NORTHEASTERN OHIO SYNOD CONFERENCE of DEANS REPORT of the BISHOP August 1, 2018 ASSEMBLY REVIEW and DISCUSSION 1
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NORTHEASTERN OHIO SYNOD CONFERENCE OF DEANS REPORT OF THE BISHOP August 1, 2018 ASSEMBLY REVIEW AND DISCUSSION 1. You may have already read on other platforms some of my reflections on the 2018 Northeastern Ohio Synod Assembly. What follows is a brief summary of those comments I have shared elsewhere. 2. This was, in my opinion, the best of the four Assemblies I’ve chaired. These were the highlights: a. Pr. Watson’s Bible study on 2 Corinthians 5:14-21 was excellent. b. ELCA Representative Mikka McCracken’s remarks were as powerful as expected. c. Amanda Silcox’s remarks about advocacy and her time as a Young Adult in Global Mission were a highlight of the Assembly and greatly exceeded expectations. d. Though we still struggle with the perception that the Assembly is a “business meeting” not an “event,” I believe we’ve made progress in that regard this year with the quality of the speakers, the music, the youth involvement. e. We continue to make enhancements. We introduced live streaming this year. Though attendance was lower than in previous years, the people who tuned in on live streaming would have been the equivalent of 35 additional people attending the assembly. 3. I realize it has been nearly two months since the event, but I would welcome any feedback, whether it be your own impressions or what you may have heard from others. 4. The dates for the 2019 Assembly are June 13-14. That may seem a little later than usual, but it is still the second full weekend in June. The theme is “Who Is My Neighbor?” The scripture base for the theme is Luke 10:25-35, the parable of the Good Samaritan. ELCA YOUTH GATHERING 1. 540 Northeastern youth and adult leaders attended the ELCA Youth Gathering in Houston. 2. I also attended the Multicultural Youth Leadership Event before the assembly, which is geared toward youths who are either persons of color or whose primary language is other than English. It was held simultaneously with the “tABLE” for differently abled youths. Though both of these events fed into the main Youth Gathering later in the week, they provided opportunities for the diversity of our youth to shine in a smaller setting. 3. I have already had a review meeting with Pastor Kathy Kluck and Darlene Waugh, the synod coordinators for the Gathering. However, it would also be helpful to hear your thoughts regarding the ELCA Youth Gathering. I know that at least two of you attended. PASTORAL/CONGREGATIONAL TRANSITIONS We have had a flurry of activity on the transition front. 1. Pr. Rich Leseganich, formerly of Trinity Vermilion, accepted a call to the Florida- Bahamas Synod. 2. Pr. Mike Conklin (Rejoice, Hudson), has accepted a call to the Northwest Lower Michigan Synod. 3. Pr. Rebecca Mangelsdorf (On Leave from Call) accepted a synodical call to the Central States Synod. 4. Pr. Sherman Bishop has resigned at Prince of Peace, Westlake, and will become the interim at Trinity, Vermilion. 5. Pr. Shelley Nelson-Bridger has been called as Executive Director of United Protestant Campus Ministry (UPCaM). She begins her call today. I note that this gives us a Lutheran presence on that organization, which we haven’t had for some time. 6. Pr. Don King (Peace, Cleveland Heights) retired effective July 31. However, he will continue as Dean of the Cleveland East Conference. 7. Pr. Rich Israel (St. Paul’s Episcopal, Cleveland Heights) has retired, effective, September 30. He has completed his ministry at St. Paul’s and is currently on vacation. The following two announcements are embargoed until they become official: 8. Pr. Doug Pretorius (St. Paul, Bellville) has announced (somewhat prematurely) that he will be accepting a call to the Northwestern Ohio Synod. The vote will be taken this coming Sunday, August 5. 9. Pr. Mark Rollenhagen (Good Soil) will accept a call to the Metro Chicago Synod. That vote will be taken on August 12. Three installations are taking place in the next two months. 10. Pr. Paul Moody will be installed at Messiah, Lyndhurst, on Sunday, August 12 at 4 p.m. 11. Pr. Dan Skillman will be installed at St. Paul, Berea, on Sunday, September 16. Pr. Tom Henderson will retire, effective October 7. 12. Deacon Lindsay Bailey will be installed at St. Matthew, Medina, on Sunday, September 23, during the regular worship services. 13. Please see Pr. Karl Biermann’s report for other transitions. 14. The Lutheran Church of the Master, Bedford, and Pr. Bobbie Davis-Newhouse, (PCUSA) agreed to end her ministry among them due to Pastor’s disability. Her last Sunday will be August 19. 2 15. Stone, Ashland, took a first vote to leave the ELCA on June 17. The vote was unanimous (35-0). They must wait 90 days to take a second vote. I have offered to consult with them but so far have had no response. 