SUMMARY
OF
SYNOD COUNCIL MEETING
SEPT. 21-22, 2001
Synod Council met in Fresno at the site of the 2002 Synod Assembly. Meeting participants included the synod staff, representatives of St. Ansgar’s (Salinas, CA), ten pastors interested in discussing the June 2001 Open Letter, and executives from Good Shepherd Communities.
Sad news was received at the start of the meeting that Ms. Ruth Hoffman, a lay member of Council from District A, was resigning due to declining health. The next week, Ruth passed away. She will be sorely missed by all who were blessed to know her. Thanks be to God for Ruth Hoffman, a servant of the Lord!
Bishop Mattheis addressed Council through a report and in a Bible study of 2nd Timothy. He spoke of his health as the motivating factor in his decision to resign the office of bishop as of May 31, 2002, and about how much he enjoys serving as bishop. He also expressed his excitement about the “First Mile”congregational outreach program of the Witness & Service Discipling Team, and his experience of the whole church standing together at the installation of the new bishops of the Southwest California and Grand Canyon Synods of the ELCA.
The Witness & Service Discipling Team presented its Vision 2008 Plan for leading and assisting in the public affirmation of faith through word and deed. Among the team’s new projects is a guide outlining specific steps for lay people to take toward establishing new churches in their communities. Council members enthusiastically endorsed the plan, and requested the team to look into how intentional ministries with the poor could be assisted through the synod organization.
The Synod Financial Report reflected an uncertain economy and a 6% reduction in mission support from congregations. Leaders from congregations providing substantial financial support to the larger church were appointed to aTheology of the Budget Task Group with an assignment to reflect on and advise Council about synod budget formation and decision-making.
Ten persons joined Council for a discussion of the June 2001 Open Letter addressed to Bishop Mattheis and Synod Council. Meeting participants expressed a wide range of perspectives on how we expect one another to act as members of the same church.
Growth and improved services were reported by Lora Warpness of the Synod Resource Center and by Bob Ringe and Stephen Kelley of the Good Shepherd Communities (formerly Good Shepherd Lutheran Homes of the West). (Please visit their websites: www.gslh.org and www.resourcecenterspselca.org.)
COUNCIL ACTIONS
- Recognition of Pr. Paul Christ and his wife, Shirley, for their service in leading efforts to restore Mt. Cross Camp and enliven its important ministry.
- Approval of St. Ansgar’s Lutheran Church of Salinas, CA’s termination of its relationship with the ELCA, and encouragement to St.Ansgar’s and all congregations of the synod to hold one another in prayer and hope for reconciliation.
- Approval for Grace Lutheran Church of Lincoln, CA to become the newest congregation of the Sierra Pacific Synod.
- Appointment of Pr. Paul Chung (Korean Community, Orinda, CA) to the Leadership Team, and Pr. Marty Schaefer (Grace, Richmond, CA) to fill the District C position on the Word & Sacrament Team.
- Adoption of a new continuing resolution:
SB11.07.B01The terms of discipling team members appointed by the Synod Council, other than team chairs, shall be three years in length. Term ending dates shall be staggered by Synod Council.
- Approval to recommend to the Synod Assembly amendments to Sections S7.22, S7.23, S9.04, and S9.08 of the Synod Constitution which were approved by the 2001 Churchwide Assembly.
- In preparation for the election of a new bishop, the Nominating Committee was authorized to:
- Ask conferences and congregations to prepare for the election through prayer and discernment about the mission of our synod, and to consider What are the next things to do as a synod in mission?
- Collect and publish responses, and then invite suggestions of persons on the ELCA clergy roster believed to have the gifts and graces necessary for holding the office of bishop.
- Developed a variation on the current procedure for electing churchwide assembly members due to the reduction in the number allocated to our synod from15 to 14 (in addition to the bishop). After the 2002 Synod Assembly elects 15 possible CWA members through the current process (three from each electoral district), the 14 persons who will serve as the CWA members will be chosen by lot, with the 15th person to be designated as the first alternate CWA member. Council also resolved that the best long term answer is toGROW IN MISSION, and then be able to send more members to the churchwide assemblies!
Members of Council were formally installed at the September meeting, and prayerfully accepted their responsibilities.
The next Council meeting will be on January 25-26, 2002 at Holy Redeemer Retreat Center in Oakland, CA. Visitors are welcome!
Prepared by Linda Headrick, Secretary
Comments for Synod Council may be sent to:
Bishop Robert W. Mattheis
Vice President Margie Back
Secretary Linda Headrick
