Preceding the Opening of the 2006 Synod Assembly of
the Rocky Mountain Synod, two Eagle Dancers and two drummers from the
Toya family, Jemez Village, gathered the voting members and guests from
the Four Directions.
First Plenary Session, Friday,
April 28
The Synod Assembly was opened
with singing “Christ is Alive! Let Christians Sing” in the new
Evangelical Lutheran Worship Sampler, followed by the Opening
Litany. Bishop Allan Bjornberg welcomed all attendees at 2:00 pm
Friday, April 28, in Ballroom C of the Albuquerque Convention Center,
Albuquerque, New Mexico. The theme of the Assembly was “Holy Places,
Holy People.” Bishop Bjornberg reviewed the pre-assembly report and the
notebooks distributed at registration.
Adoption of the Rules of Procedure
Bishop Bjornberg referred the
assembly to the Rules of Procedure for the Synod Assembly, printed in
Section H of the pre-assembly report. He reminded members of the
assembly that any materials distributed must be approved by the
Committee on Reference and Counsel
VOTED:
SA2006.4.1. To adopt the
Rules of Procedure for the Assembly.
Adoption of the Agenda
Bishop Bjornberg reviewed the
proposed agenda for the Assembly.
VOTED:
SA2006.4.2. To adopt the
agenda for the Assembly with the privilege of the chair to adjust the
agenda as necessary.
Introduction of special guests
Bishop Bjornberg introduced the
following special guests for the assembly:
Dr. Rakoto E. Modeste, President
of the Malagasy Lutheran Church in Madagascar, and his wife Madame
Jeannette
Dr. Kenneth Inskeep, Department
for Research and Evaluation, ELCA
Dr. Gordon Lathrop, Professor
Emeritus, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
Carlos Pena, Vice President of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Galveston, Texas
Polly Bergerson, ELCA Board of
Pensions representative
Jeff Holly & Marta Jacobs,
Augsburg Fortress representatives
Pastor Ben Larzelere, assembly
chaplain
Holy Places, Holy People Presentation
Bishop Bjornberg introduced Dr.
Gordon Lathrop for the first of his Bible studies. Following the
presentation, Bishop Bjornberg announced that a DVD would be produced
which would contain all of Dr. Lathrop’s Bible studies. DVD’s would be
available for purchase in the weeks following the assembly.
Introduction of Nominating Committee
Bishop Bjornberg introduced
Pastor Nathan Doerr, chair of the nominating committee. Pr. Doerr
announced that nominations would be received from the floor later in the
business sessio
Report of the Credentials Committee
Katherine Cruson, synod
secretary, reported 420 voting members present.
Orientation to Election Process and
Ecclesiastical Ballot
Bishop Bjornberg introduced
Carlos Pena, Vice President of ELCA, to explain and conduct the
Election Process for Bishop, including the First Ballot which was an
Ecclesiastical Ballot.
Report of the Credentials Committee
Katherine Cruson, synod
secretary, reported 431 voting members were present.
Chaplain Larzelere prayed before
the first ballot.
Mr. Pena announced the close of
the first ballot for bishop.
ELCA Presentation
Mr. Carlos Pena, Vice President
of the ELCA, gave a first welcome in Spanish. Then he spoke of his
travels all over the world, meeting many folks from different faiths. On
behalf of Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson, Mr. Pena thanked the Rocky
Mountain Synod for their mission support commitments and the synod
council for their time and leadership. He also thanked people from the
synod who serve on churchwide boards and committees.
Mr. Pena introduced Bishop
Hanson’s video, “What does it mean to be Lutheran?” Following the
video, Mr. Pena reported on the ELCA response to disaster relief and
world hunger: 2005 disaster relief reached $36.8 million for Indonesian
tsunami and Hurricane Katrina; 2004 disaster relief was $10.5 million;
