Section D — Reports of the Officers and Council Committees
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Section D — Reports of the Officers and Council Committees As trustees of the synod (Bylaws, Part VII), the synod council supervises and evaluates the mission and ministry of the synod. This section describes how these duties are carried out and the results of these actions. Synod Council Chair better stewardship of human resources. Structural renewal, guided by the Holy Spirit, to borrow a Dear Brothers & Sisters who make up the Synod of seminary slogan, “Faithful for the Future” is about Alberta and the Territories, hope. I came that they may have life, Direction comes from the women and men, and lay and and have it abundantly. - John 10:10b rostered, who have answered the Holy Spirit’s call to These words of Our Lord, remembered by John, are serve as leaders. Expressly, each of our five among my favourite in all of Scripture. These are words conferences have a lay and a rostered representative of relationship, of hope and of direction. It is with this who serves as a member of Synod Council. They are: understanding that I offer my report. Southwestern: Jennifer Laurendeau Last summer the ELCIC in convention passed several Rev. Julianne Barlow motions to create a more inclusive Church - these East Central: Marilyn Murray motions have caused controversy resulting in some Rev. Paul McCormick congregations leaving us: our Synod was particularly West Central Gail Berg hard hit. Yet over 100 congregations, regardless of Rev. Gary Aicken their views on these new policies concerning human Northern Norm Olson sexuality, have remained. I want to believe that there is Rev. Markus Wilhelm among us a shared belief that what we have in Southern Wayne Street common absolutely outweighs anything that could Rev. Julianne Wehrfritz-Hanson divide us. We share a relationship with a loving, Synod Council also has a dedicated executive: Brenda forgiving, hope-giving God revealed in Jesus Christ. Visser - Secretary; Stephen Wildfang - Treasurer; Rev. We are under -girded by three profound statements of Ron Mayan - Bishop; Rev. Tim Posyluzny - Chair. Rev. belief - the Nicene Creed, the Apostles’ Creed, and the David Holmes (ACC) brings us insight as our full Athanasian Creed. We have a denominational theology communion partner representative. At Synod Council explained in the documents of the Book of Concord of meetings our National Church Council (NCC) is 1580. These documents which include the Unaltered represented by Barb Stolee, Allyn Langager, and Rev. Augsburg Confession, Luther’s Small Catechism, and Trish Schmermund who in turn represent us. the Apology of the Augsburg Confession, all point us to our need for and freedom to rely on the gift of grace. Leadership at the conference level is provided by God loves us, warts and all. This commonality is the deans and a conference council. I have invited the basis of a lasting relationship. deans to share something good and/or forward-looking happening in their conference. Here’s their sharing: Structural renewal is not a feeble attempt to plug a hole Rev. Dennis Aicken - in a sinking ship - structural renewal is about mission. Abundant Life Lutheran that mission is the sharing of the Gospel, working for Church, NW Calgary was officially organized justice, and supporting our lay and rostered leadership. September 25, 2011 which Bishop Mayan notes as the I see this happening as congregations are intentionally first new congregation welcomed within our Synod connected with each other in newly created areas since his election in 2006/ Monthly Lutheran Youth together with the encouragement of area team leaders. events across our conference have considerable Three synods and a triennial convention schedule will momentum as teens gather to grow in faith and allow for both a streamlined system of governance and develop new friendships. Section D — Page 1 Rev. Brad Everett - In the wake of July, 2011 there has “Canada Lutheran” insert; office staff - Kathy Budgell and been a renewed interest in our cluster gatherings. It’s a Trudy Davis and our senior synod staff - Sharon Villetard for time for worship, study and conversation, support and providing so much of the glue, Assistant to the Bishop, The encouragement. There is a sense of a ministerium. Rev. Dr. Larry Kochendorfer for a gentle and strong presence, and to Bishop Ron for bearing such a heavy yoke. Rev. Eleanor Ness - In the coming year, the East Central Conference is focusing on the renewal of its We have direction. Relationship, hope and direction are gifts congregations and people s it continues with Bishop given us by a Lord who desires an abundant life for His Ron’s “Evangelizing the Church” project. Just as the Church and each one of us