Synod Hearings (external link) provide an opportunity for participants to share with the task force their concerns, appreciation, and suggestions about the draft of a social statement. A record of comments from each hearing is shared with the task force, who will consider this feedback while developing a revised document called a “proposed” social statement. The proposed statement is scheduled to be finished in February of 2011, which will be considered by the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly (external link).

Hearings are a very important step in the social statement process because the goal is broad participation in the development of social teaching and policy documents. Please encourage farmers and other interested folks to attend.  We often complain about “not being heard”; hearings give us a chance to offer the task force a North Dakota perspective!

EaND Synod Hearings on Genetics:

Emmanuel Lutheran Church – Gackle, ND (directions (external link))
Sunday, August 8, 2010
10:30 am
All are invited to worship at 9:30 a.m.

Mountain Lutheran Church – Adams, ND (directions (external link))
Sunday, August 8, 2010
5:30 pm

More Information:

• A Social Statement on Genetics from the ELCA portal (external link)
• Draft Social Statement on Genetics Information (external link)
• Download: Draft Socail Statement on Genetics (download .pdf file)
• Download: FAQs (download .pdf file)
• Download: Executive Summary (download .pdf file)

Renewing the Ecology of the ELCA Task Force

Living into the Future Together (LIFT) (external link) is a task force of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) (external link) commissioned by the ELCA Church Council to develop and recommend options for the future of the ELCA in light of its identity, changes in its environment and its call to God’s mission.

Understanding the path this church has journeyed on will serve as a platform to embrace new opportunities for God’s mission.

What is God calling this church to be and to do in the future?
What changes are in order to help us respond most faithfully?

Background

At its November 2009 meeting, the ELCA Church Council approved a charter for the project, “Living into the Future Together: Renewing the Ecology of the ELCA.” The project task force will study social and economic changes in the 20 years since this church was formed and “evaluate the organization, governance and interrelationships among this church’s expressions,” according to the project charter.

In January 2010, a 12-member task force of the ELCA, plus observers from other church bodies and staff, met for the first time to develop and recommend options for the future of the ELCA. Task force members seek input for their work from ELCA leaders and members leading up to their report to the ELCA Church Council in April 2011. The LIFT task force reaches out to anyone and everyone interested in advancing “God’s work. Our hands.”

The task force is expected to develop a report and recommendations “that will position this church for the future and explore new possibilities for participating in God’s mission,” the charter states. The report and recommendations will be presented to the ELCA Church Council, which can transmit recommendations to the 2011 ELCA Churchwide Assembly (external link).

Your input is welcome!

We cannot faithfully address these items without the input of all ELCA members. Go to http://liftelca.org/get-involved (external link) where you will see the various ways members of this church can get involved in LIFT.
Here are some options:

For individuals

1. Find LIFT on Facebook (external link) and Twitter (external link) to offer your comments
2. Complete the individual questionnaire online (external link)
3. You can also download the individual questionnaire (download .pdf file), print it and provide us your written comments on these specific questions via  e-mail to Daniel.Taylor@elca.org or via fax at 773-380-2932

For groups

Download the LIFT group discussion questions (download .pdf file) as and discuss the questions with a group at your church (an adult forum, congregation council, etc.) After the discussion, please summarize the responses. Though these questions are intended for group use, individuals are welcome to answer these open-ended questions as well.

Return the summary to us in one of the following ways:

1. Enter the responses online (external link)
2. E-mail responses to Daniel.Taylor@elca.org
3. Fax responses to 773-380-2932
4. Mail responses to RE-ELCA, 8765 W. Higgins Road, Chicago, IL 60631

LIFT – Living into the Future Together! (external link)

These videos are great illustrations of the work our church is doing in God’s name. They are appropriate for use in worship and/or meetings and provide an inspiration for congregations to explore new avenues for ministry in their communities. Several EaND congregations – Martin’s, Casselton; Faith, West Fargo; and First, Fargo – submitted videos this summer. Great job!

You are encouraged to order these free DVDs by calling 800.638.3522 or send an email to info@elca.org

Bill Rindy
Serving as Bishop of the Eastern North Dakota Synod

If you have trouble viewing the embedded above video or downloading the video files below, please contact the webmaster.

