Committee recommends adoption Notes 1 Bishop Eaton s remarks conclude: Therefore let us: Listen to and learn from the experiences of people of color in your communities. Contact the Ethnic Specific and Multicultural Ministries and the Racial Justice Ministries at the churchwide organization. Be in conversation with your synod bishop and staff. Many of our synods are equipped to help connect you with local resources on anti-racism education and racial justice ministries. Learn more about our ongoing racial justice work. This church has helpful guidance in our criminal justice social statement and in the race, ethnicity, and culture social statement. Advocate for local, state and federal legislation and regulations that guarantee to all citizens the right to vote. Join the ELCA e-advocacy Network atwww.elca.org/advocacy. 2 From Pastor Neumark s sermon (Service for Justice and Reconciliation held on January 17, 2015): Here s something I ask myself. Why do we insist on boundary training workshops for our ordained leaders, but not anti-racism training or multi-cultural, cross-cultural community training which is not for Whites only? Now I am not speaking against boundary training workshops- exploiting one s position to sexually abuse and take advantage of others causes terrible damage to individuals, families and congregations. It s a poison for sure. However, I would propose that racism and xenophobia or fear of the other, fear of difference, does even more damage. Look at the mounting toll in Nigeria. Pakistan. Gaza. Jerusalem. Syria. France. Ferguson. Or closer to home where we can see the signs of international fissures in our own mirrors. Our own pews. Maybe the reason we mandate healthy boundary training is that our insurance policies require it. But does the insurance industry dictate our priorities or does the Word of God do that? I think every clergy person, and perhaps all who would exercise moral leadership, should be required to take dismantle-the-boundaries training too. Dismantle the boundaries that marginalize, divide, deport, incarcerate and keep us from truly seeing one another as Police Commissioner Bratton courageously called for, truly loving ALL our neighbors as ourselves as God calls for. Resolution D Synodical Communion Practices Church, Chappaqua, NY; Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Seaford, NY; Our Savior Lutheran Church, Patchogue, NY; Our Savior s Lutheran Church, Glen Head, NY; Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 1 2 WHEREAS, the opportunity to commune in both kinds should be afforded to the faithful of our synod, and WHEREAS, those with pressing reasons of health should be able to commune using elements which are safe and wholesome for them; and WHEREAS, those without pressing reasons of health should be able to commune using the customary elements of the Supper; and WHEREAS, the ELCA Churchwide Assembly provides for communion with both the traditional elements and alternatives, be it RESOLVED, that the Metropolitan New York Synod in its liturgies shall conform to the guidance offered by The Use of the Means of Grace [1997] namely, Principle 44 and Application 44c. 1 Pr. James G. Krauser Pr. Gary Mills Pr. Paul Milholland Reference and Counsel Committee recommends adoption A-30

34 Notes 1 Principle 44: In accordance with the words of institution, this church uses bread and wine in the celebration of the Lord s Supper. Communicants normally receive both elements, bread and wine, in the Holy Communion. Application 44C: For pressing reasons of health, individuals may commune under one element. In certain circumstances, congregations might decide to place small amounts of non-wheat bread or nonalcoholic wine or grape juice on the altar. Such pastoral and congregational decisions are delicate, and must honor both the tradition of the Church and the people of each local assembly. Resolution E To Divest from Fossil Fuel Corporations Croton-on-Hudson, NY; Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Manhasset, NY; Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Mineola, NY; Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Port Washington, NY; Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 1 2 WHEREAS, God has created us and all that exists, given 1 and preserves our bodies and all the necessities for life [The First Article: On Creation, Luther s Small Catechism]; and WHEREAS, the 1993 ELCA Social Statement Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope, and Justice affirms that we are called to care for the earth as God cares for the earth; and WHEREAS, the 1999 ELCA Social Statement Economic Life: Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All recognizes that the growth of economic activity during the twentieth century, and the industrialization and consumerism that fueled it, radically changed the relationship between humans and the earth. Too often the earth has been treated as a waste receptacle and a limitless storehouse of raw materials to be used up for the sake of economic growth, rather than as a finite, fragile ecological system upon which human and all other life depends; and WHEREAS, climate research is clear that there has been a rapid rise in the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, occurring most rapidly in the past 200 years during the worldwide Industrial Revolution 123 and leading to current levels of around 400 ppm the highest in 2,000,000 years; and WHEREAS, climate research is clear that burning fossil fuels is the major source of the rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, negatively impacting not only our climate but also the health and wellbeing of all life on the planet 4567 ; and WHEREAS, with Caring for Creation, this church realized the urgency was already widespread and serious, according to the preponderance of evidence from scientists worldwide [of] dangerous global warming, caused by the buildup of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels, and that action to counter [climate] degradation, especially within this decade, is essential to the future of our children and our children s children; and WHEREAS, in Caring for Creation, the ELCA declares that it will seek to incorporate the principles of sufficiency and sustainability in its life, and that we will, in our budgeting and investment of church funds, demonstrate our care for creation; and WHEREAS, in 1990, the Church Council transmitted [CC ] investment screens on Energy and Environment for social purpose funds of the ELCA Board of Pensions, which recommend limiting investments made in corporations that are the most egregious in terms of damage to human health or the natural environment and investing in corporations which are taking positive steps toward a sustainable environment, and, in 2007, approved [CC b] the updated Environmental Social Criteria Screen; and A-31

