Southeast Michigan Synod of the · Pr. Rol Troike, Dean Pr. Alan Casillas, St. Paul/Imlay City Pr. Donald Doerzbacher, Our Saviour/Port Huron Pr. Roger Facione, Retired/Supply at

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Southeast Michigan Synod of the

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Twenty-Ninth Synod Assembly

May 4 - 6, 2017

Port Huron, Michigan

Minutes

The Twenty-Ninth Assembly of the Southeast Michigan Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran

Church in America convened at The Blue Water Convention Center in Port Huron, Michigan at

6:45PM on Thursday, May 4, 2017.

MEETING I - May 4, 2017

Bishop Donald Kreiss called the Assembly to order for Meeting I at 6:45 PM using the Order for

Opening an Assembly.

WELCOME

The Bishop welcomed the voting members to the Assembly. He thanked the Blue Water

Conference pastors and congregations for hosting this year’s Assembly:

Pr. Rol Troike, Dean

Pr. Alan Casillas, St. Paul/Imlay City

Pr. Donald Doerzbacher, Our Saviour/Port Huron

Pr. Roger Facione, Retired/Supply at St John’s/New Baltimore

Pr. Martin Gehring, St. John/Romeo

Pr. John Hitzeroth, Pilgrim/Marysville

Pr. Bonnie Klos, St. Paul/Port Huron

LLM Jim Kroll, St. Peter/New Haven

Pr. Gary MacManus, Retired/Supply at St. John/Capac

Pr. Kenneth Staib, St. Peter/St. Clair

Pr. Alex Steward, Trinity/Richmond

Deacon Peggy Vuylsteke/Interim at Trinity/Brown City

Pr. Kristen Ulmanis, St Paul/Casco

Pr. Troy Waite, St. Martin/Marine City

The Bishop introduced Ms. Anita Ashford, Mayor Pro-Tem, City of Port Huron, who brought

greetings from the city and welcomed the Synod Assembly attendees to the area. The Bishop

announced this year’s Assembly offerings would support the Campaign for the ELCA – “Always

Being Made New”. He thanked the Mission Investment Fund for sponsoring the books “Sacred

Valley” and he thanked Samaritas for sponsoring the coffee breaks.

VOTING ORIENTATION

The Bishop introduced Darin Beamish who explained the process for using the Qwizdom voting

machines and led the Assembly in practice.

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ADOPTION OF STANDING RULES OF THE ASSEMBLY Bishop Kreiss explained the rules under which the Assembly operates.

MOVED: It was moved and seconded to adopt the Standing Rules of the Assembly as

presented.

SA17.05.01 Yes - 217 No - 1

ADOPTION OF AGENDA Bishop Kreiss presented the Agenda as proposed by the Synod Council.

MOVED: It was moved and seconded to adopt the Agenda as modified by the Bishop.

SA17.05.02 Yes - 218 No - 2

INTRODUCTIONS The Bishop introduced the people on the stage with him and others present:

Mr. Albert Asfour, Shalom/Pinckney, Vice-President of the Synod

Mr. George Watson, St. Martin/Port Huron, Secretary of the Synod

LLM Valinda Vincent, Christus Victor/Dearborn, Treasurer of the Synod

Ms. Robin McCants, Genesis/Detroit – Assistant to the Bishop / Staff Support

Pr. Alex Steward, Trinity/Richmond – Parliamentarian

The Rev. Chris Boerger, Secretary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, who would

preside over the election of the Synod Bishop and also bring the Churchwide report.

Ms. Peggy Hahn, Executive Director of LEAD, Pr. David Hansen, Director of Communication

and Innovation for LEAD and Ms. Kristen Krueger, Director of Student Leadership for LEAD

and Dr. Ken Grant – St. James/Grosse Pointe Farms, who will be our Speakers this weekend. He

also introduced Ms. Julia Coffin of the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service.

The Region 6 Bishops joining us for this year’s Assembly: 6C Indiana-Kentucky – William

Gafkjen; 6D Northwestern Ohio – Daniel Beaudoin; 6E Northeastern Ohio – Abraham Allende;

and 6F Southern Ohio –Suzanne Dillahunt.

The Bishop introduced Pr. Jennifer Grangaard and Pr. Colin Grangaard, the ELCA Young Adults

in Global Mission Country Coordinators and Holy Land trip liaisons for the ELCA and the

ELCJHL.

The interns serving in our Synod:

1. Branden Hunt serving at St. Philip/Trenton – from Trinity Lutheran Seminary

2. Vicky Lovell, serving at Zion/Ann Arbor – from Luther Seminary

3. Ken Greble, serving at Calvary/Clarkston – from Trinity Lutheran Seminary

4. Karole Langset, serving at St. Paul/Blissfield & Immanuel/Palmyra – from Trinity

Lutheran Seminary

5. Michael Wright, serving at Zion, Chelsea – from Trinity Lutheran Seminary

The Bishop introduced the new candidate for ministry assigned to our Synod: Vicky Lovell,

serving at Zion/Ann Arbor – from Luther Seminary.

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The Rostered Persons new to our Synod:

1. David Hively – from Northwestern Ohio Synod - Christ/Monroe

2. Eric Johnson - Newly ordained - King of Kings/Lake Orion

3. Mark Fisher – Newly ordained - Transfiguration/Fenton

4. Kathryn Zywicki - Newly ordained – Calvary/Clarkston

5. Gary MacManus - from Southeastern Iowa Synod – retired and stated supply

6. Jennifer Herrmann - from Northwestern Ohio Synod - Good Samaritan/Pontiac

7. Marie Duquette - from Florida/Bahamas Synod - King of Kings/Ann Arbor

8. Sean Meyers – from Northeastern Ohio Synod- Antioch/Farmington Hills

9. Connie Sassanella.- from Northwest Lower Michigan Synod - retired

The Bishop introduced the following individuals serving as pages for the Assembly:

Lisa Jeffreys, Lead Page – Synod Director of Youth Ministries

Mary Depner – St. Martin/Port Huron

Gail Hayden – St. Paul’s/Casco

Allen Hollenbeck – St. John’s/Capac

Marcus Middleton – St. Paul/Port Huron

Judie Schafer – Trinity Richmond

Faith Doerzbacher – Our Savior/Port Huron

Ken Greble – Intern/Calvary/Clarkston

Michael Wright – Intern/Zion/Chelsea

Karole Langset – Intern/Immanuel/Palmyra

The Assembly acknowledged those introduced them with applause.

NOMINATING BALLOT FOR BISHOP

Bishop Kreiss introduced The Rev. Wm. Chris Boerger, Secretary of the Evangelical Lutheran

Church in America. Bishop Kreiss relinquished the Chair to Secretary Boerger who then outlined

the procedure to be used by the Assembly in the election of a Bishop.

REPORT OF THE CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE Secretary Boerger introduced Pr. Paul Walters – Lutheran Church of the Master/Troy and Pr.

Greer Cherney Johnson – Amazing Grace/Warren, Co-Chairs of the Credentials Committee. The

report of the Credentials Committee was as follows: As of 6:00 PM May 4, 2017 a total of 277

persons had registered which included:

VOTING MEMBERS: 236 which 81 (34.3%) were clergy (49 male and 32 female) and

155 (65.7%) were lay (58 male and 97 female). There were 5 Deacons and 41 visitors of

whom were 7 clergy and 34 were lay. Of the aggregate voting members, 23 were Persons

of Color or whose Primary Language is other than English and 6 were youth.

NOMINATING BALLOT FOR BISHOP CONTINUED

Secretary Boerger led the Assembly in prayer, and the balloting process followed. Secretary

Boerger declared the Nominating Ballot for Bishop closed, and indicated results would be

announced the following morning. He noted that anyone whose name appears on the first ballot,

and does not wish to be on subsequent ballots, must withdraw their name prior to the casting of

the second ballot by signing the appropriate form either with Mr. Watson or at the Registration

desk by 9:30AM tomorrow morning.