16. Actions such as the one above are sometimes fueled by anxiety of not having a called pastor. In my visitations, I’m encouraging congregations that are in transition and call processes to remain calm and to trust in God’s guidance throughout the process. PRAYER CONCERNS 1. Pr. Clyde McGee is in Green Village Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation, 708 More Rd, Akron, OH 44319, recovering from a broken hip. 2. Pr. Joe Ertl is recuperating at home following hernia surgery. UPCOMING EVENTS 1. The ELCA Task Force on Women and Justice: One in Christ invites you to read and evaluate the "Draft of a Social Statement on Women and Justice." The Northeastern Ohio Synod will also hold a hearing for feedback on specific parts of the text on Saturday, August 11, 2018 here at the Lutheran Center offices from 10:00 a.m. to noon. 2. The theme for the Fall Bishop’s Gatherings is “Faithful, Adventurous, And Tenacious: Some How-To Steps for Council Leaders” The focus will be on council leadership training. There will be three workshops which will concentrate on the following areas: • Expectations of a Council Leader • Effective Council Meetings • How to Handle Anticipated Budget Shortfalls Dates, times and locations are as follows: • September 22, 9:30 a.m. at Zion, Wooster • October 6, 9:30 a.m. at Grace, Austintown 3. Please promote and encourage these events in your conference. There is more detailed information on the Northeastern Ohio Synod website and on the weekly e- news. 4. I am currently working on setting the schedule for Bishop Conference visits. I would hope to complete it at this meeting. DATE CONFERENCE LOCATION Thursday, September 13 Cleveland East Thursday, September 20 Akron-Wooster Thursday, October 4 Cleveland West Southern Eastern Richland-Ashland Canton-Massillon 3 MY CALENDAR I will be out of the office on the following dates: 1. August 27-September 3 Vacation 2. September 3, Lutheran Center Offices closed for Labor Day Holiday 3. September 18-19 ELCA Task Force on Diversity, Chicago 4. September 27-October 3 Conference of Bishops, Chicago 5. October 10, Ohio Council of Churches, Columbus 6. October 22, Lutheran Center Office Closed (following Synod Council retreat October 19-20) +Bishop Abraham Allende 4 Northeastern Ohio Synod Conference Dean’s Meeting Report August 1, 2018 The Lutheran Center / Pastor Karl Biermann, assistant to the bishop Page 1 of 3 Installation Announced --Warren, Emmanuel: Eugene Koene installed June 3. Calls Extended and Accepted --Berea, St. Paul: Dan Skillman called on June 17, 2018 to succeed Tom Henderson. Installation September 16. --Cleveland, United Protestant Campus Ministries (UPCaM): Shelley Nelson-Bridger, executive director, beginning August 1. Installation date to-be-determined. --Lyndhurst, Messiah: Paul Moody called on June 10. Installation August 12. --Medina, St. Matthew: Deacon Lindsay Bailey called on May 20, consecrated June 2. Installation September 23. NEOS Pastor to Serve as Campus Ministry Executive Director: The Rev. Shelley Nelson-Bridger, begins serving as the executive director of United Protestant Campus Ministries (UPCaM) of Cleveland on August 1. UPCaM facilitates mission and ministry with the students of Cleveland State, Case Western Reserve, and Cuyahoga Community College. Campus ministry partners include congregations of the Presbyterian Church USA; the United Church of Christ; the American Baptist Church (USA); the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc.; the United Methodist Church; the Christian Church/Disciples of Christ; the Episcopal Church USA; and the ELCA. Worship Planners Anticipate Next Synod Assembly: Synod Worship Committee volunteers and bishop’s staff reviewed feedback from the Opening Eucharist and Morning and Evening prayer services held during the recent Synod Assembly, June 8-9, at the John S. Knight Center, Akron. The services reflected the Assembly’s theme, “Ambassadors for Christ: 2 Corinthians 5:20.” Input will be used to help plan worship services for the next Synod Assembly, June 14-15, 2019. Youth and Sponsors Celebrate Successful ELCA Youth Gathering: More than 500 young people and adult sponsors from the Northeastern Ohio Synod were among the more than 31,000 who participated in servant projects and mass worship at the ELCA Youth Gathering, June 27 to July 1, Houston, Texas; under the theme: “This Changes Everything. The Youth Gathering proved to be a life-changing experience for many participants and generated messages of gratitude and praise in the Houston media and on social media. Camp Mowana Land Conservancy Progresses: Edited from LOMO web site and Facebook page: The Clean Ohio Fund District 16 Natural Resource Advisory Council (NRAC) approved on July 12 funding the grant proposal request for Camp Mowana to become a land conservancy. The grant project schedule includes three components: 1) Planning and implementation from September 30, 2018 to October 1, 2019; 2) Land acquisition and easements by September 30, 2019; 3) Site improvements through June 30, 2020.