The 20th Annual Assembly of the New England Synod

June 7-9, DCU Center in downtown Worcester

Bishop Munib Younan of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL), our companion synod for 17 years, was the keynote speaker at the 20th Annual Assembly of the New England Synod June 7-9 at the DCU Center in downtown Worcester. The theme was Stories to Tell. The stories of the mission and ministry we share as the New England Synod were told through workshops, receptions, meal table conversations, displays and presentations. Five pastors were ordained and one Associate in Ministry was commissioned Friday, June 8, at the Festive Eucharist at Trinity Lutheran Church, Worcester. A DVD of assembly highlights is available by calling (508) 791-1530 or clicking here to request information. Also, see highlights below.

THE PINK LINK (daily assembly newsletter)
* June 7, 2007
* June 8, 2007
* June 9, 2007

POWER POINT PRESENTATIONS on the Holy Land (each file takes about a minute to load)
* Bishop Munib Younan
* Stations of the Cross Pilgrimage April 24-May 8, 2007 by Pr. Timothy Keyl
* Text for Stations of the Cross Pilgrimage Power Point

THURSDAY, June 7:

* Soli Deo Gloria Awards:
The Soli Deo Gloria Award, which honors those who have "proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus Christ and magnified the ministry of Christ's Church by distinguished service through the New England Synod, was awarded by the Synod Council to 1) Wendell Beckman, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Rutland, Vt., chair of the synod's Global Mission Team and a former member of the Synod Council; and Bob Hill, Trinity Lutheran Church, Worcester, Mass., a long-time volunteer and former member of the Synod Council. Hill was speechless "almost." Involved with synod assemblies for about 18 years, serving many years as head usher, Hill quipped, "I'm going to be passing out (material at synod assemblies) until I pass out."

* Resolutions
07-01 (Pastoral Message on ELCA Studies on Sexuality) No action; for information only
07-02 (A Memorial to Respond to the Decision of the Discipline Hearing Committee) This resolution wasn't presented to the assembly since it is basically the same as 07-03. It contains reference and details useful for 07-03.
07-03 (A Memorial to Amend Vision and Expectations and Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline) ADOPTED after a paper ballot vote: 278 Yes; 99 No for a total of 377 votes cast.
07-07 (Resolution on the New England Synod Council's Statement of December 1, 2006, "Guidance for Pastors and Congregations of the New England Synod, ELCA, Regarding the Blessing of Unions of Same Sex Couples") This resolution asked the assembly to call upon the Synod Council to withdraw its statement. The statement, it was explained during open debate, is guidance and not policy, and it affirms that an ELCA pastor cannot perform a same-sex marriage in Massachusetts. DEFEATED. Click to read statement.
07-08 (Resolution on the Distribution of Holy Communion) DEFEATED This resolution raised a concern about the distribution of Holy Communion to persons who aren't baptized. It asked pastors and congregations of the New England Synod to review their own practice with regard to those invited to partake in Holy Communion; it also asked them, if possible, to engage pastors and congregations of the ELCA's five communion partners in New England in conversation about how they distribute Holy Communion. It was noted that some of our communion partners in New England distribute Holy Communion to people who aren't baptized. 

* Attendance
Total registration: 509. Of this, 470 were voting members (259 laity, including rostered lay leaders, and 211 clergy, including retired) and 39 were non-voting members, including interns, day visitors and guests).

FRIDAY, June 8:

* Bishop's Story: "Called to Listen, Called to Live" (five-year guide for synod)
* Keynote address by Bishop Munib Younan of the ELCJHL
* Special Offering for the Mount of Olives Housing Project: $45,800 (so far)
* Sermon by Bishop Payne at Assembly Eucharist
* Elected to Synod Council (one year terms)
1) Jeffrey L. Herman-May, Trinity, Brattleboro, Vt., Lay male from Maine, Vermont or New York
2) Lloyd Smith, Grace, Hartford, Conn., Lay male at-large who is a person of color and/or whose
primary language is other than English

* Resolutions
07-04 (A Memorial to Encourage Refraining from Discipline) ADOPTED
07-05 (A Memorial to Endorse Restraint) ADOPTED
07-10 (Resolution on Global Climate Change) ADOPTED with amendment

* Attendance
Total registration: 581. Of this, 503 were voting members (280 laity and 223 clergy) and 72 were visitors.

SATURDAY, June 9:

* Resolutions
07-06 (Memorial on the Naming of God) This memorial was referred to the Synod Council to establish a study committee that would also invite congregational response to report to the 2008 Synod Assembly with a recommendation.
07-09 (Resolution on the Iraq War) ADOPTED
07-11 (Resolution on Working to Stop Genocide in Darfur) ADOPTED
07-12 (Memorial on working to Stop Genocide in Darfur) ADOPTED
07-13 (Resolution and Memorial Regarding Palestine and Israel) ADOPTED
07-14 (Resolution on Dialog with Representatives of Islam) ADOPTED
07-15 (Resolution of Thanksgiving) ADOPTED by acclamation

Click for:
Agenda
Pre-Assembly Report:
     + Compensation Guidelines 2008 Proposed (12 pages)
     + Minutes Assembly 2006 / Financial Information / Synod Stats (36 pages)
     + New England Synod Constitution (26 pages)
     + Presiding ELCA Bishop Mark Hanson's "Letter to Synod Assemblies"
     + Reports from Bishop Payne, synod partners and synod teams (42 pages) 
Resolutions 1-10 (submitted by deadline; text updated 6/09/07)
Resolutions 11-15 (submitted at assembly as emergency resolutions)
Workshops:
     + Descriptions of workshops 
Financial information for the Assembly (including independent Audit of FY2006)

Looking for info from 2006 Assembly? Click here.
Looking for info from 2005 Assembly? Click here.