27th Annual Synod Assembly Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA May 30-31, 2014 Split Rock Resort, Lake Harmony Synod Assembly Program

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1 27th Annual Synod Assembly Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA May 30-31, 2014 Split Rock Resort, Lake Harmony 2014 Synod Assembly Program 7:30 AM Registration Opens Friday, May 30, :00-10:30 AM Plenary Session One 10:45-11:45 Forums Order for the Opening of an Assembly Adoption of the Program First Ballot for Bishop Report of the Nominating Committee; First Ballot for Other Elections Report of the Bishop Ministry Teams Report Report of the Secretary Report of the Vice President and Synod Council 11:30 Results of First Ballot for Bishop will be posted 12:00-1:15 PM Lunch 1:30-4:45 PM Plenary Session Two Address by the ELCA representative, the Rev. Walter May Greetings from LTSP Report of the Treasurer Second Ballot for Other Offices (if needed) Recognition of Anniversaries of Rostered Service BREAK Special Presentation by Grace Duddy Report of First Ballot for Bishop Second Ballot for Bishop First Report of the Committee of Reference and Counsel 4:45 PM Dinner prayer 5:00 6:30 PM Dinner 6:30 PM Results of Second Ballot for Bishop will be posted 7:00-8:30 PM Festival Worship Service

2 Saturday, May 31, : 30-10:00 AM Plenary Session Three Report of Second Ballot for Bishop Question and Answer Session with Seven Nominees for Bishop (if needed) 10:00 AM Break 10:15-11:00 AM Mission District Caucuses (if needed) 11:15 - Noon Third Ballot for Bishop (if needed) Noon - Introduction of Candidates for the roster and rostered individuals new to the synod 1:15 PM Lunch 1:30-4:00 PM Plenary Session Four Report of Third Ballot for Bishop; Fourth Ballot (if needed) Greetings from Bishop Levis Sanga Report of the Constitution Committee Adoption of 2015 Program Proposal Report from the Compensation Guidelines Task Force Action on 2015 Compensation Guidelines Greetings from Portico Benefit Service Results of Wellness Winners Challenge Report of Fourth Ballot for Bishop, Fifth Ballot (if needed) Second Report of the Committee of Reference and Counsel Report of Fifth Ballot for Bishop (if needed) Unfinished Business Report of the Committee on Minutes 3:45 PM Closing Worship 05/12/15

3 EXECUTIVE REPORTS (OFFICERS, DEANS) REPORT OF THE BISHOP Sisters and brothers in Christ: I am pleased to greet you as we prepare to gather for the 27 th Annual Assembly of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod Living by Faith: Stories of Hope. In the months since our last assembly, I have been privileged to observe the rostered leaders, congregations, and specialized ministries of this synod serving the gospel of Jesus Christ in ways that have been steady, substantive, life giving and imaginative. I give thanks to God for you and for the ways in which you bear witness to God s love for all creation. Regular visits to congregations for worship and for meetings give me opportunities to meet you and to hear directly of your commitment to this church. Service on boards of trustees of Muhlenberg College, the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, and Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries provides me insight into our expansive work together in additional expressions of this church on our territory. As a member of the ELCA Conference of Bishops, I encounter the baptized of other synods and of our global partners who remind me of you in their love of Jesus Christ and in their service in his name. The 2014 assembly is an occasion to remember the breadth and depth of our life together in Christ. It is an occasion to give thanks for it and to renew our readiness to strengthen our part in that life together. Focused on the importance of being strengthened in our life together, this assembly in particular is an occasion to talk to one another about stories of hope that arise when we live by faith as God s people in Christ planted in northeastern Pennsylvania. I invite you to share your story of hope sometime during this assembly: to share it with the whole assembly, with a group of people where you sit, in a forum, or with one person you have not previously met. It may be about you, your congregation, someone in your congregation, or a situation in your community. Others will be strengthened in their faith by your story of hope. This assembly will also give attention to the election of a bishop. It is a responsibility of the assembly that is both solemn and energizing. Assembly planners have done a great deal to insure that the election process will be prayerful, reflective, and grounded in Scripture. My hope is that voting members will ask their congregations to pray for them in worship before the assembly as they prepare to assume this important role. The 2014 Assembly agenda will depend upon the number of ballots needed to elect the bishop. A five-ballot agenda will be brought initially to the assembly for action. If necessary, an alternate agenda will be brought to the floor as the assembly proceeds. Other important elections will also take place, among them the election of Synod Council members. A few members who have served very well will be stepping down, so new members must be identified and selected by the assembly. The council functions best when those who serve possess confidence about the church s mission and a collegial spirit in the pursuit of faithful ministry. Over the past several months, the council implemented a structural transition, organizing its work in ways that are meant to enhance the leadership role it plays in our life together. Those elected will become part of body of leaders who are serious about doing what matters in the name of Christ Jesus. An important item to come before the assembly is a Synod Council resolution regarding the Campaign for the ELCA, adopted by the 2013 Churchwide Assembly. There will be information on the campaign in the assembly packet when you arrive, and further explanation of the matter will be given during the time of consideration. In the meantime, you can also prepare for discussion and consideration by going to the ELCA website (elca.org) and clicking Campaign for the ELCA. Synod Ministry Teams have been in transition. New members have been brought into the teams, new visions are being raised, and creative ministry ideas are being developed as we take seriously the affirmation that characterized at last year s assembly: always being made new. The Ministry Teams complement the Synod Council s leadership with enduring resourcefulness, offering ministry support to this synod s rostered leaders and congregations. Reports of the teams and the Synod Council await your attention in the accompanying material. On a broader scope, a significant transition has taken place in the churchwide expression of our life together. Last August, the ELCA Churchwide Assembly elected the Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, former bishop of the Northeastern Ohio Synod, to the office of Presiding Bishop. While taking time to comprehend the vast responsibilities of her new call, Bishop Eaton nonetheless clearly defined early her four emphases in understanding the work of the ELCA: we are church; we are Lutheran; we are church together; we are church for the sake of the world. This report is not the appropriate place to 3

