Rooted and Growing. in Christ Alaska Synod Assembly Reports

Transcription

1 Rooted and Growing in Christ 2016 Alaska Synod Assembly Reports

2 Rooted and Growing in Christ As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7, NRSV Thank you to artist Hazel Davidson for creating the graphic design used on the cover. 2

3 Table of Contents Schedule...4 Presiding Bishop 6 Alaska Synod Bishop...8 Director for Evangelical Mission 12 Standing Rules...14 Amendments to Rules of Order 15 Orientation for Voting Members 16 Parliamentary Procedure at a Glance Assembly Minutes.18 Treasurer s Report..25 Designated Accounts 26 Spending Plan.27 Nominations Committee Report 31 Nominee Biographies.32 Memorial on the Repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery 34 Called Forward Together in Christ- ELCA Today.36 Called Forward Together in Christ- A Process 38 AK Child & Family 40 Consultation to Clergy 41 Parish Nursing 42 Lutheran Social Services 43 Luther Seminary.44 Lutheran World Relief 45 Mission Investment Fund...46 Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary 47 Pacific Lutheran University 48 Portico 49 Region 1 ELCA..50 TEAM 51 Alaska Synod Council 52 ASWO Board, Candidacy, Finance Committees 53 Biography of Stephen Bouman..54 Biography of Rubén Durán 55 Acronyms...56 Location of Assemblies 57 Assembly Item Exchange Bring a mug to the assembly to leave with another voting member. There will be tape for you to write your name on the mug so that your recipient might keep you in prayer this upcoming year. You ll take home someone else s mug as a reminder to keep that person and that congregation in your prayers. Your congregation is invited to send something with their voting members from your congregation or community for an exchange table. You might have a favorite DVD series to share, a book from a study you've enjoyed, or a cookbook and a mug like Petersburg Lutheran has given. We ll draw names at each plenary for turns to select from this table. 3

4 2016 Alaska Synod Assembly Schedule Rooted and Growing in Christ St Mark Lutheran Church 3230 Lake Otis Parkway, Anchorage Friday, April 22 8:15am Registration, Continental Breakfast 9:am Plenary #1 Opening of the Assembly Plenary #1 Adoption of Agenda and Standing Rules Presentation of 2015 Assembly Minutes: Martin Introduction of Guests, Council Members, Parliamentarian Rooted and Growing in Christ 10:15 Break 10:45 Plenary #2 Introduction of the 2017 Proposed Budget 11:00 Lutheran Social Services and Lutheran Disaster Response Joy Lutheran Raised Bed Garden Lutheran Church of Hope Garden of Hope 11:30 Elections: First Ballot Faith Story Noon Lunch for all; Southeast Cluster meets in Narthex 1pm Plenary #3 Mat Su Latino Outreach Seward Peninsula Endowment Venture Growing Stewards Memorial #1 2:15 Break 2:45 Plenary #4 Synodically Authorized Ministry PLUME Lay Academy Report of Elections; Second Ballot Partner Ministries Break 4: Proposed Budget Report of Elections Resolutions 5:00 Deadline for resolutions. Submit them to the officer s table. 5:30 Supper at St. Mark 7:00 Festival Worship Reception 4

5 Saturday, April 23 8:15-8:55am 9am Continental Breakfast, Registration Opening Prayer and Singing Report from Credentials Committee Report of Elections 9:30 Key Note #1 Stephen Bouman and Ruben Duran 10:15 Break 10:45 Key Note #2 Noon Lunch 1pm Faith Story Seward Peninsula Cluster Choir Churchwide Report 2:30 Break 3:00 Key Note #3 4:30 Remaining Decisions of the Assembly 5:30 Social Hour at Central Lutheran (15th and Cordova) 6:00 Banquet at Central Lutheran Church Acknowledgement of Anniversaries and Retirements Sunday, April 24 Amazing Grace: 8:15am, 9:30am, 11am Guest Preacher: Pr. Karen Sonray (Our Savior s Lutheran Nome) Central: 9:30am Guest Preacher Pr. Christina Mauntel (Epiphany Lutheran Episcopal Valdez) Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church: 10am Preacher: Pr. Dan Bollerud Good Shepherd-Wasilla: 8:30am, 11am Guest Preacher Pr. Ruben Duran (ELCA New Mission Starts) Gloria Dei: 9:30 Guest Preacher: Pr. John Van Haneghan (Fairbanks Lutheran) Joy Lutheran-Eagle River: 9:30 Guest Preacher: Pr. Sue Bahleda (Resurrection-Juneau) Lutheran Church of Hope: 10am Guest Preacher: River of Life-Chugiak: 11am Guest Preacher: Pr. Randy Young (Christ Lutheran-Fairbanks) St Mark: 10:30am Guest Preacher: Pr. Sandra Rudd (Sitka Lutheran) Trinity-Palmer: 10:30 Guest Preacher: Pr. Stephen Bouman (ELCA Congregational and Synodical Mission) 5

6 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. John 3:16 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, John 3:16, perhaps one of the most quoted passages in the New Testament, hangs on bed sheets in football stadiums; it is almost ubiquitous. It is also true. If God so loves the world, we should too. Lutherans show up as Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and as The Lutheran World Federation (LWF). We are church for the sake of the world. In our congregations we address hunger and poverty through food pantries and community gardens, in health care clinics and job training programs. We foster unity among the children of God in relationship with our ecumenical and inter-religious partners. Together, with our companions in Central America, we are working with unaccompanied minors and the conditions in their countries of origin that force these children to flee. Through LWF, we support Syrian refugees in Jordan who are living in Za atari camp, provide education and child protection assistance to Sudanese refugees, and offer specialty care at the Augusta Victoria Hospital for Palestinians. We have surpassed our fundraising commitment to eradicate malaria and bring about lasting change. Always Being Made New: The Campaign for the ELCA will emphasize ELCA World Hunger this year to support our comprehensive approach to solve challenges that perpetuate hunger and poverty. All of this good and hard, sometimes dangerous, work is the work we are able to do because we are church abiding in Christ God s beloved people gathered around word and sacrament. We are church for the sake of the world. In preparation for the 500th anniversary observance of the Reformation, I encourage you to visit ELCA500.org for more information and resources. One of the featured events for the 500th anniversary is the Grace Gathering in conjunction with the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Come experience a churchwide assembly, be centered in God s word, participate in experiential learning, hear Nobel Peace Prize winner Leymah Gbowee, attend workshops to equip you in observing the 500 th anniversary in your local ministry setting and much more! You can register today at ELCA.org/GraceGathering. On Sept. 11, our country will be remembering the lives lost and the lives forever changed by the tragic events 15 years ago. The events affected all of us, and it will be an important moment for us to be together as a church and with all people of faith. Part of our God s work. Our hands. Sunday on Sept. 11 is a chance for us to show up as Lutherans, freed and renewed in Christ, to serve and love our neighbor West Higgins Road Chicago, Illinois or ELCA.org LivingLutheran.com 6

7 We are church for the sake of the world. As we gather in our assemblies, let us be a faithful witness to God s work in our local communities, across the country and around the world. I am hopeful that our time together in assembly will be an opportunity for us to get to know each other and come together as a church. This is a good time for us to talk about the priorities and future directions of the ELCA. I will be leading a process endorsed by the ELCA Church Council and the Conference of Bishops to discern in faith the future of the ELCA. Through an initiative titled Called Forward Together in Christ, we ll be assessing where we are as God s people and working to understand what God has in store for us. I am inviting you to take part in a conversation about the future of this church. For more information or to get involved, visit ELCA.org/future. Thank you for your continued prayers and encouragement. As I am out and about in my travels, I am reminded that no one of us does God s work alone, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be a partner with you in that service. Thank you for your leadership in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. God s blessings to you as you gather as the living body of Christ. May you be guided by the Spirit as you do God s will for God s people. With gratitude, Elizabeth A. Eaton Presiding Bishop Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 7

8 Report of the Bishop, 2016 Rooted and Growing in Christ As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7 Much is learned by watching: the way to turn the hand, toggle the throttle, knead the bread, plant the foot but the watching is for the doing. Give thanks to those who ve mentored you in faith. Give thanks to those whose patient model of faith has informed yours. Give thanks to those whose honest wrestling has opened your heart and mind to a more courageous faith. Just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving, give thanks. Understand that as the Spirit continues to work in and through us, we grow spiritually, which implies change. There is no growth without change and no change without pain. Some wise person has cautioned. Every time I ve shared that saying, someone in the group groans. This growth is what Luther called sanctification, it is growing into the fullness of active faith. Faith is not a spectator sport. We act. Near my childhood home, Jackman Feed had a huge greenhouse. They were known for their grass seed but in that particular greenhouse, saplings were raised. Fans blew those little saplings to and fro each day. With that artificial wind the roots grew deeper and reached wider, the stems grew stronger. Growth in the midst of challenge prepared that sapling for survival in the real world of rainstorms, blizzards and drought. Roots matter. Being built up matters. This is part of our spiritual lives. There are plenty of winds blowing around us that test our roots. It is tempting to curve in and remain safe. Our rootedness in Christ is challenged by time and place, economy, social changes. Freedom and flexibility to grow (change) is at the forefront. Spiritual growth is not for our personal satisfaction. God is at work and invites us into the transformation of this world. Sometimes, that is personally challenging and downright uncomfortable. Demonstrating the love we know in Christ isn t a matter of personal preference. Rooted people know who they are in Christ. Their lives reflect his love for this world. May we be such rooted and growing people. AT THIS ASSEMBLY We launch an emphasis on discipleship at this synod assembly. Joining us will be two favorite presenters across this church. See the biographies of Stephen Bouman and Ruben Duran later in this booklet. We re shuffling how we usually do an assembly to maximize our time with them. On Friday, we will focus on the oversight work of our annual synod assembly: elections, resolutions, budget, ministry updates. We ll conclude that evening with communion at 7pm. On Saturday, we will focus on discipleship practices. The evening will conclude with a banquet at Central Lutheran. Each day begins at 9am and concludes around 8pm. As is our practice as a synod, we ll be built up by hearing faith stories and engaging in biblical work. 8

9 On Sunday morning, the voting members will join the congregation of St Mark in worship or in your host s congregation. Pastors from outside the Anchorage bowl are serving as preachers that day in local congregations. The hope is that the Anchorage-area pastor will reciprocate sometime in the coming year. THIS PAST YEAR CONGREGATION COUNCIL WORKSHOPS In response to requests from two congregations for council orientation, Congregation Council Workshops have been offered in the Knik and Southcentral Clusters. The Interior Cluster congregation council members are invited to one on May 14 at Fairbanks Lutheran. Shepherd of the Valley and Resurrection met together in Juneau for a workshop. The topic is the role of council members as stewards, planners and visionaries for the congregation. Best Practices are shared with orientation to what is available through the ELCA website. We ve reviewed the requirements each congregation s constitution lays out for council administration. WEDDING POLICY This past year, many of our congregations have continued the work of listening and study as you ve developed a wedding policy for your congregation. It is so gratifying to hear when there s been respectful, deep conversation. We are a better church when we model civil conversation about difficult, important topics. Thank you. BOUNDARY WORKSHOPS This church has high expectations for professional boundaries among our pastors and professional leaders. Boundary Workshops underscore the need for personal and professional awareness. With this Spring Collegium, every pastor will have had access to this important workshop. We re grateful that our regional coordinator Pastor Mark Nelson and Pastor Susan Kintner, Assistant to the Bishop, Oregon Synod, have provided three workshops for the Alaska Synod. Each ELCA synod has a Misconduct Policy that provides a process to investigate and address any concern of sexual misconduct by a pastor or lay professional. Thanks to Pastor Bill Ottum (River of Life), Debbie Pankow (Central), and Marilyn Rosene (Dillingham Trinity) for their work on updating our current misconduct policy. NATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING The synod was well-represented by Alaskans. Our youth and adults worked and played hard. The people of Detroit were gracious and grateful. Take a look at the ELCA Youth Gathering videos on YouTube for highlights. ON BEHALF OF THE ALASKA SYNOD This past year included the opportunity for me to preach at the California Lutheran University Founders Day. As a member of the Pacific Lutheran Board of Regents, I serve on the Academic Affairs Committee. For the Conference of Bishops, I serve on the Executive Committee. Bishop Eaton convened nine bishops for a Mission Support Think Tank. Over two years we examined our past and current practices and made suggestions that the ELCA Church Council adopted in regard to how financial support is shared with our churchwide partners and how grants are dispersed. If you d like to see the eighty-page document, ask me for a copy. A Dessert for the Governor was hosted by an Interfaith Group this year. Dr. Kristin Hanson (Central) and I were there on behalf of the ELCA community. 9

