Twenty-Ninth Annual Synod Assembly

Transcription

1 Twenty-Ninth Annual Synod Assembly Pacifica Synod ELCA Irvine Marriott WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, :30 a.m. Executive Committee 1:00 p.m. Synod Council Meeting 6:30 p.m. Staff Dinner THURSDAY, MAY 5, :00 a.m. Registration Opens Registration Booth 10:30 a.m. Hearings Budget Hearing Berkeley Resolutions Hearing Anaheim 12:45 p.m. Gathering Music Grand Ballroom BUSINESS MEETING 1 1:00 p.m. Opening of the Assembly (Page 2-3) Bible Study the Rev. Dr. Shauna Hannan Nominating Committee Reports Treasurer s Report Introductions 2:00 p.m. Bishop Election Process Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton Credentials Report Bishop Election First Ballot 3:15 p.m. Report of the Bishop the Rev. Murray D. Finck Resolutions Anniversary recognition Report of the First Ballot 5:00 p.m. Dinner on your own BUSINESS MEETING 2 7:00 p.m. Credentials Report Bishop Election Second Ballot Synod Business Recognition of Outstanding Lay Ministry 7:45 p.m. ELCA Report Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton Report of the Second Ballot Evening Devotions 2-1

2 FRIDAY, MAY 6, :30 a.m. Stretch & Pray Bishop Murray Finck Catalina 8:20 a.m. Gathering Music Grand Ballroom BUSINESS MEETING 3 8:35 a.m. Bible Study the Rev. Shauna Hannan 9:05 a.m. Question & Answer of Bishop Candidates Credentials Report Bishop Election Third Ballot Synod Council Elections Budget 11:00 a.m. Worship Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, preaching 12:15 p.m. Report of the Third Ballot Pick up Box Lunches Ballroom Foyer 1:20 p.m. Bishop Candidates 5-Minute Presentations Credentials Report Bishop Election Fourth Ballot 2:00 p.m. Workshops (locations on Page 7 3) 3:15 p.m. Report of the Fourth Ballot Credentials Report Bishop Election Fifth Ballot Synod Business Report of the Fifth Ballot Celebration Dinner 6:15 p.m. Reception Ballroom Foyer 7:00 p.m. Dinner Grand Ballroom SATURDAY, MAY 7, :30 a.m. Stretch and Pray Bishop Murray Finck Catalina 8:25 a.m. Gathering Music Grand Ballroom BUSINESS MEETING 4 8:30 a.m. Bible Study the Rev. Shauna Hannan Credentials Report Synod Council Election Results Conference Break-outs (locations on Page 7 9) 10:30 a.m. Closing Worship Bishop Murray Finck, preaching Close of Assembly 2-2

3 Evangelical Lutheran Worship Opening of a Synod or Churchwide Assembly L: As in one body we have many members, C: so we, who are many, are one body in Christ. L: Where two or three are gathered in my name, says the Lord, C: I am there among them. L: Live a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. C: Let us pursue what makes for justice and peace, and for mutual upbuilding. L: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. L: Let us pray. O God, you open the hearts of your faithful people by sending into us your Holy Spirit. Direct us by the light of that Spirit, that we may have a right judgment in all things and rejoice at all times in your peace, through Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. L: I declare this Twenty-Ninth assembly to be in session in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2012 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #

4 Evangelical Lutheran Worship Closing of a Synod or Churchwide Assembly L: Jesus said, You will be my witnesses C: to the ends of the earth. L: I chose you and appointed you C: to bear fruit that will last. L: Remember, I will be with you always, C: to the end of time. L: The Lord be with you. C: And also with you. L: Let us pray. Direct us, Lord God, in all our doings with your most gracious favor, and extend to us your continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy name; and finally, by your mercy, bring us to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. C: Amen. L: O God, our beginning and our end, you kept Abraham and Sarah in safety throughout the days of their pilgrimage, you led the children of Israel through the midst of the sea, and by a star you led the magi to the infant Jesus. Protect and guide us now as we set out to travel. Make our ways safe and our homecomings joyful, and bring us at last to our heavenly home, where you dwell in glory with our Lord Jesus Christ and the life-giving Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. C: Amen. L: I declare this assembly closed in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. C: Amen. L: Go in peace. Share the good news. C: Thanks be to God. From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2012 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #

