Grand Canyon Synod Synod Council Meeting Community Lutheran Church, Las Vegas, Nevada Wednesday, June 15, 2016 Minutes 1.

Transcription

1 Grand Canyon Synod Synod Council Meeting Community Lutheran Church, Las Vegas, Nevada Wednesday, June 15, 2016 Minutes 1. Gathering a. Attending Synod Council members present: Bishop Steve Talmage; Ms. Mary Beth Baron, Vice President; Rev. David Brandfass, Secretary; Mr. Jerry Zaddack, Treasurer; Ms. Raina Cavanaugh; Mr. Mateo Chavez; Mr. Wes Hewitt; Rev. Jeff Kallevig; Ms. Mary Elizabeth Kilber; Ms. Carole Larkins; Mr. Frank Melgar; Ms. Marissa Metevelis; Mr. Richard Miller; Mr. Mark Myers; Rev. Jennifer Zahnow;. Synod Council members absent: Ms. Judith Baker; Ms. Laurel Edgar; Ms. Nancy Davis; Mr. John Collins; Synod Staff present: Rev. John Schaumburg; Ms. Kimberlee Stevens; Mr. Wendell Harris; and, Dr. Teri Traaen. Synod Staff Absent: Rev. Maria Valenzuela. 2. Call to Order Ms. Mary Beth Baron Ms. Mary Beth Baron called the meeting to order at 6:42 pm. 3. Introduction of Guests Ms. Mary Beth Baron Ms. Mary Beth Baron introduced The Rev. Lowell Almen who will serve as the 2016 Synod Assembly Parliamentarian, and The Rev. Albert Starr, Jr., Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Director of Ethnic Specific and Multicultural Ministries. 4. Minutes Ms. Mary Beth Baron Ms. Mary Beth Baron presented the minutes of the February 6, 2016 Synod Council Minutes for adoption MSP 1 SC to approve minutes of the February 6, 2016 Synod Council Meeting as received. 5. Reports a. Report of the Treasurer Mr. Jerry Zaddack i Mission Plan Report Mr. Gerald Zaddack reported with thanksgiving that congregations of the Grand Canyon Synod have been generous in their mission support dollars. This has resulted in a surplus financial position when compared to what was budgeted. Therefore, unrestricted revenues were 20.1% over plan due to higher than budgeted Congregation Mission Support (+$69,905), higher than 1 MSP = Moved, seconded, and passed. 2 SC = Synod Council. Grand Canyon Synod, Synod Council Minutes Page 1

2 budgeted Grants (+$20,719) and higher than budgeted release of Purpose Restricted Assets (+$4,196) previously held in Temporarily Restricted Assets. At the same time, unrestricted expenses were 4% above budget due primarily our additional "tithe" to ELCA on the unbudgeted funds received. The bottom line shows an Increase in Consolidated Net Assets of $62,828 compared to a budgeted decrease of $91,602, an improvement of $145,430 over budget. Mr. Wes Hewit moved MSP SC to approve the Treasurer s Report dated June 15, ii Mission Plan Update The budget for 2017/2018 is based largely on the same income and expenses as realized in 2016/2017. The proposed budget for 2017/2018 calls for a reduction of Consolidated Net Assets of $282,056 mostly as a result of anticipated Missional Network spending of $219,749 greater than anticipated grant and gift revenue. Mr. Jerry Zaddack also explained that some expenses are different due to staffing changes. Mr. Mark Myers moved MSP SC to approve the Financial Mission Plan with unrestricted revenue of $2,084,449 and expenses of $2,125,756. b. Vice President Ms. Mary Beth Baron i Nominating Report Ms. Mary Beth Baron reported the Synod Assembly will be ratifying the election of three Synod Council Conference Representative positions. We will be receiving nominations from the floor for the Synod Council Youth Representative (Female). The Assembly will be electing three At Large representatives; one lay female, one clergy female, and one lay male. We have nominations for all three categories, but we will also be accepting nominations from the floor. Ms. Baron stated that we need two lay males for the Consultation Committee. So far we have no nominations, so we will be accepting nominations from the floor for these positions as well. This year, at the recommendation of the Conference Deans and synod pastors, the nominating information was out prior to the end of the year. We aren t sure how successful that was but we will try it again next year. c. Report of the Bishop Bishop Steve Talmage i. Introduction of The Rev. Albert Starr Bishop Talmage introduced The Rev. Albert Starr from the Churchwide organization who will be our speaker at the Synod Assembly. He works with multicultural ministries of the ELCA. Rev. Starr gave an overview of his responsibilities at the Churchwide organization. Grand Canyon Synod, Synod Council Minutes Page 2