10 A Living Voice Worship Conference was attended by Connie Oba (Fairbanks Lutheran), and Debbie Pankow and Sharon Jones (Central). We re in conversation about hosting 500th Anniversary Hymn Festivals in COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP The PLUME (Presbyterian, Lutheran, United Methodist, Episcopal) judicatory leaders asked Pastor Robert Hicks and the local MatSu PLUME Advisory Board to broaden their emphasis in a Lay Academy. This broadening will include the courses our denominations ask lay leaders to engage in as preparation for what we Lutherans call Synodically Authorized Ministry. Our four denominations have similar requirements and similar challenges in geography. 500th ANNIVERSARY in 2017 We will commemorate the 500th anniversary of Luther s posting of the 95 Theses. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America staff have published Declaration on the Way: Church, Ministry and Eucharist. An additional book focused on Lutherans and Catholics is One Hope: Re-membering the Body of Christ. If your congregation is in a community with a Roman Catholic Church, these are rich resources for a common study. The 2017 Assembly will include a focus on our shared heritage and future. RACISM This church is engaging in deep questions around racism and white privilege. If you haven t yet seen the conversations Bishop Eaton has taped, I encourage you to do so. Last fall, our clergy were invited to a two-day Cultural Communication Workshop led by Ilarion Merculief of UAA and a group of native elders he convened. This powerful experience was heightened by learning that our presenters had not heard each other s stories. We were in holy space with them. The First Alaskans Institute hosted Partners for the Next 10,000 Years: A Racial Equity Summit that I was honored to attend to continue to listen and learn. Last December, many congregations contacted the synod office to ask how to sponsor a Syrian refugee family. That was heartening to me. There are many other refugees in Alaska being settled through our partners at Catholic Social Services who would benefit from our support. It is highly unlikely that Alaska will see Syrian refugees resettled here. There is good evidence to support settling refugees where another 1000 from their country are settled. The cultural disruption is lessened by such density of population. On your behalf I wrote to the Islamic Community Center of Anchorage to offer our commitment to protect their right to worship without fear. See their website for their 2005 repudiation of religious fascism. CLIMATE CHANGE Due to coastal erosion, the village and congregation of Shishmaref will relocate. Our synod will work together to move or build a new sanctuary and parsonage. CONGREGATION TRANSITIONS Of our 32 congregations, 21 are served by fulltime pastors. Calls Extended Alaska Native Lutheran Church called Pastor Lisa Hackler who was installed in July. Amazing Grace-Anchorage called Pastor Edwin Weber as Associate Pastor who was installed in January. Central Lutheran-Anchorage called Pastor Jeff Hackler who was installed in July. Fairbanks Lutheran called Pastor John Van Haneghan who was installed in August. 10

11 Current Congregation Vacancies Island of Faith Resurrection-Seward Shishmaref Lutheran Table of Grace Upcoming Vacancies Christ-Soldotna Christ Our Savior Dillingham Trinity Petersburg Lutheran The Alaska Synod Council granted roster changes to the following: Pastor Marvin Jonasen: On leave from Call (Resigned from Shishmaref Lutheran) Pastor Mark Allred: On leave from Call extended Diaconal Minister Fran Victor: retired 11/15 Pastor Marcia Wakeland: retired 2/16, still active at The Listening Post Pastor Dan Bollerud: will retire 7/01/16 Pastor Randy Parshall will retire 6/01/16 Specialized Ministry Calls: Pastor Susan Halvor: Director of Providence Spiritual Care Pastor Mark Peterson: Intentional Interim Ministry Ordained: Pastor Edwin Weber at Christ Chapel-Lutheran Theological Southern-Seminary Pastor Inger Hanson (Central Lutheran member) was called to serve Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church in Jackson, Wyoming. Pastor Lynn Ogren (Island of Faith intern) was called to serve Zion Lutheran in Lewistown, MT Students preparing for ordained service in the ELCA include: Pastor Ben Bohart (Anglican Church) studying through TEEM Hazel Davidson serving MatSu Latino Outreach studying through TEEM, Fuller Seminary Rich Mauer serving Faith Lutheran/Delta Presbyterian studying through TEEM Ron Rucker serving Trapper Creek Fellowship studying through TEEM Rachel Swenson studying at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary of Cal Lutheran Synodically Authorized Ministers include: Bill Bahleda (Resurrection-Juneau), Becky Corson (Shepherd of the Valley), Darlene Matz (serving in Kaktovik and the Interior Cluster), Glenn Mitchell (Shepherd of the Valley), Randy Sutak (Resurrection-Juneau), Shirley Wimberly (Island of Faith). In Memoriam: Pastor John Maakestad, Pastor Ron Martinson, SAM Sandy Mjolsness 11

12 Director for Evangelical Mission, The Reverend Lisa Smith Fiegel Report to the Alaska Synod Assembly, April 2016 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. -- Colossians 2:6-7 The director for evangelical mission (DEM) is an ELCA churchwide deployed position to the Alaska Synod. This half-time position is responsible for working in the Alaska Synod on stewardship, new starts and congregational renewal. As the DEM, I relate to all three expressions of the ELCA: churchwide, synod and congregations. This is a helpful way to report on my shared ministry work since the last synod assembly. Churchwide partners In early 2016, the Alaska Synod was awarded a $10,000 Synod Renewal Strategy Grant from ELCA churchwide. This is for our synod strategy for discipleship and mission, Rooted in Christ, Renewal in Community. You ll hear about this strategy at this assembly and learn more at three oneday workshops October 8-10 (Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau) with take-home tools for mission/outreach that is grounded in discipleship. The next step will be establishing a cohort of congregations who want to go deeper in this work, set to launch in The cohort will be led by Alaska leaders who will travel to an ELCA training in Seattle, June In October 2015, I participated in a special meeting of the churchwide Native Ministry Team in Chicago. This group meets regularly around issues related to Alaska Native/American Indian (AN/AI) ministries. I was the sole Alaska representative. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss a new funding category and application process for Partnership grants for AN/AI congregations. Three Alaska Synod Leaders attended an ELCA coaching training in Seattle in February (Rev. John Van Haneghan-Fairbanks Lutheran, Zach Manzella-St. Mark, Amanda Beebe-Resurrection Juneau). They gained basic coaching skill as well as an emphasis in faith practices or stewardship coaching. We expect to use them as coaches in the Alaska Synod. Synod Our Ventures for Steward Leader program had a great year with 7 Alaska Synod congregations participating from three clusters. The cohort had a final meeting in January and wants to gather again. Most congregations report an increase in both stewardship awareness and giving. Overall synod mission support is also very encouraging. The second Ventures cohort launched in February with 7 congregations participating (two are repeating) from four clusters. Our trained Ventures leaders are Rev. Diane Krauszer (Trinity-Palmer), Rev. Martin Eldred (Joy-Eagle River) and Megan Bladow (Hope-Anchorage). I attended Fall Conference in Wales, September Related, the SPLM Endowment committee has been meeting and launched the first quarterly e-newsletter in September. See the SPLM page on synod website (newly updated) so you can subscribe to the SPLM e-news. 12

13 The Mission Interpreter program is a way to train leaders to communicate about the work, mission and impact of the church both locally and across the synod and wider ELCA. We ve had a few columns in the synod e-news and are looking for more. We d also like to host a training event for mission interpreters. Please send interested folks my way! The Alaska Synod Mission Table is a group of folks who provide support to the DEM and lift up the importance of congregational renewal in the synod. We meet as needed and some members are working on efforts like the Rooted project. We re always looking for new folks to join us at the table! Congregations Trapper Creek Fellowship was awarded a churchwide Synodically Authorized Worshipping Community (SAWC) grant toward expense for a pastoral leader. (They are a long time SAWC but first time grant recipient). They applied for the grant without a leader ready and then one appeared: Ron Rucker (Good Shepherd-Wasilla) has entered candidacy and the TEEM program and began as their leader in November Mission developer and seminarian Hazel Davidson continues her work with PLUME Latino Outreach. Hazel received a probe grant from churchwide for this year-long exploration, which ended March 31. Hazel intends to continue this work. We are in process of applying for a grant for PLUME Latino to become a Synodically Authorized Worshipping Community (SAWC). In January, a synod review team led a Comprehensive Ministry Review for Our Savior s Lutheran- Nome. This process is mandated by churchwide every 3-5 years for congregations receiving ELCA Partnership Support. The team included Rev. Neil Harrison, ELCA executive for congregational renewal; Rev. Larry Theile, member of ELCA Alaska Native/American Indian team; Sue Delgado, ANLC- Anchorage, Bishop Shelley Wickstrom and me. The review was very positive about the ministry at Our Savior s and offered many affirmations and recommendations. I am available to do mission planning and visioning with your congregation, whether the congregational council (think council retreat) or with a small group of leaders. I have done mission planning with the council at Good Shepherd-Wasilla and at Trinity-Palmer, as well as attended a mission event at Christ-Fairbanks. I have also done stewardship-related visits at Epiphany-Valdez and Amazing Grace-Anchorage and preached/presided at Christ our Savior- Anchorage, Resurrection-Seward, Trinity- Palmer, Table of Grace-Bethel and Joy-Eagle River. Please invite me to your congregation! Need resources on stewardship, outreach or mission planning or want to schedule a visit with me to your site? Call me at the synod office or alaskadem@gmail.com and I ll be sure to get back to you once I return from maternity leave on August 1. 13

14 STANDING RULES of the SYNOD ASSEMBLY 1. The governing documents of this organization are the primary authority of the assembly and take precedence over the Standing Rules and Roberts Rules of Order. The parliamentary authority for this assembly will be Robert s Rules of Order, latest edition. 2. To address the assembly: Go to one of the microphones Identify yourself by name, congregation you represent, city Address the chair Carry your red (against) or green (for) card if speaking on an issue * Clarify questions on what is before the assembly or points of order are appropriate at any time 3. All substantive motions including spending plan revisions must be presented in writing to the secretary (with a copy to the chair) before any discussion takes place. 4. A person who presents a motion to the assembly will have the privilege of addressing the assembly for three (3) minutes in support of the motion after the motion has been seconded. Other persons may speak for or against the motion for a period of three (3) minutes. No person will be allowed to address the motion a second time until all who wish to speak have had the opportunity to do so. After the debate the person who presented the motion will be given three (3) minutes to answer questions or clarify issues raised by the debate. 5. Unless otherwise provided in the Alaska Synod Assembly Agenda or by the bishop or presiding officer, debate on any motion or resolution shall be limited to 30 minutes. 6. Motions from the floor that revise the spending plan must include projected expenses and revenue sources so the spending plan remains balanced. Reminder: increases in undesignated revenue have the additional impact on First Fruits, mission and churchwide benevolence i.e. expense increase requires revenue increase (2010). 7. The following persons are granted voice (the right to speak) for the assembly: properly registered (1) retired or on leave from call ordained ministers, associates in ministry, deaconesses, or diaconal ministers on the roster of the synod; (2) the presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; (3) official representatives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and (4) other persons granted voice by the bishop of the synod. 8. The following persons are granted voice (the right to speak) and vote for the assembly: properly registered (1) ordained ministers, associates in ministry, deaconesses or diaconal ministers under call and on the roster of the synod, retired ordained ministers on the roster of this synod who served one year prior to retirement (see S ); (2) lay voting members representing the congregations of the synod; (3) lay voting members representing synodically authorized worshiping communities; and (4) members of the synod council. 14

