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The “Lutheran hands” of the 503 voting members of the 2011 Southeastern Minnesota Synod Assembly carried out the work of the church on May 6-7 at the Mayo Civic Center, Rochester, Minn. This work included worship, study, education, and the business of the synod.

The assembly opened in worship with Holy Communion. In his sermon, Bishop Usgaard set the tone for the assembly by encouraging the congregation to re-engage in Martin Luther’s Small Catechism and spoke of the Lutheran tradition of learning and growing at every age.

Rev. Peg Chemberlin, Executive Director of the Minnesota Council of Churches and President of the National Council of Churches of Christ, delivered the message at the Morning Prayer service Saturday morning. She spoke of the gifts of grace and of unity in the Christian church, of being both uniquely Lutheran and a part of a larger community of Christ.

Members of the synod’s Bible Book of Faith task force led the assembly in five short Bible studies throughout the assembly. The studies were meant to dig into scripture and to renew confidence in deeper study of the Bible. Rev. Jay Dahlvang, outgoing chair of the task force, concluded his study saying, “[Like farmers with their seed,] so it is with the seed of the Word you are entrusted with—confident in God’s growth, we spread it abundantly, broadcasting seed to every corner of our field, knowing that God gives the growth.”

Dr. Winston Persaud, Professor of Systematic Theology at Wartburg Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa, shared his wisdom in a keynote address. Through his experiences as a native of Guyana who has studied in his home country, Scotland, and the United States and served and taught in both Guyana and the United States, he demonstrated how “asking the hard questions” can lead Lutherans to uncover more about their faith through sharing others’ experiences. He shared that God is present and even strongest in our weaknesses, showing the diversity and richness of the church.

Bishop Usgaard and David Swartling shared reports from the synod and the churchwide organization, respectively. Bishop Usgaard both demonstrated through story and encouraged the assembly to further do the work of the church through a public, open, educated ministry that includes caring for the poor around us. Swartling brought stories of signs of hope from throughout the ELCA and urged the assembly to move forward in ministry with enthusiasm.

Saturday morning’s program featured seven different workshops for participants to attend. Participants could attend two workshops to delve deeper into what it means to do God’s work with “Lutheran hands.” The workshops included topics like stewardship, Christian education in the home, being a church that embodies a “movement” rather than just being a “system,” caring for others in the form of packaging hospice kits for Tanzania, the global perspective of the Lutheran church from the perspectives of bishops from our partner synods in Tanzania and Colombia, proclaiming the gospel in daily life, and prayer in the Lutheran tradition. The workshop that packaged hospice kits assembled approximately 600 nearly completed kits to be delivered to Global Health Ministries. Other additional materials that were given in addition to the completed kits will also be delivered. These kits will be used to provide cleanliness and comfort to the dying in Tanzania.

A number of individuals and congregations were recognized for their service to the church. Thanks for special mission in the community, recognition of giving to ELCA World Hunger, scholarship awards, and recognition for anniversaries of ordination and for recent retirements were all recognized and applauded by the assembly.

This year’s assembly had a short list of business to address. There were four resolutions addressed by the assembly, all of which were passed. These included a resolution to recommend that the ELCA Church Council not allow pastors who have left the ELCA roster to remain on ELCA Board of Pensions health and pension programs (one amendment was made to the original resolution), a challenge to increase mission support giving in the synod, strategies to prevent bullying and harassement, and to support the ELCA Malaria Campaign. One resolution, “Resolution for Reconciliation,” was incorrectly submitted late and the assembly voted not to bring it to the floor for discussion.

Shirley Gangstad has completed three four-year terms as synod vice president and was not eligible to serve again. The assembly voted Ann Peterson of Zumbro Lutheran Church, Rochester, as the next synod vice president.

The assembly passed a budget of $1,951,850 for 2012. Treasurer John Petersburg explained that the 2011 budget, passed at last year’s assembly, has been lowered due to the pledge amounts received by congregations and the 2012 budget is based on projected pledges.

Finally, the assembly also elected new members to the Augsburg College Corporation Board, the synod Committee on Consultation, and the synod Committee on Discipline.

The event was not all business. Friday evening was a chance for voting members and visitors to relax and enjoy a few good laughs. Janet Letnes Martin, a Lutheran author and humorist, shared entertaining stories about growing up Lutheran in the Midwest. Most in the audience could identify with her portraits of the Lutheran Ladies Aid members, the importance of putting the right pot luck dish in the right Pyrex serving bowl, and other quirks of the Lutheran tradition.

Martin also emceed a program to say farewell to Shirley Gangstad at the conclusion of her term as synod vice president. David Swartling, secretary of the ELCA; Rev. Glenn Nyclemoe, former bishop of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod; Rev. Dennis Timmerman and Rev. Laura Fladten, Shirley’s pastors; Rev. Roger Claxton, a fellow synod council member all shared stories of their times with Shirley. The synod staff took on a light-hearted approach as they dressed as fictional women of the Bible as a spoof on Shirley’s “Women of the Bible” presentations. Martin shared humorous stories of why each of these women has often been forgotten, despite their beliefs that they should also make the cut into Shirley’s presentations. The evening, filled with laughter as well as a few tears, was the opportunity to celebrate what Shirley described as, “A fascinating and blessed time of personal and spiritual growth and a variety of new experiences and challenges.”

More Information

For more information about what happened at the 2011 Synod Assembly, visit www.semnsynod.org/assembly for all the news. Information includes:

• More stories from throughout the assembly
• Full text of Bishop Usgaard’s report
• Full text of Bishop Usgaard’s sermon
• Full text of the resolutions
• Complete election results (link leads to the Pre-Assembly Report with all nominations)

Also visit www.Facebook.com/semnsynod to see more information, including photos from the event.

Mark Your Calendars

The 2012 Synod Assembly will be held May 4-5 at the Mayo Civic Center, Rochester, Minn.