35 WHEREAS, the Investment Policy Statement adopted by resolution of the Metro New York Synod Council on June 25, 2013, states that because we are committed to responsible stewardship of the earth and to human dignity and empowerment, we encourage, inter alia, investment in companies that work to maintain and conserve the supply of natural resources and to control pollution; therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the Metro New York Synod shall: a) Publish a list of the values of all its stock and bond holdings in companies whose primary business is the exploration, extraction, production, or refining of coal, oil, or natural gas, and urge all congregations within the Synod do the same; and b) Cease any new investments in companies whose primary business is the exploration, extraction, production, or refining of coal, oil, or natural gas, and urge all congregations within the Synod do the same; and c) Ensure that, within five years, directly held or commingled assets in companies whose primary business is the exploration, extraction, production, or refining of coal, oil, or natural gas are removed from its portfolio, and urge all congregations within the Synod do the same; and d) Release quarterly updates, available to the public, detailing progress towards such divestment, and urge all congregations within the Synod do the same. MNYS Environmental Stewardship Committee: Gerard Falco, Chair Pastor John Flack Terra Rowe Sarah Gioe Kristin Quell-Garguilo Pastor Jim O Hanlon Patrick Almonrode Reference and Counsel Committee recommends adoption Notes 1 Climate Change: The Evidence and Our Options, Lonnie Thompson, Ohio State University. Concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) over the last 800,000 years. Fig. 6, pg TBA LTonly.pdf IPCC Working Group. Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration has continued to increase and is now almost 100 ppm above its preindustrial level. es.html. 3 EPA: Causes of Climate Change. Since the Industrial Era began, humans have had an increasing effect on climate, particularly by adding billions of tons of heat trapping greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. climatechange/science/causes.html. 4 NRC (2011). Climate Stabilization Targets: Emissions, Concentrations, and Impacts over Decades to Millennia. National Research Council. The National Academies Press, Washington, DC, USA. Emissions of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels have ushered in a new epoch where human activities will largely determine the evolution of Earth s climate. 5 NASA: Global Climate Change; Vital Signs of the Planet. Humans have increased atmospheric CO2 concentration by a third since the Industrial Revolution began. This is the most important long lived forcing of climate change. Over the last century the burning of fossil fuels like coal and oil has increased the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). 6 USGCRP (2009). Global Climate Change Impacts in the United States. Thomas R. Karl, Jerry M. Melillo, and Thomas C. Peterson (eds.). United States Global Change Research Program. Cambridge University Press, New York, NY, USA. It is clear that impacts in the United States are already occurring and are projected to increase in the future, particularly if the concentration of heat trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere continues to rise. oks?hl=en&lr=&id=ucg7inahksc&oi=fnd&pg=pa13&dq=usgcrp+%282009%29.+global+climate+change+impacts+i n+the+united+states&ots=uxe7hdvn2i&sig=3ociartthzaksx5jwz BrWNEj59A#v=onepage&q&f=false. 7 NOAA, USGS: Climate change impacts to U.S. coasts threaten public health, safety and economy Coastal Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerabilities: A Technical Input to the 2013 National Climate Assessment. the effects of climate change will continue to threaten the health and vitality of U.S.coastal communities social, economic and natural systems. A-32

36 Adoption by Assembly MNYS Disaster Plan Staten Island, NY; Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Jamaica, NY; Our Saviour s Atonement Lutheran Church, New York, NY; Our Saviour s Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, NY; Pastoral Psychotherapy & ACTION SC 14:12/10 RESOLVED, that the Synod Council of the Metropolitan New York Synod approve the MNYS Disaster Plan and recommend its adoption to the 2015 Synod Assembly with the following implementation recommendations: 1. The Metropolitan New York Synod adopts the Disaster Plan 2. The MNYS will establish a permanent Disaster Response and Planning web page and make this Disaster Plan available on the page 3. The MNYS establishes a Disaster Response Task Force consisting of at least one person from each quadrant, a member of the synod staff, a representative from LSSNY. The Disaster Response Task Force will maintain familiarity with the Disaster Plan and ensure the Disaster Response and Planning web page contains current information and links, and assist the bishop and synod to assess the nature and scope of a disaster and appropriate synod response. The convener of the Disaster Response Task Force will participate in the Lutheran Disaster Response network. 4. The MNYS calls upon congregations to develop and implement congregational disaster plans and share those plans with the synod office 5. The MNYS encourages all rostered leaders to develop and implement personal or family disaster plans as examples of good stewardship. Visit mnys.org/assets/1/7/disasterplan.pdf to view the MNYS Disaster Plan. Please note that limited copies will be available during our Plenary Sessions. Adoption by Assembly The Policy of the Metropolitan New York Synod on the Transition and Call Process Consultation, South Huntington, NY; Pinecrest Lutheran Leadership School, Pleasantville, NY; Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Cambria Heights, NY; Queens Lutheran School, Astoria, NY; ACTION SC14:11/02 RESOLVED, that the Synod Council recommend to the Synod Assembly meeting in May 2015 that it adopt the proposed amendment to the Transition and Call Process. Download the policy at mnys.org/assets/1/7/callandtransitionpolicy2015.pdf. This policy was previously enacted at our 2007 Synod Assembly. Please note that limited copies will be available during our Plenary Sessions. Constiutional Amendments To combine the Nominating and Elections Committees Redeemer - St. John s Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, NY; Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church, New Paltz, NY; Redeemer Lutheran Church, Kingston, NY; Redeemer Lutheran Church, Queens The following amendments to the governing documents of the Metropolitan New York Synod are offered for action by the Synod Assembly. The Amendment to Constitutional Provision 9.03 was offered for first reading at last year s assembly [2014]. It is presented at this assembly for a second vote, two-thirds majority required. If that constitutional amendment is adopted, the assembly will be asked to adopt by a two-thirds majority vote the amendments to the bylaws and continuing resolutions presented below. A-33

37 To create a single Committee on Nominations and Elections S9.03. There shall be a Nominating Committee consisting of no less than three nor more than nine members who shall be appointed by the Synod Council to serve for each regular meeting of the Synod Assembly. Additional nominations may be made from the floor for all elections for which nominations are made by the Nominating Committee on Nominations and Elections. S9.05. The Nominating Committee on Nominations and Elections shall nominate at least two persons for vice-president; additional nominations may be made from the floor. Subsequent amendments to Bylaws and Continuing Resolution Chapter 7 SYNOD ASSEMBLY S All Synod Assembly committees shall be appointed by the bishop except: a. The Committee on Reference and Counsel which shall be appointed by the Synod Council in consultation with the bishop; and b. The Nominating Committee which shall be appointed by the Synod Council. b. The Committee on Nominations and Elections which shall be appointed by the Synod Council in consultation with the bishop (as specified in S ). Chapter 9 NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS S9.01. The Synod Assembly shall elect such officers of this synod and such other persons as the constitution and bylaws may require, according to procedures set forth in the bylaws. [STRIKE AND REPLACE AS INDICATED] S For each meeting of the Synod Assembly in which there are to be elections, the bishop shall appoint with the consent of the Synod Council a Committee on Conduct of Nominations and Elections. It shall consist of at least seven members. a.the Committee shall be responsible for the distribution of ballots, supervise the counting and recording of the same, and announce the results in detail to the Assembly. b.the process for Nominations and Elections at Synod Assemblies, except for the nomination and election of a bishop and Synod Council positions covered under S , shall be defined within a continuing resolution. S The Committee on Nominations and Elections principle duties shall be: a. Receiving and reporting nominations to the Synod Council shall be sought from each conference as described in S b. The Nominating Committee shall nominate for all At Large positions to the Synod Council and for those positions where conferences fail to nominate at least two members. c. The Committee shall be responsible for the distribution of ballots, supervise the counting and recording of the same, and announce the results in detail to the Assembly. d. The process for Nominations and Elections at Synod Assemblies, except for the nomination and election of a bishop and Synod Council positions covered under S , shall be defined within a continuing resolution. S In all elections, voting members may be required to present their credentials before receiving a ballot to vote. S In all contested elections, all votes by the Synod Assembly shall be by secret ballot unless the Synod Assembly shall by three-fourths vote decide otherwise. A-34

