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SYNOD COUNCIL MINUTES

INDIANA-KENTUCKY SYNOD, ELCA

SEPTEMBER 18, 19, 2015

JOHN XXIII RETREAT CENTER

HARTFORD CITY, INDIANA

ATTENDANCE

Officers: Bishop Gafkjen, Vice-President Ted Miller, Secretary Judy Bush

Clergy: Pastors Amy Beitelschees-Albers, Jessica King, Dana Lockhart, Randall “Randy”

Schroeder, Charles Strietelmeier, Karen Strietelmeier, and Pamela Thiede (Saturday)

Laity: Michael Anderson, Bernie Augenstein, Rebecca Jane Daum, Elizabeth Gaskins, Clyde

Knigga, Amy Kruse, Laura Richcreek, Marilyn Saum, Noah David Smith, Paul Trickel, and E.

Louise Williams

Staff: Assistants to the Bishop Pastors Rudy Mueller and Heather Apel (Saturday)

Synod Attorney: Josh Tatum (absent)

Auxiliary Representative: Linda Doerge (absent)

Churchwide Representative: Rev. Vicki Garber (absent)

Absent: Treasurer Sue Miller, Pastor Jerald Mielke, Pastor Pamela Thiede (Friday), Pattiann

Meeks, Danielle Nuss, Nancy Walter, Heather Apel (Friday), DEM Pastor Nancy Nyland,

Interim Stewardship Director Pastor Jerry O‟Neal, Director of Communications Danielle Burrus

WELCOME, INTRODUCTIONS

The executive committee met at 3:30 p.m. in the meeting room of the John XXIII Retreat

Center, 407 West McDonald St., Hartford City, Indiana, in preparation for the Synod Council

Meeting. Newly elected Synod Council members joined the executive committee for dinner and

orientation at 5:30 p.m.

Vice-President Ted Miller called the Synod Council meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.at the John

XXIII Retreat Center, 407 West McDonald St., Hartford City, Indiana, and introduced Dawn

Frecker who is the Administrative and Marketing Coordinator. She welcomed the group and

provided orientation to the facilities. In closing she asked individuals to fill out a survey as they

leave.

Vice-President Ted asked everyone to introduce himself/herself, their place of worship, and

where they see God at work. The stories of God‟s work throughout the synod were powerful,

inspiring, poignant, and personal.

BIBLE STUDY AND DISCUSSION OF STRUCTURED FOR MISSION, CHAPTERS 1-2

Bishop Gafkjen opened with prayer. He reviewed that last year the group began the

study of Journey in the Wilderness written by Gil Randel. He has asked the synod council, deans,

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and staff to read Structured for Mission written by Alan J. Roxburgh which he sees as a

wonderful follow-up to the Journey in the Wilderness. He asked the group to read Mark 9:30-37

and asked everyone to break into groups of four. He asked the group to think about formative

stories or narratives in the Bible passage. He asked the following questions: to what extend do

the stories of Mark 9 form the stories of the synod and what are the differences in the narratives.

The groups had twenty minutes to discuss the questions. What sort of narrative does it seem OK

for the disciples to argue about who is the greatest. They are embodying a story that helps make

their culture make sense. What are the values that are legitimating narratives. Bishop stated that

we work together out of the stories legitimating the work of the synod. Unless we address the

stories that legitimate the structures we have today, we miss what members believe is important

and what is effective. As stated in page 32, “A legitimating narrative is an overarching story that

provides a group with a way to express its underlying values, beliefs and commitments about

who they are and how life is to be lived.” Bishop Gafkjen stated that we will be trying to get at

the heart of what the author is writing which may require rereading and that we will explore

during the coming months.

INTRODUCTION TO SATURDAY’S AGENDA

Vice-President Miller reviewed the agenda for Saturday beginning with breakfast at 8 and

then communion. He noted that we have been having volunteers lead worship at each meeting.

Also, a volunteer is needed to act as a mission monitor each meeting. He reviewed the

remainder of the agenda. The representatives from Churchwide Council and Women of the

ELCA will not be present at the September Synod Council meeting. There are recommendations

regarding three congregation constitutions. There are some recent requests for pastoral changes

in status. He announced that treasurer Sue Miller would not be with the group due to her father‟s

death. He noted that there are others who are absent due to other commitments.

EVENING PRAYER

Pastor Jessica King distributed the evening prayer bulletin. Beginning with confession and

singing hymn Joyous Light of Heavenly Glory, ELW 561, she led Evening Prayer.