Downloads:

• Introduction (.wmv (download video file) | .mp4 (download video file))
  Introduction to the frequently asked questions regarding the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
• Social Statements (.wmv (download video file) | .mp4 (download video file))
  Why do we do social statements in the ELCA?
• Sexuality Statement (.wmv (download video file) | .mp4 (download video file))
  Why did we do a Human Sexuality statement?
• Vote Majorities (.wmv (download video file) | .mp4 (download video file))
  Can you say something about simple majorities or 2/3 majorities with votes?
• Rostering Vote (.wmv (download video file) | .mp4 (download video file))
  What about the vote to roster gay/lesbian pastors in publicly accountable, life-long, monogamous relationships?
• Scriptural Interpretation (.wmv (download video file) | .mp4 (download video file))
  How do we interpret scripture?
• Seeking to Understand (.wmv (download video file) | .mp4 (download video file))
  Why stay in conversation?
• Bound Conscience (.wmv (download video file) | .mp4 (download video file))
  What is a bound conscience?
• Responses (.wmv (download video file) | .mp4 (download video file))
  How do we respond to a vote with which we disagree?
• Undesignated Benevolence (.wmv (download video file) | .mp4 (download video file))
  What do we do with undesignated mission support/benevolence?
• Redirecting Benevolence (.wmv (download video file) | .mp4 (download video file))
  How do we redirect benevolence faithfully?
  • Unintended Consequences of Re-directing Mission Support (download .pdf)
    from the Western ND Synod (external link)
• Churchwide Impact (.wmv (download video file) | .mp4 (download video file))
  What is the impact on the ELCA Churchwide?
• How I’m Doing (.wmv (download video file) | .mp4 (download video file))
  How are you doing, Bishop Rindy?
• Future (.wmv (download video file) | .mp4 (download video file))
  Where do we go from here?

In this issue:

• Update from the Bishop
• Letter from Central African Republic Missionaries

» Download and share: November News Snippet Bulletin Insert (download .pdf file)

FAQs to the Bishop

Greetings in the name of Jesus,

I am seeking to walk a thin line between equipping the saints for the work of ministry while at the same time helping the other expressions of the ELCA (congregation and synod) find their voice. I have enjoyed being with each conference assembly, especially for the question and answer times. Those times have been good learning opportunities for me and I trust they have been for others. I have been asked to create some FAQ (frequently asked questions) videos for posting on our synod website to assist with questions you are probably encountering. My first preference would be for me, Terry, or Kari to be with you in person, but with 230 congregations we simply cannot get to all of you before annual meeting time. These video snippets are designed to help you/your people think through some of the complex questions with which we are all dealing. I’ll try to make them downloadable so that you can utilize them where you need to do so.

Pastor Bill Rindy
Serving as Bishop of the Eastern North Dakota Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Dry Season: a recent letter from our missionaries

Dear Friends,

Dry season arrived on Friday. It rained last Thursday but since then the sunlight changed, the wind changed, and the humidity has changed. There might be another small rain, or 2, but everything looks more like dry season. Even the dry season laughing doves, “pirtide” in Fulfulde or “kerengede” in Gbaya, have arrived.

It seems that dry season has, also, arrived in the ELCA Global Mission. From correspondence we received from Global Mission last evening, they foresee the possibility of a 30% reduction in giving to the Churchwide office. This is in protest to actions taken in Minneapolis a couple of months ago. We have been watching the news in Fargo, as well, and there have been several congregations who voted to hold back funds from Chicago in protest to ELCA General Assembly actions. We will not comment on the rightness or the wrongness of such a move even though June and I have our own opinions but we must speak of the consequences of these actions..

Global Mission Unit is now in the process of drastically cutting back funding which includes program grants, Chicago staff, and current missionary staff. The cuts will not end there but will continue as program cuts to partner churches. In about 2 weeks, they will be making some very hard decisions in Chicago as to what, and who will be cut, and what and who will remain. This means major restructuring, and reevaluation, of the work being done by Global Mission. This kind of major surgery is one of the most difficult things ever undertaken by staff in Chicago but if we are to stay alive, and stay true, to the call that we have been given by our Lord and Savior it must be done.

Please pray for strength, and above all wisdom, for those that are asked to make these decisions. We will have a leaner, Global Mission but let us all pray that we will end up with a more effective ministry of spreading the Gospel with the priority to those who have not heard the Good News.

These people, here in Cameroon, include particularly the Fulbe people such as the Imaniiya, who actively seek a relationship with Christ, and those in more remote areas of the Poli Region where there have been difficulties for many years. Just as important is the Gospel in action with our brothers, and sisters, with whom we are partners in this endeavor. This endeavor includes health work, leadership training, women’s work, support of Church growth, Church roofs and on and on.

To demonstrate the immediate consequences of these reductions, as I was writing this letter, Mme Baba Martine brought a written request from the Bible School, and Deaf School in Tcholire, asking for a loan of 1,500,000 CFA (about $3,490) to keep them running. It was signed by the Director of the Tcholire Bible School, and five teachers which includes the blind, Braille teacher who put his finger print on it. They addressed the letter to me, personally, in the hopes that I had some money lying around that I could give them to help them feed their families, and pay the electric and tax bills to keep them functioning. The Bible School is one month into the 4th quarter and they haven’t received their normal subsidy. They request that I float them a loan until the subsidy comes in. Will it? There is, also, a women’s conference taking place in this same district which starts on November 8th, at a new congregation just created, and I am unable to help them with any funds.