5 CHAIR... PARLIAMENTARIAN... SECRETARY... ASSEMBLY PLANNING TEAM... The Rev. Carl Zimmermann, Co-Chair Ms. April Sharp, Co-Chair Ms. Helga Bergthold, Assembly Manager The Rev. Brad Steinstra The Rev. Tim Philips AUDIO/VISUAL ASSISTANT... CELEBRATION DINNER PLANNING... Mr. Jerry Englehardt, Co-Chair Ms. Sheila Wenzel, Co-Chair The Rev. Scottie Lloyd The Rev. Wilk Miller CREDENTIALS... EMERGENCY PROCEDURES... ASSEMBLY PARTICIPANTS Bishop Murray D. Finck Ms. Pauline Getz Ms. Rachel Line Ms. Vicki Higgins Ms. Sandy Poteet Mr. Glen Travers Ms. Fumi Liang Ms. Cheryl Tonic Ms. Terri Robertson Mr. Dale Feine The Rev. Bob Mooney The Rev. Tim Philips The Rev. Keith Wolter Ms. Terri Robertson Ms. Vicki Higgins HOSPITALITY VOLUNTEER COORDINATORS... Ms. Fumi Liang Ms Cheryl Tonic LOGO... NOMINATING COMMITTEE... REGISTRATION COORDINATORS... RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE... SYNOD COUNCIL ELECTIONS... WORSHIP... The Rev. Terry Tuvey Allen The Rev. Becca Ajer The Rev. Matt Anderson Ms. April Sharp The Rev. Scottie Lloyd, Chair Ms. Meri Jo Petrivelli The Rev. Jay Egenes Ms. Terri Robertson Ms. Sandy Poteet Mr. Glenn Travers The Rev. Brian Taylor, Chair The Rev. Jay Egenes Ms. Sheila Wenzel The Rev. Brian Taylor Ms. Elsie Tiede The Rev. Jay Egenes Ms. Dianne Finnecy Ms. Mary Shaima The Assembly planning team thanks all of the many volunteers who make this event possible. 2-5

6 ELCA CHURCHWIDE REPRESENTATIVE The Rev. Elizabeth Eaton The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton was elected as the ELCA s fourth presiding bishop at the 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Born in Cleveland on April 2, 1955, Eaton earned a Master of Divinity degree from Harvard Divinity School in Cambridge, Mass., and a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education from the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio. Ordained June 4, 1981, Eaton served as assistant pastor of All Saints Lutheran Church in Worthington, Ohio; interim pastor of Good Hope Lutheran Church in Boardman, Ohio; and pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Ashtabula, Ohio. She was elected bishop of the ELCA Northeastern Ohio Synod in 2006 and re-elected in May Eaton is involved in a number of boards and committees. She is a board member of Trinity Lutheran Seminary and Capital University, both based in Columbus, Ohio. She is a member of the Lutheran Episcopal Coordinating Committee and the ELCA Conference of Bishops Executive Committee. She also serves on the Conference of Bishops Domestic Ready Bench and serves in roles with the ELCA Malaria Campaign, the Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry, PORTICO Philosophy of Benefits Task Force, Ohio Council of Churches and Lutheran Planned Giving in Ohio. Prior to her election, Eaton was the liaison bishop to the ELCA Church Council and a member of the ELCA Memorials Committee for the 2007, 2011 and 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assemblies. She served as a delegate to The Lutheran World Federation Assembly in Budapest in 1984, on the review team for Lutheran Episcopal dialogues in 1982, and she was a part of the delegation from the ELCA s predecessor church bodies to the German Democratic Republic in Eaton s husband, the Rev. T. Conrad Selnick, an Episcopal priest, is pastor of St. Christopher s-bythe-river in Gates Mills, Ohio. They are parents of two adult children, Rebeckah and Susannah. 2-6