After evening prayer the council engaged in fellowship with snacks and drinks.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

HOLY COMMUNION

Following breakfast Pastor Jessica led the worship service of Holy Communion in the

meeting room of John XXIII Retreat Center. Pastor Randy conveyed the meditation based on

Mark 9:30-37. “They did not understand what he was saying but were afraid to ask” was a focus

of his meditation. He pondered whether the fear that they were expressing is part of what they

must go through to gain understanding. There was a new narrative that they needed to

understand and grow into. It is hard to let go of the old narrative and enter into something new.

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The promise that we have is that as we welcome Jesus we welcome the one who sent him. He

read the passage again, pausing after selected passages, and gave individuals time to ponder on

the reading with questions related to narratives being created.

REVIEW OF MISSION, VISION, PRIORITIES AND THREE FUNCTIONS OF

BOARDS

Those who were absent Friday introduced themselves by sharing their relationship to

Synod Council, where they worship and how they have seen God at work.

Then attention was addressed to the question, “How do the Synod Council and its

members serve the synod?” Bishop Gafkjen led a discussion with a PowerPoint display, entitled

Synod Council: Leadership for a New Day. He discussed how members bring much with them

when they gather as Synod Council. Those things are laid aside as the focus is on the shared

mission, vision, and priorities of the synod. He focused on mission and vision of the synod.

Then briefly discussed priorities. He had a brief discussion of the three functions of boards.

Those new to the Synod Council had the adopted Mission, Vision, and Core Values that were

adopted by the Synod Assembly in 2001 in their packets. Our mission is Empower, Equip and

Encourage the people of God (which is all the people of the synod) to make Christ known to the

world. He stated, “The mission is not about us, it is about Jesus.” We don‟t do it; it is God who

does it. The vision is “Every person is a Missionary, Every pastor is a Mission Director, and

Every Congregation is a Mission Center”. For him every person is a mission developer because

we are always developing mission. For him every gathering is a mission center or mission

sender.

The four priorities were adopted a couple years ago and fit with the mission and vision.

The priorities are the following: cultivate congregations as mission centers, form and send faith-

filled disciples, expand and deepen collaboration and communication, and develop and support

missionary leaders. They are not in a priority order particularly. Part of the job as Synod

Council is to help communities turn outward. The form and send faith-filled disciples is about

discipleship. The collaboration and communication is about working with Christian and inter-

religious groups; it is not just about communication. The „develop and support missionary

leaders‟ priority is not just about ordained leaders but also lay leaders. A key word is

„missionary leaders‟; many in church leadership have not been given or learned the skills to lead

in this day and time. He believes that as the focus is on the „develop and support‟ and „expand

and deepen‟ priorities the other two priorities would also be addressed.

There are technical problems and adaptive challenges. Technical problems have the

following characteristics: are easy to identify, often lend to quick, easy solutions, often solvable

by authority or expert, require change in just a few places, people are generally receptive to

technical solutions, solutions can often be implemented quickly even by edict. There are

adaptive challenges which have the following characteristics: are easy to deny and difficult to

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identify; require changes in values, beliefs, roles, and relationships; people with the problem do

the work of solving it; require change in numerous places; people often resist even

acknowledging adaptive challenges; solutions require experiments and new discoveries; can take

a long time to implement; and cannot be implemented by edict. He gave examples of the

differences between technical and adaptive challenges. Also, the solutions are different and

require different ways to address them.

„Not just doing things but doing the right things‟ does help one to see the challenge. As

leaders the group needs to focus on the right thing. One role is fiduciary much of which is

described in the constitution. It includes stewardship of tangible resources, overseeing

operations, ensuring appropriate use of resources, and ensuring legal compliance. Another role

is strategic which is setting priorities, developing and improving various strategies, and

monitoring performance of strategies. The third role is generative which looks outside usual

frameworks of operation to get at our reason for existence and purpose, deciding what to decide,

probing assumptions, and identifying underlying values that should drive strategy and tactics;

this is the New Synod for a New Day focus.

All of the above helps us to get at the shared center which is who we are, who our

neighbor is, and what is God calling us to do. Bishop Gafkjen read from Journey in the

Wilderness by Gil Rendle page 42, “The best of our leaders begin to dream of what could be,

challenge the weakness of the stories that hold us back, and then engage people in conversations

about the new future. This new leadership is not an exercise of authority to tell people what to

do. It is the use of leadership to give people a better conversation to have and then to be patient

to see how God‟s hand will move in the empty space of our holy conversations.”

