Eastern North Dakota Synod

A condensed version of this report can be found here.

Eastern North Dakota Synod Assembly 2009

God’s work.  Our hands:  The Church at Work!

Voting members representing 100,000 plus Lutherans in the Eastern North Dakota Synod gathered in assembly May 2-3 in Grand Forks, ND under the ELCA theme, God’s work. Our hands.   Synod assemblies are always a focal point for the work of the synod and this year’s was no exception.  But to be really forthright, many felt a bit anxious about all the issues facing us.  Not only have we struggled this year with financial challenges; we’ve also had less staff for support to congregations; and we continue to wrestle with difficult issues like sexuality and the new proposed social statement in the ELCA.

In spite of these challenges, the assembly was a really fine example of the church at work-truly God’s work, our hands.  Bishop Rindy led us in clear and helpful ways, taking time to allow voting members to converse and discuss and inviting fair and thoughtful input on a variety of issues.   From nearly all corners, including voting members, visitors, churchwide representatives and others, the feeling of goodwill,
thoughtful deliberation, and support for a well-organized and executed agenda was shared publicly.

Lively debate centered around resolutions dealing with stewardship education encouraging congregational tithing; ongoing commitment to public engagement in inclusive ministry with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered brothers and sisters; and unanimous support for a Lutheran Social Services appeal.

The assembly also memorialized the 2009 Churchwide Assembly to adopt the proposed Social Statement on Human Sexuality and its implementing resolutions as recommended by the ELCA Church Council. A recommendation to memorialize the 2009 Churchwide Assembly to adopt the proposed Recommendation on Ministry Policies was defeated. A wide variety of workshops focusing on God’s work, our hands included both onsite and offsite opportunities.  Displays were well attended and Saturday evening’s banquet and program honoring milestones in ministry was a highlight.

Thanks especially to the synod assembly planning committee, to synod staff, and to Associate with the Bishop, Pr. Terry Brandt, for making this assembly worthwhile, productive, and a great example of God’s work.  Our hands.

Thank You to Synod Assembly Special Guests

Synod Assemblies are prime time for communicating the best resources-including people resources-of the church!  A HUGE thanks to churchwide partners who made significant contributions to our assembly:

• Craig Settlage from Synodical Relations was our churchwide representative. In addition to the State of the ELCA report, Craig led a bible study and a workshop. He also made important contributions/clarifications to conversations re: stewardship and sexuality, and illustrated our interdependence as congregations, synods, and the churchwide organization.

• Dan Lehman, Editor, The Lutheran, spoke to the assembly about the magazine and its role focusing on congregations and sharing the work of the church. We lament that so many congregations (and synods) neglect promoting The Lutheran. Lehman reminded us yet again that The Lutheran is one of the best adult education resources we have. We shared copies of Little Lutheran as well as THE Lutheran!

• Marianne Griebler, a new member of Communication Services with responsibility for telling the stories of people around the church, also joined us-her first synod assembly! It was purely delightful to spend time with Marianne and to observe her observing the work of the church in a synod assembly.  She met with our synod youth as well as with many other voting members.

• Kevin Massey, Director of Lutheran Disaster Response, led workshops on pastoral care in natural disasters.  Pr. Massey also spent time in our synod during the flooding and thanked the assembly for the privilege of serving his first call in this synod.

These important faces and voices together with all who attended the assembly are such powerful reminders of the church as the Body of Christ.  Their presence at synod assemblies speaks volumes about our common humanity and dependence on one another-the US that is Eastern ND Synod and the WE that is the Body of Christ!

Julie Aageson, EaND Synod Resource Center Director