HIGHLIGHTS
SYNOD COUNCIL
MEETING OF SEPTEMBER 15 & 16, 2000
Council met at Mt. Cross Lutheran Camp in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California, and were welcomed by the director, Pr. Paul Christ. Participants were led throughout the meeting in devotions by Mr. Kent Madsen (Light of Life, Scotts Valley, CA).
Ms. Greta Heinemeier (St. John, Sunnyvale, CA) was elected by Council as the lay female member of Council from District D, the position vacated by Ms. Sheryl Coulston who resigned in August. Pr. Bill Ruth was appointed to the District E position on the Word & Sacrament Discipling Team following the resignation of Pr. Alexia Salvatierra.
Reports presented to Council included:
Synod Structure Review Task Force: Ms. Carol Erickson (Emmanuel, Napa, CA) presented a detailed report on interviews with members of synodical congregations and work groups, and identified major areas of concern: people lack information about what is happening on the synod level, which suggests communications should be improved; there are questions about the effectiveness of Council’s oversight of the discipling teams and the setting of budget priorities; discipling team members’ qualifications and duties need to be clarified; and, the process of choosing team members could be reconsidered. Council asked the task force to continue its investigation and analysis, and return with recommendations in January.
Leadership Discipling Team: Pr. Carol Been (Christ, Aptos, CA) reported on efforts to: gather synod leaders to cast a general vision and see where there are gaps in the support for clergy and AiMs; listen to the grass roots leadership needs/concerns; develop a leadership continuing education resource website; and be in dialogue with the seminary around the questions we have in common and to provide input on continuing education needs.
Witness & Service Discipling Team: Mr. Larry Moeller (Good Shepherd, Sacramento, CA) described team projects, including the Gathering 2000 event in Fresno (Sept 29-Oct 1), upcoming grant-writing workshops, the team’s endorsement of the Summer Youth Corp, and efforts to gather email addresses of pastors, congregational presidents, vice presidents, newsletter editors, and administrators (who are invited to send their addresses to: lmoe@risenindeed.com) to receive occasional memos.
Word & Sacrament Discipling Team: Pr. Marty Schaefer (Grace, Richmond, CA) explained that people are being recruited to plan worship services for the 2001 Assembly, and the video for training lectors may be completed this Fall. He also presented the team’s proposal that at large members be added to discipling teams so people with particular talents and interests could be appointed to help fulfill the teams’ goals and objectives.
Bishop Mattheis addressed Council on his intentions on a variety of topics:
- He reminded all that the call to be missional requires on-going efforts to push one another, and pointed to upcoming events: Gathering 2000, the Professional Leaders Conference in October, and the Mission 2006 Consultation in early November.
- The bishop announced that after considering the recent actions of the Sierra Pacific Synod Assembly and Council, as well as other ELCA synods, he has decided not to initiate discipline charges against University Lutheran Chapel in Berkeley, and intends to abstain from initiating disciplinary action against pastors and congregations for reasons related solely to the ELCA’s policy statement that expresses an expectation of celibacy for homosexual clergy.
- The bishop summarized plans by the Task Force for Conversation on Gay/Lesbian Issues to organize discussions at the 2001 Assembly and to provide preparatory materials to congregations in advance. How much diversity can we tolerate and how much unity of thought and behavior must we have in order to be a church in ministry together?
- He presented a new job description for the staff position now vacant due to Pr. David Baker’s retirement. Half of the new assistant’s time will be devoted to strengthening Christian Education in congregations. The bishop also announced that changes will be made in the assignments of his current assistants.
Budget planning issues were discussed, including the fact that though giving to congregations has increased significantly over the last ten years, increases in mission support have not kept pace, and at present, our congregations’ mission support for the work of the larger church averages only 6% of income.
Council endorsed the formation of the San Joaquin Valley Coalition for Mission by approving it’s governing documents. (Pr. Stephen Carlsen of Bethel, Fresno, CA is a leader of the new coalition.)
Calls were issued to Mr. Doug Merritt for service with the Mountain Ranch worshiping community, Pr. Stan Niemi for Interim Ministry, and Pr. Brian Stein-Webber as Director of the Contra Costa County Interfaith Council, but Council declined to issue a synodical call to Mr. Craig Minnich as director of youth ministries for a cluster of parishes in Oakland and Berkeley. Debate on the latter question was informed by a presentation by Pr. Lucy Kolin (Resurrection, Oakland) about the clustered congregations’ needs and the gifts of Mr. Minnich for ministry. The respect of Council members for all concerned was expressed.
A new Continuing Resolution was adopted by Council:
S7.26.A00 One lay member from each synodically authorized worshiping community shall be a voting member of the Assembly.
On the enthusiastic recommendation of the Outreach Committee and Witness & Service Discipling Team, Council endorsed: the development of a “New Start” mission, in cooperation with the Episcopal Church USA, in West Wendover, Nevada, on the Nevada/Utah border; and, the transition of the Truckee worshiping community to a “Congregation under Development” as soon as a pastor developer is called. The ELCA Division for Outreach will play a major part in both mission development efforts.
The next meeting of Synod Council will be January 26-27, 2001 at Mercy Center in Burlingame, CA.
Prepared by Linda Headrick
Synod Secretary
Comments for the Sierra Pacific Synod Council may be sent to:
Bishop Robert W. Mattheis bishopma@lodinet.com
Vice President Margie Back Back.Margie@Luthbro.com
Secretary Linda Headrick LJHeadrick@aol.com