INITIAL BUSINESS

Review of Disclosure Statements

After a five minute recess, Finance Committee chair Paul Trickel distributed Disclosure

Statements to each member. He described the nature of potential conflicts and explained how to

complete the form. A potential relationship or disclosure does not preclude one from serving on

Synod Council. He asked everyone to complete the form and return to him.

Update on Holy Conversations

Pastors Amy Beitelschees-Albers and Randy Schroeder are on the Guide Team. She

described the resources on the website and available to congregations. If anyone has questions,

she encouraged them to contact someone on the Guide Team. There is a little push back with

individuals skeptical of the process stating that „synod is wanting them to do something else

now‟. Members of the Guide Team are genuine in receiving concerns, addressing those and

receiving feedback. They need to see if there are concerns. It doesn‟t have to be exactly as it

was presented at Synod Assembly or what is on the website. The Guide Team is going outside

the synod and the ELCA to those who are not Lutheran or not churched and exploring how

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others are seeing God at work. When people ask what the motive is, they explain that the synod

needs guidance in how to live into the new reality that is the world now. It is a way to provide

hope and inspiration to those congregations that are disillusioned. There will be a compiling of

the Holy Conversations from congregations. There is no particular preconceived outcome as a

result of the Holy Conversations. The Synod Council will explore recommendations regarding

how to do synod work as a result of the Holy Conversations but that is not the stated purpose.

The purpose is to remain centered on Christ and the mission of the synod. The process will not

be completed by the 2016 Synod Assembly but is an ongoing process.

Bishop Gafkjen‟s Report

As one may recall, his term as Bishop will expire June 2016 with a bishop election. He

spent part of his time on sabbatical discerning whether he would be open to another call as

bishop. He discussed other activities during his sabbatical. One of those was a reunion with his

friends from time in college and seminary. He will have a letter (attached) going out to the

synod next week which he read to the synod council and then distributed to the synod council.

Bishop call process (AKA election)

After the Bishop‟s letter goes out, the vice-president of the synod will be sending out a

survey to all congregations of the synod. Vice-President Miller distributed the survey that will

be sent out. The survey will go out to congregations and will be posted online so that other

groups such as campus ministries may provide input. The plan will be to send a letter

highlighting the constitutional provisions for election of the bishop with the survey. The survey

should be returned by December 1 so that the next step in the process occurs in January – the

publishing of the results of the survey. Edits were made to the survey (attached) that is to be

distributed.

PRAYER AT MID-DAY

At 11:57 a.m. Pastor Jessica King led prayer. The group recessed for lunch.

BUSINESS CONT’D

Reports/Visions/Decisions: Secretary, Executive Committee, and Vice President Report

Appointments/elections for remaining Synod Council positions

Secretary Report and Executive Committee Report

Secretary Bush reported that on July 1, Bishop Gafkjen sent the Synod Council an email and

asked for a vote regarding calling Pastor Michael Vinson as campus pastor for the Purdue

Lutheran Campus Ministry. The Board of Purdue Lutheran Campus Ministry (PLM) had elected

Pastor Michael Vinson to be their next campus pastor. Pastor Vinson had accepted their election

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and had already resigned from his current campus ministry position in Minnesota. Based on that

information the Synod Council

VOTED: SC/2015/37: that Pastor Michael Vinson be called to serve as Campus

Pastor for the Purdue Lutheran Ministry effective July 27, 2015.

Secretary Bush then referred for consideration the previously distributed draft minutes of the

June Synod Council meeting. It was moved that the minutes be approved by Paul Trickel,

seconded by Marilyn Saum and the Synod Council

VOTED: SC/2015/38: that the minutes of the June 5, 2015, Synod Council meeting,

pages 2178-2192, be approved.

She announced that the minutes of the 2015 Synod Assembly were in the Dropbox and will be

posted on the website after this meeting. Also, the Synod Constitution has been updated with the

change made at Synod Assembly and the updated constitution is posted on the website.

The executive committee has met twice since the June Synod Council meeting – June 16 and

August 18. The primary purpose of the June Executive Committee meeting was to begin work

on Synod Assembly Resolution 15-02, A Resolution Concerning a Time of Discernment

Regarding becoming a Reconciling in Christ Synod. The primary purpose of the August 18

meeting was to plan the Synod Council meeting in September. Additional topics covered

included future synod council meeting dates and locations, a report from Paul Trickel regarding

the FSO progress, Bishop Gafkjen‟s availability for and openness to another call as bishop, the

Calvary property in Louisville and progress on Resolution 15-02. It is possible that there will be

a sale of the Calvary property in Louisville before the November meeting.

