2016 Western Iowa Synod Assembly Minutes 29 th Assembly June 10-12, 2016 Marriott Center, Omaha, NE

Transcription

1 2016 Western Iowa Synod Assembly Minutes 29 th Assembly June 10-12, 2016 Marriott Center, Omaha, NE Theme: God's Work. Our Hands. We Are Church Together. Friday June 10, 2016 The assembly began with an opening worship at 4:00 PM. It was noted that this year's assembly offering will be in response to the 2015 assembly Hunger Resolution. Bishop Rodger Prois led the opening synod assembly litany at 5:30 PM and declared the assembly in session. The assembly had a break for the evening meal. The first plenary session began at 6:30 PM. Bishop Prois introduced the following guests and assembly leaders: The Western Iowa Synod Council and Committee of Assembly Business and Counsel (ABC): Barb Brennan, Gail Schilmoeller; Brian Campbell; Susan Hett, Susan Juilfs; Pr Peter Morlock, Karen Post; Pr Del Olivier; Pr Jay Denne, Marty Koefed; Pr Barb Kopperud, Gail Schilmoeller; Tracy Gayer, Katia Frock, Bruce Radtke, Julie Sievers, John Smith, Sandy Smith, Pr. Paul Johnston (ABC Chair), Daniel Holste, Shelley Phillips, Pr Marsha Smith, Kim Gayer Lance Emhke, parliamentarian Brian Campbell, synod vice-president Karen Post, synod secretary Julie Sievers, timing light Dana White, Trade Show Coordinator, Qwizdom, Inc., Puyallup, Washington Rev. Dr. Andrea Walker, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America s Global Mission Area Director for Madagascar, West and Central Africa Bishop Isaya Mengele, Bishop of the Southern Diocese of Tanzania (WIS companion synod) Rev. Dr. Gabriel Nduye, resident coordinator of Hatua kwa Hatua/Step by Step relationship in Tanzania. Bishop David Brauer Rieke, Oregon Synod, WIS partner synod Bishop Alan Scarfe, Episcopal Church of the Diocese of Iowa Bishop Brian Maas, Nebraska Synod, ELCA SA A motion and second were made by to grant privilege of voice on the floor of the assembly to Rev. Andrea Walker (guest and presenter) and Lance Emhke (parliamentarian). Voice vote: PASSED 1

2 The Credentials and Elections Committee (Rev. Craig Miller, Rev. Jeff Ungs, Jane Olivier, Rev. Jim Mossman) was introduced. Rev. Jim Mossman, the committee chair, reported the following registration data: Credentials Report #1 06/10/16 6:15 PM Clergy 80 Lay males 60 Lay females 100 Total voting 240 Visitors 47 Total registered 287 Dana White led a demonstration on electronic voting machines. SA A motion and second were made to adopt the Standing Rules. Voice vote: PASSED SA A motion and second were made to adopt the agenda. Voice vote: PASSED SA A motion and second were made to approve the 2015 assembly minutes (with 2 credential date revisions). Voice vote: PASSED The Minutes Committee (Becky Crone, Larry Hill, Pr. Craig Miller, Karen Post) was introduced. Pr. David Halaas, Chair of the Nominations Committee, reported on the nominations for general election and gave instructions on procedures for additional nominations. Pr. Lorna Halaas announced our seminarians and TEEM members: Master of Divinity: Mary Dickman Fiel - Luther Seminary (2017) Bethany Rutten-Kempees Luther Seminary (2016 Dec.) Elizabeth Lippke Wartburg Seminary (2018) TEEM: Ann Elbert SWIM Southwest Iowa Ministries Chad Duffy Immanuel, George Sam Jacobs Bethany/Immanuel, Kimballton Tim Johnson Estherville, Estherville Susan Juilfs Trinity, Akron Terry Mogensen Christ, Jefferson/Ascension, Coon Rapids James Rut Thanksgiving, Council Bluffs Bishop David Brauer-Rieke, Oregon Synod, greeted the assembly, with words from Isaiah 41: Do not be afraid, I am with you. Bishop Alan Scarfe, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, greeted the assembly. 2