Secretary Boerger returned the chair to Bishop Kreiss.

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REPORT OF THE NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE/NOMINATIONS FROM THE

FLOOR The Bishop called upon Pr. Heather Holland, Synod Staff, who presented the Report of the

Nominations Committee. Other members of the committee were Ms. Nicky Bates and Pr. Sharon

Janot. The following names were placed in nomination:

SYNOD COUNCIL:

Conference #2 - 3 year term (Elect 1)

Bonnie Klos

Conference #6 - 3 year term (Elect 1) Bernard Lyons


Rick Hogan

Conference #8 - 3 year term (Elect 1) James Fogle

DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE

Lay Male – 6 year term (Elect 1) Rusty Ward

Kevin Kaye

Lay Female – 6 year term (Elect 1)

Becky Huepenbecker

Nicole McCarthy

Clergy Male – 6 year term (Elect 1)

Krister Ulmanis

Clergy Female – 6 year term (Elect 1)

Jennifer Herrmann

CONSULTATION COMMITTEE


Megan Hargrave

Lela Ulmanis


Martin Gehring

David Hively

Lay Male – 6 year term (Elect 1)

Dale Cowan

Clergy Female – 6 year term (Elect 1)

Mary Duerksen

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MOVED: It was moved and seconded to close nominations for all positions.

SA17.05.03 ADOPTED

MOVED: It was moved and seconded to declare elected all those persons nominated to

positions in which there was only one person nominated.

SA17.05.04 ADOPTED

The Bishop declared the following persons duly elected:

SYNOD COUNCIL


Bonnie Klos

Conference #6 - 3 year term (Elect 1) Bernard Lyons


Rick Hogan

Conference #8 - 3 year term (Elect 1) James Fogle


Clergy Male – 6 year term

Krister Ulmanis

Clergy Female – 6 year term

Jennifer Herrmann


Lay Male – 6 year term

Dale Cowan

Clergy Female – 6 year term

Mary Duerkson

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Bishop made a number of announcements. He reminded the assembly that Worship would

begin at 8:45PM and the Assembly would reconvene at 8:30AM tomorrow.

ADJOURNMENT

MOVED: It was moved and seconded to adjourn Plenary Session I.

SA17.05.05 ADOPTED

The Bishop adjourned the Assembly at 7:53 P.M.

WORSHIP

The Assembly gathered for Worship. Bishop Don Kreiss presided and preached; Ms. Robin

McCants: Assisting Minister, Lector: Pr. Lindsey Anderson, Crucifer: Ms. Faith Doerzbacher.

Bowl Carriers: Pr. Alex Steward, Pr. Ken Staib, Chaplain to Bishop: Pr. Jennifer Kiefer.

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Sacristan: Pr. Lauren Kirsh-Carr. Communion Assistants: Pr. Rol Troike, Ms. Robin McCants,

Bishop Suzanne Dillahunt, Pr. John Hitzeroth, Pr. Jack Eggleston, Bishop William Gafkjen, Pr.

Bonnie Klos, Dn. Peggy Vuylsteke, Bishop Abraham Allende, Pr. Kristen Ulmanis, Pr. Alex

Steward, Bishop Daniel Beaudoin, Pr. Ken Staib, Pr. Heather Holland. Ms. Michelle Carlson,

Director of Music Ministry at Pilgrim/Marysville, was the principal musician. Ms. Jennifer

Hudson, Our Saviour/Port Huron, was the Choir Director. Choir members and musicians were

members of the Blue Water Conference congregations.

MEETING II – May 5, 2017

MORNING PRAYER

Bishop Kreiss introduced representatives for the Blue Water Conference who led the Assembly

in Morning Prayer. Ms. Michelle Carlson, Director of Music Ministry at Pilgrim/Marysville,

was the principal musician.

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Bishop called Meeting II to order at 8:45AM. The Bishop reminded the Assembly that anyone

whose name appears on the nominating Ballot and does not wish to be considered for election to

the Office of Bishop needs to remove their name from consideration by signing the appropriate

form, available from Mr. Watson at the head table. Forms must be turned in to Mr. Watson by

9:30AM this morning.

REPORT OF THE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE ON NOMINATING BALLOT FOR

BISHOP Bishop Kreiss turned the chair over to the Rev. Wm. Chris Boerger, Secretary of the Evangelical

Lutheran Church in America to preside over the election process for Bishop of the Southeast

Michigan Synod. The Report of the Elections Committee was given by Ms Janet McBride –

Abiding Presence/Rochester Hills. Other members of the committee were Mr. Charles Lindquist

and Mr. Rick McBride. The results of the First Ballot were as follows:

Synod Bishop - 6 year term (Elect 1) (224 votes cast; 3 illegal; 166 needed for election)

NAME # OF VOTES

Kreiss, Donald 190

Schillack, Niklaus 4

Beck, Cherlyne V 2

Eggleston, Jack E 2

Ewbank, Sean 2

Hendricks, David 2

Hogan, Rick 2

Holland, Heather 2

Osterbur, Barry R 2

Beebe, Barton L 1

Behenna, Mark 1

Duquette, Marie 1

Eaton, Elizabeth 1

Heierman, Jonathan A 1

Jerbi, Steven 1

Marvar, Jan 1

Matlack, William 1

Nieman, Colleen 1

Parker, David 1

Runestad, Dana 1

Schleef, Roger 1

Walters, Paul 1

ELECTED: Don Kreiss

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The Assembly gave Bp. Don Kreiss a rousing standing ovation.

BISHOPS REPORT

The Bishop relinquished the Chair to Mr. Albert Asfour, Vice-President of the Synod, for the

purpose of making the Bishop’s Report to the Assembly. The Bishop addressed the Assembly.

Dear Friends of Southeast Michigan,

Grace to you and peace, from God our Father and from our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ!

I need to begin once more with a litany of thanks for those friends and folks who have worked so hard to

make this event possible.

So let me start with thanks for our local hosts: the pastors and leaders of greater Metropolitan Port Huron:

Personal thanks also to Elaine Pearson, for keeping us on track with the visuals.

And to all those who worked with registration, our pages, the wonderful musicians who will help lead

music today To Pr. Jen Kiefer, who helped plan worship.

Thanks also for our keynote speakers, for their dedication to the life of the church and for their willingness

to share it with us:

Ms. Peggy Hahn, of LEAD

Ms. Kristen Krueger

Pr. David Hansen

Dr. Ken Grant – St. James/Grosse Pointe Farms

I hope you enjoy, learn, and are challenged by them and what they have to share.

Finally, for all of you who registered so that you might take part in the important business and witness of

the life we share as a Synod, for giving over your time and participation as we come together to form the

Body of Christ in this place, but with the a different aspect than any of us get in our own places. It is good

to be here, good to be together, and I am honored by your participation.

Let me also say a word of thanks to those who serve with me at Synod House:

Pr. Jack Eggleston: DEM and Assistant to the Bishop

Pr. Heather Holland: AB for Congregational and Leadership Support

Ms. Robin McCants: AB for Advocacy and Urban Ministry

Ms. Beth Fisher: Executive Administrative Assistant

Ms. Tracy Johnson: Synod Bookkeeper

It is my privilege to work with these folks who are deeply committed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and also

dedicated to serving the congregations and ministries of the Synod. We are your partners, and the staff at

Synod House is meant to offer support, guidance, reference and information that helps facilitate the

ministry going on in our congregations. Thank you for your partnership and for the support dollars you

send forward that help pay salaries and allows us to help you.