2005 World Hunger donations reached $17.7 million.
Nominating Committee
Bishop Bjornberg introduced
Nathan Doerr, chair of the committee, who announced that anyone
nominated must complete a biographical form to be distributed on
Saturday morning. Nominations from the floor included the following:
Synod Treasurer: none
Synod Council:
At large clergy:
- Paul Everett –Ascension
Lutheran, Cheyenne WY (no Application for Nomination was received,
so Pastor Everett was not included on the ballot)
- Susan Honn – Casper, WY
Lay Female at large:
- Diana Linden – St Paul,
Denver, CO
- Chris Renquist - Lord of
the Hills, Centennial, CO
- Bobby Parish - Nativity,
Commerce City, CO
- Yvonne Page – St. Paul,
Calhan, CO
Congregational Ministries
board:
Maren Felde -WY lay female
Annemarie Burke- UT clergy
Mission Outreach Board: none
Church in Society Board: None
ELCA 2007 Churchwide Assembly
North Colorado Clergy: Neil
Harrison
Boulder/Broomfield Lay female:
Carolyn Thomas, Nancy Judson
Metro West Clergy: Arlyn
Tolzmann
Southeast Colorado Lay female:
Yvonne Page
Border Lay male: Steven
Helmreich
Lay female at large: Mary
Katherine Smith
Bishop Bjornberg declared the
nominations closed and indicated that biographical forms must be retuned
to the office by 5:30 tonight.
Committee on Reference and Counsel
Bishop Bjornberg introduced
Pastor Neil Harrison, who introduced members of the committee: Katherine
Cruson, Ruth Hoffman, Jerry Jaggers, Terri McMaster. Pr. Harrison
announced that resolutions must be submitted to the synod office by 9:00
p.m. today.
Concerning Resolution #10,
Pastor Harrison pointed out that the ELCA Church Council has responded
to that resolution concerning support for Metropolitan New York Synod
Resolution SA-3005-11-03. Synod Council members will distribute
information pages concerning the resolution. Pr. Harrison asked to speak
to some authors of resolutions in the lobby after his presentation. The
Committee on Reference and Counsel must approve material for
distribution in the assembly ballroom.
Bishop Bjornberg introduced
Synod Council members: Linda Bobbitt, Katherine Cruson, Judy Hagge,
Vera Guebert-Stewart, Robert Sandoval, Srini Vasan, Jerry Jaggers,
Richard Nehring, Laurel Alexander, Bobbi Johnson, Dale Ostlie, Walt
Meyer, Kristi Beebe, Judy Dunlavy, Roger Rapp, Beth Purdum, Holly
Samuelson.
Financial Report/Budget Presentation
Bishop Bjornberg introduced
Assistant to the Bishop Dan Bollman and Treasurer Robert Sandoval for
the report of the treasurer and presentation of the proposed 2007 synod
budget.
Pastor Bollman explained that
the Campus Ministry position on lines 13, 21 and 29 of the budget is
presently a 3/4 time position and the committee is interviewing
candidates for a full-time position. A further explanation indicated
that the Synod Council proposes a 6-month budget, so everything on page
B-4 should be divided by two. Pastor Bollman and Mr. Sandoval expressed
their prayers and hope that benevolence will be lifted up in
congregations, so each congregation will increase its benevolence. They
reported that Rocky Mountain Synod is eighth among ELCA synods in total
sharing and seventh in giving to ELCA World Hunger program. Their
report further indicated that congregational giving is at $48 million,
with about 5.2% of that amount given to the synod and ELCA. This
translates to 67 cents per baptized member per week for about $35 per
baptized member per year. If each baptized member gave $1.00 additional
per week, an additional $4 million would be available for synod and ELCA
mission support.
Report of first ballot for
bishop:
Mr. Carlos Pena called on synod
secretary and elections committee chair, Katherine Cruson for the
following report:
Number of ballots cast: 429
Number of illegal ballots
cast: 6
Number of legal ballots
cast: 423
Number of votes required for
election on this ballot (75%): 318
Allan Bjornberg 285
Scott Beebe 40
Dan Bollman 13
James Hytjan 7
Dale Bauer
4
Susan Briehl
4
Mark Crates 4
Patricia Holman 3
Ben Larzelere 3
Steve Loy
3
Barbara Martens 3
The following people received
two votes each: Rick Barger, Nathan Doerr, Debra Engquist, Vera Guebert-Steward,
Wayne Kendrick, Barbara Lundblad, Kevin Maly, Sarah Moening, Vaughn
Neshiem, Hal Nilsson, Mark Peterson, Carl Walker, Connie Winter-Eulberg.