38 [STRIKE AND REPLACE AS INDICATED] S S The Report of the Nominating Committee on Nominations and Elections about all persons nominated for election by the Synod Assembly shall be distributed published in advance of the Assembly. S S The Nominating Committee on Nominations and Elections shall not be dissolved upon the presentation of its report, but shall be activated to process nominees in the event of a special election. Its members shall serve until their successors are appointed in connection with the next regular election cycle. S9.02. In all elections by the Synod Assembly, other than for the bishop a majority of the legal votes cast shall be necessary for election. [AS ABOVE] S9.03. There shall be a Nominating Committee consisting of no less than three nor more than nine members who shall be appointed by the Synod Council to serve for each regular meeting of the Synod Assembly. Additional nominations may be made from the floor for all elections for which nominations are made by the Nominating Committee on Nominations and Elections. [STRIKE] S The nominating committee shall be appointed in the following manner. a. The Deans of each quadrant select one person to the Nominating Committee from their quadrant. These 4 selections must be complete by the first day of the 5th month preceding the month in which the Synod Assembly is held or the Bishop shall select to fill the missing positions. b. The Bishop selects the Chair of the Nominating Committee and 4 other members (and any positions not selected by quadrants) by the 15th day of the 5th month preceding the month in which the Synod Assembly is held, taking into account any representativeness goals not achieved by quadrant selections. c. The Nominating Committee selection process should encourage geographical representativeness as well as the usual M/F/Clergy/PCL representativeness goals. d. In accord with S9.03, the Synod Council shall ratify these appointments after having received the nominations from the Bishop and the Deans. S Unless otherwise provided in the constitution or these bylaws, the Nominating Committee shall nominate candidates for all offices to be elected by the Synod Assembly. a. Nominations to the Synod Council shall be sought from each conference as described in S c. The Nominating Committee shall nominate for all At Large positions to the Synod Council and for those positions where conferences fail to nominate at least two members. S The Report of the Nominating Committee about all persons nominated for election by the Synod Assembly shall be distributed in advance of the Assembly. S The Nominating Committee shall not be dissolved upon the presentation of its report, but shall be activated to process nominees in the event of a special election. Its members shall serve until their successors are appointed in connection with the next regular election cycle. A-35

39 S9.04. The bishop shall be elected by the Synod Assembly by ecclesiastical ballot. Threefourths of the legal votes cast shall be necessary for election on the first ballot. If no one is elected, the first ballot shall be considered the nominating ballot. Three-fourths of the legal votes on the second ballot shall be necessary for election. The third ballot shall be limited to the seven persons (plus ties) who received the greatest number of legal votes on the second ballot, and two-thirds of the votes cast shall be necessary for election. The fourth ballot shall be limited to the three persons (plus ties) who receive the greatest number of votes on the third ballot, and 60 percent of the legal votes cast shall be necessary for election. On subsequent ballots a majority of the legal votes cast shall be necessary for election. These ballots shall be limited to the two persons (plus ties) who receive the greatest number of legal votes on the previous ballot. S9.05. The Nominating Committee on Nominations and Elections shall nominate at least two persons for vice-president; additional nominations may be made from the floor. S9.06. The Synod Council shall nominate at least two persons for secretary; additional nominations may be made from the floor. S9.07. The Synod Council shall nominate two persons for treasurer; additional nominations may be made from the floor. S9.08. In all elections, except for the bishop, the names of the persons receiving the highest number of legal votes, but not elected by a majority of the legal votes cast on a preceding ballot, shall be entered on the next ballot to the number of at least two for each vacancy unfilled. On any ballot when only two names appear, a majority of the legal votes cast shall be necessary for election. S9.09. The result of each ballot in every election shall be announced in detail to the Assembly. S9.11. The Synod Council shall appoint representatives to the steering committee of its region. S9.12. Background checks and screening shall be required and completed for persons nominated as synodical officers prior to their election, if possible, or as soon as practical after their election. The specific procedures and timing of background checks and screening shall be determined by the Synod Council. S Nomination of Candidates for Synod Council S The eighteen (18) conferences shall serve to nominate eighteen (18) seats on the Synod Council. Each conference shall be responsible for nominations for one seat on the Synod Council. S Two election cycles will elect one half of the Synod Council every other election year. Each of the eighteen (18) conferences will be assigned to a cycle, nine (9) to each. S The Synod Council shall establish a rotation schedule to designate the nominations necessary from each conference, i.e. clergy, lay female, lay male in each cycle. The rotation schedule shall ensure that each conference nominates for each category within the rotation. The synod council may restrict scheduled At Large Synod Council elections to multicultural candidates in order to meet the goals established under S6.04. S Conferences shall meet to make their nominations no later than 90 days in advance of the Synod Assembly. A-36

