SESSION 1 Friday May 17, 2013 KI Center, Green Bay, WI Opening Worship Opening worship with Communion was led by Bishop Jim Justman and Rev Joy Mortensen-Wiebe with music led by Peder Eide. The 2013 Synod Assembly offering will be distributed 50% to the 25 th Anniversary of the ELCA Campaign and 50% to the Bishop s Resource Fund. The offering collection was $16,020. Welcome/Announcements Rev. Joy Mortensen-Wiebe welcomed voting members and guests and gave the following announcements: provided a brief overview of the Hotel including Resource Center and Prayer Room; reminded guests about hotel check-in; reminded the assembly not to lose the ballots, voting cards and voting machines and to look over the nominees biographies before voting this afternoon. Rev Joy also introduced: Musicians: Peder Eide Planning Committee & Synod Staff Parliamentarian: Rev. Roald Harswick Secretary: Connie Eisch Stenographer: Kenzie Kauth ECSW Bishop: Bishop Jim Justman The assembly was invited to participate in the mission project for Open Door Ministries located in Wausau, WI. This ministry provides clothing, toiletries, boots, meals, and job training to newly released prisoners making the transitioning to life in the community. An update was given on the ELCA Malaria Campaign and how the East Central Synod of Wisconsin is participating. Celebration Moment #1 Trinity Lutheran Church of Waupaca shared a video on their FeFiFoFun ministry serving 1-3 rd grade school children that focuses on building relationships and making strong connections with a church family in a safe, fun way. Opening of the Assembly Bishop Jim Justman led the Order for the Opening of the Assembly and declared the Twenty Sixth Synod Assembly of the East Central Synod of Wisconsin ELCA in session. Adoption of the Agenda SA13.05.01 A motion to accept the proposed agenda was moved, seconded and carried. (2013 Reports cover page) Adoption of the Rules and Procedures SA13.05.02 A motion to accept these Rules and Procedures was moved, seconded and carried. (2013 Reports, pp. 2-4) Introduction of Official Visitors, newly Rostered Staff, New Grads, New to Synod, and Interns Bishop Justman asked the individuals to introduce themselves. (2013 Reports, pp. 12-18)
FAITH: Forming, Sharing, Living Rev Dr David Lose spoke on where the people in the Church have gone and what changes have occurred in our culture and churches in recent years. Celebration Moment #2 Sandy Wendland of Trinity Stevens Point spoke their birth-3 year old ministry utilizing SPLASH supplemented by parish nurse visits, bibles, a welcome into Sunday School, and support for mothers & fathers. Dave Assmus of Wartburg Theological Seminary thanked the Assembly for sending future leaders for God s church to the ELCA seminaries. Daniel Lehmann of The Lutheran Magazine gave updates on the magazine. Vice President s Report Mr. John Emery, Vice President of the Synod, celebrated the faithfulness of the congregations in the synod and the frugalness of the synod staff. He challenged the assembly to embrace the call to outreach to others in need and shared words of thanks for the opportunity to serve the church in this capacity. Celebration Moment #3 A video from First English Lutheran Church, Appleton shared the congregation s use of the Unbinding Your Heart series among 500 adults/students and 200 Sunday School children. Break for Lunch Rev Joy Mortensen-Wiebe gave details about lunch and the time to reconvene at 12.50 pm. The Twitter hashtag the assembly can use to tweet about the Assembly is #ECSW13. Celebration Moment #4 A video from Atonement Lutheran Church, Green Bay was shown celebrating their ministry and thanking the ECSW Endowment Fund for their support. Paula Kitt, Regional Manager at Mission Investment Fund shared about the work and impact of the Mission Investment Fund ELCA Ministry Report Bishop Justman introduced Ken Inskeep who brought greetings from the ELCA Churchwide office and about how the East Central Synod is joining the whole church in moving into the future guided by the Holy Spirit. Deeply rooted in scripture the ELCA and the whole church is living in daring confidence in the grace of God but not the God that people regularly hear about. The ELCA is thankful to the work done through the ECSW and for the members and congregations contribution to the church. FAITH: Forming, Sharing, Living Rev Dr David Lose asked the question of what we can do to reach people in our communities and world as we live together and give voice to the life-giving story that we have which is Christ. We need to ask the people in our communities what do you need from the church? and give people the chance to practice faith & life. The youth are not the future of the church, they are the present, and will go where their gifts are valued and used. Sunday morning is a God-given time in which we have the opportunity to rehearse and practice faith and life and become the place where people can count on being told that they have infinite worth. Celebration Moment #5 A video from St Paul Lutheran Church, Neenah was shared that lifted up the family and intergenerational faithforming activities at work in their congregation.