3 Pr. Jay Denne, Synod Treasurer, presented the Treasurer's Report, the Budget Presentation, and the Compensation Guidelines. Questions were invited for time to research answers and a report back to the assembly. SA A motion and second were made to vote on the budget and compensation guidelines at a later time in the assembly. Voice vote: PASSED Bishop Isaya Mengele, Southern Diocese of Tanzania, greeted the assembly. Bishop Rodger Prois presented the bishop's report and introduced the synod team members (Pr Lorna Halaas, Pr Jeff Ungs, Lynn Egesdal, Cindy Wells, Kay Broich, Julie Cook). Cheryl Murray, Pottawattamie County Family Services, addressed the assembly regarding their services and thanked the assembly for donations given for the Diaper Derby service project. Pr. Marsha Smith explained the bingo mixer activity to be completed over the course of the assembly. Bishop Prois adjourned the assembly at 8:45 PM until Saturday at 8:30 AM. The Compline Service was held and ended at 9:00 PM. Saturday June 11, 2016 Opening devotions began at 8:30 AM. The plenary session resumed. The Credentials and Elections Committee chair, Rev. Jim Mossman, reported the following registration data: Credentials Report #2 06/11/16 8:45 AM Clergy 84 Lay males 63 Lay females 105 Total voting 252 Visitors 52 Total registered 304 Rev. David Halaas presented the final nominations report, noting that Diane Vavak's name was submitted from Hands of Hope for the Nominating Committee. SA A motion and second were made to cast a unanimous ballot for uncontested positions. Voice vote: PASSED SA Vote for contested positions: Synod Council (Clergy). The vote was: Pr. Barb Kopperud (116 votes), Pr Peter Morlock (83 votes). Pr Kopperud was elected. SA A motion and second were made to read only the Resolves for Resolution #1 (Seminarian Support Strategy); Voice vote: PASSED. Daniel Holste read the following Resolves from Resolution #1: 3

4 RESOLUTION #1 SEMINARIAN SUPPORT STRATEGY Submitted by: Living Waters Conference WHEREAS, the ELCA has a continuing need for pastors and other rostered leaders well-nourished in the Word of God and the practice of ministry, and WHEREAS, the ELCA has outstanding traditions and institutions of theological education, and WHEREAS, such nourishment and training of pastors and other rostered leaders takes an extensive commitment of time and resources; on the part of the church and the student, and WHEREAS, the cost of theological education continues to climb and create a substantial debt for seminary students in addition to college debts, and WHEREAS, many first call congregations are not able to offer compensation that can adequately offset that accrued debt, and WHEREAS, the ELCA wishes to support and encourage persons preparing for leadership roles in ELCA congregations, and to support and encourage recent seminary graduates assigned to the Western Iowa Synod, and WHEREAS, The Western Iowa Synod Candidacy Committee can provide information to individuals and congregations on the process of seminary education; therefore be it RESOLVED, that each congregation of the Western Iowa Synod be encouraged to develop a SEMINARIAN SUPPORT STRATEGY, in order to lift up the call to rostered ministry and the ELCA candidacy process within the membership of their congregation; and be it further RESOLVED, that this strategy would include, but not be limited to, a plan for prayerful support of ELCA seminaries and seminarians, various plans for financial support of seminarians and recent graduates, and various plans for identifying those with gifts for rostered ministry in the church; and be it further RESOLVED, that within the next ten months each congregation of the Western Iowa Synod would develop their SEMINARIAN SUPPORT STRATEGY made up of the three parts: 1. a method of identifying those with gifts for rostered ministry; 2. means of prayerful support of those entering seminary education; and 3. a method of financially assisting students attending seminary; and be it further RESOLVED, that this SEMINARIAN SUPPORT STRATEGY would be forwarded to the Bishop and the Director of Missional Leadership in preparation for a summary report to be presented at the 2017 Synod Assembly. The Committee of Assembly Business and Counsel reports this resolution and recommends its adoption. SA A motion and second were made to approve Resolution #1; Voice vote was taken; a division of the house was called. Electronic vote: 194 in favor, 19 opposed; PASSED. Rev Andrea Walker, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America s Global Mission Area Director for Madagascar, West and Central Africa, gave greetings from Churchwide and presented a report. Included was a video from Presiding Bishop Eaton. Voting members were invited to submit questions for the forum later in the day. The following Partners in Ministry addressed the assembly: Portico Jennifer Prinz Church of the Damascus Road Rev. Paul Stone Peace Not Walls Rev. Joy Gonnerman and Antoine Cummins 4