40 S Conferences shall nominate two (or more) candidates for the position assigned to them. a. When two or more candidates are nominated by the conference, nominations for that position shall be closed. b. If the conference nominates only one candidate, additional nominations may be made from the floor. c. If the conference nominates no candidates, the Nominating Committee on Nominations and Elections of the synod shall make nominations for the position, and additional nominations may be made from the floor. S Nominations from the floor or by the Nominating Committee on Nominations and Elections may propose any person regardless of their conference for election to the Synod Council. S For the purposes of nominations only those authorized voting members of the conference (S ) may vote to designate nominees. Nominations to the Synod Council shall require the support of at least one-third of the voting members present and voting. OR For the purposes of nominations the conference may schedule an open caucus wherein any voting member of a congregation within the conference may nominate and vote. Nominations to the Synod Council shall require the support of at least one-half of those attending the caucus and voting. The quorum for such a caucus shall be one-third of pastors and one-third of the congregations as represented by lay delegates. S In the event of an election to fill a vacant unexpired term on the Synod Council, nominations shall be processed through the Nominating Committee on Nominations and Elections. Interim vacancy appointments shall remain the responsibility of the Synod Council. Conference restrictions shall not apply to nominations to fill unexpired terms on the Synod Council by appointment or election. [RELOCATED AND RENUMBERED NAME OF COMMITTEE DELEATED] S Nominations and Election Process for Synod Assembly Elections SA2003 The following process shall be used for nominations and elections at the Synod Assembly: S A. Publication of Pending Elections The Synod Secretary shall prepare a list of offices to be elected and publish the list and a request for nomination suggestions in the Metroscope or its successor publication, published on or before the first week of the 4th month preceding the month in which the Synod Assembly is held. The information shall also be published on other publicly available Synodical media, such as a web site. S B. Nominating Committee on Nominations and Elections Pre-Assembly Process: 1) The Nominating Committee gathers the list of all open offices from the Secretary. 2) The Nominating Committee solicits additional nominee suggestions by a request for suggestions in an advertisement in s to Deans, and a posting on the Web Site. Nomination suggestions may also be submitted in response to the Secretary's notice. All suggested nominees must be persons who hold membership in a congregation in the MNYS (compatible with S8.52, S10.06, and S11.11). Suggestors need not be Voting Members of the Assembly when submitting names to the Nominating Committee. 3) The Nominating Committee selects two persons for each office (or as prescribed by the governing documents) from nomination suggestions received and persons sought by the committee. 4) The Nominating Committee performs its duties with the following guidance: i) Select only candidates for which there is evidence that they are qualified and willing to serve. Assertions by the suggestor are a potential source of this confidence. ii) Use the Male/Female, Ordained/Lay and any other categories mandated by the governing documents as useful criteria to select candidates. iii) Geographic location, age category, and PCL status may be used as necessary and wise to develop as representative a candidate list as possible. iv) Nominate candidates such that, in a single office per ticket voting system, the representativeness goals and A-37

41 requirements would be met as completely as possible given the available suggested candidates. 5) The Nominating Committee shall gather at least the following information from each candidate for inclusion in the biographical information provided to the Voting Members: Name, Address, Telephone Age bracket (< 19, 20-39, 40-59, 60+) Congregation and Conference Racial/Ethnic Information Current Position/Employment Maximum of 3 Church Leadership positions thought by the candidate to be relevant to the position Maximum of 3 Community Leadership positions thought by the candidate to be relevant to the position. An optional statement from the candidate (25 words or less) indicating what key qualities they would bring to this office. 6) The Nominating Committee shall organize their nominees into groups of equivalent offices, with the committee's discretion to use a PCL category or not as they deem wise, taking due consideration to the representativeness goals. 7) The Nominating Committee may develop sub-groups of equivalent offices only insofar as, in their opinion, it is necessary to reasonably ensure meeting representativeness goals. If there is more than one equivalent office, the Nominating Committee may not so sub-divide the equivalent offices into sub-categories so there are only two Nominating Committee nominees for each sub-category unless there is no other permitted category structure that will reasonably meet the representativeness goals. 8) The resulting categorized Nominee list shall be posted on the Web Site on or before the first day of the second month preceding the month in which the Synod Assembly is held, with notice to the Deans and any other mailing lists as appropriate. The list shall also be included in the first available Metroscope publication published on or after the release to the Web Site. 9) Once the nominees from the Nominating Committee are known, additional nominations by Voting Members may be made in writing to the Nominating Committee on or before one week before the Synod Assembly opening session. Such nominations must designate their nominee for a specific category among those categories published by the Nominating Committee and must complete the biographical information form specified by the Nominating Committee. 10) The Nominating Committee shall integrate the Nominations from the Voting Members with the Nominating Committee Nominations and prepare a consolidated nomination form and consolidated biographic document for distribution to voting members at the assembly. If a Nominee from a Voting Member nominated for a major category (e.g., Synod Council) is qualified for more than one sub-category as originally established by the Nominating Committee (e.g. Lay Female and Lay Female PCL) and if the nominator forbears from selecting one of those sub-categories, the Nominating Committee may assign that nominee to the category that, in the committee's opinion, best meets the representativeness goals. S C. Elections - First Balloting Process 1) The first ballot shall contain the names of all nominees arranged in tickets, one ticket for each Nominating Committee designated sub-category of equivalent offices. Within each ticket, the names of the nominees are arranged in random order using a By-Lot procedure defined in the terms below. The candidate names are arranged in order so the first By-Lot selected candidate is listed first and so on. 2) The first ballot may have more than one office to be elected per ticket. If so, voters can vote for as many candidates within a ticket as there are offices. 3) To determine election for each ticket, the number of ballots submitted with a valid ticket marking that has at least one candidate selected for that ticket constitutes the number of voters on this balloting process for that ticket. Any candidates who receive more votes than 1/2 of the number of voters are elected. 4) After any candidates are declared elected, each ticket shall be examined to determine the number of offices remaining to be filled from that ticket. 5) The Elections Committee shall report those non-elected candidates in each ticket who achieved the highest number of votes plus ties such that there are at least twice the number of candidates as there are offices remaining to be filled in each ticket. S D. Nominating Committee Process for Second Ballot The Nominating Committee shall examine the remaining candidates within each first ballot ticket and develop additional tickets such that only one office is to be elected per ticket. Tickets on the second and subsequent ballots may include no more category restrictions than originally imposed by the Nominating Committee on the first ballot ticket. 1) Candidates shall be assigned to a second ballot ticket in this manner: For all second ballot tickets electing to equivalent offices with equivalent required category restrictions (e.g., Synod Council Clergy), the ticket with the fewest unassigned candidates eligible for that ticket's category restrictions and which has zero or one candidates already assigned is selected first. If there is more than one ticket with such a property, the selected ticket is chosen by lot from the set of equivalent tickets. From all remaining unassigned candidates eligible for this ticket, one is selected by lot and assigned to the ticket. A-38