The following people received
one vote each: Steven Berke, Dan Bowman, Linda Daniels Block, Wesley
Dunbar, Braxton East, Dave Fisher, Jim Gonia, Dan Hansen, Paul Hofer,
Ann Hultquist, Neil Kvern, Gordon Lathrop, Steve Leiser, Ron Letnes,
Mark McLagan, Anne Morawski, Randy Nelson, James Nestingen, Robert
Neubauer, Paul Olsen, Wayne Pouppirt, Keith Prekker, Tom Renquist,
Wolfgang Stahlberg, Robert Vogel, Penni Walsh, Randy Young, Gene Zeller.
Mr. Pena announced that no
person received 75% of the votes, so all pastors nominated will be
listed on the Second Ballot for Bishop, unless a “Request for Withdrawal
of Name from Ballot for Bishop of the Rocky Mountain Synod” is turned in
to Secretary Katherine Cruson by 7:30 pm this evening.
Offering of Letters presentation
Bishop Bjornberg introduced
Terri McMaster, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Colorado, and Ruth Hoffman,
New Mexico Office of Governmental Ministry, who told about the Offering
of Letters to national legislators regarding the One Campaign: to reduce
extreme poverty in the world. Letters were collected, and will continue
to be collected throughout the assembly. Bishop Bjornberg expressed
appreciation to advocacy ministries in Colorado and New Mexico.
The following Time Deadlines
were announced:
Biographies for nominees due by
5:30 pm
Withdraw Name from Ballot for
Bishop due by 7:30 pm
Resolutions due by 9:00 pm
Following announcements by
Madelyn Busse, Chaplain Larzelere gave a closing prayer.
Worship
The assembly gathered for
worship at 7:30 pm in Ballroom A. Pastor Ann Hultquist presided, and
Bishop Allan Bjornberg preached the sermon.
Saturday, April 28
Following a Malagasy song “The
Sweet Song of Heaven,” Bishop Bjornberg introduced President Rakoto
Modeste of the Malagasy Lutheran Church, Madagascar. President Modeste
shared information about the Malagasy Church, their joys and needs. He
thanked members of the Rocky Mountain Synod for their partnership with
two synods in Madagascar.
Second Plenary Session, Saturday, April 28
Credentials Report
Secretary Cruson reported that
462 voting members were present.
Second Ballot for Bishop
The Second Ballot for Bishop was
distributed. Mr. Pena gave instructions about voting and Chaplain
Larzelere offered a prayer. Ballots were collected and the second
ballot for bishop was declared closed.
Introduction of Nominees for Synod Treasurer
Bishop Bjornberg introduced
Linda Bobbitt, Synod Vice President, who presented two candidates for
synod treasurer for a four-year term, Jerry Jaggers and Dennis Reynolds.
Each candidate spoke of his background and his vision for the synod.
First General Ballot
General ballots were
distributed. They were to be collected in ballot boxes around the
ballroom until 11:00am.
Kenneth Inskeep, Department for Evaluation and
Research, ELCA
Vice President Linda Bobbitt
introduced Kenneth Inskeep, who had collated and evaluated data from the
Vision, Passion, Action (VPA) conversations around the Rocky Mountain
Synod. A complete report was given to each voting member: “Vision,
Passion, Action: Rocky Mountain Synod Report.”
Key points:
- The fastest growing
population (religion) is no church. This is the most significant
challenge to us—this is who we need to reach.
- The decline of our synod
was partially because of congregations which resigned from the
ELCA. Larger congregations grew in numbers, while small ones
declined.
- 20 congregations provide
50% or more of our support.
- RMS ranks well compared to
other synods in several areas.
Conversations: What we learned,
from the report
- We said our main call is to
be evangelistic, but it is the area that we ranked most poorly.
- Conflict was mentioned more
than anything else.
- Comments about the synod
office weren’t negative but were not exceptionally positive.
- The cash in congregations
is enough to support the synod
What is the relationship of
worship to outreach?
To what extent do life-giving
themes like fellowship exclude people, not include them?
Only 11% of Sunday school
attendees were adults. How can we engage more adults in learning about
discipleship?