Next, I need to say thanks to the members of our Synod Council:

LLM Joyce Brooks from Conference 6

Mr. Randall Breece - Member at large

Pr. Jim Fogle - Conference 8

Ms Collene Fordt – Member at Large

Pr. Rick Hogan - Conference 7

Ms Nicole Bates - Young Adult

Pr. Sharon Janot - Conference 3

Ms Sonja Markwart - Conference 1

Ms Lark Harris –Youth

Pr. Dennis Meyette - Member at Large

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Pr. Ann Preimesberger - Conference 5

Pr. Jackie Rau - Conference 11

Dr. Margaret Reynolds - Conference 10

Pr. Micah Sievenpiper - Conference 9

Mr. Thomas Schwartz – Conference 4

Dn. Peggy Vuylsteke from Conference 2

And especially to the Officers of the Synod, who bear significant responsibilities and offer significant

amounts of their volunteer time to help with the oversight and the administration of our Synod.

Mr. Al Asfour, Synod Vice President

Mr. George Watson, Synod Secretary and Synod Attorney

LLM Valinda Vincent, Synod Treasurer

I am grateful for their support and commitment to the ministry we share among us in the Synod, and

commend them to you as faithful servants of the Gospel.

Let me also at this point recognize and say thanks to those who serve as Directors of Synod Ministry. Our

Directors serve in very part-time roles and oversee specific areas of ministry with grace and passion:

Ms. Lisa Jeffries: Youth Ministry

Pr. Lauren Kirsh-Carr: Synod Life

Pr. Jan Marvar: Interim and Transitional Ministry

Pr. Scott McKinney: Licensed Lay Ministry

Pr. Barry Osterbur: Candidacy

I conclude this portion of my report with thanks to the colleagues who serve as Deans of our Conferences:

Pr. Denise Russell - 1

Pr. Rol Troike - 2

Pr. Jonathan Heierman - 3

Pr. Bart Beebe - 4

Pr. George Oberle - 5

Pr. Lindsey Anderson & Ms. Robin McCants - 6

Pr. Sean Ewbank - 7

Pr. Linda Golden - 8

Pr. Jen Kiefer - 9

Pr. Kathryn Tulman - 10

Pr. Paul Walters - 11

These folks serve in the front lines of Synod ministry, convening conference meetings, supporting

colleagues, assisting with pastoral transitions, and offering advice and counsel at Deans’ Meetings. It is a

pleasure to serve with them.

(A video about the Synod’s Rise Up!! Campaign was shown.)

Sisters and brothers, I am excited for the Rise Up!! Campaign! I know that it will have a significant impact

on our congregations and leaders. In fact, it is already having that effect. As we shared with you last year,

we launched Stewardship For All Seasons with eight congregations fully participating. Over the course of

this past year, these congregations walked with a stewardship consultant to guide them and work with them

to customize their efforts.

The results they experienced tell me that we are on the right track here:

● At Lutheran Church of the Master in Troy, Pastor Paul Walters shared with us and you may have

read in our last newsletter,

They increased their annual revenues for ministry by 9.3%

They raised an additional $86,000 last year to replace their HVAC units and to install a

new sign to better welcome the community

And, an event that use to raise $300 for youth ministry, raised $3,500 this year!

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● Shepherd of the Lake, in Walled Lake, currently served by Interim Pr. Dennis Meyette. Three of

their top 10 donors moved or passed away in recent years, and the church needed to make payments on a

significant mortgage. Council and Interim pastor committed to SAS, with these results:

Pledged revenue increased by 40% this year

Increased Mission support to the synod by $18,000

And not only finances have improved, but as leadership has become more energized, the

congregation has enhanced its Stephen Ministry program, put together a new Welcome

Center to greet visitors, helped underwrite the salary of a member who will serve as a

counselor at Living Water Ministries this summer, and connected with Micah 6 in

Pontiac and the Broadmore neighborhood in Detroit.

Finally, SAS has helped them have a great success during an interim period, with the

intention of demonstrating to themselves (and to their next called pastor) that they are

ready to move forward and engage the future.

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● Trinity, Richmond Story—

First Time in 5 years to concentrate on Stewardship including pledges.

Hoped for a 12.5% increase, final result is 13.5%.

Reinvigorating the congregation in its ministry - moving forward to the second year of

the program.

Sense of vision for ministry moving ahead.

I’m excited, not only for the results, but for the energy that these congregations are giving to having a

vibrant future.

And, since we were together last year, we have also launched the mentoring aspect of Rise Up!! Campaign.

It may come as a surprise to some of you that pastoring can sometime be a lonely business. Others of you

know the reality of that all too well! My own experience of being in a group like this was that it was the

place where I learned accountability to others, could honestly talk about pastoral victories and defeats in the

parish I served, and where I found two friends whose insight, wisdom and gifts I still treasure.

My hope for these groups is that they will be places

❏ for members to speak truth to each other

❏ for senior colleagues to share their wisdom,

❏ for junior colleagues to share their enthusiasm,

❏ And where members find connections that will help them maintain their health, sanity and

spiritual composure in the days we are called to serve.

I’m pleased to have four groups already meeting or planning to meet shortly after this Assembly, as all of

us learn to “walk together.” I expect to have four more groups meeting by this time next year.

Mentor Groups Year 1

Senior Partner: Pr. Jonathan Heierman, Calvary, Clarkston

Group members:

Pr. Eric Johnson, King of Kings, Lake Orion

Pr. Ron Strobel, Cana, Berkley

Pr. Alex Steward, Trinity, Richmond

Senior Partner: Pr. Denise Grant, St. James, Grosse Pointe Farms

Group members:

Pr. Joyce Partyka-Staib, St. Thomas, Sterling Heights

Pr. Greer Cherney-Johnson, Amazing Grace, Warren

Pr. Bonnie Klos, St. Paul, Port Huron

Senior Partner: Pr. Scott Sessler, Emmanuel, Livonia

Group members:

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Rev. Dr. Mark Fisher, Transfiguration, Fenton

Pr. Kate Zywicki, Calvary, Clarkston

Pr. David Hively, Christ, Monroe

Senior Partner: Pr. Jim Fogle, Celebration, Westland

Group members:

Pr. Sara Freudenburg, Trinity, Ann Arbor

Pr. Denise Russell, All Saints, Hartland

Pr. Micah Sievenpiper, Immanuel, Ida

Along with a commitment to mentoring rostered leaders, an important component of the Rise Up!!

Campaign is the empowering and equipping of lay leaders to carry on the ministry of their congregations in

their communities.

At this point we have three distinct opportunities to engage around specific topics:

● Starting a Nursing Home Ministry: led by Mark Fisher, October 7, 2017 at Transfiguration/Fenton

● How to Write Grants to Fund Community Outreach: led by Meghan Sobocienski and Matt Bode,

October 14, 2017 at Grace In Action

● How to Start a Food Pantry/Food Ministry: led by leaders from Fish and Loaves (a downriver

client-choice food pantry). Date: November 4. Location TBD.

Please keep an eye on the Synod website, www.semisynod.com, for more information about those classes

and other offerings coming up.

As we continue to move forward, the Rise Up!! Campaign is doing well financially. I’m delighted to share

with you that we have cash and commitments totaling $203,135 toward our goal to raise $1.25 million.

These gifts are from your Synod Council, Synod Staff, rostered leaders, and a handful of other leaders

across the synod. In addition to that, the leadership of Zion, Ann Arbor has declared that they are extremely

committed to the Rise Up!! appeal. They have committed a total gift of $150,000 over the next 5 years,

which brings our commitment to $353,135. I am very grateful for this partnership.

The campaign will move into its congregational phase this year. My goal and hope is that every member of

every congregation in this synod has the opportunity to hear the story of Rise Up!! and to decide for

themselves if they would like to participate in this appeal. I want people to make gifts that will bring them

joy to give as we work to revitalize the ministry across the synod. And I don’t want this campaign to be

hidden from anyone and so deny them the opportunity to give.