42 The process iterates until all tickets have two assigned candidates. Then, from all available tickets, the one with the fewest assigned candidates and with 1 or more available qualified unassigned candidates is selected. If two or more tickets have the same such attributes one is selected by lot. An unassigned candidate that meets the selected ticket qualifications is selected by lot. This process iterates until all candidates are assigned to tickets. 2) Candidates on the second ballot shall be listed in the order in which they were assigned to the ticket in the By-Lot process described above. S E. Second and Succeeding Ballot Election Process The second ballot process shall permit voters to select only one candidate per ticket. The tickets on the second and subsequent ballots shall be labeled only by the constitutionally mandated restrictions that apply to that ticket plus a ticket number. 1) In the second ballot process, the total number of valid votes cast is calculated separately for each ticket. More than 1/2 of the number of valid votes cast is required for election. 2) If there is no election on a ticket on the second ballot, the top two candidates plus ties shall be candidates on a third ballot. The ordering of candidates on the third ballot is the same as the ordering on the previous ballot. On the third ballot, (if it is required) the Chair of the Synod Assembly seals their vote and provides it to the Elections Committee Chair. Should there be a tie on one or more tickets on the third ballot, the vote of the Chair of the Assembly shall be used to attempt to break the tie. To preserve the anonymity of the voters, the Elections Committee shall not reveal whether or not an election was decided by use of the tie breaking process. 3) If a Synod Assembly adjourns without completing the election process or proceeding past the second ballot, the Synod Council in office at the time of the opening of the Synod Assembly shall fill the remaining offices, electing from the tickets and candidates that remain unselected by the Synod Assembly. S F. Definition of Terms: 1) Office: a position to which a person is elected, e.g., Synod Council, Discipline Committee. Offices are not identified by representativeness categories. 2) Ticket: a selection of candidates for office among which voters must choose. A ticket may elect to more than one office. For example, a ticket may have 4 candidates, two of which should be elected. Tickets may be restricted to persons meeting one or more specific category requirements. 3) Category: a criterion that restricts the nature of candidates for a particular ticket. Constitutionally required categories include Lay Male/Lay Female and Ordained/Lay. Permitted categories include PCL, Age, and Quadrant Distribution. A Category is used to differentiate persons as they are assigned to tickets. If the Nominating Committee assigns one or more Categories to a Ticket, then all persons assigned to that ticket must meet the Category(s) limitations. 4) Ballot: a listing of candidates for election by ticket. More than one ticket (in general) is on a ballot. A voter casts votes per ticket and need not vote on every ticket included on a ballot. 5) By-Lot Selection: Either a manual or an automated process is permitted and both may be used during a single election. If the process is manual, equal tokens representing the available choices shall be thoroughly mixed and one token selected in an unbiased manner. If additional selections are required, tokens are selected in an unbiased manner from the remaining unselected tokens to determine the second, third, etc choice. If the process is automated, each choice shall be assigned a random number chosen by selection without replacement from the uniform distribution in the range The highest number is considered selected. The second highest number is the second selected, etc. A-39

43 Nominations and Elections Village, NY; Redeemer Lutheran Church, Flushing Hgts., NY; Redeemer Lutheran Church of Flatbush, Brooklyn, NY; Region 7 ELCA, Allentown, PA; Resurrection Lutheran Church, Mount Kisco, NY; The open offices are listed below, with the candidates names following each open office. Included are the nominee s age bracket, Congregation, Ethnic/race classifications, Current Position/Employment, Church Leadership Positions (up to 3, labeled A.), Community Leadership Positions (up to 3, labeled B.), Candidate Statement (optional, labeled C.) and photo (optional). Nominations will be accepted from the floor before Friday, May 29 at 12:00 pm. Nomination forms will be availble at the hospitality table inside the Grand Ballroom. Nominations from the floor require 10 signatures from voting members of the Assembly. Completed forms can be returned to the hospitality table. These elections will all be electronic. Ballot 1: Churchwide Assembly Voting Member: Clergy Resurrection Lutheran Church, Bronx, NY; Resurrection Lutheran Church, St. Albans, NY; Saint Peter s Lutheran Church, New York, NY; Salam Arabic Church, Brooklyn, NY; San Simeon by the The Rev. Bob Rainis 60+, European Descent Pastor, Trinity, Wyandanch A. Pastor-Term Call Pastor Pastor Vicar B. Trinity Epiphany LC, Bronx Epiphany and St. Peter s ELC, Bronx C. Will vote in accord with our Confessions and the Means of Grace, prayfully discerning God s Holy Spirit The Rev. Peter Rustico 50-59, European Descent Pastor, St. John s, Middletown A. Navy Reserve Chaplain, retired Vacancy Pastor, Christ, Ellenville Former Dean, Delaware Hudson B. President, Middletown Interfaith Council Chaplain, Middletown Fire Department Muhlenberg College Alumni Board C. I have never attended a Churchwide Assembly and would appreciate the opportunity to serve the church in this way. Ballot 2: Churchwide Assembly Voting Member: Clergy Sound, Greenport, NY; Seafarers & International House, New York, NY; St. Andrew s Lutheran Church, Yorktown Heights, NY; St. Andrew s Lutheran Church, West Hempstead, NY; St. Andrew s The Rev. Justin Johnson 40-49, American Indian and Alaskan Native Pastor, Trinity Lutheran, Kingston A. UNYS Synod- Syond Council UNYS- Executive Council RIT Chaplain B. Geneseo Ministerium Leader Geneseo Community Dinner Organizer Geneseo Community Garden Organizer C. This is an opportunity I would take seriously, looking at issues that face the church through the eyes of a mixed race and youth focused pastoral ministry. Previously served in 2012 for Upstate New York Synod. The Rev. Mark Erson 50-59, European Descent Pastor, St. John s, Manhattan A. Project Connect- Key Leader Commission for Gay and Lesbian People- Chair Candidacy Committee B. West Village Coalition Christopher Street Merchants Association FIERCE- Comrade Award Winner C. This is an exciting and challenging time to be church. Growing edges include: Gospel-centered welcome, forming leaders, reaching young adults. Diverse voices are needed. A-40

44 Ballot 3: Churchwide Assembly Voting Member: Clergy Lutheran Church, Smithtown, NY; St. Barnabas Lutheran Church, Howard Beach, NY; St. David s Lutheran Church, Massapequa Park, NY; St. Jacobi Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, NY; St. Jacobus The Rev. Sarah Geddada 40-49, Asian and Pacific Islander Associate Pastor, St. Paul s International, Floral Park A. Global Mission Program Coordinator B. PTA Vice President C. To serve as servant leader The Rev. Perucy Butiku 60+, African Descent MNYS Staff, Global & Multicultural Mission A. African National Steering Committee MNYS Staff Kiswahili Worship Leader B. African Liasion for Foreign Pastors Kiswahili leader for East Africans C. To testify to my West African group and African Nationals how the ELCA works democratically. Previously served in Ballot 4: Churchwide Assembly Voting Member: Clergy Lutheran Church, Woodside, NY; St. James - St. Matthew s Lutheran Church, South Ozone Park, NY; St. James Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, NY; St. John Lutheran Church, Bellmore, NY; St. John s The Rev. David Parsons 60+, European Descent Pastor, St. John-St. Matthew-Emanuel, Brooklyn A. Dean, Brooklyn Bridges Conference Co-Chair, MNYS Commission for Gay and Lesbian Persons Former Board Member (Executive Committee) Seafarers International House B. C. I would be grateful for the opportunity to serve our Synod, and the national church, in this important role. Previously served in 2011 and Ballot 5: Churchwide Assembly Voting Member: Clergy Lutheran Church, Poughkeepsie, NY; St. John s Lutheran Church, Middletown, NY; St. John s Lutheran Church, Mamaroneck, NY; St. John s Lutheran Church, Merrick, NY; St. John s Lutheran The Rev. Ann Tiemeyer 50-59, European Descent Part-time Interim, Lutheran Ministries in Higher Education Member, Advent, Manhattan A. Congregational Personnel Chair National Legislative Team for Reconciling Works Synodical Bishop s Election Committee C. I have been a voting member at 3 assemblies and an advisor at 3 as chair person of Commission for Women and will share the knowledge and networks I have with them. A-41