Synod office needs to work
harder to communicate.
We need to be providing
leadership that is visionary, unifying, and Lutheran, emphasizing grace.
Geography – the synod should
work hard to find ways to work together.
Bishop Bjornberg’s State of Synod
Vice President Bobbitt
introduced Bishop Allan Bjornberg for his State of the Synod message.
-He described his ELCA trip to
Europe and the Middle East, including meeting Pope John Paul during a
weekly general audience. Bishop Bjornberg saw two churches: east and
west, which are one church. Each church is a witness. In RMS we are one
church in many places - some thriving, others struggling, but each
witnessing.
-When a congregation closes, it
is a witness to Christ. Their assets are used to form new congregations.
When a new congregation opens, it is a witness to the power of the
gospel.
- This “Vision, Passion, Action”
report is a very impressive piece of work. Good news--there were
virtually no surprises. The bad news is the same: what we thought we
were dealing with, we are. Bishop Bjornberg indicated that his most
profound discovery was rediscovering the power of apostolic visitation.
It was good to visit folks in Turkey, but for them it was life giving--a
connection to other Christians, just as for folks in the Rocky Mountain
Synod. He presented four other areas to consider in the framework of
Vision, Passion, Action:
- Think and talk together
about how we do Bible as Lutherans.
- How do we make our Lutheran
identity more public – both within our congregations and outside? We
have great theology that respects people’s intellect. We are all
called to theology and to witness.
- Help each other discover
the poor--the heart of gospel work. We are called to serve these
folks both in and outside our congregations.
- Attend to spiritual
disciplines. What does it mean to live as a disciple of Christ? What
are the norms for our life together and in the world?
-As a synod we will continue
planting congregations: about four a year in our synod. We will
continue to do candidacy and youth gatherings, facilitate call
processes, participate in ecumenical ministries, live into our
life-giving companion synod relationships with Madagascar. We will
continue first call continuing education for pastors, apostolic
visitation, campus ministries, outdoor ministries, mission endowment
fund growth.
-Bishop Bjornberg expressed
thanks to the folks with generous hearts, to synod staff, and to
Administrative Assistant Carolyn Thomas for her years of faithful
service as he announced her retirement in August. Finally, he thanked
everyone, including all of us and his wife Vianne.
Holy Places, Holy People Presentation
Dr. Gordon Lathrop presented the
second part of his Bible study.
Mission Outreach/Mission Partners/Mission
Endowment Fund
Bishop Bjornberg introduced
Assistant to the Bishop Jim Hytjan and Jerry Jaggers, who presented
information about future mission developments and the Mission Endowment
Fund. Following the presentation a special offering was taken for the
Mission Endowment Fund..
Second Ballot for Bishop
ELCA Vice President Pena
announced that ballots for the Second Ballot for Bishop would be
distributed. The ballot listed all names of people nominated on the
First Ballot, unless a person had withdrawn his/her name. Chaplain
Larzelere led a prayer. Ballots were collected, and the balloting was
declared closed.
Announcements by Madelyn Busse
included information about the interest lunch sessions.
Third Plenary Session, Saturday, April 29
The third plenary session
convened at 1:30pm with a gathering song.
Report of the Second Ballot for Bishop
Mr. Pena called on synod
secretary Katherine Cruson for the following report:
Number of ballots cast:
448
Number of legal votes cast:
448
Number of votes needed for
election on this ballot (75%): 336
Allan Bjornberg 291
Scott Beebe 88
Susan Briehl 14
Patricia Holman 10
Dan Bowman 7
Kevin Maly 7
James Nestingen 6
Dale Bauer 5
Vera Guebert-Steward 4
Mark Peterson 3
Mark McLagan 2
The following received one vote
each: Steve Berke, Wes Dunbar, Braxton East, Neil Kvern, Ron Letnes,
Barbara Lundblad, Barbara Martens, Keith Prekker, Wolfgang Stahlberg,
Robert Vogel, Penni Walsh.
The following received no
votes: Linda Daniels-Block, Paul Hofer, Randy Nelson, Robert Neubauer.
ELCA Vice President Carlos Pena announced that the seven people with the
highest number of votes would be invited to speak to the Assembly.
