Assembly Update for Wednesday, May 20, 2015
rrcc-assembly         God's Story, Our Voices
  
  "...you are to be a key witness to everyone 
       you meet of what you've seen and heard."
                                                          Acts 22:15
  

 

ASSEMBLY REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED. 

If you did not register by the May 15 deadline, you will not be able to register until Thursday, May 28 in Rochester. The purchasing of meals will not be possible as we have already provided our final meal count to the Convention Center. 

 

Join with over 400 other Lutherans as we explore the many ways we tell God's stories and learn some new ideas for using our voices to reach out into the world with the good news of Jesus.  Join us on Thursday evening, May 28 for the Practice Discipleship forum or help make 20,000 beans and rice meals.  We will gather for worship Friday morning, conduct synod business including election of Synod Council members and our Voting Members to the 2016 Churchwide Assembly, learn about faith formation, attend workshops, get new ideas at the Mission Faire, and much more. 

 

We will be joined by our ELCA Churchwide representative, The Rev. Brenda Smith, the Program Director and contact for Faith Practice/Missional Leadership in the Congregational and Synodical Mission unit.  The Rev. David Lose, President, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia is our keynote speaker. 

 

We invite you to take advantage of all the various opportunities to connect with new and old friends, reflect on new ideas, make decisions on the business and life of our synod, and make missional impact in the world through our Hunger Action fundraising, Join the Disciple Ship, and the 20,000 Meals.  Check out the information in this Assembly Upstate Update to learn more.

 

See you in Rochester!

 

PRE-ASSEMBLY MATERIALS ARE NOW AVAILABLE 

Materials are on the synod website for reading and downloading prior to your arrival at Synod Assembly.  The full Pre-assembly book which includes resolutions and other business action items as well as the agenda and reports can be found at Pre-assembly Book - Full Version.  A copy of the draft agenda is available at 2015 Synod Assembly draft Agenda.  You are encouraged to download materials to your laptop or mobile device prior to coming to assembly.  Only a very limited number of paper copies will be available at assembly OR use the Guidebook App.  

DOWNLOAD YOUR ASSEMBLY MATERIALS BEFORE YOU ARRIVE

 

The Assembly Planning team has made arrangements to once again provide the mobile Guidebook App for this year's assembly and wireless internet access in the plenary space.  We strongly encourage you to download our mobile guide to enhance your experience at our assembly. You'll be able to plan your day with a personalized schedule and browse exhibitors, maps and most importantly download all the files you'll need to have for our decision making. We also encourage you to do this ahead of time. While we will have access to the internet, with so many attending and trying to use the internet, it would be helpful for you to download the files ahead of time. This will also help you be prepared for the assembly.  

 

To get started download the guide book on your android, apple or handheld device: https://guidebook.com/. 


Once the guidebook app is installed use the redeem code to download the 2015 UNYS Assembly Guidebook.  Redeem Code: SA2015

 

If you wish to view the guidebook on a computer or through a web browser without downloading the app you can go to:  http://guidebook.com/g/SA2015.  The Synod Assembly Guide ID is: 36566

 

Attending Synod Assembly virtually? Download the app and then plan to join hundreds of others on the live stream and engage in the online conversation through social media.

SYNOD ASSEMBLY ORIENTATION

Are you new to Synod Assembly as a Voting Member? Do you need a quick refresher course on all the nuts and bolts of being a voting member at Synod Assembly? Join Gary Roller and Judy Lewis at 8:15am on Friday morning in Highland C (Street level in the Convention Center) for Orientation. All are welcome to attend.