4 expand on the implications of Bishop Eaton s emphases, but I hope that our congregations and rostered leaders will take time to explore them. The churchwide assembly also elected the Rev. William Chris Boerger, former bishop of the Northwest Washington Synod, to the office of Secretary. Please keep these two fine leaders in your prayers as they carry out churchwide ministries on our behalf. Mindful of the broader scope of our life together, I am pleased that we will welcome the Rev. Levis Sanga, bishop of the South Central Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, to the 2014 Assembly. The South Central Diocese is one of our global Companion Synods. I have been privileged to visit the diocese, as have many youths and adults from the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod. Members of the diocese express vibrancy in their faith and joy in their welcoming whenever we visit them. I encourage assembly voting members to return the same delight and hospitality to Bishop Sanga. Likewise, it will be a delight to welcome the Rev. Dr. Walter May, Assistant to the Presiding Bishop, as churchwide representative to this assembly, and the Rev. Grace Duddy, Executive Director of Operations at Kairos and Associates, Inc., our keynote speaker. Other guests will include representatives of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, Portico, and Mission Investment Fund. More locally, I want to recognize the Rev. Catherine Ziel, Executive Associate of the Bishop, and Carol Weiser, Director of Communications, as they prepare to retire on July 31, Both of these extraordinary people have served on the synod staff since the tenure of my predecessor, and both have been vital to my transition into, and continued service in, the office of synod bishop. It is difficult even to begin to describe the profound impact of Pastor Ziel s competence, faith, and wisdom upon the life and ministry of this synod. Those of us privileged to work with her know that the day-today blessings bestowed by God upon the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod through the ministry gifts possessed by Pastor Ziel are of historic proportions. Please do not miss the opportunity to express your gratitude to God and to Pastor Ziel. Carol Weiser s communications contribution, while more behind-the-scenes, has made what we say publicly and what we do together look and read so very accomplished and awesome. Carol has been patient about deadlines, perceptive about expressing ideas, and deeply aware of what it means to be church. (And wow, is she ever good at sentence structure and punctuation!) This gifted servant of the church deserves a rich and pleasant retirement. Previous assemblies that included the election of a bishop lasted two and a half days. Efforts have been made, however, to keep the duration of this 4 year s assembly shorter. Evaluations of past assemblies suggesting this approach for financial reasons have moved planners to make the change. We will look closely at this schedule for the sake of future assembly planning. Please use the assembly evaluation to share your thoughts. I am confident that the Holy Spirit awaits our arrival at Split Rock. I am even more confident that the Spirit will empower us and our deliberations throughout the assembly. Come, Holy Spirit, come! Yours in Christ, Samuel R. Zeiser, Bishop REPORT OF THE VICE PRESIDENT At last year s Synod Assembly I was both humbled and honored to have been elected Vice President. Since beginning my term on September 1, we have had three Synod Council meetings in three different locations: St. John in Shenandoah; Atonement in Wyomissing; and Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital in Allentown. We learned about or observed the important social ministry being carried out by these congregations and health care provider. God s Work, Our Hands! I have continued to serve on the Call Process Task Force chaired by Immediate Past Vice President Dawn Baxter. On January 9, 2014 the task force provided the Bishop and his staff with the results of our study, including recommendations. The recommendations do not include any substantive changes to the process; instead, it is proposed that the procedure be enhanced. The task force made extensive changes in re-drafting two documents currently used in the process (Procedures for Congregations in Pastoral Transition; Checklist for NEPS Congregations in Transition) and developed one new resource (Pastoral Transition Timeline). The new documents are detailed and written in user-friendly language. The new, visual timeline captures the process and is appropriate for display on a bulletin board. The staff has agreed to begin use of the new documents and procedural changes. We realize that we have congregations that are being challenged to remain open. While every effort needs to be employed to maintain such important ministries, it is not always possible. Recognizing that, when congregations close, issues arise as to how best to deal with the congregations property, records and assets, the