3 ii Synod Assembly Resolutions 1. Epiphany of Christ, Apache Junction Epiphany of Christ, Apache Junction, Arizona is posed to become the newest congregation of the Grand Canyon Synod. It was formally known as Epiphany Lutheran Church before it merged with Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Mesa, Arizona. In November, Our Saviors Lutheran Church unanimously voted to release Epiphany of Christ at their request. In December, the newly released community voted to become a congregation. In February, the Synod Council passed SC to recommend to the Synod Assembly this congregation into the Grand Canyon Synod. Therefore, there will be a formal resolution and celebration to accept Epiphany of Christ, Apache Junction, AZ, as a new congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America within the Grand Canyon Synod at the 2016 Synod Assembly. 2. Amendments to the GCS Constitution & Bylaws Bishop Talmage discussed two Bylaw amendments that will come before the Grand Canyon Synod Assembly. Bylaw S and S will be changed to clarify the Synod Council youth representative position. Bylaw S will be modified to include ministries under development in conference assignments. Conference assignments will now be listed in continuing resolution S12.01.A16. The Rev. Lowell Almen stated that using a continuing resolution format will streamline the alignment of congregations into appropriate conferences in the future. The Rev. David Brandfass moved MSP SC that bylaws S and S be amended to read (cross out indicates deletion, underlined is added): S The youth representative on the Synod Council shall be elected for one a term of two years and may be reelected to a second term if qualified under S S The youth representative on the Synod Council shall be a person no older than 18 years of age who has not passed her or his 19 th birthday at the time of election, and who shall be residing within the territory of the synod during the term of office. and that S be amended be amended to read (cross out indicates deletion, underlined is added): S Synod 2D, The Grand Canyon Synod, shall be divided into geographic conferences. Each conference shall determine its name. The following Grand Canyon Synod, Synod Council Minutes Page 3

4 conferences include congregations listed below. Ministries under development shall be assigned to conferences by the Synod Council. The name of each conference and congregations therein shall be listed in a continuing resolution. and that and that the names and congregations of each conference in this synod be listed in a new continuing resolution S12.01.A16 as follows: S12.01.A16. (1). Capital Conference: Phoenix: All Saints, Concordia, Faith, Grace, Iglesia Luterana Vida Nueva, Mount of Olives, St. Andrew, Shepherd of the Valley, Trinity. (2) Northeast Valley Conference: Carfree: Christ the Lord; Fountain Hills: New Journey; Paradise Valley: Ascension, Gloria Dei; Phoenix: Christ the King, La Sagrada Familia, Prince of Peace; Scottsdale: Bethany, Living Water, New Covenant, Resurrection. High Country Conference: Clarkdale, Spirit of Joy; Flagstaff: Living Christ, Shepherd of the Hills; Lakeside: Church of the Savior (*); Payson: Mount Cross; Prescott Valley: Emmanuel; Rock Point: House of Prayer; Williams: St. John s (*) Colorado River Conference: Bullhead City: Community; Henderson, NV: Christ the Servant, New Song; Kingman: Grace; Lake Havasu City: Mount Olive; Las Vegas (NV): Christ, Community, Good Samaritan, Holy Spirit, Living Springs, Reformation, St. Andrew, The Lakes; Pahrump (NV): Saved By Grace; St. George (UT): New Promise. Rio Salado Conference: Apache Junction: Our Savior s East Mesa, Queen Valley Community; Gilbert: Spirit of Joy; Mesa: Bethlehem, First Evangelical, La Primera, Love of Christ, Our Savior s, Spirit of Hope. Fiesta Conference: Arizona City: Central; Chandler: Holy Trinity; Maricopa: Maricopa Lutheran Chapel; Phoenix, Esperanza, Mountain View; Tempe: Desert Cross, University. Cactus Conference: Buckeye: Our Saviour s; El Mirage: Pan de Vida; Glendale: St. John s; Goodyear: Christ; Peoria: Celebration, Community of Grace, Peace; Phoenix: Grand Canyon Synod, Synod Council Minutes Page 4

