Executive Reports (Officers & Deans)
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EXECUTIVE REPORTS (OFFICERS & DEANS) REPORT OF THE BISHOP It is time for congregations and rostered ministers to assemble as synod – an expression of the church that enriches the bond of our baptismal fellowship, extends our proclamation of the Gospel, and strengthens our service in the name of Jesus Christ. We assemble – Freed in Christ for a New Day – confident that God’s intention is to demonstrate faithfulness to God’s people and to call believers to respond with lives of thanks- giving, praise, and compassionate deeds for Jesus’ sake. Synod Assembly 2019 will not be simply one more meeting. It will be an occasion when the Triune God acts to fashion a more faithful, robust Lutheran witness in northeastern Pennsylvania. We assemble, therefore, with anticipation on June 1, 2019 in Hazleton as the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod – Evangelical Luther- an Church in America. It will also mark the 50th Anniversary of the synod’s incorporation, which we will ob- serve during the assembly luncheon. Assembly 2019 is planned for one day, so there is limited time to carry out the reporting and business re- sponsibilities to come before us. Planners worked hard to create an agenda that allows for effective comple- tion of our tasks and for meaningful interaction and conversation. Prompted by cost savings afforded by a one-day assembly, assembly planners encourage congregations to apply the savings to costs for a 21/2-day assembly in 2020, when sufficient time is needed to elect a new synod bishop. I continue to rejoice over the ministry exercised by pastors and deacons of this synod. Faithful ministers of word and sacrament, and of word and service, daily provide leadership to congregations eager to bear wit- ness to the Gospel in their communities. Creative ministries abound and are arising in every mission district. I get to observe those ministries and see leaders and members find their faith renewed by them. I also see local members and leaders active in ministry having impact on the mission of this church beyond the synod territory. Since 2014, congregations have participated in Always Being Made New: Campaign for the ELCA with a goal to have 100% of congregations make a contribution to the campaign. In the weeks leading to the 2019 assembly I can report that 90% of synod congregations have participated. Across the ELCA, $181M (as of March 1) has been raised toward the $198M goal; an additional $45M has been raised in planned giving. Ten ministries targeted to receive campaign funds, including ELCA World Hunger, have been strengthened or expanded. We not only give thanks at the outcome, but also rejoice at the renewal of this church because of the churchwide enthusiasm created by the campaign. I commend all who have been supportive of Always Being Made New. What’s more, I am pleased to welcome the Rev. Ron Glusenkamp, campaign director, to our assembly as churchwide representative. In August, approximately 30 voting members of this synod will attend the 2019 ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Milwaukee, WI. At that assembly, a presiding bishop and secretary will be elected. Action will be taken on a proposed social statement concerning justice for women, and a statement about interreligious commit- ments will be presented to the assembly. Both documents are important guides for ELCA members in our time. This synod’s Churchwide Assembly voting members will discover the breadth and depth of this church’s ministries in the U.S. and around the globe. Your sharing of congregational offerings to mission support makes possible so many expressions of God’s love in the risen Jesus. Transitions have occurred across the ELCA. The formation of United Lutheran Seminary, to which this synod has a formal relationship deserves attention. It required bold leadership to bring together the Lutheran semi- naries in Gettysburg and Philadelphia. Hard decisions had to be made, and no one could have foreseen what transpired next. Many who are graduates of, or who have provided generous financial support to, ULS and its predecessor schools are worried about the toll taken on the new seminary by dynamics of the transition. In the face of all the challenges, I encourage this synod to offer ULS whatever support is possible – financial, prayer, and en- couragement to students, faculty, staff, and administration. I encourage support of ULS because I respect the sincere efforts of those who led the predecessor seminar- ies to combine. They could have side-stepped consolidation, in the hope that something would work out for each school, or simply resigned themselves to the eventual closing of one or both schools. They chose a harder path, a path I believe worthy of consideration by our congregations when reaching a point of dimin- ished viability. It is not necessary to acquiesce to eventual closure. Considered early enough and with re- solve to build a new basis for mission and ministry, consolidation (of staff, or buildings, or organizational 3 structure) with another Lutheran congregation, or a Full Communion partner congregation, can keep the spirit of a congregation alive. The synod’s organizational landscape too has experienced transition. Changes in synod staffing and officers have occurred since Assembly 2018. One bishop’s associate retired; another stepped down for family rea- sons; a third moved to part-time status. A support staff member retired, with responsibilities assigned to exist- ing support staff. Changing financial circumstances required adjusting the support staff work week from five days to four days. Completing this transition process, a vice president and secretary will be elected at As- sembly 2019 to fill two of the synod’s four offices. We have reached a time in this synod’s fifty-year history when sustaining the large number of congregations on our territory is increasingly difficult. There are many reasons for the growing difficulty. Continued closing of congregations based on current decision making by some will severely diminish the Lutheran witness in some areas of our synod. A new path is called for: a path that may require sacrifice, change, and hardship for a while; a path nonetheless that leads to a renewed Lutheran witness. Our consolation is that God does not abandon God’s people in pursuit of faithful witness. I want to make sure there is synod-wide awareness that steps were taken to be clear about this synod’s zero- tolerance of sexual misconduct by rostered ministers. To that end, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod’s Synod Policy on Sexual Misconduct by Rostered Ministers underwent careful revision since Assembly 2018. Every rostered minister received a copy of the revised policy, with instruction to make it available to and known by congregation councils and other ministry oversight bodies. Our places of ministry must be safe places for all and our leaders must be trustworthy servants of Christ. When Assembly 2019 ends, we move into a year of discernment in anticipation of the election of a new bish- op. The Synod Council has authorized formation of a team responsible for helpful discernment activities and events provided by the ELCA Churchwide office. Watch for announcements of events at which conversa- tions about future leadership needs and mission priorities. The team will finish its work prior to Assembly 2020, providing information garnered from the gatherings. The information is meant to assist voting mem- bers in the call of a new bishop. Moving into our final year of ministry together, I commit myself to vigorous effort on behalf of the rostered ministers and congregations of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod. I invite you to join me in doing all that can be done to strengthen the Lutheran witness to the good news of God’s love in Jesus Christ across this synod. Freed in Christ for a New Day, let us give thanks always for God’s goodness to us. Samuel R. Zeiser, Bishop REPORT OF THE VICE PRESIDENT My son, Brock, asked to have a few friends over to celebrate his 11th birthday. Naturally, my thoughts imme- diately went to invitations as I opened up Etsy on my phone to peruse creative ideas. “What kind of theme do you want this year, buddy?” I asked him excitedly as I recalled the custom themed invitations ordered for pri- or birthdays. I was already typing my guess of “video games” into the search bar when he said, “I don’t know. None, I guess. I think I’ll just send a text.” I was horrified. Perhaps that is the way of the world, but I’m of a different opinion: Invitations -- and the way they are presented -- matter. I just simply can’t imagine a special event without something pretty or fun to post on the fridge as a reminder of a joyful time yet to come! When was the last time you received a compelling invitation that stirred your heart? Was it a thick wedding invitation on linen paper with a wax seal and organza ribbon? Was it a sincere offer to take you to lunch by an old friend who already had her calendar out, ready to find a date and time that would work for you both? Or perhaps it was someone making eye contact with you and smiling, patting the empty seat next to him to gesture that you are especially welcome to join the table. Sincere invitations come in different packaging, but all get the same response. More than likely, you didn’t think twice about accepting: of course you’ll RSVP to the wedding -- and the shower! Of course you’ll be looking forward to the lunch -- where’s your favorite place to eat? Of course you’ll gladly have a seat -- thank you! Smiles and warm hearts abound.