Photos from Saturday

Saturday morning began with breakfast in the College Center and a breakfast forum on the Hispanic-Latino Ministry Strategy led by The Reverend Keith Forni.

Plenary Session IV

Plenary Session IV began with the service of Holy Communion and Remembrance with Pastor Scott Schmidt officiating and Pastor Peter Holmer preaching. Remembered were pastors who have died in the past year, including Pr. R. Waldo Hanson, born 11/21/1927, ordained 1/1/1951, died 10/19/2004; Pr. Raymond Shawl, born 7/11/1910, ordained 1/1/1938, died 7/12/2004; Pr. Richard Swanson, born 11/22/1932, ordained 6/22/1958, died 3/10/2005; and Pr. Mark Wickstrom, born 2/12/1915, ordained 6/15/1941, died 6/30/2005.

During the break following the worship service, a DVD was shown about the Definitely-Abled Youth Leadership Event (DAYLE) which will happen in conjunction with the ELCA National Youth Gathering in 2006.

After the break, the plenary session continued with the Credentials Report given by Pr. Al Beck. The Election Committee Report of the General Ballot was given by Pr. Michel Clark. Election Results. 

Discussion on the proposed budget took more time than had been allotted as an amendment to the budget was moved to replace the line item for the Employee Assistance Program that had been removed in the proposed budget. Action on the budget was tabled to move on to Dr. Craig Nessan's Bible Study.

Plenary Session IV closed with Pr. Trish Madden's prayer at 11:45 am.

Lunch Forums

Special interest forums were offered during two time slots over lunch. Forums included: Conversation/Questions with the Bishop, Diakonia Program, ELCA - Together in Mission, Lutheran Men in Mission, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI), NIS Women of the ELCA, Outdoor Camping Ministries, NIS Ministries - Who are They, How They Make a Difference, and How to Support Them, Stewardship, World Hunger, Board of Pensions: Healthy Leaders Enhance Lives, Colleges, Seminaries, and Campus Ministries, and Mosaic (formerly Bethphage Mission).

Plenary Session V

Ten minutes before Plenary Session V, a DVD was shown on the ELCA National Youth Gathering and the LYO Gathering. 

Discussion of the budget continued and was tabled again to honor ordination anniversaries. Pr. Gary Park read the bios of several distinguished pastors who had passed milestones of 50, 55, and 60 years of ministry. Celebrating 50 years were The Reverend Henry J. Grishkowsky, The Reverend Dr. Roger K. Hansen, The Reverend Robert E. Linstrom. Celebrating 55 years was The Reverend Howard M. Walker. Celebrating 60 years were The Reverend G. Kenneth Andeen, The Reverend Ordell W. Peterson, and The Reverend William H. Swarbrick.

Ms. June Cain was recognized for 10 years of service on the synod staff. Outgoing Synod Council Officers Ms. Esther Prabhakar, Vice President, and Ms. Jill Flickinger, Treasurer, were recognized, along with Outgoing Synod Council Members, Mr. Bill Bartlett, Pr. Timothy Kenyon, Pr. Michael Lawyer, Ms. Jerilyn Strohecker, and Mr. Josh Ryan, Youth Representative.

The Youth Assembly participants came up on stage and gave their verbal report. They handed out chocolates to assembly participants after the session ended.

ELCA Representative Pr. Richard Magnus answered questions from assembly participants, including an admitted "planted" question about the availability of funds to help all the 100 new church starts that the ELCA has a goal to begin in the coming year. Magnus answered that, "we have to look at assets in new and creative ways. These are 'God’s assets'.... If we started to give like disciples of Jesus Christ, we’d have more than enough." Magnus thanked the synod again for its partnership and its commitment to Jesus Christ as "we keep asking the question, 'How would God use us?' 'What is it God is asking us to be about together now?'"

Esther Prabhakar prayed for Pr. Magnus before Bishop Wollersheim thanked him for being with us.

Rostered Leaders who retired in the past year were honored, including Ms. Myrna Andersen, AIM - 25 years, Ms. Janet Johnson, AIM - 18 years, Pastor Dell Olson - 38 years, and Pastor Leo Patterson - 38 years. Bishop Wollersheim then recognized the Rostered Leaders who celebrated anniversaries this past year beginning at the 5th year and continuing in 5-year intervals up to 45 years.

First Lutheran Church, Prophetstown and Stavanger Lutheran Church, Seneca both celebrated their 125th Anniversary this year, and those congregations were recognized. Pastors from both congregations came to floor microphones to accept the recognition.

Since the time was nearing the end of the assembly, all remaining resolutions, including one which came to the assembly on Friday night, were referred to the Synod Council for action.

Pr. Kathryn Whitney gave the Courtesy Committee Report, and Bishop Wollersheim led the Order for the Closing of the Synod Assembly at about 3:45 pm.

The Nineteenth Annual Northern Illinois Synod Assembly
will be held June 16-17, 2006