15 Amendments to Rules of Order for Assembly Voting Members ELCA Secretary Chris Boerger has suggested that synods adopt an amendment to the rules. This requires a 2/3 vote to adopt rules since these normally are changes to or additions to Robert s Rules of Order. Amendments to the rules may be offered to this motion and those require a majority to pass an amendment. It will still require 2/3 to adopt the amended rules. Moving the Previous Question A member who has spoken on the pending question(s) may not move the previous question(s). A motion to end debate by moving the previous question shall apply only to the immediately preceding motion. A motion to end debate on all matters on the floor or more than the immediately pending question is not in order. Substitute Motions When a substitute motion is made, secondary amendments may be offered first to the original motion. After all secondary amendments to the original motion have been disposed of, secondary amendments to the substitute motion may be offered. When all amendments to the substitute motion have been disposed of, the vote shall be taken on whether the substitute motion is to be substituted as the original motion or be rejected. 15

16 ALASKA SYNOD ASSEMBLY ORIENTATION FOR VOTING MEMBERS Common sense goes a long way toward making business sessions work well. If there is something you don t understand or if you don t understand what is before the body, ask the chair to clarify. 1. When addressing the chair, first state your name and the congregation you are representing. Address the chair as Mr. Chairman or Madam Chair. 2. Making a motion: I move... a. Must be in writing - one copy to the chair and one to the secretary. b. Keep the issue clear. c. Avoid having several ideas in one motion. d. If a motion with more than one part is before the body, you can move to have the motion in question divided so votes will be taken on each part. This is done so you don t pass everything because you agree with one part or defeat all of it because you don t agree with one part. 3. Amendments to motions: I move to amend the motion to... a. All discussions will focus on the amendment. b. If it passes, then the whole motion as amended will be before you for discussion. c. If it fails, the original motion along with any previously passed amendments will be before you. 4. The maker of the motion always has the right to speak first after the motion is seconded. The maker of the motion is also allowed to speak at the end of the discussion to clarify and answer questions. 5. In speaking to a motion, state first if you are speaking for or against the motion. 6. Point of Order a. This goes ahead of further speaking on the motion. The parliamentarian gives advice to the chair and the assembly, but the chair makes the final decision. If the assembly disagrees with the ruling, it can act to make its will known. 7. To limit debate: I call for the previous question. a. It takes a vote of 2/3 to pass. b. Do not say Question to which the chair would respond What is your question? 8. Role of the Bishop at Synod Assembly: S8.12.As this synod's pastor, the bishop shall be an ordained minister of Word and Sacrament who shall: i.2) Preside at all meetings of the Synod Assembly and provide for the preparation of the agenda for the Synod Assembly, Synod Council, and the council s Executive Committee 9. Role of the Parliamentarian: The Parliamentarian is a consultant, commonly a professional, who advises the president and other officers, committees, and members on matters of parliamentary procedure. The parliamentarian's role during a meeting is purely an advisory and consultative one--since parliamentary law gives to the chair alone the power to rule on questions of order or to answer parliamentary inquiries. -Robert's Rules of Order, Newly Revised 16

17 To do this: Say this: PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE at a glance May you interrupt the speaker? Do you need a second? Is it debatable? Can it be amended? What vote is needed? Can it be reonsidered? Adjourn meeting "I move we adjourn." No Yes No No Majority No Call an intermission "I move we recess for " No Yes No Yes Majority No **Complain about heat, noise, etc. "I rise to a question of privilege." Yes No No No No vote No Suspend further consideration of an issue "I move to table the motion." No Yes No No Majority No End debate and amendments "I move the previous question." No Yes No No 2/3 No (1) Postpone discussion for a certain time "I move to postpone the discussion until " No Yes Yes Yes Majority Yes Give closer study of something "I move to refer the matter to committee." No Yes Yes Yes Majority Yes (2) Amend a motion "I move to amend the motion by " No Yes Yes (3) Yes Majority Yes Introduce business "I move that.." No Yes Yes Yes Majority Yes The motions listed above are in order of precedence Below there is no order. **Protest breach of rules or conduct "I rise to a point of order." Yes No No No No vote (4) No Vote on a ruling of the chair "I appeal the chair's decision." Yes Yes Yes No Majority (5) Yes Suspend the rules temporarily "I move to suspend the rules so that " No Yes No No 2/3 No Avoid considering an improper matter "I object to consideration of this motion." Yes No No No 2/3 (6) (7) Verify a voice vote by standing "I call for a division." or "Division" Yes No No No No vote No **Request information "Point of information" Yes No No No No vote No Take up a matter previously tabled "I move to take from the table " No Yes No No Majority No Reconsider a hasty action "I move to reconsider the vote on " Yes Yes (8) No Majority No **You may go to the head of the line (5) A majority negative vote needed to reverse ruling of the chair (1) Unless vote on question is not yet taken (6) 2/3 negative vote needed to prevent consideration of main motion (2) Unless the committee has already addressed the subject (7) Only if the main motion was not in fact considered (3) Only if the motion to be amended is debatable (8) Only if motion to be reconsidered is debatable (4) Except in doubtful cases 17

18 THE ALASKA SYNOD ASSEMBLY April 24-26, 2015 The Fast I Choose Isaiah 58: 6-7 GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH, WASILLA, ALASKA. FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2015 WELCOME TO THE 2015 ASSEMBLY. Opening of the 2015 Alaska Synod Assembly- Bishop Shelley PLENARY SESSION 1. OPENING REMARKS Bishop Shelley GREETINGS AND HOSPITALITY FROM HOST CONGREGATION Rev. Rick Cavens, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church President Rich Stouff, and Don Warble. REPORT OF THE CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE Mr. Randy Sutak As of 1:15 pm today, Rostered Leaders -24, Special Call to Synod - 0, Lay Voting Members - 49, Retired Clergy - 2 = VOTING: 75 Visitors 18 Total Registration = 93. PROCEDURES AND REMINDERS V.P. Bill Babylon ADOPTION OF AGENDA AND STANDING RULES Bishop Shelley Adoption of Agenda - Bishop Shelley ACTION: ADOPTED. Adoption of Standing Rules Bishop Shelley ACTION: ADOPTED BY 2/3 MAJORITY. Presentation of 2014 Assembly Minutes Sec. Martin Eldred ACTION: ADOPTED. MOTION (From Chair): To Have the Synod Council approve the minutes from the 2015 Assembly. ACTION: ADOPTED. INTRODUCTIONS. Introduction of Synod Assembly Parliamentarian: Mr. Zach Manzella. Introduction of Synod Council; Director for Evangelical Mission; Rev. Lisa Smith- Fiegel, David Dunlap, Synod Office Manager; Venture Stewardship Trainers, Rev. Martin Eldred and Ms. Megan Bladow; Pre-Assembly Workshop leader, Rev. Keith Anderson. Welcome to Ministry Partners present at Assembly PRESENTATION - Alaska Synod Hunger Team: REASON (Relief Education Advocacy Sustainability Organize Network) Rev. Randy Young, Alan Budahl, and Kristi Johnson. BIBLICAL WORK Hunger on the Earth: Pastor Dan Rift, ELCA Director for World Hunger and Disaster Appeal. (Isaiah 58) Hunger and Alaska: Mary Sullivan, Food Bank of Alaska WORKSHOPS. Advocacy: Mary Sullivan Gardening in Alaska: Stephen Brown 18

19 Nature s Principles for Living Well on the Planet: Cindee Karns Preparing for Ministry in a Disaster: Don Warble PLENARY SESSION 2. FAITH STORY: Mr. Mike Ott (Good Shepherd, Wasilla.) Introduction of the Proposed 2016 Synod Spending Plan Treas. Carol Norquist Review of what we supported in Presentation of 2016 Synod Spending Plan. Why There s a Food Pantry in Good Shepherd s Parking Lot Ms. Linda Myers-Steele DINNER. SATURDAY APRIL 24, 2015 PLENARY SESSION 3. BIBLICAL WORK. Hunger and the Church: Pastor Dan Rift (Isaiah 58; Hebrews 13; Acts 4) REPORTS. Update on MV Christian - Grant and Lila Trask (Petersburg Lutheran, Petersburg) TEAM Grant Recipient Reports: Good Shepherd, Ms. Linda Myers-Steele. Kitchen Manager to help enable their outreach for sharing food in the MatSu community. Sitka Lutheran, Rev. Sandra Rudd. Messy Church, an outreach for families with young children. Seward Peninsula Lutheran Ministry Endowment Mr. Bryan Weyauvanna (Our Savior s Lutheran Church, Nome) Alaska Synodical Women s Organization (ASWO) Ms. Susie Delgado, President. Lutheran Men in Mission Mr. David George (St. Mark Lutheran, Anchorage) REPORT OF THE CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE Mr. Randy Sutak As of 9:08 am today:lay Voting - 53, Rostered Clergy - 23, Retired Clergy - 0 = VOTING: 76 Guests 4 Total Registration = 80. RESOLUTIONS. Resolution 15-01: Resolution On Hunger. (Submitted by Christ Lutheran-Fairbanks) Attached ACTION PASSED FAITH STORY Kevin and Yvonne Temple, Christ Lutheran, Fairbanks. ELECTIONS Ms. Verna Henkel Synod Council Nominations Southeast Clergy Term ending

20 Rev. Keith Anderson Interior Lay Term ending 2019 Ms. Verna Henkel Seward Peninsula Lay Term ending 2019 Ms. Annie Weyiouanna ACTION: UNOPPOSED ELECTED BY ACCLAMATION South Central Clergy Term ending 2019 Written Ballot Results Later Rev. Carol George Rev. Mark Orf Consultation Committee Nominations Term ending 2021 Clergy: Rev. Marvin Jonasen Lay: Mr. Sterling Larson ACTION: UNOPPOSED ELECTED BY ACCLAMATION. AK Child and Family Board Nominations Term ending 2018 Lay Female -Eva Leonard ACTION: UNOPPOSED ELECTED BY ACCLAMATION. PLU Corporation Nominations Term ending 2018 Interior Clergy: Pr. Randy Young Knik Lay: Mr. Paul Krauzer ACTION: UNOPPOSED ELECTED BY ACCLAMATION. 20

21 2016 Churchwide Assembly Voting Members Nominations Written Ballot Results Later Clergy: -Rev. Keith Anderson -Rev. Dan Bollerud -Rev. Martin Eldred -Rev. Susan Halvor -Rev. Marvin Jonasen -Rev. Sandra Rudd Lay Female: -Ms. Hazel Davidson - Ms. Carol Norquist - Ms. Edna Telford - Ms. Jennie Barg - Ms. Bobbie Ochoa Lay Male: - Mr. Wayne Mundy - Mr. Randy Sutak - Mr. Andrew Topkok - Mr. Bryan Weyauvanna Under 30: - Ms. Helen Burns - Ms. Hannah Bertrand - Ms. Christina Hoy - Ms. Nellie Okpowruk - Ms. Megan Nayokpuk - Ms. Jessica Kuzuguk - Ms. Brittany Weyiouanna - Mr. Kristian Tocktoo - Mr. Troy Weyiouanna - Ms. Lucy Iyatunguk - Ms. Hillary Sinnok - Mr. Esau Sinnok - Mr. Ryan Topkok - Mr. Cameron Okbaok - Ms. Brandy Oquiluk - Ms. Allison Topkok - Mr. Thomas Ahgupuk 21