I can understand the need to protest decisions that we do not adhere to but we must be very careful about how we go about it so that we do not hinder the work that we have been called to by our Lord and Savior. Some people have advocated circumventing Chicago to do this but I do not.

Something must be done in order to uphold the calling that we all have, as members of the body of Christ. Make decisions about withholding funds with care, “Have no anxiety about anything but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Phil. 4:6

Your Missionaries in Cameroon and CAR,
Phil and June Nelson

On a related note, I want to extend my most sincere and heartfelt thanks for your continued support of all those ministries we do together. It is my hope and prayer that we can continue doing the good work God is calling us to do together.

The 2010 Synod Assembly is scheduled for April 17-18, 2010 at the Jamestown Civic Center. God’s Work. Our Hands: Together in Mission will be our theme. As we prepare to gather in Jamestown, I am so excited. Instead of just talking about doing mission/ministry, we’re going to follow the example of our youth who made such an impact on the city of New Orleans at the national youth gathering this past summer. Instead of the usual workshops that are part of the afternoon, I have challenged the Jamestown and Carrington conferences to come up with enough service opportunities in the area to engage all of the voting members in service of neighbor to the extent they are able. Imagine the impact we could have in that area. Christians living out their faith in loving service of the neighbor in need!

It has been satisfying to hear faithful conversations, even those around difficult topics, at our fall conference assemblies. The church in which we live as ELCA Lutherans in eastern North Dakota is an amazing, interconnected web of ministry. I have learned much in this call as I have the privilege to see the church at work from a new perspective. Everything we do together matters. The funds that you offer back to God through your local congregation make a difference, quite literally, all over the world. Decisions we make personally and as congregations greatly impact ministries all across our synod, country, and world. Some decisions have consequences which are easy to measure. Others are more like the first domino falling in a row of dominoes, one small movement can have a major effect.

If you find yourself in a position where you feel compelled to modify your support of our church, please visit with your pastor. She or he may be able to help you think through the far-reaching consequences so that you can support ministries you feel good about without hurting ministries you care about. The same would hold true for congregations/councils. We are more than willing to walk with you as you ponder potential actions, so that when you make your decisions, you will feel good about the end results.

Regarding the newspaper headlines you may have been reading about Fargo congregations and the ELCA, I would encourage you to speak with the congregational presidents… you may find that not all newspaper headlines are what they seem to be. My overwhelming sense is that all the people with whom I’ve had conversations are seeking to be faithful in their responses. This is a good thing.

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13 NASB

Bill Rindy
Serving as your bishop

Reprinted from the November/December 2009 Synod Newsletter.

Faith Lutheran Church – West Fargo, ND

Flooded with Love
Record breaking flood waters threatened homes and communities in the Red River Valley in the spring of 2009. Faith Lutheran (West Fargo, ND) extended hands of appreciation to all city workers for their work above and beyond the call of duty during the flood.

Rate and Comment (external link)

Martin’s Lutheran Church – Casselton, ND

In the spring of 2009, the Red River flooded to historic levels. As the waters got higher, the congregation of Martin’s Lutheran Church rose to the challenge of transforming the church to a nursing home for 12 memory care patients who were displaced due to the flood.

Rate and Comment (external link)

First Lutheran Church – Fargo, ND

Homeless and Hungry
In 2005, ten young people had an idea to help the homeless. They saw a need in their own back yard. Now, over 1000 people have participated in Homeless and Hungry, a movement that has taken a community by storm. This event is about THE CHURCH coming together to help “the least of these.”

Rate and Comment (external link)

See all submitted videos at http://www.godsworkourhands.org/ (external link)

Bishop Rindy, Shar Gumke and EaND Synod voting members pray during the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly

The 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, this church’s highest legislative authority, has concluded. For summaries, photos, and vote results please visit www.elca.org/assembly (external link).

Highlights:

• Bishop Rindy’s pastoral letter to congregations (August 24)
• Presiding Bishop Hanson’s pastoral remarks (August 21): .pdf (download .pdf file) | watch video (external link)
• Presiding Bishop Hanson’s closing remarks (August 22) (external link)
• A greeting from Dr. Ishmael Noko, General Secretary-Lutheran World Federation: .pdf (download .pdf file) | watch video (external link)

Please regularly visit our website for updates and additional communication pieces regarding the churchwide assembly.

