2015 Synod Assembly Highlights 

At the 2015 Assembly, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod articulated a new vision for what it means for the Synod, congregations and leaders to move Forward Together in Faith and launched a three-year capital appeal to allow us to live into that vision. The Assembly also heard that congregations' mission support increased for the second year in a row and discussed the transitional ministry process. The Rev. Karl Richard was elected secretary and we bid farewell to Secretary Ray Miller and Joanne Carlson.

Moving Forward TOGETHER in Faith

Are we ready to make changes for the sake of the gospel? To share ideas, take risks and even fail? To empower congregations? The Assembly answered an enthusiastic "Yes!" to these questions from Forward Together in Faith Chair Ellen S. Daneke, St. Peter, Lafayette Hill. Since Kairos and Associates presented findings from surveys of constituents and the Assembly approved moving ahead with this initiative last year, "there has been a lot more listening, discovering and learning...so that we can live into what God is dreaming for you," said Jeff Kjellberg, owner of Kairos. "This is not the Synod's vision for you. This is your vision."

 

The vision encompasses: equipping our congregation's lay and rostered leaders for creative risk-taking, innovating and funding new ministries on the synod and congregation level, communicating to link congregation leaders and training them in digital media, and networking leaders and congregations in new ways. Initiatives in these areas will take shape as funds are raised toward the campaign's $2.5 million goal. In addition, funds raised will be tithed toward The Campaign for the ELCA.

 

To demonstrate the types of initiatives that could result from the funds raised by Forward Together in Faith, congregations entered a raffle for one of four prizes in each of the campaign's focus areas. Prizes and winners are:

  • Equipping: Dr. David Lose, LTSP president, preaching and leading a workshop on the 21st Century church, won by Christ, Pipersville
  • Innovating: A grant and support for a new ministry idea, won by Christ the King Lutheran Church of the Deaf, West Chester
  • Communicating: A professional communications and social media review and advice, won by Faith, Northeast Philadelphia
  • Networking: Taking the CAT and professional interpretation, won by Good Shepherd, Coatesville
Bishop Burkat: Unlocking Ministry for the Future

The keys that enabled the Apostles to "unlock the power of the Holy Spirit and unleash their minds" for innovating, communicating, networking and equipping are available to each of us right now, Bishop Burkat said in her opening sermon. As we unlock our ministries, congregations, communities, and individuals are revitalized.

 

"In baptism we belong before we believe," so it's critical for the church to pay attention to relationships, the bishop said in her address. "It is a holy privilege, this calling of being the church. What more can we do? And how can we be? Where can we go? And don't you want to go together?"

VP: "What a Great Job We are Doing

"Despite fewer people who may be engaging in our churches, less money to work with, and closing of some of our congregations, we are still reaching out to change the lives of people and make a difference in our communities," said Vice President Tracey Beasley. She lifted up the work of churches that are fighting hunger by starting community food pantries and gardens, running prayer shawl ministries, holding pet blessings and establishing vibrant youth ministries. Of special note was the work of Faith Immanuel, East Lansdowne and Good Shepherd, Coatesville, raising awareness, money and supplies to respond to the Ebola crisis. "High-five somebody," she said. "What a great job we are doing."
Learn more at http://ministrylink.org/article/vp-congregations-doing-a-great-job/ 

Rev. Karl Richard Elected Secretary
Secretaries Three: Former secretaries Smoose and Miller join Bishop Burkat and newly elected Secretary, Karl Richard.

The Rev. Karl Richard was elected as Synod Secretary to succeed the Rev. Raymond A. Miller. Pastor Richard, of St. Matthew's, Springfield, says he wants to do the work of the secretary "because I enjoy being part of each expression of the church. I enjoy being a parish pastor and also being part of the broader church. I think I have the skills for the position, and I enjoy the idea of both having a voice in the process and recording reliably what takes place." In the second ballot Saturday morning, Richard received 149 votes to 132 for the Rev. William Vanderslice, then dean of the Upper Montgomery conference.

Congregational Giving Continues to Increase

Congregations' mission support offerings to the larger church totaled $2.148 million in 2014, the second year in a row of slight increases, turning around a long decline, Treasurer Janet Neff said. Fifty percent of mission support is sent to the ELCA for churchwide ministries. More than half of congregations (81) maintained or increased mission support. Total receipts of $3.713 million exceeded expenses by $226,000. The Assembly also approved a 2016 budget of $3.174 million.

Sendoffs for Joanne Carlson, Ray Miller

 

The Assembly gave a long, standing ovation to Joanne Carlson, assistant to the bishop for global vision and events, who is retiring in July after coordinating 25 Synod assemblies. "Joanne has a truly missionary heart," the bishop said. The bishop and Vice President Tracey Beasley honored outgoing Secretary the Rev. Raymond Miller for his 16 years of service to the Synod including as many assemblies and 80 Synod Council and executive committee meetings. "He may look quiet and unassuming sitting on the podium at Synod Assembly or taking notes at Synod Council, but he is a super hero in his expertise in all things constitutional, rational and theological," she said. 

Thank you!

for taking the time to read this special edition of MinistryLink presenting highlights of the just-concluded Synod Assembly: Forward Together in Faith. For more information:

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Bob Fisher

Assistant to the Bishop, Mission Interpretation and Communication

267.323.3743

[email protected]