22 REPORTS Director for Evangelical Mission (DEM) Rev. Lisa Smith Fiegel and the Mission Table CLUSTER LUNCH. PLENARY SESSION 4. SPECIAL PRESENTATION: AK Child and Family drawing for print. SPECIAL MUSIC: Seward Peninsula Cluster Choir ELECTIONS. NOTE: Due to a procedural error, we voted again. This vote replaces the balloting for Churchwide Assembly positions conducted earlier before lunch. REPORTS. Lutheran Social Services of Alaska (LSSA) Mr. Alan Budahl, Director Also, Coordinator for Lutheran Disaster Relief: - Reports on Emmonak and Fairbanks Lutheran relief effort. Churchwide Report Rev. Dan Rift, Director for World Hunger and Disaster Relief. Presentation of Gift for Dan Rift PRAYER OF SENDING for Rev. Ron and Mrs. Jackie Nitz, Resurrection Lutheran, Seward (Ron is retiring later this year). REPORTS. MatSu Latino Outreach, Rev. Seminarian Hazel Salazar Davidson - Beginning outreach to a growing Latino presence in the MatSu area. Bible Studies, Posada celebrations, Latin youth clubs, etc. PLUME Rev. Robert Hicks, Exec. Director of MatSu PLUME Outreach Some new ministries: PLUME at the Pub at retirement center (getting to know our neighbors). Continued work at Trapper Creek (who has 2 Voting Members at Assembly for first time.) Need for pastor/mission developer in Trapper Creek. Goals: to call lay people into roles of leadership. develop a Missional Academy to equip this vision, and develop community organizing. ELECTIONS. Written Ballot Results: Synod Council, South Central Clergy: Mark Orf ACTION: ELECTED. The following will be part of run-off written ballot Churchwide Assembly: Clergy: -Rev. Dan Bollerud -Rev. Martin Eldred Lay Female: -Ms. Hazel Davidson -Ms. Carol Norquist -Ms. Edna Telford -Ms. Bobbie Ochoa WORKSHOPS. Fresh Water for the Philippines: Kevin and Yvonne Temple. Hunger is My Issue: Synod Hunger Team Recognizing Privilege: Rev. Susan Halvor. 22

23 PLENARY SESSION 5. ELECTION RESULTS. Churchwide Assembly Lay Female Hazel Davidson and Edna Telford ACTION: ELECTED. GREETINGS. Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) Mr. Daniel Lee Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary Rev. Dr. Moses Penumaka Luther Seminary Rev. Dr. Pat Kiefert ADOPTION OF 2016 SPENDING PLAN. ATTACHED ACTION: ADOPTED. DINNER. SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 2015 PLENARY SESSION 6 FAITH STORY: Ms. Bobbie Ochoa REPORT OF THE CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE As of 9:08 am today: Lay Voting - 28, Rostered Clergy - 13, Retired Clergy - 0 = VOTING: 41 Guests 7 Total Registration = 48. RESOLUTIONS. Resolution Giving Thanks to the Host Congregation of Good Shepherd Lutheran ACTION: PASSED HUNGER TEAM Mr. Alan Budahl, Ms. Kristi Johnson, Rev. Randy Olson Review of tools and opportunities to take action regarding hunger in our communities and our world. WORSHIP CLOSING OF ASSEMBLY 23

24 NOTES 24

25 Alaska Synod Assembly 2016 Synod Treasurer s Report Our congregations did a lot of good ministry this year. As a synod, our congregations helped with hunger, children s issues, new churches, new ways of doing church and much more. We supported seminaries and Lutheran universities. We supported the seminary scholarship and seminary debt reduction funds to help new pastors come to Alaska. We sent people from various congregations to leadership training. Twenty-two of our 32 congregations met their giving intentions in full this year with eight of those exceeding what they said would be given. Six others came close, so thank you for all of the good things this makes possible. We came close to our projected spending plan total income. However, we did give out the full amount in the spending plan for our benevolences to the SPLM congregations, and the First Fruits giving. We also put the full amount into the Mission and Ministry designated fund. We ended the year in the black mainly due to some lower expenses. One of these was a result of the office manager going to part time, at his request. Our congregations are very generous. Outside of giving through the synod, you have sent donations to the Lutheran Disaster Response for Ebola, Water Purification, Mosquito Nets, World Hunger, Nepal Earthquake, Farm Animals, and a Bicycle Ambulance Program among others. We should remember that Alaska receives back from the churchwide church over $2 for every dollar sent to church wide. Thank you to all of the congregations in the Alaska Synod for their generous giving. Carol Norquist Treasurer Note: The Auditor s Report for the years ended January 31, 2015 and 2014 is filed at the synod office and is available for review. 25

26 Designated Accounts As of 1/31/2016 Temporary Restricted Funds Held-Seminary Debt Reduction $6, Funds Held-Bishop's Sabbatical $3, Funds Held-Health Initiative $ Funds Held-Synodical Transition $11, Funds Held-Oxereok Scholarship $ Funds Held-Youth Reserves $5, Funds Held-Community Camp $ Funds Held-Intern Scholarship $4, Funds Held-Lay School of Theology $2, Funds Held-Lay Education $ Scholarship - Funds Held- DEM $ Funds Held-Multicultural Fund $ Funds Held-Stewardship Task Force $1, Funds Held-Moravian Dialogue $ Funds Held-Ministry Formation $4, Funds Held-Mission/Ministry $26, Funds Held-Pastor's Emergency $5, Funds Held-T.E.A.M. Ministry $11, Funds Held-Thornton Memorial $ Funds Held-Alaska Native Calling $5, Funds Held-Seward Pen Community $5, Funds Held-Collegium Speakers $4, Funds Held-Collegium Retreat $(2,329.96) Funds Held-Brevig / Teller $29, Funds Held-Seminary Scholarships $6, Funds Held-Campus Ministry $1, Funds Held-Synod Consultations $(6,071.37) Funds Held-All AK Youth Gather $5, Funds Held-Youth & Family Ministry $(1,593.15) Funds Held-Large Equipment Reserve $2, Funds Held-Synod Assembly $34, Temporarily Donor Restricted Funds Held-Multicultural Leadership $2, Funds Held-Large Congregation $2, Funds Held-Wasilla Corridor $ Funds Held-Prince of Wales $3, Funds Held-Seward Peninsula Co $4, Funds Held-SPLM $ Funds Held-SPLM Ministry $61, Funds Held-Macedonia Grant $5, Funds Held-Latino Ministry Development $(572.79) Endowment Funds Held-MIF $97, Endowment Funds Held-ELCA Foundation $1,427, Total Designated $1,852,

27 Spending Plan Line Items A B C D E F Cash Basis 2015 Actual 2015 Revised 2016 Approved 2016 Revised 2017 Proposed Synod Income 4 Partnerships 5 Congregation Giving (For Mission/New Ministry) Congregation Giving (For First Fruits ) Congregation Giving Undesignated Benevolence Total Congregation Giving EOCM DEM Grant Churchwide Support - Synodical Relations Other Income 15 Gifts Misc Income Interest Income Total Income Synod Administration 20 -Salaries & Benefits 21 Bishop's Salary Bishop's Housing Bishop's SECA Bishop's Pension/Disability/Medical Bishop's Workers Compensation Bishop's Continuing Education Bishop's Auto Reimbursement Professional Reimbursement Bishop's Salary & Benefits Administrative Assistant's Salary Administrative Assistant's FICA Tax Administrative Assistant's Pension/Medical Administrative Assistant's Workers Compensation Administrative Assistant's Continuing Education Administrative Assistant's Salary & Benefits Administrative Expenses: 40 Staff Travel Staff Travel Per Diem

28 1 Spending Plan Line Items A B C D E F Cash Basis 2015 Actual 2015 Revised 2016 Approved 2016 Revised 2017 Proposed 42 Other Administrative Travel Other Administrative Per Diem Total DEM Expenses Professional Meeting Expenses Shipping and Mailing Supplies & Materials Telephone / Internet Website Insurance Resource Materials and Services Sm. Equip. Purchase and Equip. Maintenance Equipment Reserve Occupancy - Utilities Candidacy Synodical Transition Reserve Bishop's Sabbatical Reserve Miscellaneous Reimbursable Expenses Synod Council Travel Synod Council Travel Per Diem Council Meeting Expenses Total Partnerships 68 Churchwide Support Region 1: 71 Archives (At PLU) Region 1 Center Shared Mission Cost Sharing Consultation to Clergy Total Local Mission: 77 Mission and Ministry Latino Ministry Development Trapper Creek Ministry Development Seward Penn. Ministry Total

29 1 Spending Plan Line Items A B C D E F Cash Basis 2015 Actual 2015 Revised 2016 Approved 2016 Revised 2017 Proposed First Fruits Giving - (Benevolence): 2016TBD 84 AK Child & Family LSSA Love Inc ER Love Inc Fairbanks Seward Food Bank Support of PLTS Luther Seminary Support of PLU Support of Trinity Lutheran College Total Synod Programs: 96 Youth Program Multicultural Program Total Income Total Expenses Available

30 NOTES 30

31 2016 Synod Assembly Nominations Committee Report Synod Council: The Synod Council is comprised of the four officers of the synod and 17 other members including one clergy and one lay person from each cluster except Anchorage which has two lay persons and one clergy; two at large; the president of the ASWO; youth (under 18); young adult (18-30); and an elected representative of the multicultural committee. Council members are elected to a 4-year term (except the Bishop which is a 6-year term). The synod covers the cost of transportation and provides housing in homes. Vice President Four-year term will end in 2020 Brian Bjorkquist (Central) Sue Delgado (ANLC) Phyllis Rude (Hope) Treasurer Carol Norquist (2020 third and final term) (Carol is willing to serve another term but we will start looking for an accountant to follow her in 2020, shadowing Carol in 2019.) Southeast Lay Seward Peninsula Clergy Brian Crockett (2020, third and final term). Interior Clergy Randy Young (2020) Knik Lay ---Johnny Copenhaver (River of Life) (completing term2018) Consultation Committee: Term will end in 2022 (no consecutive re-election) Lay Wayne Mundy Clergy Amanda Kempthorne Pacific Lutheran University Corporation Members: Term will end in 2019 Southcentral Lay Lori Weeks Christ Lutheran, Soldotna Knik Clergy Martin Eldred, Joy Lutheran Southeast Lay Seward Peninsula Lay Jared Miller (second term) AK Child & Family: Term will end in 2019 Lay Tim Astle (second term) Submitted by: Nominations Committee 2016 Twyla Mundy, Chair Keith Anderson, Southeast Cluster Dan Bollerud, Southcentral Cluster Shannon Miller, Seward Peninsula Cluster Marilyn Rosene, Council Representative 31

32 Nominee Biographies Synod Council, Vice President Brian Bjorkquist, Central Lutheran Church, Anchorage Member of Central Lutheran Church since Served as President of Central s Church Council in 2002, 2009, and Has served on various committees (finance, stewardship and fellowship), was a Stephan Minister, and volunteers in a variety of ways in the activities of the congregation (usher, counting, etc.). Is a member of Central Lutheran s Local Organizing Ministry associated with AFACT. Is treasurer of the Alaska Sporting Clays Association (shotgun events). I believe I was nominated because of my experiences leading, organizing, and encouraging broad involvement of members of Central Lutheran s Council, and because of my long-term involvement with the congregation. Susie Delgado, Alaska Native Lutheran Church, Anchorage President, Alaska Synodical Women s Organization (ASWO) President, Alaska Native Lutheran Church (ANLC) President, Seward Peninsula Lutheran Conference President, Seward Peninsula Lutheran Ministries (SPLM) President, Anchorage Faith in Action, Congregations Together (AFACT) Vice President, ANLC Treasurer, ANLC, SPLM Leadership skills, cultural diversity, compassion to less fortunate Phyllis Rude, Lutheran Church of Hope, Anchorage Currently on church council, I am actively involved in making choices in Hope s recovery from vandalism and a fire. As secretary of AFACT (Anchorage Faith and Action-Congregations Together) I ve been involved this winter with the executive committee in the search for a new director. I am glad to see the growth and influence of this group of sixteen congregations in advocating for health care availability, education of Alaska Native students, registration of voters, and bringing awareness of the need for many more detox opportunities to our community. In the spring of 2015 I stepped into the leadership role in the group of volunteer women who create the Lutheran Women s Advent Brunch for ELCA and LCMS women. I also participate in Church Women United activities. My experiences with church groups here in Alaska and on a churchwide level have given me an understanding of the many ways the ELCA unites us to serve God. Many years of involvement in Alaska Synodical Women s Organization include terms as vice-president, secretary, and president. On three occasions I was privileged to attend the Seward Peninsula Spring Conference. As ASWO president I served four years as a member of Alaska Synod Council. Later I was appointed secretary of the Council on a secretary s resignation and was later elected to that position. From 2008 to 2014 I was on the churchwide board of Women of the ELCA, traveling to several other synods conventions speaking and listening, seeing how God s Work, Our Hands plays out across the country and meeting persons working in churchwide offices. 32

