Dear Pastor(s):

 

Subject: Northern Illinois Synod Assembly - June 16-17, 2006

 

Please REFER TO THE LIST PROVIDED at the bottom of this letter to confirm the number of LAY VOTING MEMBERS your congregation is allowed at the Nineteenth Annual Northern Illinois Synod Assembly being held June 16-17, 2006, at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. We hope this notice allows sufficient time to select the appropriate number of voting members at your annual meeting.

 

These voting members should be equally divided between male and female according to Constitutional Provision +S7.21.c. ...normally one of whom shall be male and one of whom shall be female… Also, please keep in mind when selecting your voting members the Synod Constitutional Bylaw S7.21.A87. (Chapter 7, Synod Assembly): It is the intention of this Synod that normally there shall be no more than one voting member of the Synod Assembly from a single household.

 

We also would encourage your congregation to elect one or two alternates to attend as visitors this year with the possibility of their attending as voting members at next year's Assembly. Although this procedure would be more costly to your congregation, your congregation will benefit by future voting members observing the Assembly operation one year and, thus, being better prepared to represent your congregation the following year at Assembly. (Note: VISITORS are welcome to attend the Assembly and are requested to send in a registration form. Visitors may attend without payment of registration fee UNLESS they desire registration materials. If they wish registration materials, they must pay the registration fee. Visitors are responsible for their housing and meal costs.)

 

Clergy, Diaconal Ministers, and Associates in Ministry under call are expected to be in attendance at all Synod Assemblies according to Constitutional Provision S14.21. All Clergy, Diaconal Ministers, and Associates in Ministry under call shall be voting members of the Assembly [Their costs are the congregation's responsibility.]. All Interim Pastors (under call or contract) shall be voting members of the Assembly (Their costs are the congregation's responsibility.). Retired Clergy, Diaconal Ministers, and Associates in Ministry shall have voice and vote provided they register prior to the assembly date, otherwise they shall have voice, but not vote (Their registration fees are waived; they are responsible for all other costs.). Clergy, Diaconal Ministers, and Associates in Ministry on leave from call shall have voice, but not vote.

 

For the 2006 Synod Assembly we have arranged for a small block of hotel rooms at the Radisson on John Deere Commons, 1415 River Drive, Moline, 309-764-1000 (hotel closest to Augustana College campus). If your congregation wishes to make reservations at the Radisson, we encourage you to do so now because of the limited number of rooms available. All rooms will be released May 16th. Double queen rate is $79 (These rates will change May 16 when this block of rooms is released.). These rooms are on a first come/first serve basis. When making reservations please state that you are with the Northern Illinois Synod, but make it clear that you are responsible for the bill.

 

God's blessing to you and your congregation as you plan for the New Year.

 

Peace,

 

The Reverend Dr. Gary M. Wollersheim, Bishop

GMW/njc

 

Note: Lay Voting Member Allowance follows

 

 

SPECIAL NEEDS

 

Assembly participants with special needs should indicate such needs on the registration form (childcare, handicap parking, etc.).

 

LITURGICAL CHOIR

 

Voting members and visitors are welcome to sing in the liturgical choir at the Celebration of the Eucharist. Please indicate your desire to participate in the liturgical choir on the registration form.

 

WORLD HUNGER MEAL

 

Assembly participants will be given an opportunity to participate in a "World Hunger Meal" of bread, soup, and beverage on Saturday. The monetary difference between this "hunger meal" and the "regular lunch" will be donated to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal on behalf of our Northern Illinois Synod. (Please indicate on your registration form your desire to be a participant.)

 

  

2006 Assembly of the Northern Illinois Synod, ELCA

 

The listed "baptized membership figures" of all the Northern Illinois Synod congregations, as reported to the ELCA through each congregation's year-end statistical report (parochial report) as of 12/31/2004, is the basis for determining the "number of lay voting members" selected to attend the Assembly. The "baptized membership" formula consists of the top 10% of our congregations receiving four (4) lay voting members, the next top 10% of our congregations receiving three (3) lay voting members, and the remainder of our congregations receiving two (2) lay voting members.

 

Congregations allowed FOUR (4) Voting Members:

 

 

Congregations allowed THREE (3) Voting Members:

 

 

ALL OTHER CONGREGATIONS allowed TWO (2) Voting Members.