5 Synod Council voted to create a Task Force on Closing Congregations, whose mission it is to prepare a manual describing the procedure for the closing of a congregation, including the prescribed manner for disposition of property, records and assets. Its work will involve a study of the process performed in the past, current methods employed by other synods and the legal obligations that must be met in order to terminate a congregation s corporate status. It is hoped that the resulting document will provide a common base of knowledge to be shared with all the congregations of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod. We are in the process of recruiting members to serve on the task force. On a Saturday in March the Synod Council held a special mini-retreat to explore what role we should undertake in Always Being Made New: The Campaign for the ELCA, a five-year effort approved by the 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. It is an important endeavor to support the ministries of the churchwide expression, both nationally and internationally. I look forward to the Assembly giving its backing to the campaign by adopting the resolution being proposed by Synod Council. We are blessed as a Synod to have a hard working staff as well as council members and delegates to this Assembly willing to devote the necessary time and effort to doing important work on behalf of the greater church at the Synodical level. Thank you. Donald F. Smith, Jr., Vice President REPORT OF THE SCRETARY As of March 31, the following changes have been reported to the ELCA Office of the Secretary since the 2013 Assembly: ROSTER OF ORDAINED MINISTERS Ordinations Burris, Daniel, September 13, 2013 DeForest, Allison R., August 4, 2013 Maske, Jessica A., July 21, 2013 Melber, Kenneth T., July 28, 2013 Roy, Peter J., September 15, 2013 Scornavacchi, Thomas J., July 17, 2013 Received from Other Synods Criste, Patricia B., New England Synod, January 6, 2014 Schwabe-Fry, Nancy L., Lower Susquehanna, October 1, 2013 Seip, Joyce A., Lower Susquehanna, March 21, 2014 Timm, Roger E., Metro Chicago Synod, May 13, 2013 Transferred to Other Synods Anderson, Ellen M., Southeastern Pennsylvania, June 24, 2013 Davis, Scott K., Lower Susquehanna, July 22, 2013 Garman, Timothy R., Upper Susquehanna Synod, February 2, 2014 Keiter, John J., Jr., Slovak Zion Synod, October 14, 2013 Lee, Jason M., South Carolina, February 1, 2014 Matthias-Long, Wayne A., Southeastern Pennsylvania, July 15, 2013 Peters, Michael J., Florida-Bahamas Synod, January 27, 2014 Schwabe-Fry, Nancy L., Lower Susquehanna, April 7, 2014 Stover, Robert D., Southeastern Minnesota, July 1, 2013 Thomforde, Christopher M., Saint Paul Area Synod, November 1, 2013 Voyer, Matthew R., Indiana-Kentucky Synod, July 29, 2013 Resigned from the Roster Hansen, Paul D., November 15, 2013 Removed from the Roster Albers, Randele L., September 9, 2013 Deaths Adami, Charles A, October 19, 2013 Harding, Warren S., June 28, 2013 Hart, Maurice J., May 10, 2013 Metz, Michael A., September 10, 2013 Miller, Richard L., January 26, 2014 Phillips, Leon A., June 19, 2013 Wagaman, C. Albert, December 13, 2013 THE REV. CHARLES A. ADAMI, the son of Charles and Ottile (Forst) Adami, was born on June 17, 1937, in Philadelphia. He graduated from Muhlenberg College in 1958 and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia in Following his ordination by the Ministerium of Pennsylvania in 1962, Pastor Adami served the Tannersville Parish ( ); St. Andrew, Easton ( ); Grace, East Stroudsburg ( ); St. Mark, Nescopeck ( ); Zion s, Minersville, and Friedens, Llewellyn ( ); St. Luke, Shoemakersville ( ); St. Paul, Lobachsville ( ). Following his retirement in 1998, he continued to serve St. Paul, Lobachsville, under contract and as interim pastor of Friedens, Bernville. On June 30, 1962, he married Karen Lynn MacKinney. They were the parents of three children, Kristine, Charles and Charis. 5

6 THE REV. WARREN S. HARDING was born in Mohnton on January 23, 1923, the son of Paul and Debbie (Stoner) Harding. He was a graduate of Muhlenberg College (1943) and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (1945) and received the S.T. M. degree from that seminary in Ordained by the Ministerium of Pennsylvania in October of 1945, he served as pastor of these parishes: Nesquehonning-Packerton ( ); Millcreek, Lebanon County ( ); St. John (now St. James), Coopersburg ( ); Grace, Phillipsburg, New Jersey ( ); Emanuel, New Brunswick, New Jersey ( ); St. Michael, Allentown ( ). In his retirement he served as interim pastor of a number of congregations. At various times, Pastor Harding chaired the synod s Evangelism and Campus Ministry Committees, was a member of the Worship, Camp, and Examining Committees, and served as district dean and president of his community library board. On July 21, 1945, Pastor Harding was married to Ruth M. Long. They were the parents of two children, the Rev. John W. Harding and Vicki E. Maxell. THE REV. MAURICE J. HART was born on July 18, 1920, in Ringtown, Pennsylvania, the son of Maurice and Daisey (Zimmerman) Hart. He graduated from Muhlenberg College in 1943 and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia in Ordained by the Ministerium of Pennsylvania in Holy Communion, Philadelphia, on October 30, 1945, he served as pastor of Grace, North Arlington, New Jersey ( ) and of Trinity, Towanda ( ). He also served on the Board of Home Missions and the Town and Country Committee of this synod. On September 14, 1946, Pastor Hart married Emma L. Borklund. They were the parents of five children, Linda, Maurine, Paul, Timothy and Peter. THE REV. MICHAEL A. METZ, was born on March 30, He graduated in 1981 from the University of Pittsburgh, and in 1989 he received an MBA from Capital University. He graduated from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia in Following his ordination in 2005, Pastor Metz served Zion, Northampton, until He was on disability leave at the time of his death. He was married to the former Lori Good. THE REV. RICHARD L. MILLER was born on December 10, 1932, in Centerport. His parents 6 were Clark T. and Dorothy (Rentschler) Miller. A 1954 graduate of Albright College, he then graduated from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia in He was ordained on May 15, 1959, by the Ministerium of Pennsylvania. Following his ordination, Pastor Miller served as assistant pastor of St. John, Boyertown, from 1959 to In 1961 he was called as pastor of Holy Cross, Bethlehem and he served there until his retirement in On August 5, 1961, Pastor Miller was married to Judith Mae Dotterer. They were the parents of three children, Rebecca Ann, Michael David and Matthew Daniel. THE REV. LEON A. PHILLIPS, JR. was born on July 31, 1936, in Hazleton. His parents were Leon A. and Irene I. (Shuler) Phillips. In 1958 he graduated from Gettysburg College, and in 1961 he completed his seminary education at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. Following his ordination in 1961, Pastor Phillips served as pastor of Grace, East Bangor ( ) and St. Paul, Wilkes-Barre ( ). In 1969 he was called by the Board of American Missions to serve as coordinator of the Greater Wilkes- Barre area and consultant to the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod for congregational and area studies, becoming a deployed staff member of the LCA s Division for Mission in North America (DMNA) in In 1975 he became pastor of St. Stephen, Allentown, serving there until 1983, when he became an assistant to the bishop and regional mission director for DMNA. His duties with the national church included serving as Domestic Disaster Relief Director, and in 1992 he took on a full-time position with the ELCA s Division for Church in Society focusing on disaster relief and refugees resettlement. In that role, he had major responsibilities for the church s response to disasters such as Hurricanes Hugo and Andrew, earthquakes in San Francisco and Los Angeles, the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center and the Oklahoma City bombing. Following his retirement in 1998, he continued to be involved in social ministry, serving on the board of Good Shepherd Hospital and also serving several interim pastorates. On December 19, 1959, Pastor Phillips was married to Marion R. Overcash. They were the parents of three children, Leon, Robert and Janet. THE REV. C. ALBERT WAGAMAN was born on January 15, 1941, in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, the son of Charles and Caroline (Klaiss) Wagaman. A graduate of Gettysburg College in 1964, he graduated from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia in In 1969 he earned the S.T. M. degree from Boston University.