Their names would be on the Third Ballot for Bishop.
Youth Ministry/Youth
Gatherings Report
Pastor Dan Bollman and friends
reported and indicated that youth ministry and the two gatherings are
under the general supervision of an Umbrella Team. There is also a
“Next Step Team” which is working on future ideas for youth ministry in
the synod.
Speeches by top 7 Candidates for Bishop
ELCA Vice President Pena set the
ground rules for the speeches and introduced the four candidates who
were present. Each one spoke about his/her visions for the Rocky
Mountain Synod. Speakers were Allan Bjornberg, Scott Beebe, Patricia
Holman, and Kevin Maly. Assembly Chaplain Larzelere led a prayer before
the balloting. Ballots were collected and balloting was closed.
Report of the Synod Vice President Linda Bobbitt
Rocky Mountain Synod Vice
President Bobbitt emphasized the Vision, Passion, Action procedure, the
results of synod-wide conversations, Ken Inskeep’s report, and next
steps in the process.
Global Mission Report
Pastor Jim Gonia spoke briefly
and introduced Bishop Modeste who spoke about the ministries of the
Malagasy Lutheran Church. He thanked the synod for continued companion
synod report of two synods of the Malagasy Lutheran Church and for
continued support of Betela Seminary. Following the presentation there
was a special offering for “Seeds of Hope.”
Report of the Third Ballot for Bishop
Mr. Pena called on synod
secretary Katherine Cruson for the following report:
Number of ballots cast: 452
Number of legal ballots
cast: 452
Number of votes required for
election on this ballot (67%): 303
James Nestingen 0
Dan Bowman 1
Kevin Maly 3
Susan Briehl 7
Patricia Holman 30
Scott Beebe 98
Allan Bjornberg 313
ELCA Vice President Pena thanked
all candidates and declared Allan Bjornberg elected as Rocky Mountain
Synod Bishop for a six-year term.
The meeting recessed for field
trips to three Albuquerque Cultural Centers.
Following Dinner, Assistant to
the Bishop Dan Bollman introduced pastors celebrating anniversaries:
Pastors Observing 60th
Anniversary of Ordination
Victor Gold, Oakland, CA
Frank Heglund, Albuquerque, NM
Pastors Observing 55th
Anniversary of Ordination
Dwight Boe, Boulder, CO
William Dion, Longmont, CO
Paul Fauth, Lander, WY
William Hartman, Roswell, NM
Duane Mohling, Pensacola, FL
Pastors Observing 50th
Anniversary of Ordination
James Austin,
Colorado Springs, CO
Robert Chalstrom, Cheyenne, WY
Norbert Hattendorf, Boulder, CO
Roger Magnuson, Woodland Park,
CO
Byron Swanson, Fort Collins, CO
John Ziegler, Colorado Springs,
CO
Pastors Observing 45th
Anniversary of Ordination
Elwood Anderson, Placitas, NM
Donald Groskreutz, Lyons, CO
Charles Harman, Aurora, CO
George Lund, Steamboat Springs,
CO
Robert Sieckman, Northglenn, CO
Philip Stephan, Loveland, CO
Ronald Swenson, Aurora, CO
Duane Jensen, Bountiful, UT
Pastors Observing 40th
Anniversary of Ordination
Philip Erlander, Colorado
Springs, CO
Milbern Goetz, Greeley, CO
Delbert Grauerholz, Denver, CO
Raymond Olson, El Paso, TX
Paul Peel, Colorado Springs, CO
Bruce Welander, Longmont, CO
Larry Wright, Albuquerque, NM
Pastors Observing 35th
Anniversary of Ordination
Mark Crates, Pueblo, CO
Charles Exley, Albuquerque, NM
Keith Hedstrom, Colorado
Springs, CO
Wayne Josephson, Calhan, CO
Keith Knoff, Colorado Springs,
CO
Ronald Letnes, Fort Collins, CO
James Rasmussen, Fort Collins,
CO
Carl Walker, Vail, CO
Pastors Observing 30th
Anniversary of Ordination
Daniel Bollman, Denver, CO
Rodney Hansen, El Paso, TX
Joseph Holub, Aurora, CO
Frank Lay, Fort Morgan, CO
Robert Neubauer III, Farmington,
NM
Susanne Smith, Cherry Hills
Village, CO
Pastors Observing 25th
Anniversary of Ordination
Elwood Carlson, Sammamish, WA
Ronald Glusenkamp, Cherry Hills
Village, CO