Vice President Report

Vice-President Miller reported that there will be a meeting of synod vice-presidents in

Chicago Oct 21 to 25. He finds those meetings helpful and good for building relationship with

others in his position. He pointed out a constitutional provision regarding synod council

membership. The synod constitution states the following: In case the election of officers, the

election of clergy members (S10.07.02.), and the election of lay members (S10.07.03.) does not

elect two persons of color and/or persons whose primary language is other than English, the

Synod Council, at its first meeting following the Annual Synod Assembly shall elect to the

Synod Council for a three (3) year term up to two (2) lay members to insure that there are two (2)

persons of color and/or persons whose primary language is other than English on the Synod

Council. Elizabeth Gaskins‟ term expires at this time since she was elected three years ago as a

person of color. Bernie Augenstein moved that she be elected to an additional three year term to

Synod Council; it was seconded and the Synod Council

VOTED: SC/2015/39: that Elizabeth Gaskins be elected as a Synod Council

member for a three year term.

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Vice-President Miller asked individuals to think of individuals who fill the criteria specified

as a person of color or whose primary language is other than English and who might be willing

to serve on Synod Council.

The Synod Assembly did not elect a lay male to the Consultation Committee. In the past the

Synod Council has filled those vacancies. It was suggested that Gary Manning be asked to serve

and Judy Bush will contact him.

BUSINESS OF THE SYNOD COUNCIL

Reports/Visions/Decisions

Staff Reports

Assistant to the Bishop Pastor Heather Apel reported that there is a task force thinking about

the synod assembly agenda and what it might look like in the future. She reported that for

education during the 2016 Synod Assembly the conversation and thinking is around the works of

the Spirit and the book of Acts. Bishop Gafkjen has invited representative leaders from our

companion synods to be with us during our 2016 Synod. We are looking to invite the leader of

the Mennonite community and ask him to focus on Acts. The church in Chile just elected their

first bishop with a lay president. We will be planning an earlier plenary session during the 2016

Synod Assembly to allow for the number of ballots for the Bishop election.

Assistant to the Bishop Pastor Rudy Mueller reported on the worship event, Seasonings:

Advent Worship Planning which will be Saturday, October 24. He encouraged all to have

members attend.

He reported that the ELCA worship jubilee in Atlanta in July was a great event with a good

mix of participants and worship experiences.

Additionally, Pastor Mueller asked to please appoint Pastor Jared Lee, Word of Hope,

Lexington, KY, and Noah Smith to the Worship Committee for three year terms. The Synod

Council

VOTED: SC/2015/40: that Pr. Jared Lee and Noah Smith be appointed to three

year terms on the Worship Committee.

Pastor Mueller also explained how to understand the pastor report. It lists congregations in

mission discernment, congregations searching for candidates, and those interviewing/extending

calls with the interim and vacancy pastors serving those congregations. It also lists

congregations which have called and had calls accepted. The Synod Council calls those pastors

serving as interims.

Bishop Gafkjen noted that he will be having one on one conversations with all staff about

their gifts. He has been asked to join Bishop Eaton at the World Federation Assembly of

Lutherans in May 2017. He will be meeting in June 2016 in preparation for that.

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He reported on the progress regarding Resolution 15-02 regarding discernment becoming a

reconciling in Christ synod. Pastor Heather will be the staff liaison for that committee. He

stated that hopefully, in November there will be more information.

Bishop continued that he has been working with four other bishops or leaders of other

denominations to work on conversations with lawmakers regarding RIFA. The hope is to be

about peace making rather than dividing and to preserve religious rights without being

discriminatory. They want to create a statement to the lawmakers.

Finance Chair and Treasurer‟s Report

Finance Chair Paul Trickel discussed the treasurer‟s report in Treasurer Miller‟s absence. He

explained the report and the accompanying spreadsheets and charts. The treasurer‟s report is

attached. Mission support is at 55 percent of the $1.7 million budget which is ahead both in

amount and percentage compared to the same time last year.

Finance Chair Paul then shared information regarding the agreement with MIF FSO which

will begin January 1 and will begin in total in February 2016. The yearly cost for each year

during the pilot portion of the agreement has been given as $30,000 which is $5,000 more than

what was originally proposed. That change has been a concern among the members of the

Finance Committee. The committee wants to know how MIF computed the cost. There were

not promises from MIF that it would be $25,000 but that was the general impression.