FROM REFERENCE AND COUNSEL ­FOR INFORMATION ONLY

 

Two Resolutions were submitted to the Synod Council by the January deadline for presentation to the Synod Assembly.  They both come from Pastor Timothy Hoyer, Gloria Dei, Lakewood and Bethlehem, Falconer.  They are shared in the Pre-Assembly book with the recommendations from the Synod Council for action by the Synod Assembly.  There may be other resolutions that come before the Reference and Counsel Committee at Assembly.   It is required by our constitution and by­laws that Reference and Counsel share with the Assembly any resolutions that they have received. It is the responsibility of the Reference and Counsel Committee to determine whether these resolutions will be brought to the floor of the Assembly for your consideration. They can recommend that we consider these resolutions as written, consider an amended version, or not consider the resolutions at all. They can also recommend that they be referred to another body (such as Synod Council).  
 

ELECTIONS AT ASSEMBLY

 

At this year's assembly we will be holding elections for a number of positions including Synod Council members and the Voting Members to the 2016 Churchwide Assembly.  Nominations information is now available in the Report of the Nominating Committee for review prior to assembly.  In an effort to ensure the integrity of all balloting the Synod Assembly Planning Team has decided to continue two things we implemented in 2014. The first will be that all voting members will have name badges that are a different color from the name badges of visitors and other non-voting members. The second is that we will have designated seating for all voting members to assembly.  The white tablecloths along with signs at both ends designate the voting member seating area.  Colored table cloths provide seating for visitors and other guests.  We ask your cooperation as we work to facilitate the distribution of ballots by our assembly pages and have a smooth balloting process.  Please use this as an opportunity to meet someone new at assembly, get reacquainted with an old friend and possibly participate in the plenary activities from a different seat than the one you typically occupy.

 

Everyone who attends assembly needs to be sure that they check in at the Assembly Registration Desk at the top of the escalator to receive your name badge and pick up other assembly materials before entering the plenary hall or participating in any assembly related activities.  

 
 

CELEBRATE DISCIPLESHIP AWARDEES

This year we will recognize a Synod Discipleship Award Recipient and Conference Discipleship Award Recipients.  Information about the Synod Discipleship Award Recipient, Gary Roller (Redeemer - Rochester) is in the Pre-Assembly book.  Read about Conference award recipients in the Conference Discipleship Book.  2015 Conference Congregational Discipleship Book
 
TIDBITS

LOOKING FOR MUSICIANS

Musicians and instrumentalists are encouraged to join the choir and help us 'make a joyful noise' at our assembly. You can join the choir at Friday morning's Eucharist worship even if you are not attending the rest of the assembly. Choir rehearsals are scheduled for Thursday evening, May 28 6:00 - 7:30pm and Friday morning, May 29 at 7:30am in Empire North.  Contact Thatcher Lyman to volunteer and for more information at incarnatewordmusic@gmail.com.  

 

BAPTISMAL STORIES

Help us create a baptismal story telling station by bringing COPIES of pictures of baptisms and other baptismal mementoes i.e. copies of a baptism certificate or a bulletin to assembly.  You are invited to leave them around the baptismal font in the Plenary Hall (Empire North).  We also invite you to write baptismal anniversary dates and/or memories on the paper under the font throughout the assembly.   

 

 STILL TIME TO HELP WITH 20,000 MEALS

 Thursday evening, May 28 at 6:30pm in Empire South at the Convention Center we will package 20,000 Rice and Bean meals to help feed the hungry.  The meals will be distributed through Rochester Food Link Food bank and benefit local families. SIGN UP http://www2.mysignup.com/cgi-bin/view.cgi?datafile=unysassembly

 

YOUNG ADULTS DINNER

If you signed up in advance for the Young Adult Dinner on Friday evening at 5:30 meet Pastor Becca Ehrlich, Caitlin Donovan and Jonathan Ugalde in the lobby of the Radisson (not the Hyatt) and they will lead you to our dining area in Legends. 

 

WORKSHOPS!