33 Synod Council, Interior Clergy Seat The Rev. Randall Young, Christ Lutheran Church, Fairbanks As a director of marketing I have served on three different community economic development councils. I received my MDIV from Wartburg Theological Sewminary in I have served ELCA congregations in Northwest Minnesota Synod, Rocky Mountain Synod where I served on the RMS Youth Gathering Team, Coached Congregations in Natural Church Development. Currently I have served four years in the Alaska Synod and been a member of the ELCA World Hunger Leadership and the Alaska Synod Hunger Team. I trust the creator has equipped me to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. I hope to utilize my gifts of storytelling and creative thinking to nurture Christian faith, while relying on the power of the Holy Spirit to be my guide I enjoy working with others in creating and facilitating faith forming events. I am passionate about the body of Christ and celebrating the diversity of God s people. Synod Council, Knik Lay Seat John Copenhaver, River of Life Lutheran Church, Chugiak John Copenhaver has been attending River of Life Lutheran Church for approximately 8+ years He has been the soundboard operator and financial secretary for more than several years now. Also, he has been a cook, broom sweeper, church grounds worker, et cetera He is a graduate of the University of Alaska Anchorage. He is also a registered land surveyor. He has been an employee of a land surveying firm in Eagle River for the last 23 years. John Copenhaver would like to believe that he could offer a different perspective to the Alaska Synod For years, he has been involved in his church; participation in the Alaska Synod would be natural extension of that activity. Consultation Committee, Clergy Seat The Rev. Amanda Kempthorne, Lord of Life Lutheran Church, North Pole Rostered Leader, Pastor at Lord of Life since July 2009 Chairperson of the North Pole Ministerial Alliance 2011-current Dean of the Interior Cluster Samaritan Counseling Center board member, (center closed) Amanda brings an ability to consider a problem from multiple perspectives, experience in moderating difficult conversations between disagreeing parties, and a healthy sense of God s grace for the times we make mistakes and offend others. She s willing to be around in times of heated conflict. 33

34 Alaska Synod Memorial for the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly on the Repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery Whereas We confess with our Native sisters and brothers that the whole of Creation is God s work, that God declares it all as good, and that God s Spirit dwells within it, and We confess that Jesus Christ became incarnate in human form to show God s love and mercy to all humanity, in all its variety, and to every race and people on every continent of the earth, and We acknowledge with pain and regret the damage done to the indigenous inhabitants of the Americas by the European conquest and migration to what Europeans called a new world, but which was in reality already the homeland of many peoples, and We recognize that Christian churches were and remain complicit in that conquest, migration and dispossession, and that Christian churches helped develop conceptions of Native peoples that blamed them for their own ills and that continue to perpetuate prejudice and injustice against them and their descendants, and We deplore and reject the so-called doctrine of discovery : the legal principle, originating with Pope Alexander VI in 1493 and further entrenched in U.S. federal law in Johnson v. McIntosh (1823), that Native inhabitants have no property or any other rights which colonizing European nations and their sovereigns are bound to respect. This principle promotes the myth that the Americas were a largely empty land that European conquerors and migrants had a right to claim, occupy, and possess simply by virtue of their Christianity and their European civilization Therefore be it resolved: That the 2016 Alaska Synod Assembly explicitly and clearly repudiates the European Christianderived doctrine of discovery with its continuing impact upon tribal governments and individual tribal members to this day, acknowledges and repents of its complicity in the evils of colonialism in the Americas, and memorializes the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to join with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, The Episcopal Church, The United Church of Christ, The United Methodist Church and The Moravian Church in doing the same, and Be it further resolved: That the 2016 Alaska Synod Assembly memorializes the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to join it in offering herewith a statement of repentance and reconciliation to Native nations in this country for damage done in the name of Christianity and civilization, requesting the Office of the Presiding Bishop to plan an appropriate ELCA national ceremony of repentance and reconciliation with tribal leaders, and provide resources for similar synodical and congregational observances with local tribal leaders, at all such times and places as are appropriate. Be it further resolved: That the 2016 Alaska Synod Assembly memorializes the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to request that the ELCA, with the help of Native communities, commit itself to the development of resources in the next triennium, to help its congregations and people understand and reduce the negative impact of the doctrine of discovery and its consequences for Native people in North America, and

35 Be it further resolved: That the 2016 Alaska Synod Assembly memorializes the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to request that the ELCA Congregational and Synodical Mission Unit bring forward to the 2019 Churchwide Assembly a renewed strategy for ministry with Native people in the ELCA and accompaniment with North American Native communities generally, with a particular commitment to long-term, stable funding of ELCA American Indian and Alaska Native ministries, increasing partnerships with congregations and synods in the ELCA, and promoting efforts with the Native communities within which our congregations and synods reside. Submitted by the Alaska Synod Council and the Congregation Councils of Central Lutheran Church--Anchorage Christ Lutheran Church Fairbanks Dillingham Trinity Lutheran Church Lord of Life Lutheran Church North Pole Our Savior s Lutheran Church--Nome Trinity Lutheran Church--Palmer

36 ELCA Today WHO WE ARE The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is one church body organized in three expressions congregations, synods and the churchwide organization. 3.7 million members 9,300 congregations 65 synods Each expression has its own particular function, but all three share a common mission of doing God s work in the world and proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. The churchwide organization acts on behalf of this church s members, congregations and synods to unite our ministry on a scale and scope we could never do alone. Together, we are implementing a large-scale response to human need and suffering. We are responding to social issues and working for justice and peace. We are nurturing relationships with ecumenical and interfaith partners. And we are providing resources to equip members to worship, learn, serve and witness in their daily ministry. Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton shares four emphases: 1. We are church 2. We are Lutheran 3. We are church together 4. We are church for the sake of the world Together, we are doing God s work in the world. While one congregation is opening its doors to neighbors experiencing homelessness, another is serving meals at a soup kitchen, or caring for God s creation by cleaning up local parks and roadways. When you serve, you serve and minister on behalf of all of us. Each one of us has a unique story, and we are part of a larger story that makes up the ELCA. 36

37 ELCA FACTS CONGREGATIONS On September 8, 2015, more than 4,000 congregations took part in God s Work. Our Hands., a dedicated day of service across the ELCA. We planted 62 new congregations in In 2015, we launched congregational renewal efforts in 134 congregations. LEADERSHIP Bishop Eaton introduced two webcasts as a new way to learn and stay connected with one another. Because of the success of these webcasts, more will be broadcast in the coming months and well into the future. We supported 228 students at seven ELCA seminaries through the ELCA Fund for Leaders. We support the work of 8 ELCA seminaries and 26 colleges and universities. We recruit, prepare and implement a system for the assignment of more than 9,000 rostered leaders. HUNGER & POVERTY We supported creative solutions to hunger and poverty in nearly 60 countries around the world, including 347 programs in the United States through ELCA World Hunger. Committed to work to help end deaths from malaria in 14 countries in Africa through the ELCA Malaria Campaign. In 2015, gifts given to ELCA World Hunger totaled $21,944,702 more than in any single year. These are gifts that will provide immediate food and shelter, as well as support toward lasting systemic change. Together, we ve raised $15 million for the ELCA Malaria Campaign to help end deaths from malaria in 14 African countries. In doing this we: o Educated 2 million community members o Distributed 50,000 insecticide-treated bed nets o Tested 160,000 people for malaria, and if positive, provided treatment o Trained 10,000 local volunteers in prevention and treatment o Empowered 12,000 households to be economically stable o Provided 32,000 pregnant women prevention medication GLOBAL CHURCH We support The Lutheran World Federation s global communion of churches with more than 80 companion churches in other countries. We sent 73 young adults into global service and added one new country program in Cambodia through the Young Adults in Global Mission program, and continued support of at least 220 missionaries in more than 40 countries around the world in In 2015, we awarded 6 college scholarships to promising young women from our global companion churches. 37

38 A process to decide ELCA s future directions What is the Called Forward Together in Christ process? Together, we are embarking on a process that will help the leaders of this church make decisions about the future identity, direction and priorities of the ELCA. This will involve three main stages: Having a conversation across this church about the future Consulting on directions and priorities that emerge Reaching decisions as a church about where we are headed This is no ordinary planning process. It s a big undertaking because we are trying to include many parts of the ELCA and we want to build a sense of togetherness in taking forward our future vision and direction. And we are going to do a lot of listening to God and to one another. With your help, we are up for the challenge. Between February and May, we will reach out to people across this church to be part of a conversation on the future of our church in congregations, synods, social ministries, educational institutions and in our churchwide office. We will be seeking ideas and feedback from as many people and parts of the ELCA as we can reach. We know there will be a wide range of hopes, concerns and ideas so we will aim to tap into different voices and perspectives for example, among people in the pews, existing and emerging church leaders, young adults, people of color and from different ethnic backgrounds and people who are new to Christianity and the ELCA. This information will be used to analyze and explore what the future church could be. In July we will release a Called Forward Together in Christ Paper that will serve two purposes: to let everyone know the main messages coming through, and to share some options for the future that can be tested through further consultation in August and September. At this stage we will get more structured feedback from congregations, synods, ministries and the churchwide office before developing firm recommendations to the Church Council. The November Church Council meeting will consider and approve a statement on future identity, directions and priorities. This will be launched in 2017 as part of the Reformation anniversary commemorations and then work will begin to implement the directions this church has been called together to take forward. 38

39 The BIG questions Called Forward Together in Christ aims to explore and find answers to some big questions. It is not about reinventing the ELCA but rather looking to the future and asking whether we are clear about who we are and what is most important as we journey together as a church in today s world. 1. What is distinctive about our identity as a Lutheran church? 2. What kind of church do we believe God is calling us to become? 3. How do we become an inclusive, diverse church that is inspiring and relevant in different communities? 4. What is God calling us to do in a world that is facing unprecedented levels of poverty, conflict and violence, inter-religious tension and massive displacement of people. 5. What do we expect from our church leaders? And how do we recruit, invest in and support them to lead this church into the future? 6. Will our current structures serve the church well into the future? How can we maintain strong local participation and ownership and, at the same time, achieve a connection to ELCA as one church? How can you be involved? There are many different ways to be involved. More detailed information can be found on the ELCA.org/future and we have an address dedicated to the Called Forward Together in Christ process. Pastors will be asked by their bishops to hold conversations in their congregations so we can tap into the hopes and concerns of church members and people connected with this church. We will undertake a broad survey with rostered church leaders in ELCA congregations and communities of worship. Their experience and thinking is of vital importance as they will help to carry forward the directions that are decided. We will reach out to leaders in our social service ministries and our colleges, universities and seminaries. And we will have a targeted approach to other ministries and groups within the church so we hear a wide range of voices that are important for ELCA s future. We are committed to hearing from young adults as members and future leaders in the ELCA. We plan to engage younger adults via social media, a survey and on-line chat rooms. People working in the churchwide office and synods will have the chance to join conversations and provide feedback on the directions and priorities that emerge. And Called Forward Together in Christ will be featured in many of our major church events and network meetings - meetings of the Conference of Bishops, the ELCA Church Council, Synod assemblies, the Multicultural Summit and the Churchwide Assembly in August. Where can I get more information? ELCA.org/future 39

