EASTERN WASHINGTON-IDAHO SYNOD, E.L.C.A.
Synod Council Meeting and Assembly Report - April 17-20, 2008
Your Synod Council met on Thursday, April 17 and spent a very full day completing discussions and business to catch up and prepare for the Synod Assembly business meeting on April 18. We heard reports from Synod Staff and Officers who provided the following pertinent information for distribution.
1. There will be Kaleidoscope workshop events Sept 18 in Moscow, ID; Nov. 8 in Wenatchee; and Dec. 4 in the Tri-Cities, as well as additional ones on the West side. Susan Berg, our Synod VP recently attended one of these events about practices to be more welcoming and skills in multi and cross-cultural acceptance. She recommends attendance if possible and reference books, “Sacred Acts” and a new one by Bradley Schmeling; “On Being Gay and Ordained”.
2. Bishop Wells is moving comfortably into his new job-description as “Chief Missionary” for the Synod. Also he is interested in feedback from congregations using his lesson plans for study based on the Guiding Principles of the Synod. He would appreciate suggestions for improvement and evaluations.
3. It was hoped that people would return from the workshops on “Super Saturday” and DO SOMETHING with the information received. Don’t just make a stack of paper and forget it, but responsibly ACT.
4. There is a DRAFT copy of the new ELCA Human Sexuality Statement available to download at ELCA.org. We are encouraged to read it and evaluate.
5. We were alerted that there has been a request to bless a domestic partnership between a heterosexual couple who find it economically unfeasible to marry. Such an act may serve as permissive activity for similar blessings for homosexual couples and such blessings are not yet endorsed by our church policy.
6. We were alerted that there likely will be a political move for Washington State to adopt a policy similar to Oregon’s regarding physician assisted suicide. We were asked to endorse a position statement and were unprepared to do so at this time. Lutherans seem to have as diverse personal opinions on this topic as on the homosexuality issues.
7. The Synod budget for 2007 was completed “in the black”. In 2008 giving was slow for the first two months and we were $22K behind, but the receipts have improved and we are now nearly on track. Thanks for good congregational stewardship are given.
8. We endorsed appointments for important Assembly officials.
9. Awards totaling $14,676 was distributed among 8 applicants for Share Grants. These enable small congregations to have help providing sabbaticals and learning opportunities to clergy and to help with new mission starts and activities. Additional funding, provided to the Synod from our Churchwide partner was awarded to three applicants to aid in costs at seminary.
10. We passed a motion to continue our partnership with the six Synods that form Region I, including our financial support according to an average attendance formula.
11. Affirmed a resolve that the staff position in Multicultural Ministry of Region I be continued.
12. We spent considerable time hearing of progress and discussing the project for mission ministry by building a retirement community and a possible new start in the South Meridian area. A thorough feasibility study is being done by Ecumen. Purchase date deadline for the property being considered has been delayed until late May and could be delayed further if variances in County codes are needed. Progress is good, too fast for some and not fast enough for others. Congregations in the area have been asked to take leadership on what sort of ministry we should put our resources into. Pr. Dave Olson has agreed to serve as “Owner Representative” as we study and purchase the property and and work to build a retirement facility. Council agreed to pay his congregation an amount equal to half his salary, minus housing, to allow him to be released from some of his duties to serve the Synod.
On Friday, April 18, The Synod Assembly opened with worship. 238 Voting Members, composed of 84 Clergy, 86 lay females, and 68 lay males were present at opening and by noon there were 267 Voting members. A record number of registered attendances at Assembly, about 360 total, were recorded. 279 Youth were registered for attendance at the youth event on Saturday. An estimated 650 attended the organ concert and Hymn sing at St. John’s Cathedral on Friday evening. About 800 participated in the workshops sessions on “Super Saturday”. Even with a few “glitches” involving late coffee service at the general meeting, a fire drill in the midst of the Bishop’s informational speech, and problems with the electronic voting device system, we would have to evaluate the entire event as a real success, with excitement engendered and business accomplished.
In business session, the most important accomplishments included;
1. Heard Bishop’s report. (Written and available on ewaidsynod.org.)
2. Passed budget for 2010. Were reminded that budgets are about Ministries, not money.
3. Heard report by David Schwartling from our Churchwide partner . We are reminded that the three expressions of our church; congregations, synods, and churchwide, are INTERDEPENDENT. Each expression is the whole church but not the complete church. Together, we leverage ministry in ways we cannot do alone. Bp. Hanson introduced the “Book of Faith Initiative”, asking that congregations become “Book of Faith Congregations”, and use the new resource for Bible study. Reported 52 new congregations in Global Mission and used the statement: “God’s Work – Our Hands”. Encouraged input on the draft “Human Sexuality Statement”. There will be a hearing Sept. 20 in Spokane. “We should be bearers of Holy Trustworthiness.”
4. Slightly revised wording and passed a Resolution Concerning Torture.
5. A resolution concerning term limits for our office of Synod Bishop was thoroughly debated and voted upon. 156 yes votes, 122 no votes. A 2/3 majority required. Resolution failed.
6. Passed a continuing resolution requiring background checks for persons who are elected to Synod offices. This is extended to those nominated where possible.
7. Agreed to deal with a late resolution titled “Book of Faith Initiative”. This would make our Synod a “Book of Faith Synod” and encourage congregations to become “Book of Faith Congregations”, emphasizing Bible study in a variety of ways. Passed.
8. Elected individuals: 2 Clergy to Discipline Committee, 2 lay male and 2 clergy to Consultation Committee, 2 lay male, 1 lay female, 2 clergy, 1 youth as Churchwide Assembly Voting Member. (Because of difficulties with voting devices some of this was accomplished following dinner and I did not record winners. My memory does not serve well enough to report them now.)
We were privileged to hear Dr. Martin Marty speak on Saturday and deliver the sermon at Sunday Worship. The music at the entire event was superb. A jazz group from Central in Spokane on Friday morning, Mark Sedio , Rebekah Gilmore & Brad Schultz Friday evening, Lost and Found Saturday evening, and Tom Witt & Mary Preus at worship on Sunday.
2008 Synod Assembly was formally closed at the close of worship shortly after 12 noon on Sunday, April 20.
Tom Vertrees,
Lower Columbia Basin Cluster (G) Member of Synod Council | 