7 Following his ordination on June 12, 1969, Pastor Wagaman served the following parishes, all in Pennsylvania: Grace, Mount Carmel ( ); Incarnation, Reading ( ); and St. John, Scranton ( ). Following his retirement in 2001 he served under contract at St. Luke, Archbald. Deeply committed to ecumenism and liturgical renewal, Pastor Wagaman served on the synod s Ecumenical Relations Committee, as vice president of the Ecumenical Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary and on the board of Lutheran Liturgical Renewal Pastoral Changes Biniek, Virginia M., chaplain, Diakon Lutheran Social Ministry, to retirement, December 27, 2013 Burris, Daniel, newly ordained, assistant, St. John Boyertown, September 13, 2013 Carroll, Dennis J., Friedens, Friedensville, to retirement, April 30, 2014 Criste, Patricia B., New England Synod, to Director of Congregation and Community Programming, Diakon Lutheran Social Ministry, January 6, 2014 Dean, Marjorie A., associate, Holy Spirit, Emmaus, to retirement, June 1, 2013 deforest, Allison, newly ordained, to co-pastor, St. John, Mahoning, August 4, 2013 Dietz, Rachel C., St. James, Hobbie, to St. John, Mohnton, June 16, 2013 Dresher, Norman E., on leave from call, to retirement, July 1, 2013 Fairchild, William W., Christ, Conyngham, to retirement, June 1, 2013 Garman, Timothy R., chaplain, Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network, to on leave from call, May 3, 2013 Gould, Kenneth A., St. Mark, Birdsboro, to retirement, January 1, 2014 Hazel, John F., on leave from call, to retirement, August 1, 2013 Heintzelman, Wayne A., St. Daniel, Robesonia, to retirement, September 1, 2013 Huwiler, Elizabeth F., on leave from call, to retirement, July 1, 2013 Kees, Gail H., St. John, Stroudsburg, to retirement, November 1, 2013 Kulp, Gerald S., Friedens, Shartlesville, to St. Peter, Bethlehem, January 13, 2014 Maske, Jessica A., newly ordained, to Faith United, Nescopeck, July 21, 2013 Melber, Kenneth T., newly ordained, to New Ringgold P.C., July 28, 2013 Parker, Gene A., Christ, Stone Church, to retirement, January 1, 2014 Quinones, Nelson, on leave from call, to St. John, Fogelsville, June 1, 2013 Reeser, Vicki L., Zion, Perry Twp., to on leave from call, August 18, 2013 Reist, Michael L, Bethany, Stony Creek Mills, to Good Shepherd, Easton, September 16, 2013 Ritter, Dennis S., Executive Director, Lutheran Congregational Services, to retirement, October 1, 2013 Roy, Peter J., newly ordained, to St. John, Saint Johns, September 15, 2013 Scholtes, Joseph J., St. Paul, Orwigsburg, to retirement, December 1, 2013 Schwabe-Fry, Nancy L., Lower Susquehanna Synod, to transition pastor, St. Daniel, Robesonia, October 1, 2013 Scornavacchi, Thomas J., newly ordained, to Common Ground Ministry, July 17, 2013 Siegfried, Dody S., on leave from call, to interim, St. John, Stroudsburg, November 10, 2013 Stoddard, Gregory A., Director of Pastor Care, Reading Hospital, to retirement, January 1, 2013 Stricker, Donald C., Salem, Audenreid, and St. Paul, Beaver Meadows, to retirement, September 1, 2013 Thomforde, Christopher M., President, Moravian College and Seminary, Bethlehem, to retirement, August 1, 2013 Ware, Sonja, Epiphany, Templke, to on leave from call, January 1, 2014, to St. John, Reading, March 1, 2014 ROSTER OF DEACONESSES Deaths SISTER BERNICE A. PANTEL was born on October 1, 1919, in Victoria, Texas, the daughter of Gus and Elfrieda (Maurer) Pantel. She graduated from Texas Lutheran College in 1951 and earned a Master s degree in 1963 from George Peabody College in Nashville, Tennessee. Sister Bernice was consecrated as a deaconess in Following her consecration, she served for twenty-five years in fifteen congregations in Texas, New York and Pennsylvania. She also served with the Deaconess Education Program in Baltimore and Gladwyne. She retired in CONGREGATIONS Messiah, Wilkes-Barre, held its final service on September 15, The Rev. Tricia A. McMackin, Secretary 7