7 BIBLE STUDY LEADER The Rev. Dr. Shauna Kay Hannan Associate Professor of Homiletics, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (of California Lutheran University) and Core Doctoral Faculty (Graduate Theological Union). Dr. Hannan uses multiple pedagogies and is a master at involving students in the teaching-learning process. Her teaching and mentoring of students demonstrates the depth of her vocational call to the formation of candidates for Christian ministry and public leadership in the Church. Her current research and writing projects are: the connection between the arts (e.g., film, theatre, music, photography, short story fiction) and the craft of preaching, narrative medicine, and Latin-American homiletical pedagogy. Professional History Associate Professor of Homiletics, PLTS (2014-) Core Doctoral Faculty, GTU (2015-) Assistant/Associate Professor of Homiletics, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary ( ) Teaching Fellow in Preaching and Speech, Princeton Theological Seminary ( ) Associate Director of Admissions, Luther Seminary ( ) Associate Pastor, Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Moorhead, MN ( ) Special Service ELCA Multi-Synodical Candidacy Committee Member PLTS Academic Committee PLTS Ethics and Old Testament and New Testament Faculty Search Committee Member of the Academy of Homiletics Member of the Society for Biblical Literature Chair of the ELCA Association of Teaching Theologians Member of the ELCA Theological Roundtable Lutheran Thrivent Fellow 2-7

8 Assembly Rules and Procedures for the Pacifica Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY This Synod shall have a Synod Assembly, which shall be its highest legislative authority. (S7.01) MEETINGS Regular meetings of the Synod Assembly shall be held annually, as scheduled by the Synod Council, generally in the months of April, May, or June. (S ) QUORUM One-half of members of the Synod Assembly shall constitute a quorum. (S7.14) AGENDA The Chair shall have the authority, within the adopted agenda, to call items before the Assembly in such an order as to ensure the orderly flow of business. Any resolution presented after the 90-day deadline is to be submitted to the Secretary who will immediately refer it to the Resolutions Committee. These resolutions can be introduced at the Assembly if permitted by a two-thirds vote of the members. All resolutions not voted on at the Assembly will be placed on the next Synod Council meeting agenda for action. All motions to come before the Assembly are to be in writing and submitted to the Secretary. A two-thirds vote of the Assembly shall be required to add new business to the Agenda. VOTING MEMBERS The membership of the Synod Assembly, of which at least 60% of the voting membership shall be composed of laypersons, shall be constituted as follows: a. All ordained ministers, under call, on the roster of this synod in attendance at the Synod Assembly shall be voting members. b. All associates in ministry, deaconesses of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and diaconal ministers, under call, on the official lay roster of this synod shall have both voice and vote as lay voting members in the Synod Assembly, in addition to the voting membership of lay members of congregations provided in item *S7.21.c. 2-8

9 c. A minimum of one lay member elected by each congregation with fewer than 175 baptized members and a minimum of two lay members elected by each congregation with 175 or more baptized members related to this synod, normally one of whom shall be male and one of whom shall be female, shall be voting members. The Synod Council shall establish a formula to provide additional lay representation from congregations on the basis of number of baptized members in the congregation. (*S21.c.) In addition to the lay voting members elected by each congregation as stipulated in *S7.21.c, each congregation may provide additional lay representation to a synod assembly by adding one lay voting member who is a Youth or Young Adult less than 30 years of age (S7.21.B13). Synodically Authorized Worshipping Communities (SAWC) of the Pacifica Synod shall be permitted to have one lay representative (S7.26). Licensed lay ministers in recognized ethnic ministries of the synod are granted voice and vote at the assembly, plus one additional layperson from the community may be elected as a voting member. The Synod Council will review a list of the eligible ministries/persons annually. (SC ) The Synod Council shall seek to ensure that, as nearly as possible, 50 percent of the lay members of the assembly shall be female and 50 percent shall be male. d. Voting membership shall include the officers of this synod. (S7.21) e. Ten percent (10%) of all retired ordained ministers, retired associates in ministry, retired deaconesses, and retired diaconal ministers on the roster of this synod shall have the right to serve as voting members of the Synod Assembly. The selection of these retired ordained ministers to serve as voting members shall be done in a process established by the Synod Council. (S7.22.b,c) f. Retired pastors on the roster of the Pacifica Synod serving congregations in an interim position under a contract with the congregation and with the approval of the synod, notwithstanding the provisions above (S7.22b), shall be voting members of the Synod Assembly, consistent with S7.21.c. (S7.22.A12) g. Duly elected voting members of the Synod Council who are not otherwise voting members of the Synod Assembly under S7.21. shall be granted the privilege of both voice and vote as members of the Synod Assembly. (S7.27) h. Rostered leaders with on leave from call or continuing disability status, in good standing with this synod, may serve as voting members of the assembly. VOICE ONLY The Pacifica Synod of the ELCA grants seat and voice to the President of the Pacifica Synodical Women s Organization at Synod assemblies. (S7.21.A94) All retired ordained ministers, associates in ministry and diaconal ministers, all of whose names appear on the rosters of this synod, shall have the privilege of voice but not vote at all meetings of the Synod Assembly. The bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and such other official representatives of this church as may be designated from time to time by the Church Council shall also have voice but not vote in the meetings of the 2-9