I understand that some folks won’t be able to give to this appeal because of other commitments. But, as I

have visited with people about Rise Up!! I am confident that many, many more folks will want to invest in

our future and help bring about the exciting change that this appeal will support

I’m also confident that just by participating in the appeal you and your congregation will be provided some

very high quality training in stewardship. The model program we’re presenting is very effective for

congregational use and not just for the Rise Up!! Campaign. This is the same stewardship model that the

folks in Troy used to increase their youth ministry fundraising opportunity from $350 to $3,500.

In your packet you have some forms that will help you understand what to expect in the appeal. The first

form is “Steps for your congregation’s participation” You will see that Step 1 is to receive a Council

presentation. We have 41Council Visitors being trained this weekend eager to come to your congregation

council, share the Rise Up!! story, and then ask for your participation.

The next form you will find in your packet is the “Council Visit Request Form”. Please take this form out

now. You will see that we would like to visit your council sometime between the start of June through the

end of October. Please take a moment to fill this form out now, and request a date for your visit so that we

can line that up when we train the Council Visitors.

Again, we are collecting these here at the end of this session, so fill it out now!

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STEP 2 is the most important step in the campaign process. That is where you select a Congregational

Leader. In your packet is also a job description for that role and a form to share with us who that will be.

For the pastor, it is great to get this form in so that we stop contacting you and instead contact the

Congregational Leader!!

So who can be the Congregational Leader? It could be someone that is here this weekend who is excited

about the ministry of the synod. It could be someone who loves the church and wants to help make certain

that congregational ministry in this synod has a vibrant future. It could be the person you want chairing

your stewardship team in the future and this will provide them with quality stewardship training. It could

be the entire stewardship team. It can even be someone who doesn’t like “asking for money” as the model

takes care of “the ask” through others, if the leader is not comfortable with that. The pastor should not be

the campaign leader in the congregation. You are welcome to turn this form in now too, if you know who

the leader will be.

STEP 3 is simply to have your leader attend a training event. These trainings will start in October of this

year. All the materials needed to conduct the appeal will be provided to your leader at this event, including

bulletin inserts, brochures, intent cards, hymnal wraps and more. And, it is at this event that

Congregational Leaders will receive a 65 page campaign manual to guide them through the process of

leading this appeal. It is this manual that then becomes a resource to your congregation for other

stewardship activity you will conduct for yourselves. You get to “practice” this stewardship model with the

synod and the Rise Up! campaign.

STEP 4 We do ask that you set a goal for the appeal. We ask that the goal be based on your average

worship attendance. The Council Visitor will share a goal range for your consideration. This goal is not

binding, but instead is a way to help your members understand the size gifts and need for commitment in

order for us to reach our goal. We never want the goal to be a stumbling block for you. If you need to

delay decisions on setting a goal, that is fine. Keep moving ahead with appointing a congregation leader.

They can help you discern your goal at a later time.

STEP 5 Conduct a 5 week appeal for Rise Up!. It takes several weeks to adequately inform, motivate, and

ask for people to engage the appeal. Again, most material for the appeal is provided for you.

We just ask that you give it the time and focus it needs in order to be successful. You can pick the time

period that suits your needs best. If you don’t want it to overlap with your fall stewardship appeal, run the

appeal in the winter. If you are conducting a capital appeal, either add a tithe to your appeal or find a time

before or after your appeal pledges are received and then conduct the Rise Up! campaign. The timing is up

to you, but we do need 5 weeks. We don’t want to be in your budget and we want this to be a blessing for

you and your people.

STEP 6 Send the statements of intent to the Synod office. We will take care of the bookkeeping and the

thank you letters. Once you collect intent forms, then you are done. Well, actually, then you get to engage

the process with LEAD and benefit from the fruits of this campaign.

I hope that you all remember that this campaign isn’t about the Synod. We are simply coordinating it, yes,

but it belongs to the entire Synod. The goals of the appeal are all about strengthening you as leaders,

equipping more leaders, and strengthening your congregations. This is not an appeal to give more money

for synod stuff. This campaign has been strategically designed to be for you—the congregations and the

leaders who call the Southeast Michigan Synod home.

Here is what I see when this campaign is over. I think we will raise the money. We are off to a great start

and everyone who gets to know what we are doing is very, very excited for it.

But, here is what I see:

● Our newer pastors will grow dramatically in their abilities to lead our congregations. Through

mentoring, through stewardship practice, through walking together, they won’t feel isolated and alone.

Instead, they will feel equipped to serve in a church in a context that is different from the one I served when

I first started parish ministry.

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● All of our pastors will feel a sense that ministry can grow and expand and they will have the tools

to discern what our world needs and they will know how to develop the resources needed to make that

ministry happen. The era of scarcity thinking in our church—scarcity thinking that limits vision and causes

depression--need no longer be part of our story.

● Congregations will acquire the tools to better understand their context. This world has changed.

We know this, don’t we? The rationale, the demographics, and the locations chosen for planting most of the

congregations in this synod have changed! We would use significantly different parameters if we were to

plant those same churches today. As we work with LEAD, we will have a chance to discern the needs of

our communities and to discover ways to reach people who don’t know God’s love yet! We have a story to

share, dear friends, we have the good news of Jesus and the astonishing insight that we are saved by grace

through faith!

● Finally, we will learn from each other. As we provide grants for new initiatives, we will create

networks of conversation to report back what we are doing, what is working and what we learn from what

we try. Stories of ministries ending will be replaced by stories of new ministries taking root and beginning

to blossom. This is the church I see. And, I don’t see it as too far away. There are more stories from the

stewardship group that reinforces everything that I just shared.

The best days of this church are in front of us. God is still here. How many loaves do we have, sisters and

brothers? As many as Christ sees we need to get his work done. I trust that God is guiding us and leading

us to re-create the church in SE Michigan. I’m excited that with God’s guidance we will Rise Up! and

meet the challenges set before us.

Before I finish here, let me get you up to speed on a couple other projects we as the Southeast Michigan

Synod have been deeply engaged with.

First: the next chapter of the Flint Water Crisis. In addition to a $5,000 grant from ELCA World Hunger, our churchwide offices ELCA sent an executive

team of nine staff members to learn about the Flint Water Crisis and plan how the ELCA could support

Salem through this crisis in creative ways. The ELCA has published several articles about Salem’s

ministry,

As members together of the Southeast Michigan Synod, we are serving as a fiduciary to take some of the

financial burden of tracking, administration, and thank you messages off Salem staff/volunteers.

As of December 31, 2016, $56,007 was raised for pipe replacement; $13,753 was raised for filters and

water. In addition, $99,517 was raised for general use for the water crisis. Of these general funds, $75,000

was released/allocated to Salem to develop the Neighborhood Connection Program and to cover costs

related to the Water Crisis.

Meanwhile, our sisters and brothers of Northwest Lower Michigan Synod brought in water and personal

care items along with $5,000 from their emergency fund and raised more than $32,000 to help. Our

domestic partner Synod: Southeastern Pennsylvania sent $20,000 to help with the water crisis. Besides the

money, last year Salem distributed over 3.5 million pounds of clean water, in partnership with local

churches, the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, and the State of Michigan.

All told, Salem received assistance from over 200 different congregations throughout Michigan and the US,

including service groups, and individual donors who brought water, sent filters, or shared words of hope to

Salem for the community. Truly we have been church together, and we are better for it!

And as my report comes to an end, I want to just say:

A word about diapers.

You may remember that last year we received a grant from the ELCA to keep distributing diapers, a project

started during the Youth Gathering we hosted in 2015.

13

Starting in March of 2016 through today, we have given away 1295 cases of diapers to community groups

and ministries. At approximately 190 diapers per case, that means 246,050 diapers. And 157 cases of diaper

wipes, as well. And we still have nearly $40,000 of that grant remaining. Just so you know.

In the six years since I was elected, I have been so grateful for the opportunity to get to know more of you

better; and to see some of what God is up to in the Synod. It is a privilege to serve on your behalf, and I

have been humbled by your support, your encouragement, and your care for me and my family over this

time.