8 REPORT OF THE TREASURER Mission Support Total Mission Support from congregations for the past 10 years is pictured in the chart below. Although the downward trend over this time horizon is apparent, our experience in the last 3 years provides hope that we have reached a plateau in the $2.5 million range. The spending proposal to be voted on at the assembly reflects this level of anticipated support for the work of the Church (chart $000). Assets of the synod have increased approximately $ 2 million over this time frame due primarily to the donation of the Lutheran Center Facility (chart $000) Spending Proposals The NEPS budget (portion of spending proposal used within the synod and for support of sponsored agencies has declined in proportion to the change in Mission Support received during this time frame as well (chart $000) Budget At this point in time we do not have a final report from our auditors, but we anticipate a surplus for the fiscal year (receipts exceeding expenditures). David Hinrichs, Treasurer 8

9 REPORT OF THE SYNOD COUNCIL The Synod Council met four times since the last Assembly. Numbers preceding resolutions of the Council indicate the year, month and sequence number of the resolution. Recommendations for Assembly action appear in bold face type. All items are presented for review by the Assembly. Administration ( ) Resolved, that 2014 Executive Staff compensation be set in accordance with the following schedule, reflecting 1) total compensation, and 2) for ordained staff members the amount of base salary, social security allowance, and housing allowance. The amounts designated as housing allowance shall apply to calendar year 2013 and all future years unless otherwise provided by this Synod Council. (Numbers are rounded to the nearest dollar.) This represents a 2% increase over NAME BASE SALARY HOUSING SS TOTAL Zeiser $60,394 $20,000 $6,660 $87,054 Ziel $44,975 $18,000 $5,217 $68,191 Garbe $49,930 $12,000 $5,130 $67,060 Gade $37,180 $24,000 $5,068 $66,248 Handwerk $3,414 $6,000 $780 $10,194 Simmons $14,876 $20,000 $2,889 $37,765 Matthias-Long $49,180 $4,074* $49,180 Bennethum $10,732** $10,723 Weiser $17,708 $1,355* $17,708 * Employer s required portion of Social Security ** Pastor Bennethum s salary as DEM is paid by the ELCA. This amount represents additional compensation for working as the Associate of the Bishop for the Wes Berks Mission District. Assembly ( ) Resolved, that the 2014 Synod Assembly be held at Split Rock Lodge on May 30-31, ( ) Resolved, that the following schedule [attached] for agenda items related to the election of the bishop be recommended to the 2014 Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod Assembly. ( ) Resolved, that it be recommended to each of the nine mission districts of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod that they include in their 2014 Spring Assemblies a time for discussion of the election of a bishop including the procedure to be followed and the preparation of one question to be asked of the seven nominees. ( ) The following resolution is recommended to the 2014 Synod Assembly: Resolved, that the 2014 Assembly program (as printed in the Bulletin of Reports) be adopted. ( ) Resolved, that the offering received at the 2014 Synod Assembly be designated for the Campaign for the ELCA. ( ) Resolved, that the Connection Building Ministry Team be given permission to sell copies of The Social Media Gospel by Meredith Gould at cost at the 2014 Synod Assembly. Budget ( ) Resolved, that the following resolution be recommended to the 2014 synod assembly: Resolved, that the 2015 program proposal (February 1, 2015, to January 31, 2016) be adopted. January, 2015, meeting, making any necessary adjustment to the budget proposal in light of both realistic anticipation of receipts and synod priorities (in consultation with the ELCA Treasurer with respect to the ELCA portion thereof). 9

10 Calls, Appointments and Roster Maintenance ( ) Resolved, that a call to special service be issued to Thomas Scornavacchi to serve as pastor of Common Ground Recovery Ministry, a Synodically-authorized Worshiping Community of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod. ( ) Resolved, that the call to special service of Pastor Robert Kaltenbaugh be extended to July 31, ( ) Resolved, that Patrick J. Brennan, M.D., Jaan Naktin, M.D., Rosalin Petrucci and Donald Snyder be elected to three-year terms on the board of trustees of the Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network, terms commencing in ( ) Resolved, that a non-stipendiary call be extended Pastor Mary Owens to serve the congregations of Saint Jacobi Lutheran Church, Shohola, PA and Saint Mark Lutheran Church, Lackawaxen, pending approval by the ( ) Resolved, that in accordance with sections and of the ELCA Constitution, on leave from call status be approved as follows: Clergy (first year): Clergy (second year): Clergy (fifth year, family leave) Associate in Ministry (second year): Timothy Garman Vicki Reeser Jennifer Oaks Kim Truebenbach Melanie Werley ( ) Resolved, that a call to special service be issued to Nancy Schawbe-Fry to serve as transitional pastor of St. Daniel, Robesonia. ( ) Resolved, that Gary R. Schmidt be elected to fill a vacancy on the Board of Trustees of Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network, such term to run until ( ) Resolved, that a one-year term call be issued to Dody Siegfried to serve as interim pastor of St. John, Stroudsburg, effective November 10, ( ) Resolved, that in accordance with sections and of the ELCA Constitution, on leave from call status be approved as follows: Clergy (first year): Clergy (second year): Sonja Ware Christian Matthy ( ) Resolved, that a call to be special service be extended to the Rev. Patricia Criste to serve as Director of Congregational and Community Ministry, Diakon Family Life Services, effective January 6, ( ) Resolved, that in accordance with ELCA bylaw and upon endorsement by the bishop, the following rostered leaders be granted the roster status of retired : The Rev. Virginia M. Biniek, effective December 27, 2013 The Rev. Dennis J. Carroll, effective May 1, 2014 The Rev. John G. Pearson, effective June 1, 2014 Campaign for the ELCA ( ) The following resolution is recommended to the 2014 Synod Assembly: Whereas, God loves the congregations of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod and calls us to step forward as a bold and courageous church, and Whereas, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is already at work doing wonderful things throughout the world, and Whereas the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod partners with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod is the local manifestation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and Whereas the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod partners with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod is the local manifestation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and 10