10 Synod Assembly. Like privileges shall be accorded to those additional persons whom the Synod Assembly or the Synod Council shall from time to time designate. (S7.23) The youth that join the assembly from the Pacifica Synod Youth Team shall have seat and voice in the assembly. VOTING Voting for Synod Council and Churchwide Assembly Voting Members shall be done by ballot distributed in each Voting Member packet. When voting is declared open, ballots will be collected by designated tellers after verifying Voting Member credentials. Only one ballot is to be collected from each person. Proxy and absentee voting shall not be permitted in the transaction of any business of this synod. (S7.31) NOMINATIONS Nominations for all positions, whether offered by the Nominating Committee, or from the floor, shall be valid only if prior to the nominations being closed, the Nominee has, either directly or indirectly, indicated his/her willingness to serve if elected. All nominations from the floor must be accompanied by a written nomination containing the signatures of no less than 10 persons qualified to vote for the Nominee indicating their support for the nomination and needs to be in compliance with gender, clergy/lay representation requirements. Nominations for all offices must be submitted to the Nominations Table located outside the Pacifica Synod Office no later than 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 5. Those desiring to make nominations are asked to get a Nominations Form from the Nominations Table, and, after completing it, return it to the Nominations Table. During the Assembly, if a resignation or withdrawal occurs, immediate reference shall be made to the Nominating Committee, which will convene and suggest one or more candidates for another election. VOICE No member may speak from the floor more than two minutes or more than twice on one issue without consent of the Assembly. ROBERT S RULES OF ORDER Robert s Rules of Order, latest edition, shall govern parliamentary procedure of the Synod Assembly. (S7.32) APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS Any proposal to appropriate funds, whether by amendment to the budget or otherwise, which is presented to a meeting of the Synod Assembly without the prior approval of the 2-10

11 Synod Council, shall be immediately referred to the Synod Council for an opinion and report prior to any debate or action by the Synod Assembly. (S10.04) DISPLAYS AND EXHIBITS Authorization for setting up displays and exhibits and for placing posters, announcements, etc., at Assemblies of the Pacifica Synod shall be limited to those agencies or groups who are approved by the Executive Committee. The selling of goods or services is not allowed unless approved in advance by the Executive Committee. DISPLAYS BY AFFILIATED AND NON-AFFILIATED ORGANIZATIONS The Executive Committee of the Pacifica Synod has approved the following list of organizations as ones that may display at the 2016 Synod Assembly. Permission to display by non-affiliated organizations is granted by the Executive Committee of the Synod Council and does not constitute any type of endorsement of these groups. Under no circumstances may non-affiliated organizations be involved in direct solicitation of funds at the assembly. Permission to display is granted on a year-by-year basis. Agape House SDSU Lutheran Retreats, Camps & Conferences Lutheran Social Services of So Cal and Bethlehem Handicrafts Central City Lutheran Mission California Lutheran Homes Mission Investment Fund ELCA California Lutheran University Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary Nancy Bond Insurance Services Christian Education Network of the ELCA Portico Benefit Services Coaching Ministry Team Pacifica Women of the ELCA ELCA Chaplains Fund for Mission Reconciling Works ELCA Federal Credit Union Pacifica Youth and Family Leadership ELCA Foundation Southern Cross Property Consultants ILERT Third Avenue Charitable Organization Lutheran Office of Public Policy Thrivent Financial DISTRIBUTION OF MATERIALS All materials for distribution to voting members at the Synod Assembly shall be in the synod office no later than five working days prior to the opening of the assembly. After the assembly is in session, permission to distribute materials must be secured from the on-site synod office. 2-11