God bless us all.

Bishop Don Kreiss

Southeast Michigan Synod

May 5, 2017

MOVED: It was moved and supported to receive the Report of the Bishop.

SA17.05.06 ADOPTED

Mr. Asfour then returned the Chair to Bishop Kreiss.

REPORT OF THE CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE Bishop Kreiss introduced Pastor Paul Walters – Lutheran Church of the Master/Troy and Pastor


report of the Credentials Committee was as follows: As of 8:15AM May 5, 2017 a total of 323


VOTING MEMBERS: 273 which 96 (35%) were clergy (60 male and 36 female) and

177 (65%) were lay (66 male and 111 female). There were 9 Deacons and 50 visitors of



FIRST COMMON BALLOT The Bishop gave balloting instructions. Voting then took place. The nominees were:


Lay Male – 6 year term (Elect 1) Rusty Ward

Kevin Kaye


Becky Huepenbecker

Nicole McCarthy



Megan Hargrave

Lela Ulmanis


Martin Gehring

David Hively

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The Bishop declared the First Common Ballot closed.

SYNOD COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS

REPORT OF THE AUDITORS

The Bishop asked Ms. Valinda Vincent, Treasurer of the Synod to present the report of the

Auditors for the Fiscal Year ending Jan 31, 2017. Ms. Vincent explained that due to a change in

personnel at the Bordman, Winnick & Tros, PLC, our auditors, the Audit Report is not

completed. A status letter from the auditors was posted on the Synod website. Ms Vincent

presented an overview of the Synod’s finances for the period ending Jan 31, 2017.

MOVED: It was moved and seconded to authorize the Synod Council to approve the

Auditors report when it is received.

SA17.05.07 ADOPTED.

2019 BUDGET PRESENTATION

The Bishop invited Ms. Valinda Vincent, Treasurer of the Synod, to present to the Voting

Members an overview of the 2017 year end financials. She also presented the proposed 2019

budgets as recommended by the Synod Council.

REPORT OF THE ELECTIONS COMMITTEE ON FIRST COMMON BALLOT The Report of the Elections Committee was given by Ms. Janet McBride – Abiding

Presence/Rochester Hills.

The results of the First Ballot were as follows:



(235 votes cast; 118 needed for election)

Martin Gehring 120

David Hively 115

Elected: Martin Gehring



Megan Hargrave 98

Lela Ulmanis 135

Elected: Lela Ulmanis

15


Lay Male – 6 year term (Elect 1)


Rusty Ward 114

Kevin Kaye 117

Elected: Kevin Kaye



Becky Huepenbecker 59

Nicole McCarthy 178

Elected: Nicole McCarthy

ADJOURNMENT

The Bishop made a few announcements and adjourned Plenary II at 10:18AM for a short break.

MEETING III – May 5, 2017

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Following the break, the Bishop called Plenary III to order at 10:36AM and opened with prayer

and song led by members of St. Paul/Port Huron. The Bishop made a few announcements.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

The Bishop introduced Ms. Peggy Hahn, Executive Director of LEAD (Living Everyday As

Disciples), aligning passionate leaders, resources and practices to grow Christian leaders who

grow in faith communities in our world, who gave the Keynote Address. Her topic was

Empowering Christian Leaders, Transforming Faith Communities, and Influencing the World.

CREDENTIALS REPORT

Bishop Kreiss introduced Pastor Paul Walters – Lutheran Church of the Master/Troy and Pastor


report of the Credentials Committee was as follows: As of 10:40AM May 5, 2017 a total of 335






SYNOD COUNCIL ACTION ITEM

ADOPTION OF 2019 BUDGET The Bishop introduced Ms. Valinda Vincent, Treasurer of the Synod, who presented the 2019

Southeast Michigan Synod Operating Budget.

MOVED: It was moved and seconded to adopt the 2019 Operating Budget.

The Assembly then voted on the motion to adopt the budget.

16

MOVED: It was moved and supported to amend the budget to reduce the line item for

Trinity Seminary for $2000, with the balance of $37,000 to be allocated to the Bishop’s

Seminarian Fund.

MOVED: It was moved to table the motion to adopt the amendment.

SA.17.05.08 ADOPTED

ADJOURNMENT

The Bishop made a few announcements and adjourned Plenary III, followed by prayer for lunch.

LUNCH

The Assembly partook of lunch.

FIRST ROTATION OF KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Following lunch, the assembly gathered in three separate groups for the first rotation of keynote

addresses led by Pr. David Hansen, Ms. Kristen Krueger and Ms. Peggy Hahn.

BREAK

The Assembly took a short break for refreshments.

SECOND ROTATION OF KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

The assembly gathered in three separate groups to hear the second rotation of keynote addresses

led by Pr. David Hansen, Ms. Kristen Krueger and Ms. Peggy Hahn.

MEETING IV – May 5, 2017


The Bishop called Meeting III to order at 3:51PM. Members of Trinity/Richmond led the

Assembly in prayer and song.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Bishop made a number of announcements.



report of the Credentials Committee was as follows: As of 3:30PM, May 5, 2017 a total of 336






QUASI COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED: It was moved and seconded that the Assembly move into a Quasi Committee of the

Whole for the purpose of discussing the motion to amend the 2019 Synod operating budget only,

17

to last for up to 20 minutes or until there are no more speakers whichever comes first, and during

that time no motions may be made, with the right to address the Assembly granted to the Bishops

from Region 6, and representative from Trinity Seminary with all speeches limited to 2 minutes

each speakers able to address the Committee more than once.

SC17.05.09 ADOPTED

The Assembly then acted as a Quasi Committee of the whole to discuss the pending amendment

to the 2019 Operating budget.

SYNOD COUNCIL ACTION ITEM

ADOPTION OF 2019 BUDGET The Assembly then returned to the consideration of the 2019 Operating Budget.

MOVED: It was moved and supported to remove from the table the amendment to the 2019

Synod Operating Budget.

SA17.05.10 ADOPTED

MOVED: It was moved to refer the Amendment to the Synod Council.

MOVED: It was moved to end debate on the motion to refer.

SA17.05.11 ADOPTED

The Assembly then voted on the motion to refer.

SA17.05.12 ADOPTED Yes - 213 No - 32

The Assembly then voted on the main motion to adopt a 2019 Operating Budget.

SA17.05. 13 ADOPTED Yes - 226 No - 13

The Bishop called on Ms. Valinda Vincent, Treasurer of the Synod, who presented the 2019

Southeast Michigan Synod Fund for Mission Budget.

MOVED: It was moved and seconded to adopt the 2019 Fund for Mission Budget.

SA17.05.14 ADOPTED Yes - 227 No-10

RISE UP! REPORT

The Bishop introduced Pr. Lori Carey and Pr. David Parker of the Rise Up! Campaign who gave

a report on the status of the campaign.

VIDEO

The Bishop introduced a short video on the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy

Land.

ADJOURNMENT

The Bishop made a few announcements and adjourned Plenary IV at 4:55 PM. The Assembly

took a short break before moving into the third Rotation of Speakers.

THIRD ROTATION OF KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

The assembly gathered in three separate groups to hear the third rotation of keynote addresses

led by Pr. David Hanson, Kristen Krueger and Ms. Peggy Hahn.

MEETING V – May 6, 2017

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MORNING PRAYER

Bishop Kreiss led the Assembly in Morning Prayer.


The Bishop called Meeting V to order at 8:34AM. The Bishop made a number of announcements.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

The Bishop introduced Ms. Peggy Hahn, Executive Director of LEAD who give the Keynote

Address.

