Upload
joseph-mcbride
View
217
Download
1
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
THE REV. ERICH SCHULTZ
JUNE1, 1930 – JUNE 26, 2010
PASSED AWAY DURING THE BANQUET WHILE RECEIVING HIS
AWARD
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Bishop Michael Pryse was re-elected as Synodical Bishop
Linda Grainger – Vice Chairperson(from St. Ansgar, London;Replaces Dorthy Frook)
Wendell Grahlman – Secretary
Keith Myra – Treasurer
Synod Council Election Results
Lay
Pat Lovell(Toronto Conference)
Valerie Getson(Atlantic Conference)
Tara Lantz(Georgian Bay conference)
Clergy
Brad Mittleholtz (Georgian Bay)
Sylvia Poetschke(Ottawa / St. Lawrence)
Heidi Wachowiak(Kitchener Waterloo)
Reports Available
Bishop to Assembly 2010 , Vice Chair
Atlantic Conference
Georgian Bay Conference
Hamilton/Niagara Conference
Kitchener/Waterloo Conference
London Conference
Northern Conference
Ottawa/St Lawrence Conference
Toronto Conference
More Reports
• Statistical Reports-- Secretary-- Necrologist-- Archivist
•Note: Rev. Lloyd Wiseman celebrated 50 years of service since ordination.
• Financial Reports
•Report of Waterloo Lutheran Seminary
Reports of Standing Committees & Ministry Directors
Mission Committee, Candidacy Committee
Examining Committee
Professional Leadership Committee, Public Policy Committee
Director of Ecumenical and Multifaith
Ontario Multifaith Council on Spiritual and Religious Care
Director of Public Policy and Service
Director of Stewardship and Resource Development
Lutheran Planned Giving, Director of Witness and Evangelism
Director of Worship, Director of Youth and Young Adults
The Bishop reviewed Loren Mead's eight rules for white water paddling that he gave at a clergy conference. These rules might apply to our life together as we encounter this particular white water time.
Bishop Pryse’s Report
1. Don't be surprised if the boat doesn't go where you want it to go.
2. Rest in the calm places. There will be more white water soon.
3. Never stop paddling, even when it seems hopeless.
4. If you get into trouble, don't panic.
5. Even if you go under, let go of everything. Eventually you will come back up.
6. Someone needs to call out the orders. It works better that way.
7. White water is what you came for. Enjoy it.
8. Everyone paddles furiously to get somewhere, but ultimately it's the current that takes you downstream.
•The theme for the Assembly isIn Mission for OthersSigns of Hope
•Signs of hope include an urgency in developing mission plans that are appropriate for the ministry.
•The Synod has been relatively stable during Bishop Pryse’s tenure.
•He noted that we may not agree with everything but we must stay together.
• We are in a state of transition.
• Finances are decreasing.
• Call processes have become different for each congregation. Not as before when “one size fits all”.
• We have partnerships that we should embrace.
• We have added two congregations to Synod that are Anglican – Lutheran combined. (Holy Cross / St. David’s, Orillia, Good Sheperd, Barrhaven)
Report of National Bishop, Rev. Susan Johnson
Will continue to work in the five areas
1. Effective Partnerships
2. Diverse Faces
3. Focused Framework
4. Compassionate Justice
5. Spirited Discipleship
Canadian Lutheran World Relief
• This is the agency for international relief for ELCIC. Global Hunger and Development does not exist now.
• $1.1 million was raised for Haiti earth quake.
• 4 corners alternative trade was closed this year. They urge the support of 10,000 villages.
• I am amazed at the work the church does in this area. Following the links on the internet takes you many places.
Structural Renewal Task Force
• We need to be flexible to adapt to the lower financial support and changing attitudes.
• May amalgamate synods, change size and role of national church.
• A survey is available on the ELCIC website asking questions about what people see as their priorities.
• National Church is looking into a joint office with the Anglicans that will be in Ottawa
What is God calling us to be about for the coming decade?
