At the Assembly

According to the ELCA and NT-NL Synod Constitutions, (+S7.21.C) "a minimum of one lay member elected by each congregation with fewer than 175 baptized members and a minimum of two lay members elected by each congregation with more than 175 baptized members related to this synod, normally one of whom shall be male and one of whom shall be female, shall be voting members..."

Additional lay voting members are allowed for larger congregations. In addition, one youth (under the age of 21) from each conference is eligible to be a registered voting member of the Assembly. Contact your dean for information on how your particular conference covers this expense.

All ordained ministers on the roster of this synod who are under call or retired, and are registered, are voting members. All commissioned associates in ministry, consecrated deacons and deaconesses on the roster of the synod, who are under call or retired, and are registered, are voting members. All Synodically Authorized Worship Leaders who are serving a congregation though approval or the Bishop or Synod Council. S7.26.01 Participants of synodically authorized worshiping communities may elect members of the synod assembly . . . as expressed in +S7.21

Absence of Voting Membership

If your congregation will not have a complete voting membership based on the constitutional formula (S7.21.C) (pastor(s), one female voting member and/or one male voting member), please request an excused absence. Send a letter of explanation (addressed to the Credentials Committee and signed by the secretary or president of your Congregation Council) to the assembly registrar.

Mail to: Credentials Committee c/o NT-NL Synod Office P.O. Box 560587 Dallas, TX 75356-0587.

Book of Reports and a "Guide to the Assembly" will be mailed to all registrants and will include: vitae for nominations, the proposed Assembly agenda, proposed Rules of Procedure, maps of the area, synod's constitution, information about other assembly opportunities and other items of business and Assembly details.

The Book of Reports will be mailed in late March. Those registering after April 15th may pick up their Book of Reports at the Assembly's registration desk. Please note that voting members are responsible for being familiar with these materials prior to the Assembly.

A binder will be provided at the Assembly for your Book of Reports. Please note that this binder will become the official Minute Book of this Assembly. A mailing of Assembly minutes and a fresh constitution (if needed) will be e-mailed or mailed to each voting member present. Voting members are requested to give at least one of their binders to their church office for archive purposes.

Congregations not sending voting members will be mailed a full Book of Reports - binder with the Assembly minutes and fresh constitution after the assembly.

Resolutions

Resolutions can only be submitted by voting members of the assembly and the synod council. Resolutions of new business for the assembly must be submitted to the bishop’s office by April 15. This will allow the Committee for Reference and Counsel to gather prior to the assembly and deal with expected business.

Other than “New Business” only resolutions germane to the discussion on the floor will be allowed at the assembly

Elections

Elections will be held during the business sessions for the following elected positions:

Consultation Committee - term begins July 1, 2005 and ends June 30, 2010 Two ordained and two lay persons. Need four nominees for the ordained positions and four nominees for lay persons positions.

Discipline Committee - term begins July 1, 2005 and ends June 30, 2010 - One ordained and one lay person. Need two nominees for ordained position and two nominees for the lay person position.

Synod Council positions - Term begins July 1, 2005 and ends June 30, 2009.(contact your conference Dean if you are willing to be considered):

East TX - North LA Conference - Lay female
West Texas Conference - Ordained minister
Northeast Dallas Conference - Lay male
South Dallas Conference - Ordained minister
North Central East Conference - Lay female

An opportunity to serve the Assembly.

If selected, would you be willing to serve on one of the committees of the Assembly? The committees are: the Committee on Credentials, the Committee for Reference and Counsel, the Committee on Minutes, and the Election Committee. Members are chosen from the registered voting members. They are selected based on locale and gender and between lay and ordained members. You may indicate your willingness to serve through the registration process.

Other Opportunities

• Luncheon for spouses of rostered ministers
• All rostered ministers are asked to have their photo taken (Synod Council members too).
• Watch for the possibility of the annual Rural Round-Up Gathering - details to be in the "Guide to the Assembly" that will accompany the Book of Reports and mailed to registrants.
• Questions about your Pension or the Board of Pensions? At the Assembly you may set up an appointment with the NT-NL Synod representative. Look for that representative in the display area.
• If you would like to play an instrument in an Assembly Ensemble please note on your registration form.

In Addition...

If you require facilities for the disabled or an interpreter or if you have other special needs, please note the need on your registration form.

Resolutions can be submitted by voting members only and may be sent in via the synod's web site. Also, note that the deadline for submitting resolutions to the Assembly is April 15th to the Synod Office.

If you need to be reached in case of emergency, the number is 972-934-8400. Ask for the Lutheran Assembly office or cell # 214-850-9349.

Please bring your own Bible for study, your Book of Reports (a binder will be provided), and a jacket or sweater in case the room is too cool.

If you are not a voting member and would like to be a facilitator (passes out items and takes up ballots from the assembly floor) at the Assembly, please note your willingness to serve on the registration form.