REPORT OF THE CHURCHWIDE REPRESENTATIVE - STATE OF THE ELCA The Bishop introduced The Reverend Wm. Chris Boerger, Secretary of the Evangelical Lutheran

Church in America, the ELCA Churchwide Representative to our Assembly, who gave the report

on the State of the ELCA. He engaged the members of the Assembly in conversation and

answered questions.



report of the Credentials Committee was as follows: As of 9:00AM, May 6, 2017 a total of 344




whom were 11 clergy and 44 were lay. Of the aggregate voting members, 27 were

Persons of Color or whose Primary Language is other than English and 7 were youth.

RESOLUTIONS The Bishop introduced Pr. Sara Freudenburg, Co-Chair - Trinity/Ann Arbor, Pr. Al Nelson, Co-

Chair, Retired, Pat Alsup – Revelation/Detroit, Pr. Ted Kerr - Prince of Peace/Ida, Pr. Regina

Johnson, Retired, Pr. Julianne Smeck - St. Mark/Ypsilanti, George Watson - St. Martin/Port

Huron, Pr. Jack Eggleston - Synod Staff, Pr. Nelson then presented the report of the Resolutions

Committee.

MOVED: It was moved and seconded to suspend the rules for the purpose of avoiding the

reading of the Resolutions.

SA.17.05.15 ADOPTED

The report of the Committee on Resolution 2017-01 was as follows:

RESOLUTION 2017-01 Resolution urging Congregational Engagement in Anti-Racism Training

Rationale:

In remembrance of the 1967 Civil Unrest in Detroit, Michigan, Bishop John Schreiber in May of 2007,

called the Synod to a worship of confession for the sin of racism, prayers for healing and observance of the

Eucharist. The next year, Bishop Schreiber in response to the annual BRRICK (Building Racial

Reconciliation in Christ’s Kingdom) worship, called congregations on Reformation Sunday to introduce to

members of those communities the “Covenant of Racial Reconciliation” which had been adopted by the

Synod Council.

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Interim Bishop Ken Olsen called on congregations to ratify the “Covenant of Racial Reconciliation” on

Reformation Sunday, October 26, 2008, also known as BRRICK Covenant Sunday. In 2009, Interim

Bishop Olsen invited congregations to be present at the annual BRRICK worship in June when the sixty-

two congregations which had ratified the “Covenant of Racial Recognition” would be recognized.

In 2010 during the tenure of Bishop Stephen Marsh, BRRICK sponsored “Living Out The Covenant,” an

event with Dr. James Perkinson. On Martin Luther King weekend 2013, Bishop Don Kreiss sponsored anti-

racism training with CrossRoads, and continues to support the work of the BRRICK team.

At the 2014 assembly, Southeast Michigan Synod adopted Resolution 2014—1, to provide anti-racism

training annually for rostered leaders, establish a line item in the Synod budget for training and to partner

with other ELCA and Synod organizations, i.e. Living Water Ministries, North/West Lower Michigan

Synod, to ensure funding.

The 2016 Churchwide Assembly adopted a Memorial that encouraged all rostered leaders to receive anti-

racism training bi-annually and that every Synod develop or maintain resources for anti-racism training for

rostered leaders and congregations.

http://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/CWA2016.pdf?ga=1.242663617.270845176.

1471889350

The 1993 ELCA Social Statement Freed in Christ: Race, Ethnicity, and Culture, states that “this church has

often addressed words on racism to white members…because our mission and ministry are in a society

where white people have been favored and hold unequal power to implement their prejudices—socially,

politically, and economically. [And that] skin color makes a difference and white people benefit from a

privileged position.”

Christ fulfilled the promises of God to “bring good news to the poor…to proclaim release to the captives

and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free” (Luke 4:18). The church, through its silence,

actually supports systems of oppression through white privilege, to which most of us are blind. The

temptation to cater to affluence can prevent leaders from ministering in ways that challenge this sin.

Ongoing education and support is needed in order for the leaders of the church to openly address the sin of

racism, including the advantages that it brings to some and oppression that it brings to others.

Freed in Christ… states “when we rebuild walls of hostility and live behind them—blaming others for the

problem and looking to them for solution–we ignore the role we ourselves play in the problem and also in

the solution. When we confront racism and move toward fairness and justice in society, all of us benefit. ”

(http://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/RaceSS.pdf?_ga=1.205016403.270845176.1

471889350)

Resolved, that this Assembly encourages all congregations of the Synod to identify at least one person to

attend each Synod-sponsored anti-racism training event. Attendees include, but are not limited to, pastors,

deacons, licensed ministers and lay leaders of congregations. Congregations are also encouraged to use the

resources of the Synod’s BRRICK team for congregational work in the ministry of anti-racism;

Resolved, that this Assembly encourages each congregation of the Synod to place a line item in its annual

budget specifically for anti-racism education and to provide funding so the cost of the training will not be a

deterrent to attendance and participation in anti-racism training; and,

Resolved, that this Assembly encourages the Bishop:

1. to ensure anti-racism training is listed with the professional leadership conference in the

Synod’s official Compensation Guidelines at Professional Expenses, B. Continuing Education 3. and 4. of

the existing guidelines;

2. to direct Synod Staff to encourage Call Committees to list participation in anti-racism training

on a regular basis in expectations of the called rostered leaders of that congregation; and to explore ways

that the expectation of participation in an anti-racism event can be placed in the Call documents;

3. to explore ways to customize the annual report to the Bishop of a rostered leader under call for

this Synod to indicate attendance at an anti-racism event as is done for Continuing Education; and,

http://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/CWA2016.pdf?ga=1.242663617.270845176.1471889350

http://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/CWA2016.pdf?ga=1.242663617.270845176.1471889350

http://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/RaceSS.pdf?_ga=1.205016403.270845176.1471889350

http://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/RaceSS.pdf?_ga=1.205016403.270845176.1471889350

20

4. to encourage Conference Deans to create partnerships with the BRRICK team that would

provide opportunities for BRRICK team members to be present at conference meetings and provide

ongoing support for leaders engaged in anti-racism ministry.

Submitted by:

Rev. Michael Johnson

Ms. Marilyn Knak

Ms. Robin McCants

Rev. Julianne Smeck

Rev. Kirstin Tannas

Rev. Kristin Ulmanis

The Resolutions Committee recommends the adoption of this resolution.

The Assembly then voted on the motion to adopt Resolution 2017-1

SA17.05.16 ADOPTED

Pr. Al Nelson then presented the report of the Resolutions Committee

The report of the Committee on Resolution 2017-02 was as follows:

RESOLUTION 2017-02

Resolution for an Increased Advocacy for Immigrants and Refugees

Rationale: The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and its predecessors have a long history of

helping immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers settle in the United States through the support of fair and

generous immigration policies. In 1998 the ELCA adopted a message on immigration that supported

previous commitments to welcome people into the United States. In 2009 the ELCA Church Council

adopted a Social Policy Resolution (CA09.11.71), Toward Compassionate, Just, and Wise Immigration

Reform.

Early in 2017 we have witnessed changes to immigration policy within the United States. These changes

include a pause on the current acceptance of refugees, the deportation of undocumented immigrants (some

who have spent nearly their entire lives in the United States), and the movement to further divide our

country from Mexico with a border wall. These movements go against long-standing practices within the

Lutheran church in welcoming all people with hospitality and dignity and calling for a just government.

Jesus himself identifies with the stranger, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25:35), and

in Leviticus we read, “The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you

shall love the stranger as yourself” (Leviticus 19:34). We are called to treat all of humanity with dignity as

we are created “in God’s image” (Genesis 1:27). It is within this framework that a just government shall

work for the common good of all people, not just in the United States, but also globally.

At this time, it is important that voices within the ELCA continue to speak up in their call to welcome

immigrants and refugees.

