Southeastern Synod
 
E-News Weekly and
Assembly Special

E-News Issue #321 

May 24, 2012

A Grace Odyssey 

Our synod assembly is one week away!  This week and next, we will be featuring blogs from members of Spirit of Peace Lutheran Church, Richmond Hill, GA, and Epiphany Lutheran Church, Collierville, TN. We are excited that both of these mission congregations will be organizing as official congregations of the ELCA at this year's Southeastern Synod Assembly. We hope you enjoy learning more about them as we prepare to celebrate with them!

 

The life and ministry of Spirit of Peace Lutheran Church has truly been a grace odyssey from the time of its formation in 2001! God stirred within the hearts of people in coastal Georgia the desire for a new ELCA congregation in Richmond Hill. This grassroots effort, led by the Holy Spirit, included the selection of the name "Spirit of Peace" during the fall of 2001. During a time of national anxiety, anger, and alarm, "Spirit of Peace" began to embody for the community our living hope in Christ.

 

Read the rest on the synod blog.

Assembly Update

Below are some frequently asked questions about synod assembly.  Click on the question to jump to the answer.

  

   

1. What is a Synod Assembly? 

2. Can I still register? Where?  

3. How can I avoid long lines at the registration desk? 

4. Why are we called "voting members" and not "delegates"?  

5. How do I get there and when should I arrive?
6. What do I need to bring? 
 

10. Are there workshops at this year's Assembly? 
 

 

a11. What is a Synod Assembly?

 

The synod assembly is an annual gathering of pastors, associates in ministry, deaconesses, diaconal ministers, and lay people representing the congregations that make up the Southeastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The assembly serves as the synod's highest legislative authority. Voting Members of the assembly receive information and reports, elect nominees to leadership positions in the church and reach decisions on matters brought before the assembly. Visitors attend to observe and learn. 

 

a22. Can I still register? Where?

O
n-line registration is closed. On-site registration will be available in the Renaissance Waverly hotel the weekend of the Assembly. 

 

All Rostered Persons, Voting Members and Visitors may register:

Thursday, May 31 from 6-8 PM

Friday, June 1 from 9 AM - 3:45 PM

Saturday June 2 from 8 AM - Noon

 

The on-site registration fee is $135.00 for Rostered Persons and Voting Members and $85 Retired Rostered Person and Visitors. 

 

a33. How can I avoid long lines at the registration desk? 

 

 

Even if you pre-registered, you must check in at the Registration Area to sign in and pick up your materials. Those who have not pre-registered will need to do so on-site.

 

A couple of tips to speed registration on-site: 

  • Bring a check for your payment; this is much quicker than running a credit card.
  • Avoid the lines by coming early.  There is usually little-to-no wait before 11AM. Once you are registered, there will be time for lunch and to get your materials organized for Assembly. (Those who requested a hard copy of materials may want to bring a three-ring binder.) 

a44. Why are we called "voting members" and not "delegates"?

 
T
he ELCA is intentional in choosing to speak of "assemblies" and "voting members" rather than "conventions" and "delegates." The Synod Assembly is just that, an assembly of the people of this church gathered around Word and Sacrament, some of whom have been granted the responsibility of being voting members of the Synod Assembly. They are not sent to participate as politicized delegates from some regional or agenda-specific caucus at some national party convention. They gather around Word and Sacrament to represent and serve on behalf of all of the members of the congregations in the synod.  

 

a55. How do I get there and when should I arrive?

 
The Renaissance Waverly Hotel is located at 2450 Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30339. The phone number is 770-953-4500. The Assembly officially begins at Noon (ET), Friday June 1 with an Orientation Session, immediately followed by the first Plenary Session.  Long lines can sometimes form at the registration desk. To avoid frustration, arrive early--the registration desk opens at 9:00AM on Friday morning! 

 

 a66. What do I need to bring?    

  • A Bible for our Bible study times
  • A 3-ring binder for Assembly materials
  • A sweater or jacket -- even if it is hot outside, the temperature in hotel meeting rooms can be a little chilly.  

a77. Will there be time for Conference Caucuses?

 
Y
es, there will be time following the first plenary session for each of the conferences to meet. A listing of Caucus locations can be found in the pre-assembly materials, on page A-3.   

 

 

a88. How can I submit a resolution at the Synod Assembly? 

 

According to our Rules of Organization and Procedure "Resolutions submitted after 5:00PM on the Friday before the assembly will not be considered unless the issue is of such an immediate and urgent nature that it clearly cannot be postponed until the next assembly. Such resolutions shall be placed on the agenda only after written or electronic submission to the Committee on Reference and Counsel, with a 2/3 vote of the assembly approving consideration." 

 
The Committee on Reference and Counsel exists to provide guidance about when and how to bring a matter before the assembly and in what form any motion should be presented. Members of the Committee will be available throughout the weekend should you have any questions. 

 

a99. What are the worship opportunities at this year's Assembly?  Where do the offerings go? 

 

This year, the first worship service for the assembly will be at 4:00PM on Friday in the Grand Ballroom of the Renaissance Waverly Hotel. Other worship services will be Saturday at 11:15AM and Sunday at 8:00AM.   Everyone is invited to come into the Grand Ballroom at these times and worship -- you need not be registered for the assembly to attend worship. 

 

The Synod Council has designated the 2012 Assembly Offerings as follows:

          

Southeastern Synod Campus Ministry (Friday offerings)

 

New Mission Starts in the Southeastern Synod (Saturday offerings)
 

ELCA's Malaria Campaign (Sunday offerings, plus offerings received by mail) 

 

a1010.   Are there workshops at this year's Assembly?
 

There are three workshop sessions offered at this year's assembly. Check the "Workshop Choices" pages beginning on page A-9 in the pre-assembly materials for complete descriptions.

 

 

Many more answers can be found in the Assembly Essential Information posted on the assembly webpage at www.elca-ses.org/Assembly.html.

 

****************************************************************

 

Global Mission Gathering 

 

The Global Mission Team invites you to the Global Mission Gathering Saturday, June 2, at 7:00AM in the Ascot Room. Come hear the latest about our Global Misson Partners in Guatemala. Please feel free to purchase breakfast in the Garden Court before joining the Gathering. No reservation required. 

Synod Calendar

May 28

Memorial Day

Synod Office Closed


May 30-June 3

Synod Council Meeting and

Synod Assembly

Renaissance Waverly Hotel

2450 Galleria Parkway

Atlanta, GA 30339

 

June 3-9

Southeastern Synod week at Lutheridge

 

June 4-6

Synod Office Closed

 

June 15-16

Affirm Staff Training

 

 

June 17-22

Affirm

Berry College, Rome, GA

 

 

 

 

View the entire Synod Calendar at www.elca-ses.org

 

 

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