We have seen many changes in the ELCIC over the past 20+ years – reduction in numbers, increasing average age, changing cultural contexts
What kind of church structure best suits the changing demands on our ministry and outreach?
How might we best organize ourselves so that we can more effectively be a church In Mission for Others?
Organizations never remain static. Change is constantly taking place. The church is no different
Motions that I Would Consider Significant
1. Health benefits for retired pastors.-- Retired pastors will have to start paying a portion of their premiums for health benefits. This will be phased in over the next few years.
2. Compensation for Pastors-- Eastern synod is behind the rest of the synods in basic salaries for pastors. The motion was passed to give a $900 raise plus the cost of living allowance.
3. ELCICs Draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality-- ELCIC has issued a draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality. A social statement is a guideline only NOT policy.-- Motion made that commended the National Church Council to take steps to bring about the following.
-- Permit clergy to perform marriages of couples regardless of sexual orientation.
-- Open ordination and roistering to qualified candidates regardless of sexual orientation.
-- adopted after much discussion.
4. Board of Governors for SeminaryThe members of the board will be appointed by Synod Council rather than by election.This is to address the need to get particular skills on the board that are required.
Other Motions
• that the vuvuzela be considered for worship music.
-- no action; defeated
Other Motions (con’t)
• That the Bishop contact the Canadian government to examine and ensure off-shore drilling for hydrocarbons is safe.
• Call on the Canadian government to develop more affordable housing.
• Bishop contact the G20 leaders to have them keep their millennium promises. (Note: Some of the delegates held a demonstration outside the hotel to show their support for this motion)
• To encourage the Canadian and Provincial governments to make dementia a priority in health care. Adopted
• That the Canadian and provincial Government to implement a national mental health strategy.(Note: Youth delegates had an excellent presentation)
• That the federal government compensate those small vendors affected by the G20 meeting for lost revenue and damage.
• Thanks were given to Rev. Guenter Dahle for the work in organising the assembly and his work in the Synod. He is retiring after 31 years of service.
SYNOD SPENDING
Canadian missions, outdoor ministry, campus, chaplains
Seminary, retreats, health benefits, leadership support
Learning, service and synod staff visits
National church, public policy, synodical relations
CLWR etc.
Evangelical Lutheran Foundation, East Canada
Was setup to hold the assets of the synod.
Can manage funds for congregations. (LCOS chose not to participate).
Has $9,635,135 under administration.
Generated about $1M in 2009. Lost $500,000 in 2008.
Lutheran Planned Giving Report
289 donors gave 492 gifts for an estimated value of $8.1 million.
Potential of Planned Giving
There are 25,000 member households in Eastern Synod.
The average gift to Planned Giving is $31,000
If 1/3 of households were to make a gift to the church, this would bring in over $250 million.
This could generate $10 M per year.
HAVE YOU REMEMBERED
THE CHURCH IN YOUR
WILL?
ELW at the national and synodical level will cease.
They will use the existing money to setup a fund.
Women’s Auxiliary at WL Seminary was mentioned as being a valuable service.
Four congregations disbanded their ELWs in the past two years.
Ordination Service –Friday Evening
Two pastors were ordained
Sebastian Meadows-Helmer
Gloria Morrissette
Six more are recommended for ordination but hadn’t received calls.
Synod and Other Faith Leaders Held a Press Conference to Address issues to G20 Leaders (no press were present)
Several leaders spoke about the poor conditions that a lot of people in the world live.
Most Rev. Colin Johnson – Archbishop of Toronto, Anglican Church
Mary Corkery – director KAIROS
Dr. Mitra Doherty – a Bah’ai leader
Rev. Dr. Brice Balmer, Mennonite
Imam Shafiq Hud – Islamic Humanitarian Services
Final Registration
Clergy Delegates 170
Lay Delegates 122
Visitors 26
Volunteers 78
Other 10
Total 406