45 Ballot 6: Churchwide Assembly Voting Member: Clergy Church, Lynbrook, NY; St. John s Lutheran Church, Lindenhurst, NY; St. John s Lutheran Church, New York, NY; St. John s Lutheran Church, Richmond Hill, NY; St. John s Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, The Rev. Jared Stahler 30-39, European Descent Associate Pastor, Saint Peter s, Manhattan A. MNYS Worship Committee MNYS Consultation Committee NYC Lutheran-Roman Catholic Dialogue B. Vice-President, Co-op Board Seminary Class Agent C. Having served in ministry for eight years, I d be honored to participate in churchwide assembly. Ballot 7: Churchwide Assembly Voting Member: Lay Female NY; St. John s Lutheran Church by the Sea, Long Beach, NY; St. John-St. Matthew-Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, NY; St. Luke s Lutheran Church, New Rochelle, NY; St. Luke s Lutheran Dcn. Anita WIlliams 60+, African Descent Retired Member, New Hope Lutheran, Jamaica A. Church Outreach Committee Music and Worship Committee Property and Staff Committee B. Health and Wellness Team Youth Advocate Educational Consultant C. An opportunity to serve Cynthia Corley 50-59, African Descent Member, New Hope, Jamaica Yearbook Specialist A. Worship, Music Committee Former Council Member B. C. I feel this is an opportunity to grow in both faith and service, to learn from others and bring what I have learned back to share! Ballot 8: Churchwide Assembly Voting Member: Lay Female Church, Farmingdale, NY; St. Luke s Lutheran Church, New York, NY; St. Luke s Lutheran Church, Woodhaven, NY; St. Matthew s Lutheran Church, White Plains, NY; St. Michael s Lutheran Church, Nancy Casalino-Malone 50-59, European Descent Assistant Teacher- YAI/ New York League for Early Learning Member, Holy Trinity, Brooklyn A. Council President Chair of Stewardship Committee Member of Diaconate Council B. Girl Scout Leader C. Involvement in church and synod activities are important to my life and I would be honored to serve as a delegate to the Churchwide Assembly. A-42

46 Ballot 9: Churchwide Assembly Voting Member: Lay Female Amagansett, NY; St. Paul s - St. Luke s Lutheran Church, Staten Island, NY; St. Paul s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Coney Island, Brooklyn, NY; St. Paul s International Lutheran Church, Floral Park, Dorothy Scholz-Beyer, AiM 60+, European Descent Retired, Member, Holy Trinity, Manhattan A. Assisting Minister Lay Reader Adult Education Presenter B. Volunteer at MNYS Synod Office C. Important to keep connected to ministries of the ELCA that extend Christ s call to love, acceptance, forgiveness and service to our broken world. Ballot 10: Churchwide Assembly Voting Member: Lay Female NY; St. Paul s Lutheran Church, Red Hook, NY; St. Paul s Lutheran Church, West Camp, NY; St. Paul s Lutheran Church, Liberty, NY; St. Paul s Lutheran Church, Narrowsburg, NY; St. Paul s Lutheran Elizabeth Hoffman 50-59, European Descent Legal Assistant/Secretary Trinity Evangelical, Rocky Point Member A. Currently: Diakonia Locaion Manager Former: Assembly Planning Committee Former: Churchwide Assembly Voting B. C. Ballot 11: Churchwide Assembly Voting Member: Lay Female Church, New City, NY; St. Paul s Lutheran Church, Rye Brook, NY; St. Paul s Lutheran Church, Port Jefferson Station, NY; St. Paul s Lutheran Church, East Northport, NY; St. Paul s Lutheran Church, Hephzibah Penumaka 20-29, Asian and Pacific Islander Member, St. Paul s International, Floral Park Student A. LYO president, 2010, 2011 LYO Secretary, Pinecrest Board for Northeast Queens B. President, Student Organization of Minority Students, Queens College Vice President of History Club Vice President of Professional Development of National Social Collegiate Scholars C. To serve Christ & to create interest in my fellow young adults to stay connected to church and to Christ. A-43

