NE Synod Leaders Gather for "Doing What Matters" Event in Arlington

Kelly Fryer, Tana Kjos and Bishop Margaret Payne were there...and so were conference deans, rostered leaders, church committee heads and members of Synod Council. Those who attended this second "Doing What Matters" Leaders Event also felt God's presence in Arlington, Mass., as they came together to consider the input from seven mission area assemblies and gatherings. Taped on the walls inside St. Paul's Lutheran Church were oversized newsprint sheets filled with the creative (and colorful) contributions of some 382 attendees. On the tables were the key learnings and lessons captured from those sheets. And before these synod leaders was the daunting task of honing in on God's purpose for us as a synod - right here, right now in the many and varied places we serve in this place called New England. There was lively conversation....quiet reflection ...and the stimulating exchange of ideas. So, what comes next? As the Rev. Lisa Hazelwood says, "What comes out of all this will not encompass all we believe or all we are called to do. But what we're hoping for is a statement of purpose that might shape our life and work together as we go forward. We are also getting a sense of clarity about the principles that might guide our decision-making. They're still undergoing some fine-tuning by our writing team, but they will eventually articulate how we want to live into God's purpose for us. We look forward to synod assembly where these principles and our purpose statement will be shared."