The newsletter of the ELCA-Southeastern Synod

June/July 2007

1. CONGREGATIONS IN TRANSITION

2. CARES AND PRAYERS

    

2007 Southeastern Synod Assembly Recap

A record number of 673 voting members and visitors gathered in Atlanta at the Sheraton Colony Square June 1-3, 2007 for the 20^th annual Southeastern Synod Assembly. 

During the assembly, The Rev. Julian Gordy was elected to a six-year term as bishop of the Southeastern Synod.  Pastor Gordy, of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Franklin, TN, was elected on the fifth ballot for bishop, 286 to 173 over the Rev. David Keener, Pastor, Christ the King Lutheran Church, Evans, GA. For complete details on the election, please go to www.elca-ses.org and click the link the link on the homepage entitled "The Rev. H. Julian Gordy Elected Bishop of ELCA-Southeastern Synod." 

The Rev. Ronald B. Warren led the assembly as Bishop for last time.  Warren, who has served as bishop of the synod since 1995, originally had planned to retire following his second term as bishop. He subsequently accepted the call of the Spirit to join Lutheran Disaster Response.  He was honored at a reception following the Festival Eucharist Service Friday evening at The Episcopal Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta. 

The Rev. Dr. Wyvetta Bullock, Executive for Leadership Development in the Office of the Presiding Bishop, brought greetings from ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hansen, the ELCA Church Council and the churchwide staff.  The Rev. Dr. Mark Allen Powell delivered the Keynote address, lead the assembly in Bible study and conducted workshops throughout the weekend. 

Offerings collected during the assembly weekend totaled $7,752.69 and are designated by the Synod Council to be divided between Katrina Rebuild & Recovery fund and in support of Southeastern Synod ELCA Campus Ministry in recognition of the 100th Anniversary of Lutheran Campus Ministry.      

All resolutions passed by the assembly, as well as a list of all persons elected at the assembly and transcripts of all of the assembly sessions, including Pastor Powell's keynote address and Bible studies, can be found on the 2007 Assembly webpage at http://www.elca-ses.org/2007_synod_assembly.htm.  This information will remain posted until late summer.

The synod staff would like to offer sincere thanks to all of the volunteers who gave their time and energy to make this year's assembly successful.

The 21^st Annual Assembly will be held June 6, 7 & 8, 2008 at the Renaissance Waverly Hotel on Galleria Parkway in Atlanta, GA. 

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The Tenth Biennial Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will be held at Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois, August 6-11, 2007.

What's coming up at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly

CELEBRATION OF EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN WORSHIP

Evangelical Lutheran Worship will be received by the ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Prior to the assembly there will be an event called Worship Jubilee. Visit www.elca.org/worship/jubilee/ for more information.

OUR CALLING IN EDUCATION

The assembly will consider a new social statement on education. More information about this statement is available at www.elca.org/socialstatements/education/

ELECTION OF THE PRESIDING BISHOP

The assembly will elect by ecclesiastical ballot the presiding bishop who, as its pastor, shall be a teacher of the faith of this church and shall provide leadership for the life and witness of this church.

ELECTION OF THE SECRETARY

The assembly will elect by ecclesiastical ballot the secretary who, as the recording officer of this church, shall keep the minutes, have responsibility for rosters, records, and reporting of parochial statistics, oversee the archives, attest to all documents that require such signature, be the custodian of the seal, and perform other duties as prescribed by the Constitutions, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

BOOK OF FAITH: LUTHERANS READ THE BIBLE INITIATIVE

A five-year collaborative initiative, Book of Faith: Lutherans Read the Bible, will be introduced, calling the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America with the goal of raising to a new level this church's individual and collective engagement with the Bible and its teaching and appreciation of Lutheran principles and approaches for the use of Scripture.

BLUE RIBBON COMMITTEE ON MISSION FUNDING

The assembly will receive a report ITom the Blue Ribbon Committee convened to study mission funding in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

ANNIVERSARIES

Campus Ministry (100th)

Lutheran World Federation (60th)

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (20th)

REPORTS

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6. CONGREGATIONS IN TRANSITION

7.  

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