2022 Synod Assembly
“To Live Among God’s Faithful People”
May 13th, 4-9 pm and May 14th, 8-5pm 2022
Online and at The Best Western Premier Waterfront Hotel & Convention Center
1 North Main St. Oshkosh, WI 54901
Assembly Firsts…
First Hybrid Assembly to welcome voting members online and in person.
First “Prayground” welcoming children intentionally into assembly space.
First Dinner Church worship where Holy Communion was shared in the context of our evening meal together.
2022 Report of the Synod Assembly
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Thank you for the gifts you gave.
Funds were raised for over 55 beds donated to the Oshkosh chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace.
In kind donations of sheets and bedding were giving to the Oshkosh, Waupaca, and Green Bay chapters of Sleep in Heavenly Peace.
Build day intergraded over 85 volunteers of all ages who worked to complete 40 beds and made parts for several more.
An offering was collected for the Bishop's Resource Fund and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services totaling $AMOUNT. Continued gifts can still be given online and by mail: 16 Tri-Park Way, Appleton, Wisconsin 54914.
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The business of the assembly included...
Adoption of the 2023 Budget
Compensation Guidelines were adopted for the year 2023 and are recommended for congregations as they work to faithfully compensate rostered ministers.
Amendments to the Synod Constitution were presented to the Assembly for consideration at the 2023 Synod Assembly.
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Six Resolutions were passed.
Participate in Pray Act Connect Education (PACE) to Reduce Hunger in our Neighbors Near and Far
Encourage Synod Women of the ELCA - Be Bold to Act
Safe Gathering Spaces for All God's Children
Resolution to Work for Racial Equity
Diverse Books Support Cross-Cultural Literacy
A Memorial Calling for a Just Transition to 50% Reduction in US Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2030, as amended
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Leaders were elected to serve.
Elected to Synod Council: Rev. Mary Bauer, Breanna Linna, John Murphy, Dia Arpon, Janet Zander, Rev. Cheryl Davis
Elected Secretary of Synod Council: Rev. Nate Gauerke
Elected to the Committee on Discipline: Rev. Benjamin Williams
Elected to the Consultation Committee: Rev. Dan Luett, Rev. Dr. Niveen Sarras
Deep gratitude was conveyed by Bishop Anne. for those who ran but were not elected. Several vacant positions with no nominees presented will be appointed by Synod Council
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The East Central Synod of Wisconsin Built 40+ Beds and raised funds for bedding and future builds in excess of 50 beds! Thank you!
What joy to work with Sleep in Heavenly Peace - WI, Oshkosh at St Andrews Oshkosh for the East Central Synod of Wisconsin - ELCA Synod Assembly Service project. We were able to complete 40 beds, create pieces ready for the building of more beds, and connected with over 80 volunteers on a beautiful Saturday! The Bedding Drive Drop Off Starts today! For your generosity, thank you! All of those details can be found here: www.ecsw.org/2022-synod-assembly
First English Lutheran Church in Appleton is a point of contact for people that may not be available to deliver bedding during specific times or locations. Please contact Deni (dkuchler (at) felc.com) for more information to arrange a time for drop off. Those in the Green Bay area unable to make the drop off window time or location can contact Pr. Cindy Warmbier-Meyer at pastorcindy (at) stjohndepere.org.
Our Presenters -
Music that Makes Community
Workshops
Music that Makes Community
AMPARRO & Refugee Relief
Focus on Anti Racism Work
Becoming a Reconciling Church
Safe Gathering Space Policy Formation
Wisconsin Council of Churches
Workshops from ELCA Representative, Rev. Barbara Lund
Pandemic Legacy Project
Ministry Partners & Display Tables
Crossways
Lutheran Office for Public Policy
Portico
ELCA Mission Investment Fund
Anti-Racism Team
Global Mission Team
Campus Ministry - Gathering Place
Fox Valley Lutheran Homes
LSS
WELCA
Lay School
Wisconsin Council of Churches
AMPARRO & Refugee Relief
ELCA World Hunger
Advocate Aurora Health
Synod Youth Committee
Covid-19 Protocols for Synod Assembly
Registration for synod assembly is hybrid this year - providing varying options of accessibility, safety, and comfort for all attending the Synod Assembly. Since our gathering calls people together who have been engaging in different practices of COVID mitigation, and guidance from community sources is at times conflicting, our protocol is designed to emphasize care for creation and one another, and was developed and approved by the Synod Council.
Those attending in person are asked to assess possible COVID symptoms just prior to attending the Assembly. Masking at Synod Assembly will reflect up to date guidance at the time of Synod Assembly. Out of concern for our neighbor, as a benchmark, we will use the highest county level of risk out of the 20 counties comprising the East Central Synod of Wisconsin. The protocol for masking will be clearly communicated by Friday, May 6th* via email to those registered.
If you are ill please do not attend the gathering in-person. Your presence as a voting member in whatever manner (in-person or via technology) is equally valuable. To change your registration from in-person to online prior to the assembly, you may contact Jeanne Jerks, jeanne.jerks@ecsw.org or (920) 734-5381, should the need arise.
Once the assembly begins, any changes to registration status will be handled on a case by case basis. Should any symptoms or positive test results arise following your attendance in-person, contact Pastor Jenn Pockat, jenn.pockat@ecsw.org or (920) 734-5381. You may also visit www.ecsw.org/synod-assembly for the latest information and procedures.
As the time of Synod Assembly approaches, further guidance may be provided and is subject to change. Following registration, you will receive any updates to these protocols via email. You are a beloved child of God - thank you for caring for all the other beloved children of God!
*This day might adjust to when meal commitments are necessary with the conference center.