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Biblical Work
was presented by Dr. Rev. Barbara Rossing from the Lutheran School of
Theology, Chicago. Dr. Rossing presented the book of Revelations as a
guide and tool for how we as Christians should react to our new world
and all its environmental changes.
Our
Synod Ministry Plan
was discussed in small groups with input recorded for Council and Bishop
Mike. If you are not familiar with the Ministry Plan it is on the synod
website.
Our
Synod was reorganized
in the following clusters and deans were elected.
Seward Peninsula
(Alaska Native, Brevig, Nome, Shishmaref, Teller, and Wales) elected
Rev. Brian Crockett as dean.
Interior Cluster (Fairbanks:
Christ, Fairbanks and Native Worship Community, Delta Junction, North
Pole, Valdez) elected Rev. Carin Bear.
Southeast Cluster
(Ketchikan, Wrangell, MV Christian, Juneau: Resurrection & Shepherd of
the Valley, Sitka and St. Paul) elected Rev. Jim Drury.
Knik Cluster
(Wasilla, Eagle River, Peter's Creek, Trapper Creek Ministry and Palmer)
elected Rev. Carol George.
Southcentral Cluster
(Anchorage: Amazing Grace, Central, Christ, Christ Our Savior, St. Mark,
Gloria Dei, Hope, Cordova, Dillingham, Seward) elected Rev. Scott Fuller
with Rev. Lisa Smith as assistant.
The
Deans will
be an extension of the Office of the Bishop. The dean facilitates
communication among the congregations and between the cluster and the
bishop.
The
2009 Spending Plan
was approved as presented. Major factors as follows: 5% of
congregational giving is earmarked for new mission/ ministry, 12% of
congregational giving is earmarked for First Fruits benevolences.
Congregations are encouraged to give the application (see website) to
agencies in their area, $2000 decrease in support from ELCA, increasing
to 39% of total congregational giving to Churchwide.
The following
constitutional changes
were approved:
1) Permit the council to grant authorized worshipping communities in our
Synod vote in the Assembly;
2) Background checks for persons nominated for synodical office.
The following
Resolutions will be passed along
to Churchwide:
1) Requesting reinstatement of 1 more voting member to Churchwide
Assembly;
2) Formation of task force to develop social statement concerning unique
issues faced by persons with disabilities whether they are physical,
sensory, psychiatric or intellectual in nature;
3) pray for the health and healing of the earth and find actions that
will help decrease effects of global warming.
Other resolutions
passed:
1) Book of Faith---continued support and strengthening of Biblical work
through out our Synod;
2) Establish task force to dialogue with Moravian brothers and sisters
for the sake of shared ministry within our Synod:
3) Encourage congregations and individuals in our synod to creatively
think of public and private ways to witness to the intrinsic value of
all women, and speak a resounding NO to verbal abuse that shows racial
prejudice against Alaska Native women.
Tabled to Council
the development of a synod approach to dealing with the impact of
climate change on our communities. Also to Council: work on publicizing
information on the prejudice resolution.
The
following were elected
to Council: Twyla Mundy, VP (4yr); Carol Norquist, Treasurer (4yr);
Sandy Skrien, SE Lay (4 yr); Rev Carin Bear, Interior (4yr); Rev Brian
Crockett, SP(4yr); Linda Myers-Steele, Knik Lay (2yr); Heather Helgason,
SC(2yr) .
The following were elected to
2009 Churchwide Assembly:
Rev. Karen Sonray and Susie Delgado.
If you have specific questions or need further info on the Assembly or
the Synod Council meeting please contact your Synod Representative, your
Cluster Dean, or the Synod Office. |