12 CHANGES TO SYNOD ROSTER SINCE LAST ASSEMBLY PASTORS RECEIVED FROM OTHER SYNODS BY CALL TO: Glen Egertson Lutheran Retreats, Camps and Conferences Angela Denker Messiah, Yorba Linda James Friedrich Retired Derek Fossey Hope, Palm Desert Katharine Schlechter Atonement, San Diego Terry Tuvey Allen Pacifica Synod Staff David Barber Retired Brian Oltman Resurrection, Coronado RECEIVED BY ORDINATION AND CALL: TO: Jennifer Shaw St. John's, Palm Desert NEW CALLS WITHIN SYNOD: TO: David Beard Interim, King of Kings, Oceanside Rich Ajer Cross & Crown, Rancho Cucamonga Michael Schneider Good Shepherd, Buena Park Daren Erisman House of Prayer, Escondido Kathryn Zurcher St. John, Kailua Anke Flohr Pacific Health Ministry, Hawaii PASTORS WHO RETIRED Simon Lee Mark Will Paul Kirchner David Krueger Yutaka Kishino CURRENTLY ON LEAVE FROM CALL (as of March 21, 2015, Council Meeting) Steve Awbrey Richard Braun Michael Hagenow James Jerpseth David Kieffer Laura Line Rafael Melendez Carole Parmeter Dyer Roger Patterson Karen Perkins Amber Remillard Continuing Disability: Dianne Eller PASTORS TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER SYNOD Christine Higueria-Street Rocky Mountain Synod James West Rocky Mountain Synod Heidi Hester Sierra Pacific Synod Christina Johnsten Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod DECEASED, RESIGNED OR REMOVED FROM THE ROSTER Stephen Kung Removed Emily Kung Removed James Hallerberg Deceased Kenneth Krueger Deceased Jen Hao Lee Resigned R. Kevin Kline Resigned Donald Butenshon Deceased Donald Scott Hewes Deceased Michael Greenler Removed 2-12 as of April 4, 2016

13 APPROVED FOR CALL - ASSIGNED TO PACIFICA SYNOD Steve Otte Berhanu Refera Spencer Steele DIACONAL MINISTERS ROSTER NEW CALLS WITHIN SYNOD: TO: Melissa James Agape House, San Diego State University CURRENTLY ON LEAVE FROM CALL Barbara Martyn ASSOCIATES IN MINISTRY ROSTER RECEIVED BY COMMISSIONING AND CALL: TO: Roberta Wall Our Savior s, San Clemente NEW CALLS WITHIN SYNOD: TO: Leah Emerson Laguna Presbyterian Church, Laguna Beach ANNIVERSARIES OF ROSTERED LEADERS 2016 MORE THAN FIFTY YEARS Carol Worthing 1943 Robert L. Miller 1960 P.E. Van Tassel 1945 Harvey A. Anderson 1961 Luverne C. Tengbom 1946 Bruce P. Craft 1961 Lowell O. Larson 1948 Duane A. Berg 1962 John W. Spann 1949 Richard L. Elliott 1962 Melvin M. Kieschnick 1950 Fred P. Fritschel 1962 Kenneth J. Dale 1951 Eugene R. Holtz 1962 Charles A. Endter 1952 George S. Johnson 1962 Donovan A. Myers 1952 David D. Reynolds 1962 Robert J. Wayne 1952 Kenneth Caudill 1963 Gilbert C. Moore 1953 Carl Erickson 1963 Lawrence H. Roller 1953 Donald Johnson 1963 Edward Eskildsen 1954 Ying-Chhi Kuo 1963 William Schumacher 1954 Jack Lindquist 1963 Stanley N. Califf 1955 Albert Stott 1963 David Lindberg 1955 David Wenger 1963 M. Laurel Gray 1956 David Chen 1964 Paul C. Oas 1956 Frank Gearhart 1964 Edward J. Volkmann 1956 Charles Malloch 1964 Raymond Mehl 1957 Theodore C. Johns 1965 Daniel Hansen 1958 William A. Norman 1965 Paul Larson 1958 Charles W. Sundry 1965 John Knudson 1958 David Babcock YEARS-1966 Roy Blumhorst 1959 Betty L. Darrow Larry Gardner 1959 David R. Kupka Stephen L. Brandt 1960 Clifford A. Listug Robert R. Freistedt 1960 R. Joseph Ramnarine Ronald J. Lavin as of April 4, 2016