47 Ballot 12: Churchwide Assembly Voting Member: Lay Male Bronx, NY; St. Paul s Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, NY; St. Paul s Lutheran Church (129 St), Richmond Hill, NY; St. Paul s Lutheran Church in Flatlands, Brooklyn, NY; St. Peter s Lutheran Church, Port John Litke 60+, European Descent St. Peter s Business Services Member, St. Peter s, Huntington Station A. Synod Council ELCA Task Force National Lutheran Campus Ministry B. Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Science Fair Judge C. Experience in all expressions of the church will help me make wise decisions at CWA. Previously served in Ballot 13: Churchwide Assembly Voting Member: Lay Male Jervis, NY; St. Peter s Lutheran Church, Baldwin, NY; St. Peter s Lutheran Church, Greenport, NY; St. Peter s Lutheran Church, Huntington Station, NY; St. Peter s Lutheran Church, Bronx, NY; St. Brian Reardon 60+, European Descent President- General Abstract Corp. Member, Trinity Lutheran, Staten Island A. Synod Council Worship Committee Outreach Committee B. Project Hospitality Habitat for Humanity Feeding Ministry at Trinity Lutheran C. I love the church and want to participate in their important deliberative process. Ballot 14: Churchwide Assembly Voting Member: Lay Male Alex Lawrence 30-39, Asian and Pacific Islander Administrative Director- Trinity s Services and Food for the Homeless Member, Trinity LES, Manhattan A. Choir Director Worship Committee B. Sower s Project Committee Member Explore NYC Parks, Director of Content (blog about public space and parks in NYC) C. As a younger ELCA Lutheran, I d love to represent our synod at the churchwide assembly. Dcn. Paul Lumpkin 60+, African Descent Member, King of Kings, New Windsor Substitute teacher A. Synodical Deacon Churchwide Voting Member (2013) Synod and Congregational Committees B. Boy Scout District Leader Chaplain, Boy Scout Camp Diversity Committee for School District C. I bring a broad understanding of both congregational and synodical policies, as a previous voting member of the ELCA. Previously served in Mark Goodwin 50-59, European Descent Member, Redeemer, Flushing Heights Buidling Superintendent, Broadway Presbyterian A. Adult Ed Teacher Property Committee Chair Youth Group Chaperone B. Habitat for HUmanity Coordinator Rebuilding Together Team Leader C. A grateful member of the ELCA and it s efforts to evolve, include and continually discern God s direction. Previously served in Peter s Lutheran Church, Springfield Gardens, NY; St. Philip s Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, NY; St. Stephen s Lutheran Church, Hicksville, NY; St. Stephen s Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, NY; St. Thomas Dcn. Eric Faret 50-59, European Descent Member, Ascension, Deer Park Sales Strategy Operations, Mondelez Int l A. Synodical Deacon Stephen Ministry Team Leader Sent Committee B. Long Island Lutheran Basketball League C. Use my gifts of the heart, in both word & actions, to further the ELCA agenda of peace, justice, and reconciliation among all people. A-44

48 Ballot 15: Churchwide Assembly Voting Member: Lay Male House, Bronx, NY; St. Thomas Lutheran Church, Central Nyack, NY; Student Christian Center, SUNY New Paltz, New Paltz, NY; The Healing Center, Brooklyn, NY; The HealthCare Chaplaincy, New B. John Malone 50-59, European Descent Member, Holy Trinity, Brooklyn Print Services, National Grid A. Chair - Claimed Strategy Synod Council Member Synodical Deacon C. As a member of the Body of Christ, I m called to participate in the ministry of the wider church and hope to do so here. Ballot 16: Churchwide Assembly Voting Member: Young Adult (under 30 at time of election) York, NY; The/Lutheran Care Network, New Rochelle, NY; Third Lutheran Church, Rhinebeck, NY; Transfiguration Lutheran Church, New York, NY; Transfiguration Lutheran Church, Bronx, NY; Trinity B. Community Lunch LGBT right movement Nelson Silverio 20-29, Latino primary language other than English Member, Advent, Manhattan Teller/Cashier A. Lector Assisting Minister C. As a rising leader in my community, this is agreat opportunity to get to know the church better. Ballot 17: Churchwide Assembly Voting Member: Multi-Cultural - St. Andrew s Lutheran Church, Maspeth, NY; Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kingston, NY; Trinity Lower Eastside, New York, NY; Trinity Lutheran Church, Brewster, NY; Trinity Lutheran Church, Greeter Adolfo Ramirez 60+, Latino primary language other than English Member, Advent, Manhattan Retired A. Assistant Minister Lector B. Community Lunch Community Service (immigration) C. It is an honor to represent our church in the synod, testify our faith, share our ministries, and embrace expectations A-45

49 Ballot 18: Synod Council: Lay Female (mid-term replacement) White Plains, NY; Trinity Lutheran Church, Rocky Point, NY; Trinity Lutheran Church, Wyandanch, NY; Trinity Lutheran Church, Staten Island, NY; Trinity Lutheran Church, Long Island City, NY; Trinity Dcn. Anita Martin-Williams 60+, African Descent Retired Member, New Hope Lutheran, Jamaica A. Church Outreach Committee Music and Worship Committee Property and Staff Committee B. Health and Wellness Team Youth Advocate Educational Consultant C. An opportunity to serve Nominations from the Floor Please take note of the procedures listed in our standing rules: Nominations must include 10 signatures from credentialed voting members and all biographical information. They must be returned to the hospitality table in the Grand Ballroom prior to the ending of our first plenary session (Friday, 12:00pm) As we aim to be better stewards of our resources, and use less paper, while copies of the floor nominations will be available, we greatly encourage participants use our Guidebook app and share the papers distributed. A-46

50 Anniversaries Lutheran Church, Middle Village, NY; Trinity Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, NY; Trinity Lutheran Church of St. Albans, St. Albans, NY; Trinity of Manhattan Lutheran Church, New York, NY; United Lutheran Ever-living God, strengthen and sustain your leaders, that with patience and understanding they may love and care for your people. Grant that together they may follow in the way of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (ELW, 73) Clergy Church, Mt. Vernon, NY; Wagner College, Staten Island, NY; Wartburg Adult Care Community, Mt. Vernon, NY; Zion Ev. German Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, NY; Zion Lutheran Church, Staten Island, Five Years The Rev. Fernando Otero, 12/4/10 The Rev. John Flack, 12/4/10 The Rev. Jeanine Owens, 12/4/10 The Rev. Paul Downing, 12/4/10 Ten Years The Rev. Emilce Erato, 1/29/05 The Rev. Romeo K. Dabee, 10/30/05 The Rev. Sarah Geddada, 11/19/05 Fifteen Years The Rev. James P. O Hanlon, 6/16/00 The Rev. Micah J. Stumme, 7/15/00 The Rev. Bruce E. Kaifler, 8/6/00 The Rev. Garret M. Johnson, 11/10/00 The Rev. Dr. Hector Carrasquillo, 12/3/00 Twenty Years The Rev. Alex Walbrodt, 2/25/95 The Rev. Harry T. Schenkel, 3/12/95 The Rev. Hector Ribone, 4/22/95 The Rev. Margay Whitlock, 6/25/95 The Rev. Anthony H. Stephens, 10/8/95 The Rev. Brenda K. Smith, 10/15/95 The Rev. Phyllis S. Haynes, 11/26/95 Twenty-five Years The Rev. Mary Lou Baumgartner, 2/10/90 The Rev. Dr. Joanne Bond, 6/7/90 The Rev. Joy P. Clarke, 6/7/90 The Rev. Fredi P. Eckhardt, 6/7/90 The Rev. Nancy Matthias, 6/7/90 The Rev. Fritz Wendt, 6/7/90 The Rev. Leo E. Longan, Jr., 9/29/90 Thirty Years The Rev. Dr. Thomas S. Taylor, 2/17/85 The Rev. Alan L. Bentz-Letts, 2/23/85 The Rev. Michael T. Ross, 6/23/85 The Rev. James D. Watrud, 8/4/85 The Rev. Lyn A. Mehl, 9/21/85 The Rev. Dr. Jerome D. Taylor, 10/20/85 The Rev. Dr. Jane S. Gaeta, 10/26/85 The Rev. Marsh L. Drege, 11/9/85 The Rev. Gregory P. Fryer, 11/10/85 The Rev. Carol E. Fryer, 11/10/85 The Rev. Jon Overvold, 12/8/85 Thirty-five Years The Rev. Robert P. Schoepflin, 1/6/80 The Rev. Dr. William A. Heisley, 5/24/80 The Rev. David J. Gerber, 6/1/80 The Rev. Francis D. Bonadonna, 6/21/80 The Rev. Frank Nelson, 6/22/80 The Rev. Dr. Kipp W. Zimmermann, LMSW, 8/23/80 The Rev. Dr. Toby L. Tobias, 9/28/80 The Rev. Robert Splittgerber, 10/4/80 The Rev. Barbara K. Lundblad, 10/11/80 The Rev. Ronald W. Wickey, 12/13/80 Forty Years The Rev. Amandus J. Derr, 1/25/75 The Rev. Dr. Charles R. Vogeley, 2/9/75 The Rev. William A. Purdy, 6/22/75 The Rev. Paul T. Johnsen, 8/17/75 Forty-five Years The Rev. John A. Jurik, 6/21/70 The Rev. Arthur J. Pettersen, 7/1/70 The Rev. John Lin, 7/25/70 The Rev. Paul M. Britton, 8/2/70 The Rev. Thomas S. Peterson, 8/17/70 Fifty Years The Rev. Ernest W. Helmke, 4/21/65 Fifty-five Years The Rev. Dr. Eugene L. Brand, 1/24/60 The Rev. Raymond H. Birkel, 6/15/60 The Rev. Leroy T. Ness, 7/17/60 The Rev. James E. Sudbrock, 10/2/60 A-47