The FSO will take over the audit for the Fiscal year beginning in February 2016. There is the

thought that the cost for the audit of the current year will be increasing. The Finance Committee

will be meeting with CapinCrouse in October.

Process for appointment of Treasurer (S8.51.c.)

Sue Miller has decided not to be open to another term as treasurer when her term expires on

the first day of the third month following synod assembly in June 2016. †S8.51.c. states “The

treasurer of this synod shall be appointed to four-year term and may be reappointed.”

When the synod constitution was revised, selection of the treasurer was a choice between

election by Synod Assembly and appointment by the Synod Council. The appointment of the

treasurer was chosen. When we have elected treasurers in the past, we had one lay male, one lay

female, and one clergy as a task force to seek nominees. The thought is that we would use the

same process and appoint a task force as soon as possible. Paul Trickel, Amy Kruse and Pastor

Pamela Thiede volunteered to serve on the task force. The goal would be to have a candidate for

appointment in April.

Roster and Congregation-Related Discussion and Decisions

Bishop Gafkjen explained that when a pastor wishes to be on leave from call the pastor

makes a request for that status. That status may be renewed for a second and a third year. If

they wish to go beyond that time, the Synod Council may recommend approval to the

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Conference of Bishops for up to two years beyond the three years. Pastors may request on leave

from call for family leave or study leave for up to six years. Bishop recommended and the

Synod Council

VOTED: SC/2015/41: that on leave from call status be continued for Pastor

Miltoria A. Bey Sangobiyi for her third year, for Pastor David Hively for a first year

and for Pastor Teal Anderson (family leave) for a third year.

and

VOTED: SC/2015/42: that Pastor Cathy Lauterhahn be recommended to the

ELCA Conference of Bishops for an extension of her on leave from call status

beyond the third year.

and

VOTED: SC/2015/43: that a Synod Council call to specialized ministry be issued to

Scott Vanna for his work at Purdue University and in related ministries in the

Lafayette Conference.

Bishop Gafkjen explained that pastors who are retiring and who wish to remain on the roster

of ordained ministers need to have approval of Synod Council based on the Bishop‟s

endorsement. There are guidelines on the synod website explaining the process. Bishop

recommended and Synod Council

VOTED: SC/2015/44: that Pastors Jeff Iacobazzi, Kathleen Kamerzell, and James

R. Stuck be granted retirement status with the Indiana-Kentucky Synod and remain

on the roster of the ELCA with retirement status effective as of October 15, 2015,

for Pr. Iacobazzi and as of September 19, 2015, for Pr. Kamerzell, and Pr. Stuck.

Bishop also mentioned that an interim minister, Karen Husby, has reported on her sabbatical

plans. She has provided a letter explaining her plans which was in the dropbox.

Congregations Constitutions

Assistant to the Bishop Pastor Rudy Mueller explained that the task force is recommending

some changes to the Synod Guidelines for Adopting or Amending Congregational Constitutions.

One recommended change is that constitutions that provide for more than one meeting a year

must designate one as the “annual meeting.” Second change to the guidelines is to strongly

recommend including in the document the date the most recent changes to a congregational

constitution became effective. The third recommended change is to replace the word mandatory

throughout the guidelines to be more consistent with the Guide for Use of the Model Constitution

for Congregations and to maintain a better tone; this recommendation would necessitate six

changes to the guidelines. After discussion of the proposed changes the Synod Council

VOTED: SC/2015/45: approval of the proposed changes to the Indiana-Kentucky

Synod Guidelines for Adopting or Amending Congregational Constitutions.

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There are three constitutions to be approved as resubmitted. The revised constitution for

Grace Lutheran (Syracuse, Indiana) had been conditionally approved by the Synod Council April

19, 2015, based on correcting typographical deviation in *C3.03. and suggestion making

consistent change to C12.04.h. to make churchwide a single word, with a clean, corrected

version to be resubmitted by June 4, 2015. The corrected version was not resubmitted until July

27, 2015. All conditions have been met. The congregational constitution task force recommends

approval. The Synod Council

VOTED: SC/2015/46: that the constitution of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church

(Syracuse, Indiana) be approved.

The constitution for First Lutheran (Columbus, Indiana) was approved conditionally April 19,

2015, based on excepting chapters 5 and 8 and correction of typographical deviations and

resubmission of corrected copy by September 18, 2015. The corrected copy was received

August 26, 2015; the congregational constitution task force recommends approval. The Synod

Council

VOTED: SC/2015/47: that the constitution of First Lutheran Church (Columbus,

Indiana) be approved.