40 2016 Alaska Synod Assembly Report AK Child & Family Greetings from AK Child & Family! And thanks be to God for the ministry we share! A ministry that is Rooted & Built up in Jesus! A ministry that provides hope in troubled young lives. A ministry that can be challenging. The young people at AK Child & Family need our care. We are so grateful for our connection to the Alaska Synod and for all the ways you are a part of our ministry! Thank you for all the ways you faithfully share your time, talents and treasures with AK Child & Family! We could not do this work without you! Thanks to all who pray for our students. Thanks to congregations and individuals who financially support our Spiritual Life ministry. Thanks also to Rev. Lisa Smith-Fiegel, Tim Astle and Eva Leonard for their faithful service as members of our board of directors. Your contributions make you an important part of providing hope in troubled young lives. Please pray for our shared ministry. As the state budget and 90% of our funding (Medicaid) are in question, we have had to enter into a new strategic direction. We have not received a rate increase for our services in ten years, and yet the cost of doing business over the past ten years has gone up tremendously. While we have been promised a rate increase we are aware that the rates, if funds are available, will not be at the level that we had hoped. In order to continue to treat the children and families of Alaska, we are recognizing and responding to the state of Alaska s economic reality as well as the community needs. Now is not the time to settle for a status quo and not respond to these realities in a resilient manner. Therefore we have rightsized our residential boys program by merging two cottages and are working hard to increase our Community Programs services. We have developed this new strategic direction with the students, staff and community in mind. As part of our new strategic direction we have committed to fully-funding our Spiritual Life program which costs us approximately $135,000 per year. Now more than ever, the AK Child & Family Spiritual Life program relies on church support to be able to continue our work in ministry for children and families suffering from abuse, neglect, discord and emotional instability in their lives. Alaska Synod ELCA offerings to AK Child & Family this fiscal year through 2/29/16 are $7, We budget ELCA giving at $15, per year. We are half way to this year s goal. Thank you for all your gifts. Thanks be to God for AK Child & Family s connection to the Alaska Synod. We are Rooted & Built up in Jesus! As such, let us move confidently forward into another year of ministry together, providing hope in troubled young lives. In Service, Denis McCarville President & CEO Kelli Williams Director of Spiritual Life 40

41 Director s Report 2016 Thank you for your ongoing and faithful support for the ministry of Consultation to Clergy. Because of this support, Consultation to Clergy is able to continue providing a wide variety of vocational support services and consultation resources for Lutheran clergy and congregations in the Northwest. These services include clinical pastoral therapy for church staff and their families, vocational counseling services, team ministry support and mediation resources for congregations experiencing crisis or transition. Ministry in today s challenging environment often takes place in a high-stress, high anxiety context. A growing number of congregations are undergoing significant change. When participation declines and/or congregations experience financial pressures, the challenges of ministry grow. The Mission of Consultation to Clergy is to support church workers and congregations in their times of challenge and change. We understand the environment of the church and are able to provide a safe and confidential venue for clergy, ministry teams and congregations to address their challenges and find a new way forward. In addition to the vocational support services noted above, in fall of 2015, Consultation to Clergy expanded our executive coaching services, offering a process called Leadership-Focused Executive Coaching for clergy. The purpose of Leadership-Focused Executive Coaching is to enhance and expand the effectiveness, the organizational (executive) functioning and the leadership capacities of professionals in ministry. In this coaching process, it is our objective to provide a safe and creative venue for clergy to explore their personal goals, identify and inventory their vocational strengths, identify areas of potential growth, and enhance their personal and professional effectiveness. If you would like more information on this, or any of our resources, please contact our office at (206) Thank you for the trust that you have placed in Consultation to Clergy during our 40 year history of serving together with you and your Synod. May God continue to work among us as we together live out the grace-filled message of Jesus Christ in our individual ministries. In Our Savior s Name, Phil Streufert, STM, LMFT Director, Consultation to Clergy 41

42 2015: Parish Nursing in the ELCA Congregations in Alaska Report from the Alaska Faith Community Nurse Resource Center at Providence Medical Center To serve as a parish nurse, also known as a faith community nurse (FCN), a registered nurse is required to have a license in the state of practice and adhere to the Scope and Standards of Practice for this specialty as set forth by the American Nurses Association. Nurses do not do traditional hands-on care, but rather promote wellness and wholeness by partnering with their congregation s pastors, leaders and parishioners to navigate the health care system with advocacy, resourcing, counseling, and providing a healing presence while providing spiritual support in all they do. Non-nursing participants are also welcomed and supported through this program in their commitment to integrate faith and health as health ministers. The Alaska Faith Community Nurse Resource Center at Providence (AFCNRCP), was founded in 2007 and fulfills the roll of nurturing our Alaskan FCNs by coordinating education, providing updates, supporting program development and facilitating networking opportunities to strengthen health ministry programs. There are currently 13 FCNs and 2 health ministers from this group serving at 4 ELCA congregations in the state. Our ELCA nurses provided a minimum of 750 hours of service in 2015, including health screenings (blood pressure assessment, consult and referrals); home and hospital visits (assisting in providing safe home environments, caregiver support, improving transitions in care settings and helping to decipher complex care options); spiritual support (prayer and presentation of prayer shawls, promotion and participation in healing services and participation in Eucharistic ministry); education opportunities (healthy lifestyle promotion, CPR training and AED support and education, suicide prevention, education and care for end of life support); and advocacy for the poor and vulnerable regarding options for the homeless population (their daily needs and healthcare, in particular mental health care including behavioral and addiction services). The Evangelical Lutheran Parish Nurse Association also provides support, enhancement of spiritual development and networking opportunities for all Lutheran parish nurses across the country, regardless of synod affiliation. Respectfully submitted, Tara Orley, FCN Program Coordinator, AFCNRCP Providence Health and Services Alaska 42

43 Lutheran Social Services of Alaska Providing hope by responding to human need through services that sustain and transform lives 1303 W 33 rd Ave Anchorage AK We wish to thank the Alaska Synod for you continued support of our ministry. Here is a brief report of our assistance toour neighbors in need for FY2015. Emergency Food Program our Food Pantry distributed over 547,634 pounds of food to over 14,465 households or 43,682 individuals. Our Mobile Food Pantry distributed 209,141 pounds of food to 5,421 families. Emergency Housing Program our Transitional Living Program served 26 single homeless men and our Roosevelt House housed 6 resident who have long term behavioral health issues. We helped 128 households with rental and/or utility assistance. Direct Assistance Program 1,098 individuals received one or more emergency vouchers to assist those looking for work or newly employed with state ID s ordriver s license, birth certificates, bus passes, or clothing. Medical Transportation Program we assisted 635 clients with rides to or from their medical/therapy appointments. Association for Stranded Rural Alaskans provides emergency shelter, food and transportation for rural Alaskans who are stranded in Anchorage after being medevacked for medical treatment. We helped 29 Alaskans with transportation home and other various needs while in treatment. Listening Post going strong in the downtown transit center and Brother Francis shelter. Lutheran Disaster Response - I am grateful to the response of individuals, congregations, Region 1 of the ELCA and LDR in volunteerism and financial support to those affected by the wildfires that burned more than 5 million acres last summer. I am Treasurer of the Alaska VOAD(Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster) 501(c)3 and have been directly involved with the Willow Recovery Team. We have rebuilt 7 homes with one more planned for this spring in Willow and provided financial help for one family burned out in Kenai. In addition to the homes rebuilt we have also assisted with dog-sleds, dog houses, chainsaws, snow machines, tires, generators and many other unmet needs. We are grateful for the army of volunteers who make this all possible. Together we are caring for others. Alan Budahl Executive Director 43

44 44 Luther Seminary s 2016 report to the Alaska Synod Becoming a catalyst for transforming theological education We have this treasure in clay jars so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. 2 Corinthians 4:7 This verse is an important reminder as Luther Seminary wrestles with and contemplates the changing face of ministry. We re in a time where the path is not necessarily clear. As God s world changes around us, so do the needs of the church. As a seminary responsible for educating leaders for this church, we know we need to be more than just responsive. We need to light the way, carve a path, make disciples. We need to become a catalyst for transforming theological education. We aren t there yet, but we re working to see the way forward. This passage in 2 Corinthians reminds us that we can t do this hard and worthy work by our own power. This is God s church, God s mission and God s seminary. God s world is changing. And so are we. Our mission is to educate leaders for Christian communities. This mission is more relevant than ever, and the future is calling us to new things. And people need to hear the gospel. Yet we can t just do everything the way we ve always done it. We are excited about the future. Nearly 600 students are taking classes this spring. This includes both on-campus and online learners, who are being educated to serve in churches, nonprofits, schools and other important ministries. We will also welcome more than 4,500 church leaders this year to our lifelong learning classes and conferences. Both pastors and lay leaders rely on Luther Seminary s continuing education offerings to stay refreshed and enthused in their ministry. Learning in context continues to play an essential role in preparing students to serve in God s world. Given the ever-changing dynamics of ministry, our contextual learning group continues to find unique opportunities for students to apply their learning both in the Twin Cities and around the world. They re practicing ministry while receiving guidance from important mentors, which is critical to the formation of these students. As we strive to become a catalyst for transforming theological education, we hope you ll continue to pray with and for us. Thank you for your continued support of our mission to educate your future church leaders. In your synod Students Thank you for sending and supporting the education of Luther Seminary students. There are no students from your synod enrolled at Luther Seminary. There is one intern serving in your synod. Rostered Faculty Patrick Keifert Alumni There are 19 Luther Seminary alumni living in the Alaska Synod. Seminary Finances Financial Support in FY Synodical and churchwide support accounted for 8 percent of Luther Seminary s budget. The Alaska Synod provided direct financial support of $4,169. Of Luther s operating income, 57 percent came from private gifts and grants. Of Luther s operating expenses, 55 percent went toward student instruction and institutional support. Robin Steinke, President Luther Seminary educates leaders for Christian communities called and sent by the Holy Spirit to witness to salvation through Jesus Christ and to serve in God s world Como Ave. + St. Paul, M

45 Lasting Partnership: Alaska Synod 700 Light Street Baltimore, MD USA lwr.org Since 1945, Lutherans have supported their brothers and sisters in need through Lutheran World Relief. Today, your support continues to reach out to people living in poverty around the world with long-term, sustainable development projects that make a lasting impact. LWR is thankful for your partnership. Here is a snapshot of what we were able to accomplish together! Your Gifts at Work Your gifts in 2015 contributed to a year of life-sustaining work. With your help, LWR: Reached more than 4 million people through 126 projects in 36 countries. Distributed $12.9 million worth of LWR Quilts and Kits to more than 674,000 people in 19 countries. In 2015, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) directly supported LWR with more than $2.2 million, helping to fund 26 projects in 13 countries. Thank you! IMMEDIATE RELIEF TO LONG-TERM RESPONSE: THE NEPAL EARTHQUAKES In the spring of 2015, two extremely powerful earthquakes struck Nepal destroying homes and affecting more than 8 million people. The ELCA generously contributed $200,000 to support LWR s response, providing families with emergency shelter, food packets, LWR Quilts and Personal Care Kits and opportunities to earn much needed income through cash-for-work programs that paid community members to help clear local roads. Now in its second phase, your continued support is reaching farming families with livestock and seeds, skills trainings on masonry, animal husbandry and vegetable farming, and cash-for-work opportunities for the rehabilitation of irrigation systems. We will also begin permanent shelter construction as soon as possible. NETWORKED FARMING IN UGANDA In 2015, the ELCA contributed nearly $93,000 to support LWR s work with Gumutindo Coffee Cooperative Enterprises in Uganda to help coffee farmers grow quality coffee that sells for a good price. With your help, we are training some of the farmers to be Community Knowledge Workers, who receive special training, along with a smartphone that connects to a database of agricultural knowledge they can search and use to help fellow farmers troubleshoot problems and improve their farms. This method of providing technical assistance has dramatically cut down wait times for services. Celebrating 20 Years of LWR Fair Trade! Since 1996, Lutherans in the U.S. have supported small-scale farmers around the world by purchasing Fair Trade coffee, chocolate and other items through LWR Fair Trade. When you buy LWR Fair Trade products from Equal Exchange, a portion of your purchases benefit the LWR Small Farmer Fund, which supports smallholder farmers and their families. Celebrate and learn more at lwr.org/fairtrade. Thank You! We thank you for your continued partnership! LWR invites you to stay in touch so you can see how your support is changing lives. And we welcome your feedback! You can find us: lwr@lwr.org facebook.com/luthworldrelief twitter.com/luthworldrelief youtube.com/lutheranworldrelief blog.lwr.org 45