Credentials Report 329 Voting members (109 Clergy, 8 AIM/Diaconal, 204 Lay, 6 Rostered Retired, 2 Exec Committee Non-Clergy) 43 Non-Voting Members (8 Rostered Retired, 35 Visitors) 372 Total Assembly Members SA13.05.03 A motion to accept the Credentials Report for Friday May 17, 2013 was moved, seconded and carried. Auditor s Report Ron Skrenes, Synod Treasurer, reported that the audit was completed by Erickson & Associates of Appleton who reported that the financial statements fairly represent the financial position of the Synod. The audit report will be available from the Synod Office upon request. SA13.05.04 A motion to receive auditor s report was moved, seconded and carried. Treasurer s Report Ron Skrenes, Synod Treasurer, gave a brief summary of the Treasurer s Report, reviewing activity from 2012 noting that the ECSW contributing percentage of 55% is among the top 8 of the 65 Synods. The 2012 surplus was appropriated to Seminaries, WI Council of Churches, Faith in Clintonville, Crossways Camping Ministries, and Lutheran Campus Ministries. SA13.05.05 A motion to approve the Treasurer s Report was moved, seconded and carried. (2013 Reports, pp 30-33) Presentation of 2014 Budget Ron Skrenes, Synod Treasurer, introduced the 2014 budget and entertained any questions of the assembly. Further discussion of the 2014 budget will continue at a later time. Break Rev Mortensen-Wiebe explained the afternoon breakout sessions and announced that the Assembly would reconvene at 6:30 pm for banquet and entertainment. Banquet, Worship & Entertainment After dinner, Bishop Justman welcomed the ordination anniversaries and retirees. Worship and Concert with Peder Eide closed the evening. Service of the Word was led by Peder Eide. SESSION 2 Saturday May 18, 2013 KI Center, Green Bay, WI Celebration Moment #6 Mt Calvary Lutheran Church, Rothschild shared a video on how the Unbinding Your Heart series affected members in their congregation. Reports of the Bishop, Associate to the Bishop of the Synod Bishop Jim Justman and Rev Joy Mortensen-Wiebe reviewed selections from the reports of the Bishop and Associate to the Bishop. (2013 Reports, pp. 5-11, 21-22)
Credentials Report 338 Voting members (111 Clergy, 9 AIM/Diaconal, 210 Lay, 6 Rostered Retired, 2 Exec Committee Non-Clergy) 56 Non-Voting Members (11 Rostered Retired, 45 Visitors) 394 Total Assembly Members SA13.05.06 A motion to accept the Credentials Report for Saturday May 18, 2013 was moved, seconded and carried. Celebration Moment #7 Faith Lutheran, Clintonville shared a video summarizing their members work in the community through Faith in Action day and thanked the Synod for their faithful support of the growing ministries. Bishop Justman welcomed members and Rev Douglas Holtz, newly called Pastor of Christ the King Lutheran Church, Sherwood as a new congregation in the East Central Synod of the ELCA. Nominations Report Rev Craig Swenson of the Nominations Committee Report presented the Nomination Committee s slate of nominees for vacant positions. Bishop Justman called for nominations from the floor for each position, and after hearing none declared nominations to be closed. (2013 Reports, pp. 51-64) SA13.05.07 A motion to close nominations was moved, seconded and carried. Election & Results The assembly cast votes on each position via voting machines. Results for each position were announced. Synod Council Vice President Pam Pfaff [ELECTED] Synod Council Position 1 160 Ross Larson [ELECTED] 130 Horace Davis Synod Council Position 2 165 Rev Dan Luett [ELECTED] 125 Rev Bryan Schmidt Synod Council Position 3 Melissa Last [ELECTED] Synod Council Position 4 155 Rev Gretchen Anderson [ELECTED] 136 Rev Joyce Heintz Synod Council Position 5 106 Marv Meier 179 Joel Anderson [ELECTED] Discipline Committee Position 1 154 Rev Gisele Berninghaus [ELECTED] 141 Rev Paulette Creswell Discipline Committee Position 2 184 Rev John Meachen [ELECTED] 108 Rev Matt Agee Discipline Committee Position 3 249 Sue Mokler [ELECTED] 44 Jacki Zuelke-Karch Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago Board Jay Fulkerson [ELECTED] Bishop Justman called upon the staff of the East Central Synod, recognized the gifts of and gave thanks to God for their service. Synod Mission Narrative Tania Spofford, Mission & Ministry Advocate, shared on how growth in faith happens through our faith stories and challenged the Assembly to build faith nets through relationships in Christ.