11 Whereas this is our opportunity to invest in the future of this church, deepen relationships and expand ministries that serve our neighbors and communities in the United States and around the world, and Whereas there is a need for the giver to give, and Whereas God calls us to do what matters by being salt and light for the world, therefore be it Resolved, that the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod commits itself to the Campaign for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America with the goal of having 275 congregations participate in this endeavor, and authorizes the Synod Council to take the steps necessary to implement the campaign. Congregational Matters ( ) Resolved, that a Task Force be appointed and they seek legal counsel to examine issues arising from the closing of a congregation and when it is appropriate for synod council to take possession of the congregation s assets. Constitution ( ) Resolved, that the Synod Council recommends that the Synod Assembly adopt the following amendments to the synod s constitution: S7.23. The presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and such other official representatives of this church as may be designated from time to time by the Church Council shall also have voice but not vote in the meetings of the Synod Assembly. Like privileges shall be accorded to those additional persons whom the Synod Assembly or the Synod Council shall from time to time designate. S7.26. This synod may establish processes through the Synod Council that permit representatives of mission settings formed with the intent of becoming recognized congregations under development and authorized worshiping communities of the synod, which have been authorized under ELCA bylaw , to serve as voting members of the Synod Assembly, consistent with S7.21. Finance ( ) Resolved, that spending policies for synod funds for 2014 be established as distributed. ( ) Resolved, that funds from the Prosser/Pahse Fund be used to replace the windows in the parsonage of St. John, Shenandoah. ( ) Resolved, that $12, from the Prosser/Pahse Fund be granted to Common Ground Ministry at Atonement Lutheran Church, Wyomissing. ( ) Resolved, that the 2014 budget adopted by the West Berks Mission District be approved. ( ) Resolved, that the 2012 and 2013 income from the Potteiger Estate be divided into three equal parts and be disbursed accordingly for Muhlenberg College, for the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, and for world mission projects as determined by the synod s Global Mission committee, with the grant to Muhlenberg College designated for the Institute for Jewish-Christian Understanding. Tricia A. McMackin, Secretary REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF DEANS The Committee of Deans met four times this year. Consideration of roster matters was an ongoing task of the deans at all of their meetings. At the September meeting, the deans shared impressions of the 2013 synod assembly and began planning for next year. They also heard about the successful summer season at Bear Creek Camp 11 reported on wellness initiatives in their districts. At the November meeting John Richter, Vice President for Church Relations for Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries, was present to report on Diakon s work. In January, the deans met Pastor Jennifer Ollikainen, the new executive director of Lutheran Congregational Services. The current fee schedule for supply preaching was examined, in light of the fees in neighboring synods. It was decided

12 One service, no less than $125 Two services, no less than $150 Three service, no less than $175 Multiple-point charges, an additional $25 Adult forum or Sunday School class, an additional $25 If one of the services is on a day other than Sunday, an additional $50 Mileage reimbursement at IRS rates in addition to the above fees The March meeting gave the deans an opportunity to meet with representatives of Thrivent Financial. Planning for a service and luncheon for leaders celebrating major anniversaries was reported to be well under way. Anniversaries of Rostered Service 2014 marks the 15 th anniversary of rostered service for the following leaders: The Rev. Robert G. Argot, Jr The Rev. Kathleen A. Ash-Flashner The Rev. Jennifer M. Oaks The Rev. Peggy M. M. Wuertele The following rostered leaders are celebrating 25 years of service: The Rev. Richard W. Chaveas The Rev. Kelly S. Denton-Borhaug The Rev. Michele D. Kaufman Ms. Gwendolyn F. Krapf The Rev. Joseph A. Serafin The Rev. Janell D. Wigen Observing their 40 th anniversary of ordination are: The Rev. William W. Fairchild The Rev. Gary J. Langensiepen The Rev. John P. Minnich The Rev. Charles H. Oldland III The Rev. Fred S. Opalinski The Rev. Joseph J. Scholtes, Jr The Rev. Glen T. Segond The Rev. Glenn L. Simmons The Rev. Lester E. Stephenson Jr The Rev. Willard J. Uhler Jr The Rev. Robert A. vonfrisch Celebrating their 50 th anniversary of ordained service are: The Rev. Donald P. Beck The Rev. John J. Deisinger The Rev. Harry J. Goos The Rev. Arthur L. Hahn Jr The Rev. Thomas J. Keener The Rev. James C. Papada The Rev. Thomas H. Reinsel The Rev. Conrad W. Weiser The Rev. William W. Wightman Celebrating 55 years of rostered service are: The Rev. C. David Godshall The Rev. Roy E. Gulliford The Rev. Paul J. Hoh The Rev. Elton P. Richards The Rev. Dale E. Sandstrom Celebrating their 60 th anniversary of ordination are: The Rev. Paul H. Feil The Rev. Clarence D. Reeser The Rev. Robert F. Sauers Marking the 65 th anniversary of their ordination are: The Rev. John M. Aurand The Rev. Alfred H. Erb The Rev. James B. Miller Celebrating the 75 th anniversary of his ordination is: The Rev. Gunther J. Stippich THE REV. DONALD P. BECK, the son of Christian and Madeleine Beck, was born on September 27, He graduated from Muhlenberg College in 1961 and from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia in Following his ordination in 1964, he served as pastor of St. Paul, Narrowsburg, New York ( ); and Cross of Christ, Babylon, New York ( ). Since his retirement in 1995, he has served in interim capacities at several congregations including Trinity, Lehighton; Bern, Bern Township; Jerusalem, Schuylkill Haven; Christ, Grill; and St. Luke, Greeley. In September of 1964, Pastor Beck married Carol Jean Bircks. They are the parents of three sons, Philip, Daniel and Michael. THE REV. JOHN J. DEISINGER was born on January 15, 1939, in Abington, Pennsylvania. The son of Arthur and Mary Deisinger, he graduated from Ursinus College in 1960 and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia in Ordained by the Eastern Pennsylvania Synod on May 24, 1964, Pastor Deisinger served as pastor of the following congregations: St. Mark and St. Paul, Scranton ( ); Christ, Allentown ( ); Trinity, Bechtelsville ( ); St. John, Kutztown ( ); St. John, Easton ( ). Since his retirement from full-time ministry in1995, Pastor Deisinger has been active in the synod s interim ministry program, serving several congregations as interim pastor or consultant. On June 9, 1962, Pastor Deisinger was married to Joan Mary Grace, who died in January of They were the parents of two children, Daniel and Audra. 12