Constance Grogan, Deer Trail, CO
Daniel Hansen, Longmont, CO
Timothy Sersen, Lander, WY
David Wendel, Colorado Springs,
CO
Rostered leaders new to the
synod were introduced:
Pastor Tim Singleton, New
Horizons, Falcon, CO
Pastor Jeff St. Clair, New Hope,
El Paso, TX
Pastor Timothy Stadem, Our
Saviour’s, Fort Collins, CO
Pastor Geri Cunningham, Lutheran
Church of the Holy Spirit, Centennial, CO
Kimberly Gonia, diaconal
minister, Holy Trinity, Littleton, CO
Lisa Smotherman, associate in
ministry, Faith, Castle Rock, CO
Pastor Susan Candea, King of
Glory, Loveland, CO
Pastor Janet Morse, Presbyterian
Healthcare Services, Albuquerque, NM
Pastor Ronald Glusenkamp,
Bethany, Cherry Hills Village, CO
Pastor John Mayer, Grace,
Bountiful, UT
Pastor Annemarie Burke, Mount
Tabor, Salt Lake City, UT
Pastor Doris Nolan, First,
Gypsum, CO
Pastor Corrine Thul, Prince of
Peace, North Logan, UT
Wayne Theurer, associate in
ministry, Bethel, Colorado Springs, CO
Carolyn Thomas, Synod
Administrative Assistant, received gifts in honor of her retirement
which will be effective August 31, 2006.
Fourth Plenary Session, 8:00 pm. April 29, 2006
Bishop Bjornberg called the
session to order at 8:00 p.m. in Ballroom C.
Report of the First General Ballot
(* Indicates who was elected)
Synod Treasurer: Jerry
Jaggers 98 *Dennis Reynolds 334
Synod Council:
Utah – clergy:
*Paul Olsen 391
North Colorado – Lay
male: *Paul Rosin 378
Metro South –
Clergy: *Vera Guebert-Steward 380
Metro East – Lay
female: no nominees
North New Mexico –
Lay female: Adele Canup 148 *Jan Krakow 254
Youth
Representative: *Phoebe Breed 229 Sadie
Marshall 168
At Large Clergy
(2): Steve Hartten 114 *Patricia Holman 279
Susan Honn 116 *John
Knutson 220
Lay Male at large
(2): Walter Meyer 188 *Dale Ostlie 244 *Robert Sandoval
251
Lay Female at
large: Chris Larson Renquist 97 Diana Linden 117 Yvonne
Page 90
Bobby Parish 71
Congregational Ministries Board:
Wyoming – Lay
female: *Maren Felde 386
Utah –
Clergy: *Annemarie Burke 385
Boulder/Broomfield –
Lay female: no nominees
Border –
Clergy: no nominees
Clergy at large:
*Sarah Moening 394
Lay female at
large: no nominees
Mission Outreach Board:
Utah –
Clergy: *Steve Leiser 378
Metro West – Lay
male: no nominees
Metro South – Lay
female: no nominees
Metro East –
*Michael Knauff 375
North New Mexico – Lay male: no
nominees
Clergy at large:
Robert Moss 117 Corinne Thule 199 Randy Young 94
Board for Church in Society:
Utah – Lay
male: *William Germundson 383
Boulder/Broomfield –
Lay female: *Pam Faro 376
Metro East –
Clergy: Michael Fick 155 *Emily Cardin 241
South East Colorado
– Clergy: no nominees
North New Mexico –
Lay female: *Ann Baumgarn 376
Lay Male at
large: *Gary Gabrielson 378
2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly
Voting Members:
Wyoming – Lay male:
no nominees
Utah –
Clergy: *Steve Klemz 388
North Colorado –
Clergy: Neil Harrison 369
Boulder/Broomfield –
Lay female: Nancy Judson 136 *Carolyn Thomas 256
Metro West –
Clergy: Ron Powers 182 *Arlyn Tolzmann 202
Metro South –
Clergy: *Nathan Doerr 225 Vera Guebert-Steward 178
Metro East – Lay
male *Wayne Schultz 348
Southeast Colorado –
Lay female: *Yvonne Page 367
North New Mexico –
Clergy: *Anne Morawski 378
Border – Lay
male: *Stephen Helmreich 370
Multicultural – Lay
male: *Miguel Hernandez 244 Robert Sandoval 181
Multicultural – Lay
female: *Kim Hohensee 292 Norma Klemz 116
Clergy at
Large: Mike Knauff 42 Sarah Moening 199 Paul
Olsen 118
John Petty 56
Lay male at
large: *Donald Filegar 213 Gary Gabrielson
179
Lay female at
large: Cynthia Biddlecomb 66 Cynthia Buschagen 40
Terry
Cole 24 Katherine Cruson 110 Susan Hernandez 72
Judy
Lounsberry 48 Mary Katherine C. Smith 28 Janet Williams 36
The Second General Ballot was
distributed and collected.
