Photos from Friday

Plenary Session I

Ten minutes before Plenary Session I started, a DVD on the Global Mission Events was shown.

The 18th annual Synod Assembly opened at 10:00 am on Friday, June 17, 2005 with the hymn "We Know that Christ is Raised." Pastor Trish Madden led the assembly in the opening prayer, and Bishop Wollersheim led the Order for Opening of Assembly.

Bishop Wollersheim welcomed several special guests including Augustana College President, Steven Bahls, ELCA Representative Pastor Richard Magnus, Executive Director, Division for Outreach and Bible Study leader Dr. Craig Nessan, Academic Dean, Professor of Contextual Theology at Wartburg Theological Seminary.

Following the Report of Credentials Committee came the Adoption of Rules of Assembly and Assembly Committee Appointments. The agenda was adopted and The Reverend Mark Luepke gave the Nominating Committee Report. Ms. Jill Flickinger gave the Treasurer’s Report and the First Reading of the 2006 Proposed Budget. The Reverend Michel Clark gave Election Committee Report and the Explanation of Balloting Process and Distribution of General Ballot. The Reverend Pat Esker introduced Resolution R-1 and explained the concept of "Quasi Committee of the Whole." An amendment to R-1 was added that added the two "positions" of the ELCA Church Council to the poll. After lively discussion, R-1 was passed as amended. 

Bishop Wollersheim shared bad news and good news in his report. He said that giving is down significantly, which has meant cut-backs in Synod programs and staff. "If we keep going where we’re going, we won’t be able to continue to be a 'Program Synod.' We won’t be able to keep up with programs that make a difference to ministry," Wollersheim said. "In the fall when you're making decisions about mission support, please think about the impact to the whole church, and be as generous as you can, because it makes a significant difference to the ministry of church."

The good news, Wollersheim said, is that our synod is blessed with great programs such as Diakonia, a 2-year study program for adults. "I'm very proud of this program," he said. Wollersheim also expressed pride over the new congregations that are under development in our synod. New Creation Lutheran Church in Channahon and Followers of Christ in Plainfield will both be welcomed to our synod at next year's assembly. Finally Wollersheim expressed pride that we have significantly deepened our relationship with global partners. "we’ve said 'Yes, this is something God is calling us to do,' and we’ve stepped up and helped."

Bishop Wollersheim thanked synod staff and his wife, Polly, for their support before he was given a book on Theodore Roosevelt as a gift from the synod council for his 15 years of service to the Northern Illinois Synod. The rostered leaders that are new to the Northern Illinois Synod this year were invited up on stage and were welcomed by warm applause.

The Reverend Khamphou Sisouphanthong brought greetings from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Laos Ministry and thanked the NI Synod for its prayers, gifts, and financial support. "May God continue to bless the mission," he said before bowing deeply to all sides of the hall. The Reverend Trish Madden gave a closing prayer, and Bishop Wollersheim declared the first plenary session closed.

Lunch Forums

During the lunch break, voting members were encouraged to attend one of two forums. Dr. Craig Nessan, Academic Dean, Professor of Contextual Theology at Wartburg Theological Seminary gave a forum on "Ministry of the Baptized." Lutheran Social Services of Illinois gave the second forum.

Plenary Session II

Ten minutes before Plenary Session II started, a DVD was shown on the ELCA Mission Investment Fund.

In keeping with R-1, which was passed earlier in the day, the assembly went into a "Quasi Committee of the Whole." This time was set aside solely for debate only on the ELCA Church Council Resolution on the Sexuality Studies. After much debate, the assembly voted by written ballot on each of the three ELCA Council Resolutions as well as the two positions (as added in the amendment to R-1). The results, which were reported later in the day, can be found by clicking here.

Dr. Craig Nessan, Academic Dean, Professor of Contextual Theology, Wartburg Theological Seminary, led the afternoon Bible Study.

Friday Afternoon Forums

Assembly participants were encouraged to learn more about ministries of the Northern Illinois Synod by attending forums Friday afternoon. Forums included Anti-Racism, Budget Hearing/Synod Council, Congregational Life, Global Mission, Ministry Support, Outreach, Social Ministry, and Youth.

Dinner was held in the College Center Dining Room and Wilson Faculty Lounge at 5:45 pm.

Plenary Session III

Ten minutes before the start of Plenary Session III, a DVD on post-tsunami relief was shown.

The general ballot was collected by voting members at 6:40 pm.

ELCA Representative, The Reverend Richard Magnus, Executive Director for Outreach, spoke to the assembly and shared video greetings from Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson. Pr. Magnus thanked the NI Synod for its strong partnership through mission support. The NI Synod gives 55% of all income to the churchwide ELCA, and the synod has held on to that commitment even through tough times. He also thanked the synod for its partnership in sharing its excellent leaders with churchwide organizations so that shared ministry can be done. He mentioned Pr. Stacie Fidlar who serves with the Division for Ministry, Pr. Dennis Heaney who works with Outreach, John Prabhakar who shares time with Multicultural Ministries and the Taskforce for Human Sexuality Studies, Pr. Larry Wick who serves on the Board of Pensions, and Erin Clark who also served on the Taskforce for Human Sexuality Studies.

Synod Council Secretary, Pr. Gary Erickson, gave the Secretary's Report. Pr. Jay Quinn presented the Certification of the 2004 Synod Assembly Minutes. The committee moved the acceptance of the minutes, and the motion passed. Pr. Gary Erickson got up again to present the Report of the Synod Council. No vote was necessary to receive the report.

Each of the Synod Standing Committees presented brief reports. First was Pr. Karl Otto who told about what the Congregational Life Committee had done in the last year. Pr. Tom Rogers spoke for the Ministry Support Committee, Pr. Dennis Heaney represented the Outreach Committee, and the assembly heard from Mr. Bob Anderson of the Social Ministry Committee.

Plenary Session III was closed at 7:45 to prepare for the service of Holy Communion with Ordination. During the break, the DVD on Renewing Worship, which included footage from St. James Lutheran Church in Forreston, was shown.

Holy Communion and Ordination

At 8:05 the service of Holy Communion and Ordination was celebrated. The Reverend-Elect, Susie Hill, was ordained as a pastor of the church. Pastor Hill has been called to serve at Faith Lutheran Church in Forreston.

During the sermon, Bishop Wollersheim spoke of his vocation as a pastor, a husband, and a father. He said he was inspired by three faithful fathers, all of whom have passed away recently, Richard Swanson, Martin Msseemmaa, and Hugh Clements. Wollersheim said he was, "thankful to God for their strong witness to Christ as parents."

Following the service and finishing out the day, there was a reception for the newly ordained minister in the College Center.

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