Pastor Jason Peterson at Living Word Lutheran Church in Memphis sends this update:

Photo from http://memphisflood.com/photos/

Thank you to everyone for all the offers to help after the recent flooding. I have recently checked to see how we can best be of service to those in need.

by the Rev. Dr. Delmer Chilton
Southeastern Synod Assistant to the Bishop

Every once in a long while in my reading, a sentence, a line, a phrase leaps off the page and grabs my attention and won't let me go. It happened most recently while reading Peter Hessler's fascinating account of his road trips in modern China, Country Driving.

Hessler picked up an old man and his granddaughter, Wang Yan, in Inner Mongolia. They drove to a town where the young woman is a stylist at a hair salon. When he dropped them off, Hessler helped carry their bags into the shop. He describes the scene there:

Four young men and women were working, and they greeted Wang Yan warmly. The man had the look of small-town hipsters; their hair was long and they wore leather jackets covered with zippers...    Read more on the synod blog.                        

The Southeastern Synod Assembly will be held June 3, 4 & 5, 2011 at the Marriott Renaissance Waverly Hotel, Atlanta, GA.   Information about the Synod Assembly and the registration form can be found at www.elca-ses.org/Assembly.html. 

The deadline for online registration is May 15, 2011.  Congregations can still pre-register now even if they won't know the names of Voting Members until after the registration deadline.  Simply call the synod office at 404-589-1977 for instructions on how to complete the registration form.

Assembly materials, including the agenda, workshop choices and resolutions are currently being posted on the Assembly webpage, www.elca-ses.org/Assembly.html.  Please keep in mind that only the final agenda and items that require action of the Assembly will be printed and available at the assembly.

Global Mission Gathering 

If you're planning on attending the upcoming Synod Assembly (which you definitely should be!) you don't want to miss the Global Mission Gathering. Sponsored by the Global Mission Committee, the gathering is a time of fellowship and education highlighting the work of our Global Mission Committee.

The gathering will take place on Saturday, June 4th, at 7:00 AM in the Ascot Room at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel. This year, breakfast items will be available for purchase in the Garden Court of the hotel and can be brought into the Ascot Room, so there is no fee or registration needed to attend the Global Mission Gathering.

We will have the pleasure of hearing from the Rev. Amanda Olson de Castillo, an ELCA missionary working with our Companion Synod in Guatemala, and the Rev. Andrew Genszler, director of Advocacy for the ELCA and our Churchwide Representative at the Assembly. In addition, new this year, we will feature the work of our Hunger, Poverty, and Justice Issues Task Force.  During the gathering, we will thank congregations who have contributed generously to the work of ELCA-World Hunger and provide participants with ways they can become connected to local initiatives in our synod.

Please plan on joining us for this time of fellowship and education. Have any questions? Contact Kyle Cristofalo at kcristofalo@elca-ses.org or 404-589-1977 ext 222.

by Pastor Terri Stagner-Collier                    

Southeastern Synod Secretary 

What is the point of debate at a church assembly?  As we prepare for congregational meetings, participate in monthly Council meetings, serve on Synod Council or as a voting member at a Synod or Churchwide Assembly, what is the point of so much debate?  And what about all of that legislative maneuvering which takes place?  What is the point?  Is the intent to be on the prevailing side, to strategically end debate at a particular time, to finish the plenary session to get home early? 

At RobertsRules.com, a summary description is given:  "It is a set of rules for conduct at meetings, that allows everyone to be heard and to make decisions without confusion."  What a wonderful perspective - rules which allow everyone to be heard and to make decisions without confusion.

Yet how discouraging it is when parliamentary procedure seems to be used to control, discourage or halt debate, when everyone is not heard, when brothers and sisters in Christ are left feeling discounted and devalued.

Such was the case last June when parliamentary procedure was used to "Object to Consideration" of a properly submitted resolution to the Synod Assembly floor.  Nearly passing by 66%, this objection sent a painful message to those who wished to be heard:  "we object to considering your point of view," "we don't want to hear about this anymore," "get over it."  And even though the resolution made it to the floor, Robert's Rules were once again used to quickly end discussion as someone "moved the previous question." 

While such actions are clearly "appropriate" legislatively speaking, are they "appropriate" regarding the purpose of debate within the body of Christ?  If a secular system like Robert's Rules can stress the importance of everyone being heard, why would any of us in this church seek to cut someone off or limit expression of prayerfully discerned thought?  To object to considering an opposing point of view is the antithesis of "respecting bound conscience."

At its September meeting, the Synod Council approved a proposed change to the Rules for Organization and Procedure to be used at the 2011 Synod Assembly.  Brought to the Council by Bishop Gordy, this change would prevent an "Objection to Consideration" when a resolution is submitted to the floor from Reference and Counsel or the Synod Council.  His intent, and I believe the intent of the Council, is to remind us all of the importance of listening to one another - particularly in times of dissent.

When we gather, we are not just "busy" getting our "business" done, we are the living, breathing body of Christ - and if we cannot be intentional about listening to one another, especially those with whom we disagree, then we are not being the Church. 

Since August 2009, we have lost many dedicated, faithful members of our Southeastern Synod - congregations, church members, beloved friends and colleagues.  And while I'm not naive enough to think that respectful listening would have prevented all of their departures, it may have prevented some.  These people are not the "opposition."  They are not schismatic dissidents.  They are our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Please, listen - everyone - liberals, conservatives, traditionalists, progressives - whoever you are, you are first and foremost children of God called to be in relationship with one another.  So please use our gatherings as opportunities for healing, healing which comes through listening:  patiently, prayerfully, and respectfully.  I commit myself to this cause and I pray you will join me.

Your sister in Christ,

Terri

P.S.  Thanks for listening!

Openings on Budget & Finance and Nominating Committees

The following two synod committees will have openings for persons to serve two-year terms, beginning in June 2011:

Budget & Finance Committee (lay person): Committee members should have an interest in financial matters, but are NOT expected to be experts in finance and accounting. This committee meets by conference call at least twice a year to review the synod's overall financial situation and make recommendations to the synod council as needed. The committee also meets once a year in person to formulate a budget proposal for the synod council and synod assembly. This meeting is usually scheduled for the first Saturday in December, usually at the synod office in Atlanta.

Nominating Committee (clergy): This committee is charged with recommending nominees for positions to be elected at each synod assembly. The committee meets by conference call about four times each year, with most of the work during the period January through April.

Persons interested in being appointed to either of these committees may indicate their interest by completing the form located HERE.                                    

Survey for Worship 101 Resource

News from Lutheridge/Lutherock/Lutheranch

Lutheridge is pleased to partner with Awakening Soul to provide "Advent 2011--A New Ancient Harmony," December 4-8, 2011. The keynoters for the event are John Philip Newell and Judy Brown.

John Philip Newell will draw on ancient Christian tradition, especially through the lens of Celtic spirituality. He will lead us in simple chants and will direct us in meditative practices.

Judy Brown will help reflect on the mornings teachings and help participants understand how the lessons can lead to live and act in new ways. She will facilitate personal reflection as well as community dialogue. Her insightful poetry will be a tool to encourage new creativity.

To learn more about this exciting conference or to register, visit www.llmi.net/adult/advent2011.aspx.