13 THE REV. HARRY J. GOOS, the son of Frederick and Janet (Snook) Goos, was born in Philadelphia on August 3, A 1961 graduate of Temple University, he began his theological studies at Chicago Lutheran Theological Seminary and graduated from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia in Ordained by the Eastern Pennsylvania Synod in 1964, he served as pastor of the Allegheny-Grill parish ( ); St. Mark, Allentown ( ); Holy Trinity, Northampton ( ); Friedens, Bernville ( ). Since his retirement in 2004, he has continued to serve as interim pastor of Christ, Grill. At various times, Pastor Goos has served on a number of synodical committees. He has also been president of his local pastoral association and of the South Allentown Neighborhood Churches and served as chaplain for various community organizations. On May 27, 1967, Pastor Goos was married to Ruth N. Hassler. They are the parents of two daughters, Lara and Kristin. THE REV. ARTHUR L. HAHN, JR., the son of Arthur and Mary (Richard) Hahn, was born on July 7, 1939, in Staunton, Virginia. He graduated from Muhlenberg College in 1961 and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. In Ordained on May 24, 1964, Pastor Hahn served as assistant pastor of Grace, Norristown ( ); and as pastor of St. Paul Third, Easton ( ) and Trinity, Topton ( ). Since his retirement he has served numerous congregations as an interim pastor. Pastor Hahn married Nancy C. Wood on September 26, They are the parents of two children, Ellen and Stephen. THE REV. THOMAS J. KEENER, the son of John and Esther (Klopp) Keener, was born on December 11, 1939, in Wilkes-Barre. A graduate of Susquehanna University, he received his seminary education at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, graduating in Ordained on May 24, 1964, by the Eastern Pennsylvania Synod, Pastor Keener served as pastor of St. John, Shenandoah, and Zion, Zion Grove ( ); Zion and St. Paul, Hamburg ( ); St. Paul, White Haven ( ) and Zion, Northampton ( ). After retiring in 2003, he served Zion, Northampton, for an additional year under contract. Pastor Keener s involvement with the wider church has included service on the synod s Computer Task Force, Evangelical Outreach Committee and on the Northern Lehigh Valley Mission District Council. On October 10, 1964, Pastor Keener married Barbara Ann Taylor. They are the parents of two sons, John and Paul. THE REV. JAMES C. PAPADA was born on September 20, 1939, in Pottsville. The son of Anthony and Blanche (Klock) Papada, he graduated from Susquehanna University in 1961 and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia in Ordained by the Eastern Pennsylvania Synod on August 6, 1964, Pastor Papada served as pastor of the following congregations: Grace, Lehighton ( ); Friedens, Oley ( ); Good Shepherd, Wilkes-Barre ( ); Grace, Shillington ( ); New Bethel, Kempton ( ). On August 10, 1963, Pastor Papada was married to Ann L. Schaefer. They are the parents of two sons, James and Benjamin. THE REV. THOMAS H. REINSEL, the son of Herbert and Elizabeth (Flickinger) Reinsel, was born in Reading on March 10, A 1961 graduate of Muhlenberg College, he graduated from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia in Following his ordination by the Eastern Pennsylvania Synod in June of 1964, he served as assistant pastor of Trinity, Pottsville ( ); and pastor of St. Timothy, Woodbrook, Delaware County ( ); Hope, Bowers ( ); Holy Spirit, Emmaus ( ). In 1987, he became Director of Community Services at the Lutheran Home at Topton. From then until his retirement in 2005, he served the social ministry organizations that became Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries, including as president and CEO of the Highlands at Wyomissing. Since his retirement, he has continued to serve as interim pastor of numerous congregations. Pastor Reinsel s service to the wider church and community has been extensive and varied. He has served on the board of Muhlenberg College and as president of the Alumni Association of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. In addition to serving on numerous synodical committees, including the Synod Council, he was a voting member of the constituting convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. For a number of years he was part of the national training faculty for the Word and Witness program. On August 26, 1963, Pastor Reinsel married Amy L. Hawman. They are the parents of two daughters, Kathleen and Karin. 13