5 Brenda Manmiller gave an update on the Hunger Resolution. Rev. Ed Kruse addressed the assembly and provided information on his forum Growing Your Congregation Through Spiritual Gifts. Bishop Prois adjourned the plenary at 10:12 AM for a brief break. The plenary reconvened at 10:33 AM. A resolution Corporate Social Responsibility and US Aid in Palestine and Israel (Resolution #4) was requested to be brought forth to the assembly for consideration. The required signatures had been obtained and given to the ABC Committee. The vote would need 2/3 of votes cast to approve amending the agenda. SA A motion and second were made to amend the agenda to consider Resolution #4. The vote was: 136 in favor; 87 opposed; FAILED (Needed 2/3 of 223, or 149 to pass.) Mike Klinefelter, ELCA Mission Endowment, addressed the assembly. Rev. Dr. Gabriel Nduye,Tanzanian companion synod representative, addressed the assembly, highlighting: Igumbilo Girls Secondary School, Center for Agricultural Development (CAD/SACCOS) (Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization), 4H groups, Well-drilling project; and invited assembly-goers to the forum later in the day. Bishop Izani Bruch, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Chile, through interpreter, David Hickman addressed the assembly, (Romans 15). The following Mission Partners addressed the assembly: Teresa Roll Mosaic International Jerry and Carolyn Fritsch executive directors of Lutheran Lakeside Camps Rev Dr Gary and Bev Rautenberg Panko - Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago Rev Dr Troy Troftgruben - Wartburg Seminary Rod Quanbeck - Ingham Okoboji Bible Camps Tracy Gayer - Lutheran Youth Organization Houston Gathering Pr Jeff Ungs reported on 2015 Mission Support throughout the synod. The following congregations increased their mission support over last year were recognized: Immanuel of Akron United, Ringsted First, Algona Our Saviour s, Rock Valley Ebenezer, Audubon St. Paul s, Rockwell City St. John, Carroll Trinity, Sibley Bethlehem, Cherokee Hope, Sioux Center Our Savior s, Council Bluffs St. Mark, Sioux City St. John, Council Bluffs Augustana, Sioux City Salem, Creston St. Luke, Sioux City St. John, Dunlap Bethany, Spencer Estherville, Estherville Good Hope, Titonka Zion, Gowrie Immanuel, Titonka, 5

6 Emanuel-St. John, Lytton First, Milford St. Paul, Missouri Valley Nain, Newell St. Peter, Pocahontas Strand, Villisca South Enes, Vincent Wallingford, Wallingford St. John s in Woden The following congregations increased mission support giving by 10% or more over last year were recognized: Trinity Lutheran of Akron St. John, Merrill Immanuel, Alta St. John, Minneola Ascension, Coon Rapids Bethesda, Moorhead Salem, Correctionville Our Saviors, Rembrandt St. John, Corwith St. Paul, Remsen St. John s, Craig Lost Island, Ruthven St. John, Cylinder New Life, Sergeant Bluff Emanuel, Dayton Immanuel, Sioux City Bethany Emmetsburg Trinity, Sioux City Immanuel, Forest City* Riverside, Sioux City Christ, Fort Dodge Soldier, Soldier Our Saviour s, Humboldt Bethany, Thompson Kanawha, Kanawha Underwood Lutheran in Underwood Immanuel, Kimballton * was recognized as one in the top 100 congregations Churchwide Lynn Halverson announced Mission Endowment grant recipients: Lutheran Campus Ministry - ISU $ 554 Food 4 Kids $1,000 Parking Lot Party, St. John, Sioux City $1,000 Exira Sunday School $ 300 Families in Service, First Lutheran Milford $ 350 The Gathering Table, Faith Onawa $1,000 Community Garden, Riverside, Sioux City $ 250 Total $4,454 Pr Chris Lang gave an update from the Candidacy Committee. Pr Celeste Waymire gave an update from the Spirituality Network Pr Cindy Johnson announced the Congregation Renewal Team whose purpose statement is To accompany congregations as they rediscover passion for Christ's mission to God's glory and invited participants to seek out Team members for more information. Lynn Egesdal reported on behalf of the Faith Formation Network. Pat Friedreichsen, Pr Joy Gonnerman and Brenda Manmiller spoke on the behalf of the Hunger Forum. Bishop Prois recessed the plenary session at 12:10 PM. A boxed lunch was served. 6

7 The following forums were held at 1:00 and 2:00 PM: Future Directions - Rev Andrea Walker Hunger Network How Does Your Congregation Encourage (or Discourage) Healthy Lifestyles? - Jennifer Prinz Prison Congregations of the ELCA Rev Paul Stone (Church of the Damascus Road) Today's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chile (IELCH) Bishop Izani Bruch and Cindy Wells Hatua Kwa Hatua/Step By Step: Tanzanian Updates Rev Dr Gabriel Nduye Kaleidoscope: Seeing New and Real Perspectives in the Holy Land recent WIS pilgrims to the Holy Land Growing Your Congregation Through Spiritual Gifts Rev Ed Kruse Houston, do we have a problem? - LYO Youth and LYO leaders Hatua Kwa Hatua/Step By Step: The Road Traveled Bp Isaya Mengele, Bp Rodger Prois, Bp Izani Bruch Leading the Church Into the Future Pr Lorna Halaas and Pr Troy Troftgruben The third plenary resumed at 3:00 PM. The Credentials and Elections Committee chair, Rev. Jim Mossman, reported the following registration data: Credentials Report #3 06/11/16 2:45 PM Clergy 85 Lay males 65 Lay females 105 Total voting 255 Visitors 58 Total registered 313 Bishop Julius Trimble, Resident Bishop Iowa Area, The United Methodist Church, greeted the assembly. Pr Jay Denne read and responded to the budget questions submitted earlier in the assembly. Daniel Holste read Resolution #2: Resolution #2 Adopt the Budget Submitted by: Synod Council RESOLVED, that the Assembly of the Western Iowa Synod adopt the revised budget for the fiscal year beginning February 1, 2016, and the proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning February 1, The Committee of Assembly Business and Counsel reports this resolution and recommends its adoption. SA A motion and second were made to approve Resolution #2. Voice vote; PASSED. 7