East Central Synod of Wisconsin Churchwide Assembly Report Bishop Justman introduced Ken Inskeep who brought greetings from the ELCA Churchwide Organization and thanked the ECSW for their support of the church. A video from Bishop Mark Hanson was shared detailing works of the larger church and celebrating that the church is deeply rooted and is always being made new. Portico Andrea Arey greeted the Assembly on behalf of Portico and thanked the gathered for their participation in the Health Assessment of over 73% (65% participation is necessary for 2% premium discount.) She explained the Portico philosophy of benefits and that is being reviewed and work is being completed to revise it as Portico moves forward in leading the ELCA through Health Care Reform. Celebration Moment #8 Rev. Jennifer Czarnota of St John Lutheran Church, Oshkosh, shared on their congregation s work welcoming refugees to Oshkosh from Myanmar. 2014 Minimum Compensation Guidelines Bishop Justman introduced Mark Hanson to discuss Salary Guidelines and talk about what goes into the guidelines: research into the general economy, the inflation rate of 2.5-3%, and comparable synods in Wisconsin, Iowa, UP, & Illinois. (2013 Reports, pp. 65-90) 2013 Resolutions Bishop Justman invited Rev Dennis Creswell to present the resolutions for discussion and action. Rev. Creswell read the resolved section of each resolution, then indicated the Reference and Counsel Committee s recommendation concerning the resolution. (2013 Reports, pp. 49-50) Resolution #2: Resolution for 2014 Compensation Guidelines RESOLVED that the 2014 Minimum Compensation Guidelines for Clergy, Diaconal Ministers, Associates in Ministry, and Deaconesses, as proposed by the Leadership Support Committee of the East Central Synod of Wisconsin, be adopted. SA13.05.08 A motion to adopt Resolution #2 was moved. SA13.05.09 A motion to amend Resolution #2 eliminating the 2.2% increase was moved, seconded, defeated. (59 in favor, 212 opposed, 12 abstain) SA13.05.10 A motion to adopt Resolution #2 was seconded and carried. (228 in favor, 40 opposed, 14 abstain) Celebration Moment #9 Our Savior Lutheran Church, Denmark shared how their church children journeyed through the Easter season starting with putting their hallelujahs away for the season, fasting (from treats after the children s sermon,) daily reminders with resurrection eggs, and hallelujah celebration at Easter. Crossways Camping Ministries Rev John Meachen, Executive Director, shared a video of people touched by the ministries of Crossways sharing the ONE WORD that comes to mind when they think of camp and further shared examples of how the ministry of the Camps changes lives. Bishop Justman shared a prayer of blessing for the incoming summer counselors and camping season ahead this summer. Break for Lunch Rev Joy Mortensen-Wiebe gave details about lunch and the time to reconvene. She announced that 121 pairs of boots and 167 complete hygiene kits will be given to Open Door Ministry in Wausau.
East Central Synod of Wisconsin Adoption of the 2012 Minutes SA13.05.11 A motion to approve the 2012 Synod Assembly minutes was moved, seconded and carried (2013 Reports pp. 36-47) 2012 Referrals and Resolutions Bishop Justman introduced the Secretary of the Synod, Connie Eisch who presented the actions for the 2012 Referrals and Resolutions. (2013 Reports, pp. 40-42) Celebration Moment #10 A video from St Mark s Lutheran Church, Neenah was shared on the 24 hr prayer vigil that occurred in their congregation this past year in their congregation and how people used their prayer time to pray in their own way. Creswell read resolution Resolution #1: Resolution for 2014 Synod Budget RESOLVED that the proposed Synod Budget for 2014 be adopted. SA13.05.12 A motion to adopt Resolution #1 moved and seconded. SA13.05.13 A motion to amend Resolution #1 to redistribute $4,000 of the $10,000 in New Initiatives to line items for Crossways Camping Ministries ($2,000) and Campus Ministries ($2,000) moved, seconded, and defeated. (94 in favor, 131 opposed, 8 abstain) SA13.05.14 A motion to amend Resolution #1 to redistribute the $10,000 in New Initiatives to line items for Crossways Camping Ministries ($5,000) and Campus Ministries ($5,000) moved, seconded, and defeated. (52 in favor, 179 opposed, 8 abstain) SA13.05.15 A motion to amend Resolution #1 to redistribute $1,000 each from Lutheran Office of Public Policy and Wisconsin Council of Churches to Crossways Camping Ministries ($1,000) and Campus Ministries ($1,000) moved, seconded, and carried. (148 in favor, 78 opposed, 6 abstain) SA13.05.16 A motion to adopt Resolution #1 as amended was moved, seconded and carried. (223 in favor, 9 opposed, 3 abstain) SA13.05.17 A motion to approve the guiding resolution that was proposed from the floor to: Encourage the Synod Council to keep health insurance benefits at current levels for employees was moved, seconded, and carried. (195 in favor, 23 opposed, 13 abstain) Closing of the Assembly The 2014 assembly is to be held on May 16-17, 2014 at the KI Center in Green Bay. Bishop Jim Justman led a closing devotion of the Assembly and the Order for the Closing of the Twenty-Sixth Synod Assembly East Central Synod of Wisconsin ELCA. Respectfully submitted, Connie Eisch Synod Secretary Kenzie Kauth Stenographer