14 THE REV. CONRAD W. WEISER, the son of Harvey and Kathryn (Hagenbuch) Weiser, was born in Pottstown on November 18, A 1961 graduate of Muhlenberg College, he graduated from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia in He subsequently earned an M.A. from Marywood College and a Ph. D. from Temple University. Following his ordination by the Eastern Pennsylvania Synod in June of 1964, he served as pastor of Peace, Reading ( ); campus pastor at the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University ( ); curriculum developer, writer and editor for the LCA s Division of Parish Services ( ); director of Center 1, a counseling and training center ( ). In 1976 he was called by the synod to tent-making ministry, which in the ensuing years involved consulting with congregations, intervening in conflicts, working with candidacy committees and providing a range of counseling services. Pastor Weiser retired in 1994 but has continued his ministry with little diminution since then. Pastor Weiser has served as a consultant to many synods and other denominational bodies throughout his career. He is the author of numerous articles and books. In 1962, Pastor Weiser married Carol A Lanz. They are the parents of two children, Christine and Mark. In 1984 he married Barbara Holmberg. THE REV. WILLIAM W. WIGHTMAN was born on November 18, 1939, in Wilkes-Barre. The son of William and Frances (Williams) Wightman, he graduated from Muhlenberg College in 1961 and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia in Ordained by the Eastern Pennsylvania Synod on May 24, 1964, Pastor Wightman served as pastor of the following congregations: St. Matthew, Schuylkill Haven ( ); Trinity, Valley View ( ); Christ, Easton ( ). From 1993 until his retirement in 2001 he served as chaplain at the Lutheran Home at Topton and later at Hospice St. John. Since his retirement he has provided pastoral care and worship leadership at both Lutheran and UCC congregations. Pastor Wightman has served the church in a number of ways, including as district dean and board chair of Bear Creek Camp. On June 27, 1964, Pastor Wightman was married to Elizabeth M Barnish. They are the parents of two children, Beth Ann and Paul. The Rev. Catherine A. Ziel, Executive Associate of the Bishop 14

15 MINISTRY TEAMS and OTHER COMMITTEES GLOBAL MISSION For the most part, Global Mission in the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod plays out through our 4 Companion Synods (Argentina/Uruguay; Saxony, Germany; Slovenia; and the South Central Diocese, ELC Tanzania). Each of our Companion Synods has a sub-committee which is tasked to find the most effective and beneficial way to maintain their particular relationship. Following are the reports of these sub-committees: ARGENTINA-URUGUAY The Argentina Committee serves to foster relations with the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod s Companion Synod in Argentina, the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in Argentina and Uruguay, or Iglesia Evangelica Luterana Unida (IELU), in Spanish. IELU consists of 27 churches throughout Argentina and one in Uruguay. The Argentina Committee currently consists of 7 members: Jira Albers, Charles Grube, Jonathan Haab (committee chair), Linda Hess, Philip Kaufman, Peggy Wuertele, and Kurt Garbe as an ex officio member representing the Bishop. In the fall of 2013, a two-member delegation from the Argentina Committee travelled to Bogota, Columbia to take part in the Companion Churches in Latin America and the Caribbean conference. These two members had the opportunity to meet with the vice-president of IELU as well as gain valuable resources for international relations. The Argentina Committee has also started organizing a Spanish language immersion opportunity. This opportunity would allow a member of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod to take Spanish language courses in Argentina, and upon their return, they would be able share ministries with the Spanish speaking population within the synod. The committee is still accepting applications from qualified candidates. The committee is working diligently to improve communications with IELU. One step that we have taken is to organize quarterly Skype conversations between the committee and Pastor-President Gomez and other members of IELU to hold face-toface discussions. The first of these Skype conversations took place on March 10 and was extremely successful. As a result of the first Skype meeting, the committee is now in the process of organizing a devotional exchange program for the season of Advent. The devotionals will be translated into both Spanish and English, and each group will prepare a devotional on alternating weeks during Advent. Looking into the future, the committee is looking forward to inviting Pastor-President Gomez to the 2015 Synod Assembly. Further, we are investigating the possibility of youth and Intergenerational trips between the two synods. If you have further questions regarding the work of the Argentina Committee, or would like to join us, please contact Pastor Kurt Garbe, Jonathan Haab, or anyone else on the committee for more information! Jonathan Haab, Convener SAXONY, GERMANY This year we hosted the Intergenerational Exchange which took place in June. The trip started with two days in New York City then several days in Friedensburg and concluded spending time in the Mountain Top aea. As the group was here over July 4 they got to experience our Independence Day celebrations ibcluding time in Trappe, at the church and Henry Melchior Muhlenber's house. In keeping with our theme of Reformation and Tolerance we visited the Pocono Indian Museum and discussed the treatment of Native Americans. Our Seminary day was held at Bear Creek Camp. After our German friends left a group of twelve youth and two adults went to spend 10 days in Saxony. While there we visited Wittenberg and Leipzig. We intereacted with the German Youth on hikes into the Czech Mountains, a local waterpark, and a trip to Herrnhut to visit the Moravian Star Factory. Our theme was Reformation and Tolerance and an all day seminar was held in Parish House where Henry Muhlenberg lived in Gross Hennersdorf. The Rev. Wayne Kaufman & Michele Kaufman, Conveners SLOVENIA The Slovenia Companion Church Committee completed its third in a series of youth exchanges with the Evangelical (Lutheran) Church in Slovenia in A delegation of four American teenagers and their young adult leader arrived in Slovenia on June 20 th. They spent three weeks in the Prekmurje region of the country (where the vast majority of Lutherans live) in the homes of the families of those youth that they hosted in the summer of The teens involved were Calli and Kyle Gombosi, Adam O Brien, Jessica Royal, and Craig Babcock (who functioned as the young adult chaperone for the group). 15