14 45 YEARS YEARS-1991 David Barber Cheryl Corneliussen R. Dennis Dirks Sharon L. Gunderson Joseph J. Johnson Timothy J. Mason William A. Radaatz Ruth M. Peterson Lee B. Rozen 20 YEARS YEARS-1976 Phillip Deming Ronald D. Baesler Darin Erisman David J. Krueger Rafael Melendez Frederick C. Lubs Michael D. Schneider Richard W. Martyn Kathy Waltz Mark S. Will 15 YEARS YEARS-1981 Jake Bell Simon W.S. Lee Glen Egertson Richard W. Vevia Laura A. Line Raymond W. Wade Barbara Martyn 30 YEARS YEARS-2006 Steven A. Awbrey Darryl Kozak Karin Boye Daniel E. Roschke Georgia Decker May Tsui David P. Jorstad Kathryn Zurcher Andrew A. Taylor 5 YEARS-2011 Linda Brown Yukio Hamada Deogracias Olivar ANNIVERSARIES OF CONGREGATIONS YEARS 102 YEARS Lihue, Lihue Trinity, Hemet St. Peter, Santa Ana 128 YEARS Eden, Riverside 101 YEARS First, San Diego Our Savior s, San Diego 122 YEARS 70 YEARS Trinity, Riverside 116 YEARS Lutheran Church of Honolulu St. Peter's by the Sea, San Diego Salem, Whittier 65 YEARS Lutheran Church of the Master, La Habra 115 YEARS Highland Avenue, San Bernardino First, Redlands 60 YEARS 110 YEARS Good Shepherd, Buena Park Emanuel Danish, Yorba Linda Lutheran Church of the Cross, Rialto Shepherd of the Hills, Whittier 2-14 as of April 4, 2016

15 55 YEARS 50 YEARS Shepherd of the Valley, La Mesa Christ, Chino Bethlehem, Los Alamitos St. Paul, Fullerton Hope, Palm Desert Joy of Christ, Pearl City 30 YEARS Calvary, Santa Ana Grace Taiwanese, San Diego Grace, Upland 5 YEARS Glory, Chula Vista CELEBRATING FIFTY YEARS OF ORDINATION 2016 THE REV. DAVID R. KUPKA was ordained June 19, 1966, in the American Lutheran Church (ALC), Minneapolis. The ordination service, officiated by Pastor Victor C. Swain, was held at Lake Nokomis Lutheran Church since Kupka s home congregation, Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, had been heavily damaged by fire. After serving his first call to Zion Lutheran Church, Weyburn, Saskatchewan, Canada, Kupka returned to Minnesota until 1980 when he was called to Redeemer Lutheran Church, Bakersfield. He has also served Ascension, Scottsdale, and King of Kings, Oceanside. Kupka received his Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) from Luther Seminary in 1983, and his certificate in Geriatric Pastoral Care from the Center for Aging, Religion & Spirituality in Both are located in St. Paul, Minnesota. Other areas of service include Conference Dean, South Pacific District of the ALC; Lutheran Social Services area coordinator, Bakersfield; Conference Dean of the Grand Canyon Synod; and a First Call group coordinator for Pacifica Synod. As a parish pastor for 39 years, Kupka has been gifted with the ability to bring healing and wholeness to stagnated or troubled congregations following a long-term pastorate or conflict situation. Well done, good and faithful servant. THE REV. CLIFFORD A. LISTUG was ordained June 19, The Rev. T.C. Hanson, District President, Northern Minnesota, American Lutheran Church (ALC), presided at Moe Lutheran Church, Roseau, Minn. Listug also remembers the liturgist, the Rev. Erling Huglen, the presenter, the Rev. A.C. Rykken and special music by Thoralf Melby and Paul Spjut. His first call was to associate pastor of St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Whittier. Listug was the pastor at Hope Lutheran Church, San Diego, from 1970 until his retirement in Listug believes that every person in a congregation is called to be an equal partner, minister and listener. There is no distinction in the Kingdom, all are sacred and equal before the Lord. Contemporary Faith and the Sciences complement each other. There is no age in the Kingdom What are a few years in the life of an eternal people. (Holden Village wisdom) Daily, Listug has deep gratitude for the overflowing love his sweetheart-wife-soulmate and two beautiful stepchildren have given to him over the past 35 years. He seeks every day to be the best, caring, non-judgmental person I am able to be with my fellow travelers on the planet earth. THE REV. R. JOSEPH RAMNARINE was ordained July 7, 1966, at Beverly Hills Lutheran Church, Lutheran Church in America, by Dr. Carl Segerhammar as of April 4, 2016

