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Synod Council Seeks Nominees for Synod Secretary
Converse won't seek a second term
Stephen Converse, present secretary of the New England Synod, has announced that he will not seek a second term. In accordance with the New England Synod Constitution, the Synod Council must nominate at least one person for the Office of Secretary, which they will do at their March meeting held on March 23-24. Here are the qualifications for the position as noted in the Constitution:
+S8.31. The secretary shall be elected by the Synod Assembly. The secretary shall be a voting member of a congregation of this synod. The secretary may be either a layperson or an ordained minister.
+S8.32. The secretary shall:
a. Keep the minutes of all meetings of the Synod Assembly and the Synod Council, be responsible for the printing and distribution of such minutes and perform such other duties as this synod may from time to time direct.
b. Be authorized and empowered, in the name of this synod, to attest all instruments which require the same, and which are signed and sealed by the bishop or other officer authorized by the Synod Council.
c. In consultation with the bishop, classify and arrange all important papers and documents and deposit them in the archives of this synod.
d. Submit to the secretary of this church at least nine months before each regular Churchwide Assembly a certified list of the voting members elected by the Synod Assembly.
The secretary serves a four-year term in the office and serves as a voting member of both the Synod Council and the Executive Committee (four officers plus one pastor, one lay female and one lay male from Synod Council) and as such attends all meetings of both groups. (Note: Synod Council normally meets five times per year on either Friday night/Saturdays or just Saturdays. The Executive Committee meets five to six times per year between Synod Council meetings. Additionally, the secretary must have excellent technological and written communication skills
Any layperson (including rostered lay leaders) or ordained minister who wishes to be considered for this position should submit his/her name to Lyn Morin at Synod House at lmorin@nesynod.org no later than Monday, March 19. |
Responses to Questions from Conference Gatherings Now Available on Synod Website
 During January and February, approximately 450 laypersons and rostered leaders attended meetings held in each of the 15 conferences of the New England Synod. The first half of these conference meetings were devoted to two bible studies on leadership. The second half involved groups of attendees responding to four specific questions. Members of the Ad Hoc Committee for the Election of a New Bishop have synthesized the responses. Click here to read the questions and the most often reported responses. These gatherings, along with the upcoming Mission Area Assemblies, will help us prepare for the election of a new synod bishop at the synod assembly June 8-10 in Springfield, Mass.
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 Three Congregations Receive Lilly Endowment Grantsfor Sabbaticals for Pastors
Three congregations in the New England Synod have received grants to enable their pastors to participate in the National Clergy Renewal Program funded by the Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment, Inc. Concordia, Manchester, Conn., St. Peter's, Harwich, Mass., and Ascension, South Burlington, Vt., are three of 158 congregations across the country that are supporting their ministers in the program, which allows pastors to step back from their busy lives and renew their spirits for the benefit of their ongoing ministries during three-month sabbaticals in 2012. Read more, including how your congregation can apply for a Lilly Endowment grant of up to $50,000. |
March Issue of 'The Lutheran' Spotlights Two Synod Ministries
 Have you read it yet? The March issue of The Lutheran, the monthly magazine of the ELCA, includes two articles on ministries in the New England Synod: "Out of the Shadows," which chronicles the work of Lutheran Social Services with survivors of human trafficking, and "Rejoicing Spirits," which looks at this inclusive worship experience for people with disabilities, a special focus of four congregations in Maine and Massachusetts. Hey, even one of our congregations gets a mention in the humor section this month. The Lutheran is a great way to keep connected to the ELCA locally, as well as nationally and globally. Click here to subscribe to either the print or online version.
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Register Online Today for Mission Area Assemblies for Discount
Register online today (Feb. 29) for the 2012 Mission Area Assemblies to take advantage of the early-bird discount -- $15 per person. As of tomorrow, March 1, the fee increases to $20 per person. Act now! Click here to register. |
Plan a 'Doing What Matters' Sunday at Your Church May 13
The Purpose of the New England Synod:
to go where love leads, to serve where love calls
 Our Guiding Principles:
- pray always
- give of ourselves
- stand with others
- embrace change and diversity
- make room for joy
Congregations throughout New England are being asked to plan a Doing What Matters Sunday in order to assist the synod-wide community listening campaign that is the focus of Doing What Matters (DWM) this year. Results from your congregation will be carried by your voting members directly to Synod Assembly in June!
Having already considered "who we are" and discovered God's purpose for us as a synod in the first year of the DWM process, we are moving on to "see what we have." To that end, we are asking for additional input on community assets, wows and needs. In "NES News" and in other communication vehicles, we will be presenting you with ideas for incorporating the synod purpose statement into your worship service(s) on May 13. If this Sunday does not work for you, please find an alternative.
It will be important to set aside time at the end of the service to briefly share information about the DWM process, and for members to fill out the community needs and assets survey. Everything you need will be provided for you. Even if you choose not to plan a special worship service for May 13, the DWM team is counting on you and your congregation to find a way to have members fill out community surveys and return them to us at assembly. The information they contain will shape strategic directions to be developed in the fall of 2012 under the leadership of a new bishop, with the help of a broad range of synod leaders.
Next week: A "To Do List" for planning a Doing What Matters Sunday. |
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DMin at Hartford Seminary Offers Many Benefits
Register for Information day March 26
 The Doctor of Ministry Program at Hartford (Conn.) Seminary provides pastors the tools to better serve the church through congregational studies and practical theology. You will find yourself renewed, both vocationally and personally, and will emerge from the program with an enhanced capability to move forward in your career. A colleague seminar offers a peer group to explore your ministry and its challenges. A ministry project offers you the opportunity to implement an action plan to effect change in your ministry and congregation. Your electives offer the chance to study in an environment that is contextual, interfaith and focused on cultivating your leadership potential. Learn more or email admissions@hartsem.edu. Register here for an information day on Monday, March 26, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., including lunch. Faculty, students and alumni/ae will provide the answers you need.
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Boatbuilding and Faith Exploration
Founded in 1979, the Carpenter's Boat Shop is an apprenticeship-school and community for all people. While considering goals and directions, apprentices live in community and learn boatbuilding, carpentry, furniture making, sailing, seamanship, and perform community service. They also explore personal faith through reading, study, and discussion. In the summer, one week classes for clergy and laypeople in wooden boatbuilding and furniture-making are offered in a spiritual atmosphere on the beautiful Maine coast. Download the summer program brochure. In 2005, Pr. Dan Wilfird, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Holden, Mass., spent one month of his three-month sabbatical at the boat shop. Read his story about "a divine wind." |
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March 3 Project Connect New England Postponed