51 Sixty Years The Rev. Robert A. Hansly, 2/6/55 The Rev. William C. Fensterer, 6/8/55 The Rev. Dr. Paul W. Brouse, 6/19/55 ELCA Rostered Lay Leaders Seventy Years The Rev. Dr. Charles E. Deitz, 2/27/45 NY; Zion Lutheran Church (Sion), New York, NY; Zion-St. Mark s Lutheran Church, New York, NY; Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, Fort Salonga, NY; Abiding Presence Lutheran Church, Bronx, Fifteen Years Ms. Jacquelyn Mize-Baker, AiM, 9/19/00 Ms. Christine P. Connell, Diaconal Minister, 9/10/00 Thirty Years Mr. John H. Hinsch, AiM, 1/1/85 Deacon Florence H. Poeschke, AiM, 2/24/85 Deacon Carol B. Straub, AiM, 4/13/85 Ms. Dorothy M. Scholz-Beyer, AiM, 6/8/85 Ms. Marlene Lund, AiM, 10/1/85 Ms. Margaret Schuffenhauer, AiM, 10/28/85 Forty-five Years Mr. Philip C. Eyrich, AiM, 4/27/70 Synodical Deacons NY; Advent Lutheran Church, Mattituck, NY; Advent Lutheran Church, New York, NY; Advent Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, NY; All Saints Lutheran Church, Bronx, NY; All Saints Lutheran Church, Five Years Deacon Jasmine Downer, 4/17/10 Deacon Roberta C. Detmers, 4/17/10 Deacon Anita Martin-Williams, 4/17/10 Deacon Margaret Mueller, 4/17/10 Deacon Nancy Schoener, 4/17/10 Deacon Lulu Paolini, 4/17/10 Congregations Ten Years Deacon Luana Schilling, 4/2/05 Deacon Elke Hekler, 4/2/05 Deacon Janet Bachmore, 4/2/05 Deacon Janet O Mara, 4/2/05 Deacon Richard Thyden, 4/2/05 Fifteen Years Deacon Peter J. Slingerland, 9/10/00 Jamaica, NY; American Bible Society, New York, NY; Ascension Lutheran Church, Franklin Square, NY; Ascension Lutheran Church, Deer Park, NY; Astor Services for Children and Families, Fifty Years Hope Lutheran Church, Selden, NY Seventy-five Years Christ Lutheran Church, Fresh Meadows, NY Atonement Lutheran Church, East Elmhurst, NY One Hundred Years Christ Lutheran Church, Islip Terrace, NY Fordham Lutheran Church, Bronx, NY In Memoriam O God, we remember with thanksgiving those who have loved and served you on earth, who now rest from their labors. Keep us in union with all your saints, and bring us with them to the joyous feast of heaven; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. One Hundred and Twenty-five Years Trinity Lutheran Church, Brooklyn, NY St. Peter Lutheran Church (140), Bronx, NY Trinity Lutheran Church, Long Island City, NY One Hundred and Fifty Years Gustavus Adolphuis Lutheran Church, New York Three Hundred Years St. Paul Lutheran Church, Red Hook, NY Christ Lutheran Church, Suffern, NY Deacon Raymond Veit, 5/15/2014 Rev. Alvin Messersmith, 9/2/2014 Dcn. Donna Lange, 10/29/2014 Rev. Helmut Dietrich, 1/25/2015 Rev. Dale Hansen, 2/27/2015 Rev. Robert Harris, 5/6/2015 Rev. Dr. James Gunther, 5/7/2015 A-48

52 Special Thanks Rhinebeck, NY; Atlantic District-LCMS, Bronxville, NY; Atonement Lutheran Church, Saugerties, Thrivent Financial Now is the Time Urban Leaders Institute July 22-24, 2015 The Interchurch Center, Manhattan Visit mnys.org for information as it becomes available Stewardship Emphasis In 2010, our synod s Stewardship and Mission Support Table developed a program of stewardship commitment emphasis to train stewardship committees, mobilize spiritual formation groups for lay people, and involve pastors in a synod-wide pulpit exchange. The purpose is not a Bible study per se, but an opportunity to interact with God and others in spiritual conversation. Visit mnys.org to download the updated resource after August 1, Camp Ma-He-Tu Emanuel Lutheran Church Pleasantville, NY 2015 Bishop s Retreat Save the dates for our annual Bishop s Retreat for pastors: November 3-5, 2015 Holy Family Retreat Center West Hardford, CT Thanks to achieving our health assessment goals this year, the Bishop s Retreat will be offered at no cost! A-49