Musicians: Tom Witt & Mary Preus

Under the theme, The Word Working in the World, global mission was the common thread woven throughout all aspects of the assembly; music, worship, speakers, workshops with international guests.

      Music was provided throughout the entire assembly by Tom Witt and Mary Preus of Bread for the Journey. Many songs included words and rhythms from around the globe, making our companion synod guests feel right at home.

Josephina Santos from Honduras shares a "Dwelling in the Word"

      Four women provided Dwelling in the Word reflections on Isaiah 55:10-11 at the opening of each plenary session. Josefina Ortega, Companion Synod guest from Honduras; Dina Korepanova, guest from our Companion Synod in Russia; LYO president, Maia Dalager; and Wartburg seminarian, Kim Sturtz. Each shared their heart-felt experiences of God's Word working in their lives and the world.  

The Rev. John Nunes

Pastor John Nunes, president of Lutheran World Relief, addressed the assembly and Explore Our Mission Event attendees on Saturday morning. He spoke of the ministry of the baptized, ministry to the whole person, spiritual revival and being willing to suffer for the faith. His words of hope and healing were spoken with humor and true authenticity.

          Following his presentation, Mission Outposts opened - - allowing everyone the opportunity to engage in and experience what our synod's ministries and congregations are doing to share God's word to those in the world. There was also opportunity to visit The Marketplace and bid on quilts at the silent auction.  

Prayer for the Healing of the Nations

The event concluded with a service of Prayer for the Healing of the Nations. It began with a message from Pastor. This service provided a holy space for quiet reflection and prayer as candles were lit and placed on a floor map of the world, while the names of individual countries were sung and prayed for.

Quilt is shown here behind Maia Dalager presenting her Dwelling in the World

The Word Working in the World quilt backdrop for the assembly used a Trip around the World pattern as the background, reminding us that God's Word goes out into the world and does not return empty. The longitude and latitude outline of the world filled the middle of the quilt and its very center was a cross signifying that the cross of Christ is at the center of our faith, our lives, and the world. The world outline was undergirded by another cross indicating that the cross of Christ intersects all of life in all the world and reveals that God is at work in the world at all times in ways that are sometimes hidden and other times revealed. 

          Pastor Cindy Gray of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Aitkin and Pastor Sandy Berg-Holte of Bethesda Lutheran Church of Rossburg and St. John'sLutheranChurch of Cedarbrook in Aitkin designed, sewed, and hand quilted this year's theme quilt. It will be one of the quilts at next year's Synod Assembly quilt auction.

• Adoption of 2012 budget of $1,273,700
• Resolutions: (online at www.nemnsynod.org)
• 11-1:     Immigration Reform and DREAM Act - adopted as edited
• 11-2:     Arizona Style Legislation - adopted as edited
• 11-3:     Energy Stewardship - adopted as edited
• 11-4:     Resolution Against Bullying - adopted as edited
• 11-5:     Resolution on Financial Stewardship - adopted
• Synod Elections:
• Synod Council At Large Members: Pastor Donna Olsen, Pastor Dennis Paulson, and Pastor Berhanu Wedajo
• Committee on Discipline: Pastor Marvin Havard, Pastor Christine Anttila, Mr. Don Struefert, Mrs. Stephanie Carlson
• Consultation Committee: Pastor David Carlson, Pastor Bob Munneke, Pastor Jim Swanson, Pastor Sonja Anderson, Pastor Susan Berge, Pastor Emily Rova-Hegener, Mr. Bob Jalonen, Mr. Dennis Velander, Mr. Mark Wagner, Mrs. Mary Farmer, Mrs. Ann Niedringhaus, and Mrs. Mary Jo Snustad
• Conference Elections:
•  Synod Council: Laurentian Conference lay: Sonja Simonsen. Living Waters Conference lay: Peg Christensen. Living Waters Conference clergy: Pastor Dwight Rudquist. Heartland Conference clergy: Pastor Tim Bauer
• Nominating Committee: Mr. Sulo Kangas, Pastor Jerome Evavold, Pastor John Dietz, Mrs. Judy Peliska, Pastor Peter Rosenkvist, Mrs. Peg Christensen, Pastor Erika Foss, Mr. David Warner, Pastor Jonathan Yarger, and Mr. Frank Grundmeier
• Constitutional Action: the Assembly voted in favor of recommendation from the Synod Council to strike S11.01.01.-S11.01.07. from the synod Constitution. These sections relate to synod Leadership/Learning Teams, which are no longer functioning.