Report of the Committee on
Reference and Counsel:
Resolution #1: In Support of Marriage Through Lutheran Marriage
Encounter and Lutheran Engaged Encounter
Committee Chairman Pr. Neil
Harrison reported that the Committee on Reference and Counsel
recommended this resolution be considered by the assembly.
VOTED:
SA2006.4.3. To amend the
resolution by deleting the second “Whereas” (“our Christian faith
affirms that marriage….”)
VOTED:
SA2006.4.4. To adopt
Resolution #1 as amended In Support of Marriage Through Lutheran
marriage Encounter and Lutheran Engaged Encounter.
Resolution #2: Youth Ministry Staff Position,
Rocky Mountain Synod
The Committee on Reference and
Counsel recommended consideration of this resolution. Bishop Bjornberg
reminded the voting members that since this resolution has budget
implications, it must be approved by a two-thirds vote.
VOTED:
SA2006.4.5. To defeat the
resolution for a Youth Ministry Staff Position, Rocky Mountain Synod.
Resolution #3: Proposal for a Synod Assembly in
El Paso, Texas
The Committee on Reference and
Counsel recommended consideration of this resolution.
VOTED:
SA2006.4.6. To adopt the
resolution for the 2009 Synod Assembly in El Paso, Texas
At 8:30 pm the assembly
celebrated Compline in the Worship area, led by AIM Cynthia Biddlecomb.
Patrick Shendo Mirabal from the Taos Jemez Pueblos was the flautist.
Sunday, April 30, 2006
Bishop Bjornberg called the
session to order at 8:30 a.m. in Ballroom C. Chaplain Ben Larzelere
opened with prayer.
Holy Places, Holy People
Presentation
Dr. Gordon Lathrop presented his
third and final Bible study.
Fifth Plenary Session, Sunday, April 30, 2006
Results of the Second General
Ballot:
(* Indicates who was elected)
Synod Council:
Lay Female at Large: Chris
Larson Renquist 179 *Diana Linden 191
Mission Outreach Board:
Clergy at Large:
*Robert Moss 149 Corinne Thul 125
2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly
Voting Members:
Clergy at Large:
*Sarah Moening 219 Paul Olsen 158
Lay Female at
Large: *Katherine Cruson 217 Susan Hernandez
162
Report of Synod Secretary
Katherine Cruson, Synod
Secretary, thanked the Election Committee: Pr. Laurel Alexander, Pr.
Dale Bauer, AIM Cynthia Biddlecomb, AIM Judy Hagge, Dale Ostlie, and Pr.
Ken Vogel. She encouraged congregations to keep their constitutions up
to date.
VOTED:
SA2006.4.7. To adopt the
amendments to S7.26
The synod may establish
processes through the Synod Council that permit representatives of
mission settings formed with the intent of becoming chartered
congregations and authorized worshiping communities of the synod,
which have been authorized under ELCA bylaw 10.02.03., to serve as
voting members of the Synod Assembly, consistent with S7.21. Such
authorized Authorized worshiping communities, acknowledged
under criteria, policies, and procedures of the ELCA Division
for Outreach and approved by the Church Council of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, shall accept and adhere to the
Confession of Faith and Statement of Purpose of this church, shall be
served by leadership under the criteria of this church, and shall be
subject to the discipline of this church.