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

As you are probably aware, voting members from each of the 65 synods that make up the ELCA gathered together in Minneapolis to do some of the work of the churchwide “us.”  The Eastern North Dakota Synod elected and sent twenty-three of us to serve in this capacity. So many things went into the week that we experienced.  We worshipped daily, studied the Bible daily, ate and prayed together daily.  We spoke and listened daily.  We spent a thoughtful period of time debating the rules under which the assembly would operate.  The assembly adopted Robert’s rules to guide the votes not specified by our constitution and bylaws.

We discussed and voted on the proposed social statement*, Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust (external link), which was adopted by the assembly with exactly a 2/3 majority that was necessary for adoption.

There were decisions in which we were able to reach a strong consensus:

Lutheran Malaria Initiative (LMI): We learned that one child dies every 30 seconds from malaria and how we, through LMI (external link) will join hands with the Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod, the United Nations, the (Bill and Linda) Gates Foundation, and the NBA in a program called “Nothing But Nets.”  Through this initiative to provide mosquito nets to families and especially children, we will be able to help keep alive those people our missionaries are trying to reach with the Gospel.

Full Communion agreement with the United Methodist Church: The voting members of the assembly enthusiastically endorsed this agreement 32 years in the making.  Congregations within our own synod have been eagerly awaiting the opportunity to work even more closely with Methodist congregations (external link) within their communities.  Given the demographics of where we live and worship, this opens new doors to cooperative ministries.

In addition to these, we sought to increase the involvement of youth in our churchwide assemblies, reduce the suffering of infants, children and adults with HIV/AIDS in impoverished areas of the world, responded to memorials and resolutions, adopted a budget, and learned of many other good things we can do together.

As you may have read or seen in the news, we had some very difficult conversation over a topic about which we were not able to reach consensus.  Our voting members were impressed by how the debate was very civil and respectful in spite of deep divisions on these issues.  Every 20 minutes we paused for prayer.  People at opposing microphones held hands and prayed together.  Pr. Brandt observed after the votes were taken, folks from opposite positions sought each other out to embrace, comfort, and encourage one another.

The four-part process recommended by the human sexuality task force came to us in the form of four resolutions.  The assembly decided to deal with the 3rd recommendation first, followed by the former recommendations 1, 2, and 4:

“Resolved, that in the implementation of any resolutions on ministry policies, that the ELCA commit itself to bear one another’s burdens, love the neighbor, and respect the bound consciences of all.” – approved by 77% majority

“Resolved, that the ELCA commit itself to finding ways to allow congregations that choose to do so recognize, support, and hold publicly accountable, life-long, monogamous, same-gendered relationships.” – 61% majority

“Resolved, that the ELCA commit itself to finding a way for people in such publicly accountable, life-long, monogamous, same-gendered relationships to serve as rostered leaders of this church.” – 55% majority

The final resolved is too long to print here, but in addition to the original provisions, it was amended to protect the interests of those whose bound consciences would not allow them to call people in such relationships.  – 68% of the vote

That’s most of what happened.  The more famous Lutheran questions is, “what does this mean?”  For some, this assembly marked the completion of a 22 year struggle to have our church allow people in publicly accountable, life-long, monogamous, same-gendered relationships to serve as pastors in congregations that choose to call them.  For others there was deep pain as their church moved in a direction in which they struggle to understand.  There are people all along the spectrum in between.

It is my deep desire to be in conversation with you. I hope to include our voting members with whom I shared this journey in these conversations.    It is important for all of you who are interested to attend our fall conference assemblies.  I plan to be at all of them. It is important for our rostered leaders to be at our fall theological conference to be in discussion with one another.  My deepest desire is that you be in conversation with each other.  Please contact the voting members who were there on your behalf for more insights.  It is easy to assume the worst of our brothers and sisters.  It takes the necessary relational work to understand one another in a Christ-like manner.

For most of our congregations, there will be no immediate changes if any.  We will learn together as to how we live into these decisions.  My hope and prayer is that we will take some time to see how this future takes shape and how we can faithfully move into God’s future together.

Walking the journey with you in the midst of messiness,

Pastor Bill Rindy
Serving as bishop

* As it states on the ELCA website, “Social statements are social policy documents, adopted by an ELCA Churchwide Assembly, addressing significant social issues.  They provide an analysis and interpretation of an issue, set forth basic theological and ethical perspectives related to it, and offer guidance for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, its individual members, and its affiliated agencies and institutions. They are the product of extensive and inclusive deliberation within this church.”  Social statements are not binding on the conscience of members of this church.

The 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, this church’s highest legislative authority, is happening this week in Minneapolis, MN.

Follow the event on the ELCA’s assembly web site at www.elca.org/assembly (external link) including live Webcasts, video, photos and audio in addition to the ELCA’s blog, Twitter and Facebook pages (external link). All plenary sessions will be broadcast live (external link); video and photo highlights will be posted daily.