Resolved, that the Southeast Michigan Synod calls upon the Synod Council to request the Administration

and Congress of the United States take the following actions related to laws, regulations and policies

regarding immigration and refugees:

1. Continue the resettlement of refugees from all around the world, without regard to their country

of origin or their religion/religious background, continuing the strict vetting procedures that were in place

as of January 1, 2017;

2. Work with current immigrant families helping them enter a pathway to citizenship;

3. Work to navigate undocumented immigrant families and children through the process of

documentation without deportation; and,

4. Work towards immigrant family unification and for them to gain legal residency and/or

citizenship in the United States.

21

Resolved, that Southeast Michigan Synod congregations are encouraged to be supportive of the Synod

Immigration Team and those trained in the Board of Immigration Appeals process in order to assist

immigrants in gaining legal status in the United States by accompanying them in legal proceedings as well

as providing access to “Know Your Rights” seminars.

Resolved, that the Southeast Michigan Synod Assembly requests that the Bishop of this Synod:

1. transmit a copy of this resolution to Southeast Michigan Synod congregation pastors and

council presidents, and request that these congregations and their members convey the items listed in the

first Resolve to their respective Congressional delegation; and,

2. encourage congregations of this Synod to be safe places for immigrants, and if feasible and

necessary, discern locations for places of sanctuary.

Submitted by

Pastor Rani Abdulmasih

Pastor Alan Casillas

Pastor John Cummings

Pastor Jack Eggleston

Pastor Colleen Nieman

Deacon Meghan Sobocienski

Pastor Alex Steward

The Resolutions Committee recommends the adoption of this resolution.

The Assembly then voted on the motion to adopt Resolution 2017-2

SA17.05.17 ADOPTED

SPEAKER

The Bishop introduced Mr. Ken Grant, Professor of History at University of Detroit/Mercy, who

spoke to the Assembly on the topic: “The Reformation - From Chaos to Community”.

CHURCH COUNCIL REPORT

The Bishop introduced Mr. Paul Archer, who is ending his term as the Southeast Michigan

Synod representative on the ELCA Church Council. Mr. Archer gave a report on the actions of

the Church Council.

MOMENT OF SILENCE

The Assembly observed a moment of silence to mark the memory The Rev. Kenneth Olsen, who

served as Interim Bishop of the Southeast Michigan Synod on three separate occasions. His

funeral began at 11 AM in Chicago, IL. The Bishop made remarks about the service that the

Rev. Kenneth Olsen provide to the Church and to our Synod, and concluded with a prayer.

ADJOURNMENT

The Bishop made a few announcements and adjourned Plenary V. The Assembly took a short

break before moving into a time of Workshops

BREAK

The Assembly took a short break for refreshments.

WORKSHOPS

Members of the Assembly availed themselves of a variety of workshops.

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LUNCH

Following workshops, the Assembly enjoyed lunch.

MEETING VI – May 6, 2017

PRAYER

Members of Our Saviour/Port Huron led the Assembly in song and Prayer.


The Bishop called Meeting VI to order at 1:32PM. The Bishop made a number of announcements.



report of the Credentials Committee was as follows: As of 1:30PM, May 6, 2017 a total of 345




whom were 11 clergy and 45 were lay. Of the aggregate voting members, 27 were

Persons of Color or whose Primary Language is other than English and 7 were youth.

ANNIVERSARIES OF CONGREGATIONS AND ROSTERED LEADERS

The Bishop expressed his pleasure at recognizing rostered leaders and congregations celebrating

Anniversaries and significant events. The Bishop asked Secretary Watson to read the names so

that the Bishop could hand out certificates and gifts.

The following Congregation was recognized. Representatives came forward to receive a

certificate from the Bishop.

150 years – Zion/ Chelsea

100 years – St. Paul Port Huron

50 years – St. Thomas/Sterling Heights

50 years – Cross/Clinton Township

50 years – Faith Shelby/Township

Mr. Watson introduced the members and Rostered Leaders celebrating the 25th Anniversary of

Ordination or Consecration. He invited them to come to the stage as their names were read:

25 years – Sean Ewbank

25 years – Linda Golden

25 years – Sharon Smith Huff

25 years – Don Kreiss

The Bishop gave special recognition to the Fiftieth Anniversary of Ordination which is being

celebrated this year by:

50 years – Pr. Timothy Lentner

The Assembly acknowledged him with applause.

Mr. Watson also recognized the rostered leaders who retired during the preceding year. He gave

23

thanks for their faithful service and presented them with certificates. The Assembly

acknowledged them with applause.

Pr. Robert Carr

Pr. Dennis Bux

The following Rostered Leaders died during the past year. The Assembly paused and observed a

moment of silence in their memory, followed by payers offered by the Bishop.

Pr. Ralph Hoke

Pr. Roy Nurse

RECOGNITION OF BEING A RECONCILING IN CHRIST SYNOD

Twenty five years ago, the Southeast Michigan Synod voted to become a Reconciling in Christ

Synod. Today, we celebrate this milestone by viewing a short video and the reception of a

certificate, presented by Ms. Wendy Wellman and Mr. Merton Spencer.

SALEM/FLINT

Ms. Karen Boegner and Ms. Pat Legg of Salem/Flint were called upon to express their thanks to

the Synod for all the support received during the ongoing Water Crisis, and presented the Bishop

with a commemorative art piece.

BISHOP’S REMARKS

The Bishop amended his report to emphasize that the Synod support of Salem/Flint would continue

into the future with renewed effort and commitment.

SYNOD COUNCIL ACTION ITEMS CONTINUED

AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION Synod Secretary George Watson explained the amendments to the Synod Constitution that have

recommended for adoption by the 2016 Churchwide Assembly and by our Synod Council: S7.11.01. The time and place of the Synod Assembly shall be determined by the Synod Council. The time and place

for the next regular assembly normally shall be announced 6 months prior to the assembly.

S7.22. The This synod may establish processes that permit retired ordained rostered ministers, retired associates

in ministry, retired deaconesses, and retired diaconal ministers on the roster of this synod to serve as

voting members of the Synod Assembly, consistent with †S7.21.c. above. The synod may establish

processes that permit ordained ministers, associates in ministry, deaconesses, and diaconal ministers who

are on leave from call, or those designated as disabled, or on leave from call, on the roster of the synod to

serve as voting members of the Synod Assembly, consistent with †S7.21.c. above. If the synod does not

establish processes to permit the rostered leaders ministers specified above to serve as voting members,

they shall have voice but not vote in the meetings of the Synod Assembly.

S7.24. Ordained ministers Ministers under call on the rosters of this synod shall remain as members of the Synod

Assembly so long as they remain under call and so long as their names appear on the rosters of ordained

ministers of this synod. Associates in ministry, deaconesses of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in

America, and diaconal ministers of this church serving under call on the roster of this synod shall remain

as members of the Synod Assembly so long as they remain under call and so long as their names appear

on the official lay roster of this synod. Lay members of the Synod Assembly representing congregations

shall continue as such until replaced by the election of new members or until they have been disqualified

by termination of membership. Normally, congregations will hold elections prior to each regular meeting

of the Synod Assembly.

S7.27. This synod may establish processes through the Synod Council to grant an ordained minister of Word and

Sacrament from a church body with which a relationship of full communion has been declared and

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established by the Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America the privilege of

both voice and vote in the Synod Assembly during the period of that ordained minister’s service in a

congregation of this church.

S8.55. Should the vice president, secretary, or treasurer die, resign, or be unable to serve, the bishop, with the

approval of the Executive Committee of the Synod Council, shall arrange for the appropriate care of the

responsibilities of the officer until an election of a new officer can be held or, in the case of temporary

disability, until the officer is able to serve again. The term of the successor officer, elected by the next

Synod Assembly, shall be four years. If the treasurer is appointed by the Synod Council, the Synod

Council shall appoint a new treasurer to a four year term.