5 Alleluia; Quartzsite: Covenant; Sun City: American, Shepherd of the Desert; Sun City West: Lord of Life; Surprise: Desert Streams, Spirit of Grace; Yuma: Faith, Gloria de Cristo. Sunrise Conference: Douglas: Emmanuel; Safford: Faith; Sierra Vista: Sierra Evangelical; Tucson: Abounding Grace, Church of the Foothills, New Spirit, Steams in the Desert, Tanque Verde; Wilcox: Trinity. Santa Cruz Conference: Green Valley: Desert Hills; Tucson: American, Beautiful Savior, Dove of Peace, Lord of Grace, Mount Zion, Our Saviour s, Resurrection, San Juan Bautista, Santa Cruz. (*) Denotes Episcopal- Lutheran Ministry. iii. Closing of Living Springs, Las Vegas Living Springs Lutheran Church, Las Vegas, Nevada, will be closing, effective July 15, 2016; and therefore, The Rev. Stephanie Johnson will be seeking a new call. Their last service will be held on June 19, This ministry began in Many of the members from Living Springs Lutheran Church will transfer to The Lakes Lutheran Church, Las Vegas, Nevada. iv. Closing of Trinity Lutheran Church, Wilcox Trinity Lutheran Church, Wilcox, Arizona, will be closing, effective September 25, Trinity Lutheran Church has been a long-standing ministry site, but like many rural communities the population is declining. v. September 16 17, 2016 Retreat Bishop Talmage reported that the annual retreat for the Synod Council, Conference Deans, and Synod Staff will be held September 16 17, 2016 at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center in Carefree, Arizona. This will go from Friday night, September 16, 2016 until about 2:00 pm on Saturday, September 17, d. Director for Evangelical Mission Pr. John Schaumburg The Rev. John Schaumburg reported that this month completes his fifth and final year as the Director for Evangelical Mission (DEM) in the Grand Canyon Synod. It has been Pr. Schaumburg s privilege and great joy to serve the congregations of the Grand Canyon Synod. Pr. Schaumburg will take his first major step into retirement on July 1, Pr. Schaumburg reported that within the Grand Canyon Synod we celebrate numerous expressions of new mission development and mission redevelopment. There is one Congregation Under Development (CUD), five Synod Authorized Worship Communities (SAWC s) and one SAWC-Exploration, plus six congregations who have formally entered into the redevelopment process, two of which are just starting their adventure. Grand Canyon Synod, Synod Council Minutes Page 5

6 Pr. Schaumburg reported the exciting news that Crossroads Lutheran Chapel, a Congregation Under Development (CUD), San Tan Valley, Arizona is currently in the SAWC-Exploration phase to plant another ministry near the Arizona State University polytechnic campus. The Rev. Jennifer Zahnow moved MSP SC to approve the Synodicaly Authorized Worshiping Community-Exploration of Crossroads Lutheran Chapel, San Tan Valley, Arizona, at the nearby University of Arizona polytechnic campus for one year, beginning July 1, Mr. Richard Miller asked how the church is going to be staffed. Pr. Schaumburg reported that the location where the SAWC-Exploration will meet is still under exploration, and the staff will come from Crossroads Lutheran Chapel. e. Assistant to the Bishop for Candidacy Dr. Teri Traaen Dr. Teri Traaen reported on the work of a Pre-Theological Education for Emerging Ministries (TEEM) assessment tool to see what skill sets candidates had for rostered ministry work. The Rev. John Schaumburg reported that this assessment dovetails with the work of the Director of Evangelical Mission. Bishop Talmage reported that this is a unique program the Grand Canyon Synod is developing. Dr. Teri Traaen s written report stated, We wish to thank the ongoing Grand Canyon Synod Candidacy Committee members who have dedicated many hours throughout this year to reviewing candidacy materials and being a part of our candidate interview committees The discernment process for many candidates is quite lengthy and we walk with them each step of the way In addition, we are finding that many second and third career individuals from new, as well as long term Lutheran backgrounds are interested in exploring a next occupation in the ELCA, rather than pursuing full retirement. The increasing cost for a seminary education necessitates extensive long range financial planning on the part of all interested seminary students Please note that in addition to our direct work with all of our students, we continue to complete more fully developed background and reference checks on all entering candidates The current slate of candidates in the Grand Canyon Synod includes Mr. Kevin Anderson; Mr. John Barton; Dr. Michael Chan, Faculty Member - Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota; Mr. Mateo Chavez (TEEM); Ms. Nanette Christofferson; Ms. Amy Gauthier; and, Ms. Kathleen Snyder-Lotz. 6. New Business a Audit Mr. Jerry Zaddack reported that we have received a draft audit letter from the audit firm, which states that, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Grand Canyon Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America as of January 31, 2016 Mr. Zaddack stated that the result of this clean audit report is thanks to the diligence and hard work of Mr. Wendell Harris and Ms. Kimberly Stevens. b. Affirmation of Synodically Authorized Worshiping Communities Grand Canyon Synod, Synod Council Minutes Page 6

