Bishop Wells thanked Pr. Haven and the Assembly Committee for all their hard work.

Transcription

1 EASTERN WASHINGTON-IDAHO SYNOD OF THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA MINUTES OF THE 2012 ASSEMBLY APRIL 27-29, 2012 Coast Wenatchee Hotel & Convention Center, Wenatchee, WA SC 11 BUSINESS SESSION 1 Friday, April 27, :00 5:00 pm Business Session 1 convened at 4:00 pm with Bishop Wells welcoming everyone to the Assembly. Bishop Wells introduced and welcomed Rev. Dr. Stephen Bouman, Executive Director for the ELCA Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission, Officers of the Synod, our Parliamentarian Evan Sperline, Mike Kesseler from Quizdom, and Pr. David Haven, Assembly Chair. Pr. David Haven, Assembly Chair, welcomed everyone to Wenatchee and shared some announcements. Bishop Wells thanked Pr. Haven and the Assembly Committee for all their hard work. Bishop Wells reviewed the order of business for the time remaining: The minutes of the 2011 Synod Assembly were received and approved at the January 2012 Synod Council meeting [12 01.SC16]. Encouraged voting members to read the Rules of the Assembly and the Balloting Rules prior to Business Session 2 at which time we will move to adopt those rules; he also called attention to the provisions from the Constitution that pertain to assembly rules regarding what constitutes a quorum. Diana Abken, Registrar, presented a Credentials Report: 193 Total Voting Members 72 Clergy 37.3% 121 Total Lay Voting Members 62.7% 48 Voting Lay Male 40% 73 Voting Lay Female 60% A quorum is present. Mike Kesseler from Quizdom provided instructions on the use of the voting machines. SA Motion to approve the Rules of the Assembly. MSC 164-Yes 3-No 3-Abstain SA Motion to approve the Business Agenda and Balloting Rules. MSC 175-Yes 6-No 6-Abstain Bishop Wells asked all individuals present who have been nominated for various offices to be prepared to approach a microphone and introduce themselves and the position for which they have been nominated so the Assembly will be able to see who they are. Page 1 of 8

2 The deadline for receiving late Nominations and Resolutions is 7:30 pm on April 27 th. Late resolutions are to be delivered to Pr. Eric Ohrtman, Chair of Reference & Counsel and late nominations are to be delivered to Paula Kenney, Secretary. Tom Vertrees, member of the Nominations Committee, read the names of the nominees included in the Assembly notebook. Bishop Wells informed the Assembly that there was an additional voting matter to be considered. Evan Sperline s term of service on the Board of Regents of PLTS has expired and the Assembly needs to vote on his re-election to the Board of Regents. Bishop Wells report was not included in the Assembly notebook, but was handed out separately as Exhibit A. Bishop Wells warned the Assembly about a plague of malaria-bearing mosquitoes and if anyone is fearful of being bitten, malaria insurance can be purchased. The ELCA will be celebrating an ingathering of funds raised for the Malaria Campaign on Sunday, April 29 th. All of the Assembly offering on Sunday will go to the Malaria Campaign. Roberta Nestaas, Lutheran Community Services, gave a report. Bishop Wells introduced Guests and Ministry Partners, some of whom will give reports at a later time: Paul Benz, LPPO Joel Wudell, PLTS Jennifer Pringle, PLU Eric Olsen, Luther Heights Bob Baker, Lutherhaven Cheri Nelson, The Book Parlor Chris Houglum, Thrivent Lutheran Campus Ministry Pastors: Shelley Wee, Eastern Washington University; Randy Nick Nicolai, Washington State University; and Karla Neumann Smiley, University of Idaho Pr. Shelley Wee reported on how she is doing. She is thankful for all the prayers and support and was very happy to report that she is cancer free! Pr. David Haven came forward, shared announcements and gave out door prizes. The session recessed at 4:55 pm and will reconvene at 7:30 pm this evening. Luther Seminary and Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary will host a reception in the Wenatchee Center Main Lobby. Dinner will follow at 6:30 pm Page 2 of 8