With two workshop sessions on Friday afternoon and 18 workshop topics to choose from there is sure to be something of interest.  We have a number of presenters who will offer time to consider justice issues - Rev. John Saraka (Beyond Good Intentions), Rev. Johanna Rehbaum (A Hunger for Justice: Faith and Advocacy), Dianne Klafehn (Cherish All Children), Fabio Lomelino, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (A Lutheran Welcome to New Neighbors); some opportunities for playfulness at Forming Children's Faith Playfully - A Godly Play Workshop and Prayerful Art: Where faith and doodling meet; as well as workshops filled with congregation resource ideas, (stewardship, mission, congregational health) and some to reflect on spirituality and prayer.  Be sure to join in!

 

(BOW) TIE UP HUNGER

Wear your bow tie or bow on Saturday morning!  Bishop and Lin Macholz will make a contribution of $5 for everyone who is registered and wears a bowtie or bow from the neck up to the assembly that day. The more the merrier! The 'neck up' reference is necessary in order to be able to easily and appropriately count the number of bowties and bows.  The $5 does not refer to the number of bowties or bows but people wearing bowties or bows.

 

Help us raise money for World Hunger so that we can arrive at the day when we eradicate this evil reality in our world and lives!


DOUBLE THE FUND!!!

Bishop Macholz is delighted to announce that an anonymous giver has agreed to match, dollar for dollar, the money he and Lin are contributing to World Hunger for every person ($5) who 

wears a Bow Tie or Bow at the assembly. This will double the contribution for a wonderful cause. So, get out there and get those bow ties and bows and get ready to do the work we are called to do in the name of Jesus.  It will be a great picture taking opportunity!

 

Practice Discipleship Forum - Join in the guided conversation about the ELCA Practice Discipleship program Thursday evening, May 28 at 7:00pm in Riverside Court - under the escalators at the Convention Center.  The Forum will be informal so you can join us for the whole time or come for just a portion of the time. 

 

BRING YOUR CAN TABS TO ASSEMBLY

Bring your CAN TABS to Assembly and leave them on the table near the Registration Sign-­In area at the top of the Elevator. 

 

 

 

Smiling Child CHILD CARE IS AVAILABLE AT ASSEMBLY - If you signed up for Child care please bring your completed child information form with you to assembly.  Child care will be provided on Friday, May 29 from 8am - 9:30pm and on Saturday, May 30 from 8am - 1pm. 

 

JOIN US FOR FELLOWSHIP

  • Thursday evening, 9pm - midnight - Main Street Galleria at the Hyatt Regency Rochester.  Cash bar and light refreshments.
  • Friday evening, 9:30pm - midnight - The Synodical Women of the ELCA will host our fellowship time this evening.  Join our Assembly puppets and other attendees for a fun fellowship involving storytelling, crafts, faith story video-taping and Bible story visuals, and of course, yummy refreshments! 

DON'T MISS THE MISSION FAIRE

Located in the Galleria on the street level of the Convention Center, this year's Mission Faire offers over 30 vendor displays!  Stop by the Hunger table and purchase your boarding pass for the Disciple Ship.  Find educational opportunities at campus ministry, Capital Region Theological Center , Niagara Frontier Conference Education, or the Hartwick Seminary Summer Institute of Theology.  Thinking of summer camp - check out Lake Chautauqua Lutheran Center .  Investment or insurance in your future - visit the Church Mutual Insurance , the Mission Investment Fund or the Thrivent Financial table.  These are just some of the many interesting ministry and mission displays that you will find this year.  Additionally, Portico Benefit Services will be on hand in the Registration throughout Synod Assembly - stop by and ask Barb Debski all your questions about Portico and health care. 


 

The next Upstate Update will be published on Friday, June 5, 2015 and will be the r post Synod Assembly edition. 

Please visit our website upstatenysynod.org
 
Thank you for taking time to read this edition of the Assembly Update. If you, or someone you know, is planning on attending this year's assembly, please encourage them to sign up for our Upstate Update List. 
 
Katherine M. Neugent
Executive Assistant to the Bishop
Upstate New York Synod of the 
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 
Phone: 315-299-4955 Fax: 315-299-4981 
 
 Resurrection people who pray first, walk together and change lives.   
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