7 MSP SC to affirm Covenant Lutheran Church, Quartzsite, Arizona; the East Valley Millennial Outreach Initiative, Tempe, Arizona; Open Space Church, Tucson, Arizona; Queen Valley Community Lutheran Chapel, Queen Valley, Arizona; and, Native American Urban Ministry, Arizona as Synodicaly Authorized Worshiping Communities within the Grand Canyon Synod for the next year. c. Designation of Tithe from Trinity, Phoenix, AZ Bishop Talmage led discussion on how to use a $3, tithe from Trinity Lutheran Church, Phoenix, Arizona. Property that Trinity invested in resulted in a gift to the congregation, and therefore, this tithe. Previously have used ten percent for mission support to Churchwide Campaign for New and Renewing Congregations. Bishop Talmage proposed that the balance of the tithe go to the Grand Canyon Synod s Outreach funds. Mr. Mark Miller asked if we might consider putting some of these funds to the seminarian scholarship fund as a friendly amendment, and Bishop Talmage agreed to put the motion forward that after the ten percent was sent to the Churchwide Campaign for New and Renewing Congregations, the tithe be split between the Grand Canyon Synod s Outreach and Seminarian Scholarship funds. MSP SC to designate a $3, tithe from Trinity Lutheran Church, Phoenix, Arizona to be designated forty-five percent to the Synod s Outreach funds, forty-five percent to the Grand Canyon Synod Seminarian Scholarship fund, with ten percent going to Churchwide Campaign for New and Renewing Congregations. d Synod Assembly Bishop Talmage reported that the 2017 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly will be held June 9-10, 2017 at Love of Christ Lutheran Church, Mesa, Arizona. Bishop Talmage moved MSP SC to approve that the 2017 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly will be held June 9-10, 2017 at Love of Christ Lutheran Church, Mesa, Arizona. e. Anniversary of the Reformation A Phoenix area music minister approached Bishop Talmage about organizing a Metro- Phoenix Area Reformation Music Festival to be held February 19, Many choir directors of ELCA and other churches of the reformation in the area have been contacted to about put together this two-hour Grand Canyon Synod sponsored event. This would be a mass choir of approximately 600 members. The organizer is estimating a crowd of upwards of 3,000 persons. To secure a venue for this the organizers have asked if the Grand Canyon Synod could provide seed funds to help secure an appropriate space. This would be a similar to loan, and the Grand Canyon Synod would be reimbursed for making the deposit from ticket sales to the event. Further discussion held. Ms. Carole Larkins moved Grand Canyon Synod, Synod Council Minutes Page 7

8 MSP SC to approve up to $5,000 to be spent from the Council Designated Unrestricted Net Assets to hold space for the February 19, 2017 Metro-Phoenix Reformation Music Festival. f. Actions Requiring Synod Council Approval Ms. Carole Larkins moved MSP SC to approve On Leave of Call applications for The Rev. Robert Jones, effective July 2, 2016; The Rev. John Rohwer, effective March 23, 2016; and, Associate in Ministry, Ms. Connie Rose-Kamprath, effective August 3, Mr. Jerry Zaddack moved MSP SC to approve Rev. Pasty Koeneke, contract associate pastor, Our Savior s, Mesa, to have voice and vote at the 2016 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly. MSP SC to approve changing the ELCA roster status from active to retired for The Rev. Gayle Bintliff, effective June 1, 2016; The Rev. Lee Rehrer, effective March 1, 2016; and, The Rev. John Schaumburg, effective July 1, Mr. Mark Myer moved MSP SC to issue a one year Synodical Call to Specialized Ministry to the Rev. Kevin J Meyer as Chaplain and Spiritual Care Coordinator at Banner Del Webb Hospital, Sun City West, Arizona. MSP SC to remove Ms. Joann Simmons, Diaconal Minister, from the roster of the ELCA effective June 15, 2016, due to failure to submit application for On Leave from Call status. Bishop Talmage explained that she had neglected to contact the synod office after she moved to Iowa. She could be reinstated at a later date. This is a process she would have to initiate. The Rev. Jennifer Zahnow moved MSP SC to approve the constitution of Gloria de Cristo, Yuma, Arizona, dated January 31, 2016, upon the recommendation of Mr. Bryan Daum. 7. Acknowledgement of Outgoing SC Members Ms. Mary Beth Baron With thanksgiving Ms. Mary Beth Baron thanked Ms. Raina Cavanaugh, Student Representative, Colorado River Conference, and Ms. Carole Larkins, Colorado River Conference Representative for their service on the Synod Council over the past years. Mark, Marissa. The Synod Council also thanked Pr. Schaumburg for his dedicated service as the Grand Canyon Synod s Director of Evangelical Mission for the past five years, and wishes him the best in his new vocation a retired pastor. 8. Adjournment The Rev. John Schaumburg led the closing prayer. Grand Canyon Synod, Synod Council Minutes Page 8

9 The meeting adjourned at 7:53 pm. 9. Next Meeting: a. September 16-17, 2016, Synod Council, Conference Deans, and Synod Staff Retreat. b. Location: Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center, Carefree, Arizona. Respectfully submitted, Rev. David Brandfass Secretary Grand Canyon Synod, Synod Council Minutes Page 9