God’s work. Our hands. God’s family.
2012 Southeastern Minnesota Synod Assembly
May 4-5, 2012 | Mayo Civic Center | Rochester, MN
The Theme
Ministry with families in the 21st century invites us to connect, be partners, and join our hands through new and not-so-new experiences. Keynote spearker Marilyn Sharpe will lead the conversation for all ages; workshops will engage and equip the entire congregation for ministry with children, youth and family; worship will join hands and hearts in word and song; and Bible study will draw us into God’s word, as we gather around the family table.
The Offering
Every 45 seconds a child dies from malaria, a preventable and treatable disease. The ELCA has committed to join with Lutheran churches in Africa to work toward a malaria-free future. This effort is part of the ELCA Malaria Campaign, officially launched by the 2011 Churchwide Assembly.
The 2012 Southeastern Minnesota Synod Assembly will lift up this campaign in its offering. As we talk about ministry in our own families, we will also lift up families around the world and help provide resources to help them survive and thrive. The January 2012 issue of the Bridge tells more about the campaign. Consider using it to promote the assembly offering in your congregation. More information on the ELCA Malaria Campaign is online at www.ELCA.org/malaria
The Business
The business of the assembly includes elections, resolutions, budget, and reports. Information for nominations for the Synod Council, Augsburg College Corporation Board, Committee on Consultation, Committee on Discipline, and 2013 Churchwide Assembly voting members is online at semnsynod.org/nominations The resolution writing guide is online at semnsynod.org/assembly/resolutions/resolution-writing-guide/ and will be in the January River Crossings. Other information will be in the Pre-Assembly Report, available in early April.
The Voters
Synod Assembly voters include rostered leaders under call, two lay voting members, additional lay voting members based on 2010 baptized membership, and officers of the synod. Congregations typically elect lay voting members at the annual meeting. The total lay voting members should be as near as possible to 50% male, 50% female. The formula for additional lay voting members per baptized membership is as follows:
- 901-1500, 1 additional
- 1501-2100, 2 additional
- 2101-2700, 3 additional
- 2701-3300, 4 additional
- 3301-3900, 5 additional
- 3901-4500, 6 additional
Youth & Young Adult Voters
For the second year, there will be several incentives for congregations to bring youth and young adult voters.
Each congregation with fewer than 2,700 baptized members is able elect one additional voting member who is a youth or young adult. Congregations with more than 2,700 baptized members may elect two additional voting members who are youth or young adults, one of whom shall be female and one of whom shall be male. Finally, congregations sending an additional youth (not young adult) voting member will get a 50% reduction in registration fees for that youth.
Youth are defined as individuals who are ages 15-18 at the time of the assembly. Young adult voters are to be ages 19-30 at the time of the assembly.
Want to know how many voters your congregation is eligible to send? Find the full list at semnsynod.org/assembly/numbervoters