3 BUSINESS SESSION 2 Friday, April 27, :30 pm 9:00 pm Business Session 2 convened at 7:30 pm. Bishop Wells informed the Assembly that the offering received at opening worship ($2,433.00) will be given to Tree of Life, Yakima Valley; and that the offering from Sunday s worship service will go to the Malaria Campaign. Bishop Wells closed the time for receipt of late Nominations and late Resolutions. Any new vitas will be handed out Saturday morning. Bishop Wells introduced Churchwide Representative Rev. Stephen Bouman, Executive Director for the ELCA Evangelical Outreach and Congregational Mission Unit. Rev. Bouman gave his report from Churchwide. Diana Abken, Registrar, presented a Credentials Report: 208 Total Voting Members 77 Clergy 37% 131 Total Lay Voting Members 63% 51 Voting Lay Male 39% 80 Voting Lay Female 61% The Secretary read the motion brought forward by the Synod Council regarding recognizing Shekinah Christian Community as a Synodically Authorized Worshipping Community: Discussion: A request was made from the floor for more information which was provided by Pr. Helga Jansons. SA MC to recognize Shekinah Christian Community as part of the Eastern Washington Idaho Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, and seat Greg Schultz and Jean Roberts as voting members. 188-Yes 1-No 3-Abstain The following Nominees approached a microphone and introduced themselves: LeAnn Haven, Celebration Lutheran 2013 Churchwide Assembly Voting Member Lay Female Pr Ladd Bjornaby, Zion Lutheran Cluster K Synod Council Representative Mark Bender 2013 Churchwide Assembly Voting Member Lay Male Donn Gehret 2013 Churchwide Council Nominee and 2013 Churchwide Assembly Voting Member Lay Male Richard Bridges Synod Council Lay Male and 2013 Churchwide Assembly Voting Member Lay Male Rhonda Viele 2013 Churchwide Assembly Voting Member Lay Female Anne Palma 2013 Churchwide Assembly Voting Member Lay Female Kay Dirks 2013 Churchwide Assembly Voting Member Lay Female Mary Jamison 2013 Churchwide Assembly Voting Member Lay Female John Lohrmann 2013 Churchwide Council Nominee Meggan Manlove 2013 Churchwide Assembly Voting Member Clergy Paula Kenney Synod Council Secretary Page 3 of 8

4 Bishop Wells read Resolution 3. Bishop Wells spoke as the author of the Resolution. He stated that he did not meet the deadline for submission, therefore a vote of the Assembly was required to bring Resolution 3 to the floor. As the author, he also amended line 22 of the Resolution to strike the words and praise. SA M/S to bring Resolution 3 to the floor for consideration. Vote: Yes by 94% of those voting Eric Ohrtman of Reference and Counsel read the resolved sections. Bishop Wells spoke to the resolution. M/S Call for the vote: Yes by 99% of those voting. SA Resolution 3 passes. BUSINESS SESSION 3 Saturday, April 28, :30 pm 9:00 pm Jennifer Pringle from Pacific Lutheran University gave a report. Before recessing Business Session 2, Bishop Wells made the following announcements: Samuel Torvend, Professor of Lutheran Studies at PLU will be guest speaker at Bishop s Convocation this Fall. Shelley Wickstrom has been elected Bishop of the Alaska Synod. The session was recessed at 9:03 pm and will reconvene at 8:30 am Saturday morning, April 28, Business Session 3 convened at 8:30 am. A written Credentials Report was submitted for the record: 218 Total Voting Members 81 Clergy 37% 137 Total Lay Voting Members 63% 54 Voting Lay Male 39% 83 Voting Lay Female 61% Bishop Wells introduced the Synod Staff: Mark Nelson, Assistant to the Bishop, Helga Jansons, Director of Evangelical Mission, and Cathy Steiner, Office Administrator. Tom Vertrees of the Nominations Committee came forward and reported on the nomination process and thanked everyone who agreed to be nominated for the various positions this year. He brought greetings from Gail Freese who was unable to attend the Assembly. He then read the names and positions of the nominees. The following elections were held: Synod Council - 3 Cluster Representative Positions: South Central - Lay Male (6 year term): Rich Marshall Spokane Valley: Clergy (6 year term): Ladd Bjorneby Big Bend Cluster Lay Male (6 year term) Melvin Martin Page 4 of 8

5 As there was just one nominee for each position, the Assembly voted by the showing of green (yes) or red (no) voting cards. Call for the vote: SA Rich Marshall, Ladd Bjorneby, and Melvin Martin were elected by a clear majority by the showing of green (yes) cards. ELCA Church Council: Two Candidates for Two Positions Donn Gehret, Central Lutheran, Spokane, WA John Lohrmann, Christ Lutheran, Walla Walla, WA As there were no further nominations for the two positions, the Assembly voted by the showing of green (yes) or red (no) voting cards. Call for the vote: SA Donn Gehret and John Lohrmann were elected by clear majority by the showing of green (yes) cards. The names of the Donn Gehret and John Lohrmann will be forwarded to Churchwide. Tom Vertrees led the following elections: Vote for Secretary 48 for Patty Cowan 132 for Paula Kenney SA Paula Kenney was elected. Vote for Synod Council Lay Female 194 for Ann Taylor 2 No 4 Abstain SA Ann Taylor was elected. Vote for Synod Council At Large Lay Male 130 for Jay Carroll 77 for Richard Bridges SA Jay Carroll was elected. Vote for 2013 Churchwide Assembly Voting Member Clergy: No clear majority on first ballot. The names of Meggan Manlove and Phylis Stromme will be voted on at the next ballot Vote for 2013 Churchwide Assembly Voting Member Lay Male: No clear majority on first ballot. The names of Mark Bender and Donn Gehret will be voted on at the next ballot. Vote for 2013 Churchwide Assembly Voting Member Lay Female (first position): No clear majority on first ballot. The names of Kay Dirks, LeAnn Haven, Anne Palma, and Rhonda Veile will be voted on at the next ballot for the first position. Vote for 2013 Churchwide Assembly Voting Member Youth 66 for Gabriel Lungstrom 130 for Katie Wee SA Katie Wee was elected. Vote for PLTS Board of Regents: 202 for Evan Sperline 2 No 5 Abstain SA Evan Sperline was elected. Page 5 of 8