46 The Mission Investment Fund (MIF), a financial ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, makes lowinterest loans to established ELCA congregations, newstart congregations and ELCA-related ministries for building projects. Established congregations use MIF loans to renovate, expand or relocate. New-start congregations rely on MIF loans to buy land and construct their first church buildings. ELCArelated ministries use MIF loans for a variety of capital projects. At year-end 2015, MIF had 830 loans outstanding, totaling $492 million. To fund these loans, MIF offers a portfolio of investments for congregations, their members, synods and ELCArelated ministries to purchase. MIF investments offer adjustable- or fixed-rate terms and earn interest at competitive rates. At year-end 2015, MIF investments by congregations, their members, synods and ELCA-related ministries totaled $464 million. The Mission Investment Fund is a financially strong and stable organization, with a record of steady, controlled growth. With total assets of $663 million and net assets of $194 million at year-end 2015, MI F. maintains a capital ratio of 29 percent positioning MIF in the top tier of well-capitalized church extension funds. MIF Investments and Loans in the Alaska Synod As of December 31, 2015: 5 Mission Investment Fund loans, with a balance of $2,156,612, are at work throughout the synod. Investments in the Mission Investment Fund by 49 individuals, 15 congregations, 2 ministries and the synod totaled $1,515,902. MIF representative Joel S. Wudel, Regional Manager: Tel. (773) ; joel.wudeleica.org Mission Investment Fund West Higgins Road I Chicago, Illinois Tel: I Web: mif.elca.org 46

47 Thank you Alaska Synod for being a ministry partner! Your gifts of prayers, direct synod support of $4, last year, and raising up students like Rachel Swenson give us strength for our common work. In addition, there are 11 alums of PLTS that live and work on the territory of your synod, many of them in congregational ministries. Together, we build a local ecology of discipleship, Christian love, evangelism and life-long learning. Pictured to the right are some the new students, faculty, and staff, who joined our community this year. Thank you California Lutheran University for shepherding our ministry! As a result of our two institutions now working together, we experience: more scholarship assistance for students a connection with undergrad students who are doing graduate theological work before they graduate strengthened and deepened administrative abilities and financial oversight connection with religious programs and ministries under the umbrella of the new Division for Mission and Identity, headed by new VP and PLTS alum, the Rev. Melissa Maxwell-Doherty Thank you Evangelical Lutheran Church in America! Our graduates are being called to locations throughout the country. Most recently, PLTS alums started ministry in Illinois, Texas, New York, Massachusetts, Indiana, Montana, Michigan, Kentucky, and Colorado, not to mention California. We also receive support from the churchwide offices, which comes originally from, yes, you! Thank you donors! Many individuals and families on the territory of your synod are already giving regular gifts toward the work of PLTS. As a result, our Annual Fund is running about 25% ahead of last year, promising to pass our goal of $500,000 by five figures or more! We are also grateful for the 239 givers who have promised to remember us in their estate plans. Such gifts often go toward establishing endowed funds for scholarships, programs and faculty chairs. If you want to discuss being part of our legacy society, contact Rev. Brian Stein-Webber at bsteinwebber@plts.edu or Thank you to 25 donors who have agreed to match new and increased unrestricted donations from congregations for up to $1,000! See if your congregation can take advantage of this tremendous opportunity! Thank you new and exciting faculty who have started at PLTS this year! Cynthia Moe-Lobeda, Professor of Christian Ethics Kirsi Stjerna, Professor of Lutheran History and Theology Julian Gonzales, Professor of Old Testament Thank you Holy Spirit for guiding us into the future! 47

48 1 A MES S A GE FROM DR. THOMAS W. KRISE PRESIDENT OF PACIFIC LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY As we look forward to the 500 th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation in 2017, I d like to share with you some thoughts on how I believe PLU and our congregations are rooted together. A strong sense of vocation, service to neighbor and the common good, curiosity and intellectual rigor, a sense that God is present throughout the entire creation, the freedom to ask questions and challenge authority, and all the other things that make up the great gift of Lutheran higher education are important fruits of the Reformation. They pervade our campus in so many ways. But I often hear from alumni and parents who wonder if PLU is still connected to the roots that give life to these things. Tending to the roots requires the presence of a vital Campus Ministry, worship life including Morning Prayer and Sunday Eucharist, learning and service opportunities connected to Campus Ministry, a vibrant student-led University Congregation, and strong congregation partners in our surrounding community. This is exactly the work we ve been focused on this year in rebuilding and re-visioning Campus Ministry under the invaluable leadership of Interim University Pastor John Office of Congregation Relations Tacoma, WA Rosenberg. This project, led by the search for a new full-time pastor, is the first significant review of the program in more than 20 years. We are helped in this endeavor by a strong relationship with the Synod in our collaborative review of Campus Ministry and Congregation Relations; by a number of PLU alumni who, encouraged by their growth and learning at PLU, have entered the Lutheran Volunteer Corps; by recent graduates who have entered into public ministry and credit PLU professors who offered them encouragement; and by current students eager to create a Campus Ministry that reflects contemporary realities. Because only 17.5 percent of our student body self-identifies as Lutheran, it is the responsibility of leadership across the university to nurture a clear Lutheran center that is, at the same time, hospitably open to other traditions. That is why we offer an interfaith program that supports students from all religious backgrounds, even those who have no faith identity. The reason a person with no religious tradition would feel welcome at PLU is precisely because it is Lutheran; COMING UP AT PLU More Than Bible Study? Animating worship, learning and service with and through Scripture. June 6-8, 2016 The PLU Summer Conference on Pastoral Theology features Dr. Cynthia Briggs Kittredge, Dr. Gordon Lathrop, Dr. Barbara Rossing, Dr. Gail Ramshaw, Bishop Richard Jaech and Dr. Samuel Torvend. For more information and to register: plu.edu/summertheology that is, because of the Lutheran emphasis on intellectual humility that is open to conversation with persons who come from other and no faith traditions, to say nothing of the biblical mandate to welcome others with hospitality. We believe that students will have a richer experience in a diverse community, and will be better able to choose a life path that makes a difference in their careers, in their personal and civic lives, and in the world they inhabit. As I meet Lutes around the world, I am struck by their similarities: curious, adventurous problem solvers and community-minded global citizens. I invite you to help us as we seek the best minds among us who care about their communities. I invite you to help us renew and reform our Campus Ministry to keep our connection to faith strong. But most of all, I invite you to visit campus and take advantage of the many lectures, retreat series, and performances that provide rich and meaningful opportunities to stay rooted with your university. 48

49 Dear Partners in Ministry, Spring 2016 It s an interesting and challenging time to be the church. Ministry leaders are learning to navigate the changing culture by holding on to the best of the past while finding ways to be creative, nimble, and resilient. This is just as true for Portico. As we navigate the changing landscape, we are guided by two core values: stewardship and collaboration. For us, that means caring wisely for all we are entrusted to manage time, money, our employees, and the well-being of those we serve so leaders can access important benefits and resources, today and in retirement. Here are a few ways we re putting those values into practice: We spend and invest with care. In these times of rising health care costs and tight church budgets, we work hard to follow a lean, carefully managed spending plan with a goal of keeping costs low. As 2015 investment markets dramatically rose and fell, our active investment management strategy and strategic asset allocations helped improve retirement fund returns in an otherwise disappointing year. We seek opportunities to provide the best health care value. The past two years brought, in some instances, double-digit percentage increases for those employers sponsoring members in the ELCA Health Plan. Although this was in line with nationwide averages, we realize for congregations this is an unsustainable trend. We are committed to keeping administrative expenses below 12% of our health care budget, and are aggressively working with our vendor partners to find new savings opportunities. We tap technology to reach our leaders more efficiently. By converting our popular pre-retirement seminar into a series of three webinars, we were able to complement the rich educational experience of our in-person seminars with the convenience and cost-effectiveness of online learning. We are also developing new webinars designed to help younger leaders establish a strong financial foundation. We ve raised the bar on top-notch customer service. Our members receive more than just a friendly voice when they call Portico s Customer Care Center. As a BenchmarkPortal-certified 2015 Center of Excellence, we were recognized as one of the top call centers in the nation in both cost- and quality-related metrics. We invest in our leaders. Because the future health of our church depends on the health of its leaders, we are leading the ELCA in calling for a wellness reformation a renewed commitment to well-being that comes from healthy lifestyle choices, reduced health risks, and lower health care costs for members, congregations, and the ELCA Health Plan. We are encouraging our congregations and church organizations to put the we in wellness by joining in conversation with their pastors and professional staff about creating a culture that supports healthy lifestyles. Portico is committed to providing a cost-effective, comprehensive benefit program that helps our church s leaders stay nimble, resilient, and confident in these interesting, challenging times. In Christ, The Rev. Jeffrey D. Thiemann President and CEO 49

50 Region 1 Rev. Mark Nelson Coordinator for Missional Leadership Spring, 2016 Dear Assembly voting members, observers, guests and staff, I write to you at your assembly with a great sense of gratitude for your partnership in our common mission in Region 1, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. How many of you have looked at our ELCA Constitution to see what regions are intended to do? Here s a refresher from Chapter 18: This church shall have regions as a partnership between groups of synods and the churchwide organization for the purpose of exercising mutual responsibilities. And in : The regions shall be a means for coordinated responses by synods and the churchwide organization to mission and program opportunities within the region. Further in : The region shall be a forum where the synods and the churchwide organization may study, plan, and share together in developing common programs unique to the region. Responsibilities carried out together will vary from region to region depending on the decision of the synods and churchwide units. For the last 28 years the six synods of Region 1 have chosen to do our financial work together through a Region 1 Financial Services Office. Our Accountant Alyce Bakker, has been with us all of that time and continues her excellent work!. New to our staff just in the last few months is Karen Dicken as bookkeeper. Some of you may know Karen in that she has served as treasurer in the Northwest Washington Synod. She decided not to make herself available for another term as treasurer and has made herself available to our Region. We are grateful! The majority of my work in the Region is in candidacy and rostered leader development. After a three year process we have a newly approved and updated candidacy manual, that takes into account the variety of ways that our members prepare for rostered service in our ELCA. At our churchwide assembly this August voting members will take action on a new roster (proposed name is Deacon ) that will also combine the current Associate in Ministry, Diaconal Ministry, and Deaconess rosters. All this to better accomplish God s mission in congregations and our other mission-oriented agencies. Talk with your voting members to the Churchwide Assembly, and remember them in your prayers. I am grateful to continue to serve you in Region 1. Thank you! Together we share in God s mission. 50

51 What is TEAM? Together Emphasizing Alaska's Mission (TEAM) April 2016 TEAM is the people of the Alaska Synod supporting ministry in Alaska beyond congregation and synod budgets with the goal of raising significant money for ministry needs within the Alaska Synod. Together we are making a difference. New projects and programs are growing in our congregations. New ministry sites and partnerships are forming around Alaska. Together we are emphasizing Christ s mission in Alaska. TEAM Committee member include Ron Rucker, of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and Trapper Creek Fellowship; Pat Kilman of Trinity Lutheran, Palmer; Brooke Andrews of Resurrection Lutheran, Seward; Roger Birk of Shepherd of the Valley, Juneau and Bishop Wickstrom. Actions of the TEAM Committee since the Synod Assembly in 2015: Joy Lutheran Church received a grant to assist in their construction of raised bed gardens and planting material. The vegetables raised are donated to the Eagle River Food Bank. This request was approved for $500. St Mark Lutheran Church requested funds for their continued subscription to Life Tree Café. The synod budget had funds available to provide to St Mark for this established ministry so the TEAM request was denied. Your support of TEAM undergirds fledgling ministry projects within our synod. You can provide support by making a direct contribution to TEAM, adding a congregational line item to your spending plan, and praying for the ongoing, new and future ministries of the Alaska Synod. Credit card donations can be made through the synod office. Pay attention to the voice of the Holy Spirit for identifying new areas of ministry in your congregation! TEAM Committee Brooke Andrews, Roger Birk, Pat Kilman, Ron Rucker, Bishop Shelley Wickstrom 51