The constitution for Faith Lutheran (Avon, Indiana) was approved by Synod Council April

19, 2015, except *C8.02.d. and conditioned on correcting typographical deviations by September

18, 2015. The corrected copy was received September 2, 2015, which was after the

congregational constitution task force had met. The resubmitted constitution was reviewed by

Attorney Josh Tatum and he recommends approval since all concerns have been addressed. The

Synod Council

VOTED: SC/2015/48: that the constitution of Faith Lutheran Church (Avon,

Indiana) be approved.

The constitution for Bethlehem Lutheran (Indianapolis, Indiana) was reviewed by Attorney

Josh Tatum and discussed by the task force. The budget limits in C12.05.c. and d. as specified in

the Bethlehem Lutheran Church constitution were discussed by the Synod Council extensively.

There was consensus among council members that the limits set by Bethlehem seemed high but

the council was not in agreement as to whether a statement should be made to the congregation

regarding those limits. Even though there were several deviations and exceptions the Synod

Council accepted the task force recommendation and

VOTED: SC/2015/49: that the constitution of Bethlehem Lutheran Church

(Indianapolis, Indiana) be approved with several exceptions and conditions. The

following are the exceptions: *Preamble, *C2.06., *C3.01., *C4.01., *C4.04.,

*C5.03.d., *C8.02.d., *C9.05b.1), and 2), C11.02., C12.01., *C15.02., *C17.01.,

*C17.02.c., *C18.02., *C20.01., *C20.03., *C20.04. The following required sections

contain substantive deviations: *Preamble, *C4.04., *C5.03.d., *C17.01., *C17.02.c.

The following required sections contain typographical deviations: *C2.06., *C3.01.,

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*C4.01., *C4.04., *C5.03.d., *C8.02.d., *C9.05b.1) and 2), *C15.02., *C18.02.,

*C20.01., *C20.03., *C20.04. The constitution was approved on the condition that

these exceptions are corrected, with a clean, corrected copy to be resubmitted by

January 22, 2016.

Additionally, C.11.02. and C12.01. were disapproved because they are inconsistent

with each other and with bylaw article 5 section 5 related to the selection of the

treasurer. These will only be approved after review and approval by the Synod

Council.

Synod Council member Mike Anderson volunteered to serve on the congregational

constitution review task force. The Council approved Pastor Mitch Phillips also serving on the

task force.

Vice-President Miller reported that the Malaria Campaign report was very positive and that

the ELCA goal has exceeded its goal.

CLARIFICATION OF TASKS, MEETING REVIEW, SENDING PRAYER

Mission Monitor Paul Trickel said it was hard to see where the spirit was not at work but that

he would point out a couple specific times. One was the sharing among individuals seeing God

at work. Another was the small group discussion on Mark 9:30-37. The disciples didn‟t get it

until the spirit was with them. Pastors Jess and Randy‟s leading was a highlight. The update on

the Holy Conversations and the reaction of the group regarding a question as to what is going on

with the process. The conversation has always been so respectful. Paul stated that he is an

introvert and doesn‟t like social settings; during the fellowship time he observed the

conversations, joy and sharing. It was incredible, filled with life and excitement, a great thing to

witness.

Liz Gaskins and Pastor Pamela Thiede volunteered to do the worship and Pastor Charlie

Strietelmeier will be mission monitor for the November meeting.

In answer to the questions, “What are you taking home, what was the highlight,” were the

following responses: the small group discussion was particularly good, I enjoyed it because I was

with three new people. This is my sixth and final year and I still get a lot out of the September

orientation. It was a huge positive to have all the new members here. As a new member, I‟m

taking home some new relationships within the synod. More times we need to be reminded

about was technical and what is adaptive. The facility did not have much parking but was less

Spartan than the Benedict Inn, I really like the book we are reading. We need to think about the

narrative that we are holding on to and walking with. Yet again I am impressed with how the

spirit works. I am very grateful for every one of you who has agreed to serve. For my first call I

was nine hours away from the synod office but this event was a little far. Don‟t forget to have

your congregations submit the Holy Conversation feedback. One friend said “oh that sounds like

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fun” when I told her I was going to Synod Council meeting and it is a pleasure and we laugh and

joke. As a newbie there is a very good feel in the group. It is good to be present.

SENDING PRAYER

Pastor Randy closed with prayer.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:24 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted in His Service,

Judith A. Bush, Secretary

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Attachment A

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Attachment B

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Attachment C

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Attachment C

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Attachment C

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Attachment C

Attachment C

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Attachment C