6 Eric Ohrtman presented Resolution 1 and read the resolves. Pastor Larry Veith, Grace Lutheran, Potlatch Idaho spoke as the maker. Motion made and was seconded. Discussion from the floor. Vote called on Resolution Yes, 162 No, 6 Abstain. Resolution failed. Helga Jansons, Director of Evangelical Mission present her Report: She emphasized the Synod s Purpose Statement: Equip God s people for ministry and reviewed the Synod s Guiding Principles with focus on Connections Multiply Miracles and talked about LIFT (Living into the Future Together) Guest Speakers Jim & Rosemary Tiffany were introduced and presented their unique perspective on different cultural backgrounds learning to live together. Bishop Wells acknowledged the presence of and introduced Directors of Holden Village. Pr. David Haven presided over door prizes after which the session was recessed at 10:40 am and the assembly was excused for Workshops, lunch, and field trips. BUSINESS SESSION 4 Saturday, April 28, :15 pm 9:30 pm The session convened with greetings from Campus Ministers via texting very effective! A written Credentials Report was submitted for the record: 215 Total Voting Members 78 Clergy 36.2% 137 Total Lay Voting Members 63.7% 54 Voting Lay Male 39.4% 83 Voting Lay Female 61.6% Tom Vertrees led the following elections: Vote for 2013 Churchwide Assembly Voting Member Clergy 103 for Meggan Manlove 112 for Phyllis Stromme SA Phyllis Stromme was elected. Vote for 2013 Churchwide Voting Lay Male 96 for Mark Bender 108 for Donn Gehret SA Donn Gehret was elected. Vote for 2013 Churchwide Assembly Voting Female (First Position): No clear majority. Kay Dirks removed from the list. Next Ballot at end of session. Pr. Helga Jansons presided over the Rite of Reception of the Shekinah Christian Community as a Synodically Authorized Worshiping Community. Pr. Jansons continued her report, emphasizing Mission Interpretation and stories were shared of what God is doing in the congregations and communities. Yakima After school program Page 6 of 8

7 Tree of Life, Yakima Valley Latino Ministry Celebration Lutheran in East Wenatchee West Richland Mission Development a Mission Developer is being sought. Received grant for $65,001 from ELCA Zion Lutheran Spokane Valley men s breakfast a place to tell their stories Advent Lutheran Spokane Valley consolidation of 2-1/2 congregations Specialized Ministry Chaplains & Campus Ministries Motion to adopt the budget on white page 1 of the Assembly notebook. 193 Yes 9 No 6 Abstain SA MSC to approve the budget for the year ending 01/31/2014 Tom Vertrees led the following elections: Vote for 2013 Churchwide Assembly Voting Female (First Position) 115 for LeAnn Haven 52 for Anne Palma 42 for Rhonda Veile SA LeAnn Haven was elected to the first position. Bishop Wells announced that election for 2013 Churchwide Assembly Voting Female (Second Position) and voting on Resolution 4 will be the first order of business on Sunday morning. Session was recessed at 6:30 pm BUSINESS SESSION 5 Sunday, April 29, :30 am 10:30 am A written Credentials Report was submitted for the record: 215 Total Voting Members 78 Clergy 36.3% 137 Total Lay Voting Members 63.7% 54 Voting Lay Male 39.4% 83 Voting Lay Female 60.6% Tom Vertrees led the following elections: Vote for 2013 Churchwide Assembly Voting Female (Second Position): No clear majority. Eric Ohrtman presented Resolution 2 and read the resolves. Motion was seconded. Sven Westlund, Lake Chelan Lutheran Church, Author spoke to the Resolution. Discussion from the floor. Call for the question; seconded; need 2/3 vote to end debate: 187 Yes 12 No 1 Abstain Vote to end debate passed by 89% Vote on Resolution Yes 76 No 4 Abstain Page 7 of 8

8 SA Resolution 2 passes. Tom Vertrees led the following election: Vote for 2013 Churchwide Assembly Voting Female (Second Position): No clear majority. Eric Ohrtman presented Resolution 4 and read the resolves. This was a late resolution and requires a majority vote to bring the Resolution to the floor. Motion to bring to the floor was seconded. 107 Yes 77 No 3 Abstain Pr. Alex Schmidt, one of the authors spoke to the resolution. Discussion from the floor. 151 Yes 48 No 3 Abstain SA Resolution 4 passes. Tom Vertrees led the following election: Vote for 2013 Churchwide Assembly Voting Female (Second Position): 104 Anne Palma 95 Rhonda Veile SA Anne Palma was elected to the second position. Synod Shorts were shared. Pr. David Haven reminded the Assembly to fill out the evaluation forms, turn in voting machines and voting cards and then presided over the final round of door prizes. Pr. Haven then acknowledged and thanked the Assembly Planning Committee for their dedication and hard work in the planning and carrying out a successful Assembly. Session recessed at 9:55 am. Closing Eucharist was held at 10:30 am during which the 2012 Synod Assembly was officially closed. Respectfully submitted by: Paula Kenney Synod Secretary Page 8 of 8