who make up this synod. snows in March brought needed moisture for the fields, Respectfully Submitted, pastures and gardens of our conference, so to is God’s The Rev. Tim Posyluzny, STM Spirit working to nourish and strengthen the people of Synod Chairperson this Conference through word and sacrament and a spirit of love and service to all who live within the conference. It has not been easy for the congregations to work through the issues raised by the 2011 ELCIC SECRETARY’S REPORT National Convention, but God’s healing presence has A .The following meetings of the Synod Council were been and is being felt. The commitment to being God’s held with actions reported in Sections B - D of this people in the place each congregation is located is report: strong. June 3, 2010 Rev. Markus Wilhelm - David Petterson is now an “urban June 6, 2010 missionary”, commissioned by the Synod. It speaks to the June 22, 2010 (electronic vote) diversity in our conference. We’re not all the same, nor July 12, 2010 (conference call) should we be. I’m also impressed with Pastor Reimer’s October 19, 2010 (electronic vote) campus ministry at the U of A and Lutheran Student November 26, 2010 Movement. There is spirit and drive as evidenced by the December 7, 2010 (electronic vote) student house renovations. And we appreciate the ministry March 25, 2011 provided by Anne Zimmerman and “On Eagle’s Wings”. Spring, 2011 (electronic votes) The Rev. John Lentz - Many hands attached to many good September 23, 2011 hearts at St. Paul’s, Olds eagerly proclaim Christ in word and Fall 2011, Winter 2012 (electronic votes) deed. A number of ladies and a few good men who venture March 23, 2012 into the Annual Quilting Bee have outdone themselves yet The following Executive Committee meetings were held, with again. They’ve put together over 80 quilts; over 80 CLWR actions ratified at a subsequent meeting of the Council: ‘We Care" kits; an older gentleman (of 90) produced over 200 cloth bandage rolls (300 was his target but he passed to his September 7, 2010 risen life before reaching that goal); and the Sunday School December 9, 2011 put together 20 - 30 Kiddie3 Kits. The quilting has gathered B. Appointments such attention, we have some helpers now from the community at large. A wonderful annual act of giving! SC10-38 To appoint the following to serve as the next Review of the Bishop’s Performance Committee: And at Camp Kuriakos and Mulhurst, programming continues Pastor Gary Aicken, Pastor Paul McCormick, Wayne to form and inform our young people...and older people alike. Street and Gail Berg. An example of this is Camp Kuriakos’ Adventure trip - “A Week in the Woods I” and a “Week in the Woods II”. SC10-45 That The Rev. David Holmes be appointed to serve as the full communion partner on the Synod All these women and men deserve our thanks for their Council with seat, voice and vote. (This is with leadership; and when you encounter them please do share reference to Part VII. Section 1 and Article IX, Section some expression of appreciation. 1.) Of course, a warm word of thanks and appreciation needs to SC10-47 That Council appoints Frank Thede and Arnie go to all our synod staff: the deployed part-time staff - Rev. Reimer to the Constitutional Review Committee for a Renita Falkenstern and Rev. Ryan Andersen, social ministry term of four years. (Arnie Reimer did not accept coordinators and Colleen McGinnis who edits our synod’s appointment.) Section D — Page 2 SC11-46 That the following be appointed to the • Florence Wind - year 3 Committee for Theological Education and Leadership SC11-17 That Pastor Gary Watts be granted “retired” with terms to expire as indicated: status, effective June 30, 2010 • The Rev. Susan Horton (2016) SC11-18 That Pastor Tim Posyluzny be granted “retired” • Darcy Calkins (2016) status, effective May 31, 2011. • Greg Lingelback (2014) SC11-19 That Pastor Alvin Oberhammer be granted C. Calls Issues and Roster Status “retired” status, effective Oct. 1, 2010. SC10-24 To grant The Rev. Kung Kim Wong retired SC11-20 That Pastor Horst Aechtner be granted “retired” status. status, effective May 1, 2011. SC10-26 To issue a call to The Rev. Dr. Larry SC11-23 That The Rev. Kathleen Schmitke be called to Kochendorfer as Assistant to the Bishop. The call to be special service - interim ministry. co-terminus with that of the Bishop. SC11-24 That The Rev. Karl Hedlin be removed from the SC10-30 To grant retired status to The Rev. David Morck roster. as of August 31, 2010. SC11-27 That the Rev. Kenn Ward be granted the status SC10-48 That the Rev. Mark Hornig be called to special of ‘retired’ effective May 31, 2011 service - chaplaincy. SC11-28 That The Rev. Cindy Ninow be called to special SC11-10 That Philip Penrod be received onto the roster service - chaplaincy.