16 Ramnarine served four congregations before retirement: Beverly Lutheran Church, Los Angeles; Bethel Lutheran Church, Los Angeles; Atonement Lutheran Church, Colton; and Lutheran Church of the Cross, Rialto. He continues to be a faithful disciple of the Lord. CELEBRATING FIFTY YEARS OF COMMISSIONING 2016 MS. BETTY L. DARROW was commissioned as an Associate in Ministry on February 13, The service took place at Zion Lutheran Church, Petersburg, Michigan, and was officiated by the Rev. Robert Pflueger. Darrow has served in a variety of congregations and ministries. She served as parish worker for education ministries of Bethany Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana; Director of Education for First English Lutheran Church, Peoria, Illinois; Youth and Education Director, King of Glory Lutheran Church, Fountain Valley; and as Education and Women s Ministry Director at Preston Meadow Lutheran Church, Plano, Texas, and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Dana Point. She served on the Board of Directors for Briarwood Retreat Ministries, Argyle, Texas, and for the Lutheran Home of Greater Peoria, Illinois. High in energy, Darrow has provided excellence in programming. CELEBRATING TWENTY FIVE YEARS OF ORDINATION 2016 THE REV. CHERYL CORNELIUSSEN was ordained June 16, 1991, in her home congregation, Elim Lutheran Church, Robbinsdale, Minnesota, by the Rev. Dr. Paull E. Spring, Bishop of Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA. Also present and participating at ordination were her baptismal pastor, the Rev. Dr. William Siegel and confirmation pastor, the Rev. C. Ward Nerothin. Mt. Calvary in Erie, Penn., was Corneliussen s first call, after which she moved to California to serve Hope Lutheran Church, Palm Desert. She served Zion Lutheran Church, Stockton, before beginning her current call at Our Saviour s, Orange, in In the Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod, Corneliussen served in a number of ways, including as a member, committee chair and president of Mercy Center for Women, a conference dean, the Bishop s Policy Committee and the Professional Leaders Retreat Planning Committee. In California she served on the Sierra Pacific Bishop s Synodical Ecumenical Affairs Committee, and for Pacifica, the Bishop s Consultation Committee, the Professional Leaders Conference Planning Committee and chaired the New, Transformation and Redevelopment Mission Fund Committee. With an emphasis in teaching, redevelopment and pastoral care, Corneliussen is an open, caring and Christ-centered pastor-teacher/pastor-redeveloper who strives to serve Jesus and share the light of Jesus Christ. THE REV. SHARON L. GUNDERSON was ordained June 9, 1991, at Grace Lutheran Church, Culver City. Bishop Robert L. Miller and Pastor Robert Van de Ven presided at the worship service as of April 4, 2016

