Recap by Marcia Hahn, Coordinator for Communications and Events
Some 330 voting members and visitors attended the 2019 Northeastern Iowa Synod Assembly on June 14-16 at Wartburg College, Waverly, with the theme, “Celebrating Renewal: Katherine von Bora Luther — Faith in the Home.”
The Rev. Dr. Kathryn “Kit” Kleinhans
The Rev. Dr. Kathryn “Kit” Kleinhans, Dean, Trinity Lutheran Seminary at Capital University, Columbus, Ohio, presented the keynote address about “Katie Luther: Reformer’s Wife and Reformer.” Kleinhans said that Martin Luther lived in a world of theology, so he was fortunate to marry Katie who became a mid-manager entrepreneur. Katie was a skilled manager who took on many responsibilities running their large household centered on family and faith.
Kleinhans asked the assembly,“How will you go forward opening more possibilities in the home?”
The Rev. Brenda Smith
The Rev. Brenda Smith, program director for ELCA Faith and Book of Faith, brought greetings and a report from the churchwide organization. Smith said that it is important to focus on faith in the home because growing in faith is a life-long journey.
She shared that in 2018 the Northeastern Iowa Synod gave $430,035 to Mission Support and more than $94,000 for Lutheran Disaster Response.
She gave an overview of some of the accomplishments of the churchwide organization over the past year and some of the topics that will be discussed at the Churchwide Assembly in August.
Bishop Steven Ullestad
Bishop Steven Ullestad preached at the Friday evening worship service about faith in the home, including the blended family of Mary and Joseph, the stepfather of Jesus.
“It had to be a home that taught the faith,” Ullestad said.
In his report to the Assembly, Bishop Ullestad talked about change occurring in the church, how leaders are servants of the people, and how disruptive innovations can change organizations and the church. “We need not be afraid because we know of the ultimate disruptive innovation: the pregnancy of Mary, the birth of Jesus,” he said.