The Secretary’s Report was
received with an “Amen.”
Adoption of the Budget
VOTED:
SA2006.4.8. To adopt the
proposed budget for the first six months of Fiscal 2007.
Committee on Reference and
Counsel:
Chairman Neil Harrison
introduced the following resolutions:
Resolution #4: Lutheran Campus Ministry Sunday
The Committee on Reference and
Counsel recommended consideration of this resolution.
VOTED:
SA2006.4.9. To adopt the
resolution for Lutheran Campus Ministry Sunday to be observed on the
third Sunday in September.
Resolution #5: Honoring 100 Years of Lutheran
Campus Ministry
The Committee on Reference and
Counsel recommended consideration of this resolution.
VOTED:
SA2006.4.10. To adopt the
resolution honoring 100 Years of Lutheran Campus Ministry on Sunday,
September 16, 2007.
Resolution #6: The Corrections System and Prison
Issues
The Committee on Reference and
Counsel recommended revised Resolution #6 for consideration.
VOTED:
SA2006.4.11. To amend the
resolution by deleting the last “Resolved” (“…that the Rocky Mountain
Synod, meeting in its assembly, memorialize the ELCA…”).
VOTED:
SA2006.4.12. To adopt the
amended resolution on the Corrections System and Prison Issues.
Resolution #7: Supporting Rocky Mountain Synod
Seminarians
The Committee on Reference and
Counsel recommended consideration of this resolution.
VOTED:
SA2006.4.13. To refer the
resolution to Synod Council.
Resolution #8: Urge Study of Immigration Issues
Pr. Harrison announced a
proposed friendly amendment to the last Resolved, “…Society Board, or
another appropriate board, council or committee, form a task force…”
The Committee on Reference and
Counsel recommended consideration of this resolution with the amendment.
VOTED:
SA2006.4.14. To adopt the
resolution as amended.
Resolution #9: Call to Eliminate Quotas
Regarding Those Who Attend Assemblies
The Committee on Reference and
Counsel recommended consideration of this resolution.
VOTED:
SA2006.4.15 To defeat
Resolution #9.
Resolution #10: Support for Metropolitan New York Synod’s Resolution to
New York’s Discipline and Candidacy Committees Concerning Same Gender
Relationships
The Committee on Reference and
Counsel distributed a six-page response from ELCA Church Council and the
Lutheran article summarizing that response. The Committee on Reference
and Counsel recommended consideration of this resolution.
VOTED:
SA2006.4.16. To postpone indefinitely. With a vote by voting cards,
Bishop Bjornberg declared the motion carried. Following a call for the
division of the house, the vote was recorded as yes--208; no--162. The
motion “to postpone indefinitely” passed.
Resolution #11: Active Recruitment of Young
Christians into Professional Ministry
VOTED:
SA.2006.4.17. To consider Resolution #11
VOTED:
SA.2006.4.18. To amend by striking the final “Resolved that the Rocky
Mountain Synod report…”
VOTED:
SA.2006.4.19. To close
debate.
VOTED:
SA.2006.4.20. To adopt Resolution #11 as amended.
Resolution #12 Resolved that this Assembly render its thanks to all
concerned now by rising to its feet and offering great applause.
VOTED:
SA.2006.4.21. To adopt Resolution #12.
Bishop Bjornberg apologized to the
Board for Church in Society because there was not time available for
presentation of their grants awards. A special offering was taken for
World Hunger.
At the Closing Festival
Eucharist at 10:30 am Bishop Bjornberg presided, and Dr. Gordon Lathrop
preached the sermon. Friday and Sunday worship offerings combined were
$13,560. $6,780 will be given to Betela Seminary and $6,780 will be
given to the new Albuquerque mission congregation. World Hunger
offering was $12,821; Mission Endowment Fund offering was $3,069. The
Recessional included the ten Conference Crosses, each of which will go
from church to church throughout their conference and be re-assembled at
the 2007 Synod Assembly. The assembly adjourned at 11:30am.
2006 Assembly
Minutes