8 Daniel Holste read Resolution #3: Resolution #3 Western Iowa Synod 2017 Compensation Guidelines Submitted by: Western Iowa Synod Council WHEREAS, congregations call rostered leaders to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ ; and WHEREAS, congregations desire to provide for the financial, spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of those called to serve them; and WHEREAS, the compensation guidelines have been developed by the Synod Council for congregational use; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Assembly of the Western Iowa Synod ELCA adopt the proposed guidelines and urge that congregations compensate rostered leaders at the recommended levels. The Committee of Assembly Business and Counsel reports this resolution and recommends its adoption. The printed versions of the 2017 Compensation Guidelines inadvertently omitted the statement: In case of second career people, it is recommended that one year of credit be given for every three years of first career experience after age 22. SA A motion and second were made to approve Resolution #3 with the additional sentence above. Voice vote; PASSED. Held in remembrance those lost in the past year: Angie Lawson (Team member for 10 months) Rev. Terry Manke (served at Zion in Rake) Rev. Ann Ziegert (served years ago as an interim in Rockwell City and later at Christ in Jefferson) Pr. Perry Aalgard addressed the assembly on SACCOs (Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization) in Tanzania. Rev. Mary Newbern-Williams, Missouri River Valley Presbytery, addressed the assembly. The following Partners in Ministry addressed the assembly: Rev. Barb Spaulding Lay School of Ministry (rebranded: Discipleship Academy ) Marlyce Hauge Western Iowa Synod Women's Organization (WISWO) Kyle Pedersen Lutheran Men in Mission Barb Brennan Mission Interpreters Pr. Katie Russell addressed the Faith, Sexism, Justice Social Statement. Rev. Tim Squire spoke on behalf of the Reformed Church in America. Heidi Church and LYO leaders and youth presented the Youth Report. 8

9 John Twardos, CEO/President of Lutheran Services in Iowa, addressed the assembly. Bishop Prois recessed the assembly at 5:00 PM until Sunday at 8:45 AM. A banquet was held about 7:00 PM; Table of Grace ministries offered music during the meal. Congregational anniversaries were recognized. Holden Evening Prayer service was the closing devotion. Sunday June 12, 2016 The Worship Committee lead opening devotions at 8:45 AM. The fourth plenary session resumed at 8:55 AM. The Credentials and Elections Committee chair, Rev. Jim Mossman, reported the following registration data: Credentials Report #4 06/12/16 8:15 AM Clergy 85 Lay males 65 Lay females 105 Total voting 255 Visitors 58 Total registered 313 Pastor Rich Pleva, United Church of Christ, addressed the assembly. Several assembly participants shared examples of ways their communities demonstrate being Church Together. Bishop Prois installed the Synod Council: Current members: Barbara Brennan Bruce Radtke Brian Campbell, VP Rev. Del Olivier Tracy Gayer Karen Post, Secretary Marlyce Hauge Sandy Smith Susan Juilfs John Smith Newly-elected members: Rev. Brian Jack (Abundant Fields, clergy, 3 years) Michael Jacobson, Treasurer (4 years, expiring December 2020) Maja Knutson (Living Waters, lay female, 3 years) Rev. Barb Kopperud (At large, clergy, 3 years) Rev. Jim Mossman (Hands of Hope, 3 years) Julie Sievers (At large, lay female, 3 years) 9

10 Rev. Erma Wolf (Winds of Hope, clergy, 3 years) Several assembly participants shared examples of ways their communities demonstrate being Church Together. The plenary session ended at 10:00 AM. The assembly concluded with closing worship at 10:30 AM, including communion and recognition of ordination anniversaries, and the assembly closing litany. It was reported that the weekend offerings given in response to the 2015 assembly Hunger Resolution totaled $13,769. Respectfully submitted Karen Post Western Iowa Synod Secretary 10