17 Gunderson has served her first and only call for 25 years at Bethany Lutheran Church, Norco. Bethany s main strength, in addition to worship, preaching and teaching, has been one of hospitality as a small community center who welcomes all. They have had the privilege of welcoming the Indonesian HKBP California (Batak) congregation into their midst for 13 years. Because Gunderson was a professional keyboard artist before receiving God s call to minister, she has especially enjoyed creating and playing for services as well as preaching and teaching, especially Junior Highers! Because of her varied skills she was a good match for a small, familystyle oriented church. She thanks God expressly for my compassionate heart. THE REV. TIMOTHY J. MASON was ordained July 28, 1991, in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America s LaCrosse Area Synod. Bishop Stefan T. Guttormsson presided at the service at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Bishop Guttormsson kept talking about being a member of the Apostolic Succession Mason notes, I still am not sure what he was getting at As an intern, Mason served St. Paul International Lutheran Church, an interesting hybrid of ELCA and LCMS, in Iidabashi/Tokyo, Japan. After ordination he was called to serve in the Division for Global Mission (DGM) as a missionary pastor in Japan, where he remained until 2004, serving the DGM in a number of congregations as Missionary pastor. The most memorable was Kakegawa Kikugawa Lutheran Church, a two-point parish with one church in the town of Kikugawa and another in the city of Kakegawa, Mason recalls, For one term I served as the dean for our cluster of churches. I was also assigned to work at the Denmark Farm, a farm/facility for troubled youth. This was a very special time for Yuriko and I because we helped the members of Kakegawa Kikugawa Lutheran Church totally rebuild their sanctuary and parsonage in Kakegawa as well as totally remodel the Kikugawa sanctuary and grounds. During this time we also brought a large group of Japanese youth to the U.S. to experience one week at Wapogasset Lutheran Bible Camp in Amery, Wis., as well as visiting our supporting churches in Florida. Currently pastor of Calvary by the Sea Lutheran Church, Honolulu, Mason serves on the board of the Hawaii Foodbank, has served the Hawai i Alliance of Nonprofit Organization, and is the 1998 recipient of the Alumni Service Award from Lutheran Youth Encounter. He follows many passions including feeding the hungry, finding help for the needy, working for the preservation of the Marine habitat, and working as a member of Faith Action for Community Equity. Mason is an evangelist: a messenger of the Good News of God s Amazing Grace bestowed onto us through the life and death of Jesus. Every day he prays that God opens my eyes, heart, ears and brain to the ever presence of God. Whatever happens each day is a gift and adventure. THE REV. RUTH M. PETERSON was ordained October 6, 1991, in a wonderful celebration at her home congregation, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Concord, California, where she received First Communion, had been confirmed, celebrated family baptisms and marriages as well as funerals. There was also a touch of Hawaii in the service as Ohana from Peterson s internship congregation, St. John, Kailua, had flown over for the day and brought the flowers and lei for the worship. She was ordained by ELCA Sierra Pacific Synod bishop, the Rev. Lyle Miller. Peterson s first call was to Zion Lutheran Church in Stockton, California. In May 1995 she was called to Faith Lutheran Church in Reno, Nevada. April 2000 brought her to Hawaii s Joy of Christ Lutheran Church in Pearl City. Since May 2011 Peterson has served with Pacific Health 2-17 as of April 4, 2016

18 Ministries, first as a Chaplain for Legacy of Life Hawaii and currently as the Chaplain at Pohai Nani Good Samaritan Society in Kaneohe, Hawaii. She has served on a variety of ministry teams and committees in both the Sierra Pacific Synod as well as the Pacifica Synod and has also served as dean several terms in both Synods. Peterson helped to form OYEA (Oahu Youth Education and Activities) which worked to promote cooperative youth ministries between congregations on Oahu. She was part of the planning team for both the 2007 and 2014 Synod Assemblies held on Oahu, and is currently the dean of the Hukilau Conference. Believing that we are better when we find ways to cooperate with others, Peterson has always found ways to work with other congregations and Christians, sharing our strengths and supporting each other in our journey. Congregations she has served have worked jointly with neighboring congregations and congregations from other denominations on social ministry efforts, youth programs, service projects and joint worship services. She is passionate about serving people and having a living faith. NECROLOGY THE REV. JAMES W. HALLERBERG April 2, 1940 June 19, 2015 THE REV. KENNETH A. KRUEGER October 29, 1927 August 1, 2015 THE REV. DONALD E. BUTENSHON June 6, 1927 October 17, 2015 THE REV. DONALD SCOTT HEWES December 8, 1942 December 14, as of April 4, 2016