Brief Summary – 2004 NT-NL Synod Assembly
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The 17th annual Synod Assembly the Northern Texas -
Northern Louisiana Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America was
April 23-25 at the Multi-Purpose Events Center, Wichita Falls,
Texas. About 520 people participated, including 336 voting members.
The theme for the assembly was "The Congregation: Mission
Outpost."
Elections
Judge Owen Lokken, a member of Ascension Lutheran Church, Garland,
Texas, was re-elected vice president of the synod. He will serve a
four-year term. Helen Beaujour, of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in
Dallas was elected to a four-year term as secretary.
Six individuals were elected to serve on the Synod Council (also for
four year terms): the Rev. Donald Kingman, Zion Lutheran Church,
Priddy, the Central Texas Conference; Bobbie Jean Ellingson,
Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Granbury, the Greater Ft. Worth
Conference; the Rev. Don Gray, Rejoice Lutheran Church, Frisco, the
North Central East Texas Conference; Parma Kersten, New Life in
Christ Lutheran Church, Duncanville, the South Dallas Conference;
Bill Skinner, Midland Lutheran Church, Midland, the West Texas
Conference; and Marcus Edwards, from St. Luke Lutheran Church in
Richardson was elected youth representative for a two year term.
Elected to serve as voting members to the 2005 ELCA Churchwide
Assembly were: the Rev. Virginia “Ginger” Georgulas,
Rejoice/Coppell; the Rev. Phillip Heinze, Calvary/Ft. Worth; Jason
Robert Davis, Rejoice/Coppell; Mary A. Slice, Our Saviour / Durant,
OK; Virginia Worley, Christ/Dallas; Douglas Perrin, Trinity / Ft.
Worth; Phillip Van Auken, St. Matthew/Waco; and Irma Godinez, Santa
Maria/Irving.
Report of the Bishop on synod gifts and challenges.
Bishop Kanouse reported the addition of the Rev. Nancy Fisher to the
staff as bishop assistant for congregational life and mission and
Irma Godinez as Hispanic/Latino mission coordinator. He called our
congregations "the real synod" and pointed to the synod's support
for the Jubilee Lutheran Centre in Sierra Leone. He offered thanks
for growing support of Briarwood Lutheran Ministries.
The bishop also outlined challenges facing the synod. Financial
struggles face a number of congregations, and the 2005 Mission
Strategy reflects a decrease in support for the churchwide
expression. We also struggle to know what it means for our church to
be in thoughtful conversation about moral and societal concerns,
particularly sexuality.
Bishop Kanouse was joined by attorney Tracy Crawford as he related
the outcome of the civil trial that arose due to criminal conduct of
former pastor, Gerald P. Thomas Jr.. The bishop expressed grief and
the assurance of continued prayers for the victims and their
families and for the congregations at Marshall and Wilson, Texas,
who suffered from Thomas' crimes. Compensation was awarded to the
victims, and the bishop shared his hope that it will provide support
and care for them and their families as they heal.
Bishop Margaret Payne of New England, chair of the ELCA's Sexuality
Task Force, was a keynote speaker. She and synod task force chair
Dr. Paul Warren guided voting members through a "Journey Together
Faithfully" process of table conversations and open discussion.
Bishop Payne also spoke to the assembly theme and shared some of her
personal experience and growth in the study process. The second
study in congregations, "Journey Together Faithfully Part II: The
Church and Homosexuality," is underway.
Another special guest was the Rev. Wayne Weissenbuehler of
Englewood, Colo., who led the assembly through an Easter season
Bible study in the Gospel of John. Sandra LaBlanc represented the
ELCA at the assembly; she is director of the rural desk in the
Division for Outreach.
Resolutions
The Synod Constitution was amended and a by-law added to provide
voice and vote privileges to ordained ministers from full communion
partner churches who are serving a congregation of the synod.
The 2005 Care and Compensation guidelines for pastors and associates
in ministry were adopted.
A "Declaration of Commitment to Unity" was adopted as amended,
affirming our Christian unity in the sacraments, as a synod and in
the ELCA; our confidence that the saving power of Christ will carry
us through discernment and disagreement about issues of sexuality;
our participation in mutual conversation on the subject prior to any
final decision; and commitment to a focus on the Gospel that unites
us as we bear witness to world.
Among its actions, the assembly:
* declared that persons participating in homosexual relationships
should be prohibited from holding positions of leadership in the
Synod and ELCA was adopted (150 yes to 138 no);
* referred to congregations for study a resolution in support of a
proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution of the U.S. limiting
"marriage" to the union of one man and one woman;
* referred to the Sexuality Task Force and the ELCA Church Council
three resolutions addressing concerns of sexuality, scripture and
voting around these issues "as information from representative
voices that need to be heard."
Activities
Voting members and guests participated in Power Lunches for
discussion of the ELCA's five strategic directions. Congregations
from around the synod presented "Shareshops" that modeled
innovative, effective ministries in "mission outposts."
The assembly set aside time for an evening buffet dinner honoring
the memory of Ken Milton of Faith Lutheran Church, Wichita Falls, a
lay leader who was a lifelong booster for stewardship.
The assembly offering totaled more than $11,800, directed to campus
ministry and new mission starts. Assembly participants also
contributed 18 pints of blood to the Red Cross Bloodmobile.
Youth
Attendance at the Youth Convo totaled 69 high school youth and 6
adults from 28 congregations. Youth participated in worship, songs,
games, conference meetings, the Lutheran Youth Organization (LYO)
Convention, servant events and discussions. They collected and
sorted canned goods for the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank. Sunday
morning's plenary session opened with Prayer and Praise presented by
the LYO. Carly McCann of Advent Lutheran Church, Arlington, Texas,
was elected president of the organization. Pictures from the youth
convo are at the NT-NL LYO Web site: www.ntnlyouth.org
Next year - 18th annual NT-NL Synod
Assembly
April 28-May 1, Dallas Hilton Lincoln Centre Hotel
Keynoter – Dr. Tony Campolo who is well known across the US as a
sociologist, educator, and former pastor.
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