52 Alaska Synod Council April 2016 Name Council Office Term Term Expires The Rev. Keith Anderson Southeast pastorw1@mac.com Mr. Bill Babylon Vice President aksynodvp@gmail.com The Rev. Brian Crockett Seward Peninsula 2 bmlc99785@yahoo.com Ms. Jan Dodds At-large janmdodds@gmail.com The Rev. Martin Eldred Secretary 2 graced@mtaonline.net The Rev. Lisa Smith Fiegel DEM alaskadem@gmail.com The Rev. Susan Halvor Multicultural shalvor@gmail.com Ms. Verna Henkel Interior vhenkel@gci.net Ms. Christina Hoy Youth 1 foreverme83@gmail.com The Rev. Amanda Kempthorne Interior 1 pastor@lordoflifeak.com The Rev. Diane Krauszer Knik pastordk@live.com Mr. Edward Mjolsnes Southcentral emds@gci.net Ms. Carol Norquist Treasurer norquist@alaska.net Ms. Marilyn Rosene Southcentral marilyn.rosene@gmail.com Mr. Ron Rucker Knik r_rucker_01@yahoo.com The Rev. Mark Orf Southcentral pastor@gloriadeilutheran.net Mr. Randy Sutak Southeast rsutak@gmail.com Ms. Edna Telford At Large telforde@doyon.com Ms. Margi Ungrodt ASWO President ungrodtm@gmail.com Ms. Annie Weyiouanna Seward Peninsula aries82_00@yahoo.com The Rev. Shelley Wickstrom Bishop aksynodbishop@gmail.com 52

53 ASWO Elected Board Members PRESIDENT Margi Ungrodt Lord of Life Lutheran, North Pole VICE PRESIDENT Meredith Rude Lutheran Church of Hope, Anchorage SECRETARY WE NEED YOU!! MEMBERS-AT-LARGE Shannon Miller Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Nome Cheryl Lubeck Lutheran Church of Hope, Anchorage Anna Bryant Central Lutheran Church, Anchorage TREASURER Alisa Butcher Christ Lutheran Church, Fairbanks Candidacy Purpose Candidacy Committee Candidacy is the process through which individuals may explore their own sense of being called to public leadership in the church. The candidacy process includes the period of discernment, preparation, education and concludes when a person is approved for service on the roster of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Synods are responsible for working with candidates from their synod in a process shared across this church. The Rev. Carol George St Mark Lutheran Church, Anchorage Ms. Kathleen Brandt Sitka Lutheran Church, Sitka The Rev. Julia Seymour, Chair Lutheran Church of Hope, Anchorage Dr. Mike Swenson Christ Lutheran Church, Fairbanks The Rev. Shelley Wickstrom Bishop, Alaska Synod The Rev. Mark Nelson Region 1 Coordinator for Missional Leadership, Spokane, WA The Rev. Dr. Moses Penumaka Faculty, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, Berkeley, CA Ms. Kathy Dale Central Lutheran Church, Anchorage Mr. Larry Graham Central Lutheran Church, Anchorage Ms. Carol Norquist - Chair Central Lutheran Church, Anchorage Finance Committee 53

54 THE REV. DR. STEPHEN PAUL BOUMAN Biography The Rev. Dr. Stephen Paul Bouman, currently serves as the Executive Director of the Domestic Mission Unit of the ELCA. Pastor Bouman began his ministry in the churchwide organization when he was called to the position of Executive Director for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission unit in February He previously served as bishop of the ELCA Metropolitan New York Synod from September 1996 through January The Metropolitan New York Synod embraces the five boroughs of New York City, Long Island, and several counties north and west. It includes 236 member congregations, and worships in over 20 languages. Pastor Bouman was born in Melrose Park, Illinois on April 14, He graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary/Seminex in He received his Master of Sacred Theology from New York Theological Seminary in 1978 and his Doctor of Ministry degree in 1980, an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church in 2001, and an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Wagner College in He began his pastoral ministry in 1973 at St. Jacobus Lutheran Church, Woodside, Queens. He then pastored Atonement Lutheran Church, Jackson Heights, from 1974 until 1981; and Trinity Lutheran Church, Bogota, New Jersey from 1982 through He is the founder of the Diakonia ministry education program, which trains lay people for ministry in local congregations. His parish ministry also included building strong multicultural outreach, the launching of two parochial schools, leadership in several church based community organizations, and a variety of ministries of assistance and advocacy among the poor. Pastor Bouman served as Assistant to the Bishop from 1992 until his election as bishop in He also served as Chair of the ELCA Board of Higher Education and Schools, and as a Trustee for Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services and Wagner College in New York City. He currently serves on the board of Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Ministries in Chicago, Illinois. Pastor Bouman is a published author of a number of scholarly articles, books, curricula and devotionals. Two recent books are They Are Us: Lutherans and Immigration, co-authored with Ralston Deffenbaugh, published in 2009 and Grace All Around Us (an account of ministry in the time of the September 11, 2001 attacks) published in His latest book The Mission Table: Renewing Congregation and Community, was published in August He is married to the former Janet Luce, and they have four grown children and three grandchildren. They reside in Chicago. 54

55 BIOGRAPHY OF THE REV. RUBEN DURAN DOMESTIC MISSION UNIT of the ELCA The Rev. Ruben Duran serves as Director for New Congregations in the Congregational and Synodical Mission unit of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He is responsible for promoting the development of Synodical mission strategies, creative local initiatives and contextual models for the multiplication of new communities of faith in the USA and the Caribbean. He currently oversees 379 ELCA new ministries in very diverse settings and among emerging people groups. Ruben is a native of Lima, Peru, South America. He served parishes in the Seattle, Washington and Los Angeles, California areas prior to becoming Associate to the Bishop and Mission Director for the Metropolitan Chicago Synod, ELCA. He has also served as Associate Director for Latino Outreach in the former Division for Congregational Ministries, ELCA and Executive for Congregational Outreach Services in the former Division for Outreach, ELCA prior to his current position. Ruben is a graduate of Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in Berkeley, California; Trinity Lutheran College in Seattle, Washington and the Escuela Nacional de Turismo in Lima, Peru. Ruben and his spouse, The Rev. Jean M. Duran, have three daughters: Rebecca (31), Sara (27) and Anna (23). 55

56 ACRONYMS AFACT Anchorage Faith and Action - Congregations Together AIM Associate in Ministry ASWO Alaska Synodical Women s Organization COB Conference of Bishops CTC Consultation to Clergy CIP Common Indexing Protocol - Refers to the cost of living/consumer price index in the Alaska Synod Clergy Compensation Guidelines CSM Congregational and Synodical Mission CW Churchwide usually refers to ELCA offices in Chicago CWA Churchwide Assembly DEM Director for Evangelical Mission ELCA Evangelical Lutheran Church in America FICA Federal Insurance Contributions Act payroll payments for social security FSO Financial Services Office (of Region 1) LCMS Lutheran Church Missouri Synod LCMC Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ LDR Lutheran Disaster Relief LIM- Lutheran Indian Ministries LSSA Lutheran Social Services of Alaska LTS Luther Theological Seminary LWF Lutheran World Federation LWR Lutheran World Relief MIF Mission Investment Fund MSF Moved; Seconded; Failed MSC Moved; Seconded; Carried NALC North American Lutheran Church PLTS Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary PLU Pacific Lutheran University PLUME Ecumenical projects involving Protestant, Lutheran, United Methodist and Episcopal SAM Synodically Authorized Minister SAWC Synodically Authorized Worship Community SECA Self-Employment Contributions Act; cover their own Social Security, Medicare, and Old Age Survivors and Disability Insurance costs SP Spending Plan SPLMA Seward Peninsula Lutheran Ministries Association includes Our Savior s Lutheran, Nome; Shishmaref Lutheran, Shishmaref; Brevig Memorial Lutheran, Brevig; Teller Lutheran, Teller; Thornton Memorial Lutheran, Wales; Alaska Native Lutheran, Anchorage SPLM Endowment Fund this refers to the fund set up to assist in the ministry on the Seward Peninsula STF Stewardship Task Force SYN- Synod Youth Network TEAM Together Emphasizing Alaska s Mission TEEM Theological Education for Emerging Ministries TRP Theological Review Panel WELCA Women of the ELCA 56

57 Location of Synod Assemblies Year Congregation City Theme Verse 2016 St. Mark Anchorage Rooted and Growing in Christ Colossians 2: Good Shepherd Wasilla The Fast that I Choose Isaiah 58: Fairbanks Fairbanks A Living Hope 1 Peter 1: Amazing Grace Anchorage Always Being Made New 2012 Joy Eagle River 1 Samuel 3: First Ketchikan Luke 1: Gloria Dei Anchorage John 1: Christ Soldotna Acts 1: Hope Anchorage Revelation 21: Good Shepherd Wasilla Ephesians 4: Shepherd of the Valley Juneau Matthew 25: Central Anchorage Galatians 3: St. Mark Anchorage Claimed, Gathered and Sent 2003 Fairbanks Fairbanks For the Healing of the World 2002 Amazing Grace Anchorage Luke 1: Joy Eagle River 1 Peter 4: Petersburg Petersburg 1 Corinthians 3: Gloria Dei Anchorage 1 John 1: Central Anchorage 1 Peter 2: Christ Soldotna Joel 2: Hope Anchorage Isaiah 49:6b 1995 Amazing Grace Anchorage John 21: First Ketchikan John 3: Good Shepherd Wasilla Acts 2: Gloria Dei Anchorage Galatians 3: Christ Fairbanks Ministry in Daily Life 1990 Central Anchorage See Grow Serve 1989 APU Anchorage Many Voices One Song 1988 Sitka Sitka 1987 Central Anchorage Come Share the Spirit 57

58 THANK YOU! St. Mark Lutheran coordinators and congregation members who helped, along with their partners in the Southcentral Cluster and friends in Anchorage. The Reverend Carol George, St. Mark Lutheran Church and David George Staff of St. Mark Lutheran: Marsha Korri (administrative assistant), Brooke Maruskie (director of youth bell choir), Lea Anne McWhorter (soloist), Toni Reupke (director of adult bell choir), Dr. David Telford (organist) and John Zimmerman (organist) Assembly Co-chairs: Jane Braun and Thelma Ridges Housing Coordinators: Janet Moritz and Becky Swanson Banner and Centerpiece Designer: Miriam Easton Cleanup Chair: Fran Victor Facilities Leadership: Bob and Toni Reupke Truck(s) donated by Alan Budahl (LSSA); Bob and Toni Reupke Meal Preparation: Erich Havner and Lynette Watson Hospitality Guide: Jennie Morris Transportation Lead: David Prewitt Passenger vans loaned by Alaska Native Lutheran Church; David and Vivian Prewitt Registration, Name Tags and Packets: Sheli Dodson Worship Chair: Charlene Ihly Childcare Supervisor: Becca Hanson Friday lunch: Amazing Grace Lutheran Church Saturday Lunch: Gloria Dei Lutheran Church Saturday Multicultural Dinner of Celebration: Yang, Ramirez-Xiong, and Jal-Biel families Liaison for dinner at Central Lutheran: Chris and Susan Jensen Key Club Support: Melissa Ihly Loaned tables: First Congregational Church Sound system support: John Easton To Zach Manzella for serving as Parliamentarian. A huge thank you to the congregation of St. Mark Lutheran Church 58

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