This year the assembly will observe the 500th anniversary of the Reformation under the theme "Freed and Renewed in Christ" and the accompanying tagline "500 years of God's Grace in Action." The 500th anniversary of the Reformation is an opportunity to rejoice in the life-giving, liberating power of the gospel. As part of the observance, we are inviting non-voting members to attend the Grace Gathering, August 10-13, 2016. More information about this event is available at
Let us pray for our Upstate New York Synod Churchwide Voting Members. Lord, grant safety and guide them as they travel. Protect, inspire and provide peace to them and as they work and deliberate in your name. Amen
Rev. John Macholz, Bishop
Ms. Meridith Cavanagh, Zion Athens
Mr. Chris George, Prince of Peace, Depew
Mrs. Patsy Glista, AIM, Our Saviour, Utica
Ms. Sharon Hamilton, First, Jamestown
Mr. Tom Henry, St. Mark's, Baldwinsville
Rev. Pamela Hoh, Our Redeemer, Scotia
Mr. Ryan Lotocki, All Saints, Hamburg
Mr. Tom Madden, Vice-President, Incarnate Word, Rochester
Rev. Krista Mendoza, Bethany, Elmira
Rev. Lee Miller II, Holy Trinity, Buffalo
Mr. Rick Mollenkopf-Grill, Town Line, Alden
Mr. Jim Osborne, Holy Trinity, Elmira
Mrs. Mary Schwartz, Prince of Peace, Clifton Park
Rev. Gail Wolling, Luther Memorial, North Syracuse
What Do Our Churchwide Voting Members Do?
Over the course of five days voting members will:
Hear reports and review the work of churchwide offices, units and other ministries;
Receive and consider proposals from synod assemblies;
Elect officers, board members and other leaders as specified by the constitution;
Establish ELCA churchwide policy;
Worship together;
Adopt a budget for the churchwide organization; and
Conduct other business related to the ELCA churchwide organization.
Livestream the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, Aug. 8-13
The assembly will be streamed live on the churchwide assembly website. To learn about the assembly, preview the pre-assembly reports, see the schedule and view the Vice-Presidential nominations go to Guidebook or download the Guidebook App.
Special Announcements
Our own VP Tom Madden is a nominee for the position of Vice-President of the ELCA and will be Assisting Minister on Sunday when the Vice Presidents, Bishops and Churchwide leaders begin the assembly with Holy Communion.
Assistant to the Bishop for Operations, Patsy Glista,AIM is serving on the Reference and Council Committee.
Thank you for spending some time reading this edition of the Upstate Update. We hope, and pray, that you found it useful. If you know someone who could benefit from the Upstate Update, please forward it to them and ask them to sign up directly.