S10.03. The functions of the Synod Council shall be to:

. . .

d. Provide for an annual review of the roster of ordained ministers of Word and Sacrament and the roster

of ministers of Word and Service and of other official rosters, receive and act upon appropriate

recommendations regarding those persons whose status is subject to reconsideration and action under

the constitution and bylaws of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and make a report to the

Synod Assembly of the Synod Council’s actions in this regard.

e. Issue letters of call to ordained rostered ministers and letters of call to associates in ministry,

deaconesses, and diaconal ministers as authorized by Chapter 7 of the constitution and bylaws of the

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

. . .

S11.11. This synod shall in its bylaws or by continuing resolution establish a process to ensure that the members

of its committees and other organizational units will be persons possessing the necessary knowledge and

competence to be effective members of such units, and to meet the requirements of †S6.04. With the

exception of ordained ministers on the rosters of this synod who reside outside the territory of this synod,

each member of a committee of this synod, or any other organizational unit created by this synod, shall

be a voting member of a congregation of this synod.

S13.11. When a pastor or when an associate in ministry, deaconess, or diaconal rostered minister resigns, the

Congregation Council shall receive the letter of resignation, report it to the congregation, and at once

notify the bishop of this synod.

S13.12. A congregation under financial obligation to its former pastor or associate in ministry, deaconess, or

diaconal rostered minister shall make satisfactory settlement of the obligation before calling a successor.

Chapter 14.

ORDAINED MINISTERS AND LAY ROSTERED MINISTERS

S14.10. Ministers of Word and Sacrament

S14.013. The pastor (a) shall keep accurate parochial records of all baptisms, confirmations, marriages, burials,

communicants, members received, members dismissed, or members excluded from the congregation, (b)

shall submit a summary of such statistics annually to this synod, and (c) shall become a member of the

congregation upon receipt and acceptance of the letter of call. In a parish of multiple congregations, the

pastor shall hold membership in one of the congregations.

S14.014. Whenever members of a congregation move to such a distance that regular attendance at its services

becomes impractical, it shall be the duty of the pastor to commend them, upon their consent, to the pastoral

care of a Lutheran congregation nearer to their place of residence.

S14.015. Each ordained minister of Word and Sacrament on the roster of this synod shall submit a report of his or

her ministry to the bishop of the synod at least 90 days prior to each regular meeting of the Synod

Assembly.

†S14.116. When a congregation of this church desires to call a pastor or a candidate for the pastoral office in the

ordained ministry of Word and Sacrament of this church:

. . .

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b. For issuance of a letter of call to a pastor or pastoral candidate by a congregation of this synod in

accord with ELCA constitutional provision 7.41., a two-thirds majority ballot vote shall be required

of voting members of the congregation present and voting at a meeting regularly called for the purpose

of issuing such a call.

. . .

S14.127. No ordained minister of Word and Sacrament shall accept a call without first conferring with the bishop

of this synod. An ordained minister of Word and Sacrament shall respond with an answer of acceptance

or declination to a letter of call within 30 days of receipt of such call. In exceptional circumstances with

the approval of the bishop of this synod and the chair of the Congregation Council of the congregation

issuing the call, an additional 15 days may be granted to respond to a letter of call.

S14.215. All ordained ministers of Word and Sacrament under a call shall attend meetings of the Synod Assembly,

and the pastors of congregations shall also attend the meetings of the conference, Conference, coalition,

or other area subdivision to which the congregation belongs.

S14.30. Official Rosters of Laypersons Ministers of Word and Service

S14.33. The minister of Word and Service shall become a member of the congregation upon receipt and

acceptance of the letter of call. In a parish of multiple congregations, the minister of Word and Service

shall hold membership in one of the congregations.

S14.34. Each minister of Word and Service on the roster of this synod shall submit a report of his or her ministry

to the bishop of the synod at least 90 days prior to each regular meeting of the Synod Assembly.

S14.42. No minister of Word and Service shall accept a call without first conferring with the bishop of this synod.

A minister of Word and Service shall respond with an answer of acceptance or declination to a letter of

call within 30 days of receipt of such call. In exceptional circumstances with the approval of the bishop

of this synod and the chair of the Congregation Council of the congregation issuing the call, an additional

15 days may be granted to respond to a letter of call.

S14.47. All ministers of Word and Service under a call shall attend meetings of the Synod Assembly, and the

ministers of Word and Service of congregations shall also attend the meetings of the conference,

Conference, coalition, or other area subdivision to which the congregation belongs.

S7.22.01. Retired ordained ministers retired associates in ministry, retired deaconesses, and retired diaconal

ministersMinsters of Word and Sacrament and retired Ministers of Word and Service on the roster

of the Synod, shall be voting members, consistent with S7.21.c. above.

S7 22.01.B15 Retired ordained ministers retired associates in ministry, retired deaconesses, and retired diaconal

ministersMinisters of Word and Sacrament and retired Minister of Word and Service on the roster

of the Synod, shall be voting members, consistent with S7.21.c. above, provided they are a voting

member of a congregation of this Synod. The Synod, in order to achieve male/female balance in the

total voting membership may designate additional “at large” lay Voting Member positions to

compensate for any imbalance in the male/female mix in the voting membership of rostered

individuals. Such additional “at large” positions shall be designated as male or female as required

and shall be allocated by the Executive Committee among congregations of the Synod.

S7.22.02 All retired ordained ministers, all ordained ministersMinisters of Word and Sacrament and

Ministers of Word and Service on leave from call, all associates in ministry on leave from call or

retired, all deaconesses of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on leave from call or

retired, and all diaconal ministers of this church on leave from call or retired, all of whose names

appear on the rosters of this synod, shall have the privilege of voice but not vote at all meetings of

the Synod Assembly. The presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and

such other official representatives of this church as may be designated from time to time by the

Church Council shall have voice but not vote in the meetings of the Synod Assembly. Like

privileges shall be accorded to those additional persons whom the Synod Assembly or the Synod

Council shall from time to time designate.

26

After discussion, the Assembly voted on the recommendation to amend the Synod’s Constitution

and Bylaws as proposed.

SA17.05. 18 ADOPTED

RECOGNITION

The Bishop called Mr. Chuck Lindquist to the stage to recognize him for the service he has

provided to the Church in a variety of capacities.

INSTALLATION

The Bishop asked the newly elected members of the Synod Council to come forward as well as

those members who are continuing to serve. He then led the Assembly in the Rite of Installation.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Bishop made a number of announcements, including the 2018 Synod Assembly dates would

be May 11 & 12, 2018.

ADJOURNMENT The Twenty-Ninth Synod Assembly concluded with the Order for Blessing at the Close of the

Assembly.

Bishop Kreiss adjourned The Twenty-Ninth Synod Assembly at 2:12 PM.

WORSHIP

The Assembly gathered for Closing Worship. Bishop Don Kreiss Presided and The Rev. Wm.

Chris Boerger preached. Ms. Vicky Lovell:Assisting Minister. Lector: Mr. Merton Spencer.

Crucifer: Pr. Eric Johnson. Sacristan: Pr. Jennifer Kiefer. Communion Assistants: Bishop Kreiss,

Ms. Beth Fisher, Mr. Al Asfour, Sec. Chris Boerger, Mr. George Watson, Ms. Marie Cook, Pr.

Heather Holland, Pr. Martin Gehring, Pr. Gary MacManus, Pr. Lauren Kirsh-Carr, Ms. Valinda

Vincent, Pr. Alan Casillas, Pr. Rol Troike, Ms. Lisa Jeffreys, Pr. Don Doerzbacher. Music was

provided by Michelle Carlson, Director of Music Ministry at Pilgrim/Marysville, and other

musicians from congregations of the Blue Water Conference.

Respectfully,

George C. Watson, Secretary

Documents

Southeast Michigan Synod of the · Pr. Rol Troike, Dean Pr. Alan Casillas, St. Paul/Imlay City Pr. Donald Doerzbacher, Our Saviour/Port Huron Pr. Roger Facione, Retired/Supply at