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Synod Assembly Recap

June 16, 2022 by Marcia Hahn

Some 287 voting members and visitors gathered June 10-11 at Wartburg College in Waverly for the 2022 Northeastern Iowa Synod Assembly, with the theme “Better Together.” Seventy-three percent of the voting members were laity and 27 percent were rostered ministers.

Voting members adopted four resolutions and two memorials, including a resolution and memorial on substance abuse and the addiction crisis, and a memorial calling for the ELCA to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 50 percent by 2030. In addition, voting members elected new committee members and Synod Council members, including Kris Meyer as Synod Council vice president.

Around 120 people attended the optional Friday night activities, which included opening worship service, orientation and hospitality. Darrel Colson, president of Wartburg, greeted the Assembly for the last time before his retirement in July. Tom and Betsy Kirby of Mason City provided acoustic music for Friday’s worship service and social time.

Saturday’s agenda opened with a morning prayer service followed by a plenary session with reports and introductions.

BISHOP’S REPORT

In his first report to a Synod Assembly, Bishop Kevin Jones outlined some priorities for how the synod can continue to be better together, including supporting pastors, women clergy and small congregations; paying attention to diversity, inclusion and belonging; and getting to know one another together. He also shared a video greeting from the synod staff and thanked everyone for their patience during his first year as Bishop.

CHURCHWIDE REPORT

Pastor Robin Brown, director of Congregational Generosity for the ELCA, brought greetings from the churchwide organization and a video message from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton. Pastor Brown shared ways that the synod and congregations are doing ELCA ministries together and thanked the “saints of the congregations of the Northeastern Iowa Synod” for their support, including $357,653 given to Mission Support, $318,711 for ELCA World Hunger and $139,998 for Lutheran Disaster Response.

The morning plenary session concluded with video greetings from Portico Benefit Services, Lutheran Men in Mission and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service.

Assembly members had the opportunity to visit ministry exhibits and attend two sessions of workshops before the afternoon plenary session, which focused on elections and resolutions. John Twardos, president of Lutheran Services in Iowa, shared greetings from LSI. Congregations brought 200 welcome kits to the Assembly to support LSI’s efforts to help refugees resettle in Iowa.

Recognitions included ordination and congregation anniversaries, and a welcome to ministers and full communion partners who began serving in the synod since 2019. Outgoing Synod Council members were also recognized, including Syd Brinkman for her service as vice president during the last few years of transition.

The Assembly concluded with Pastor Brown preaching at the closing worship service, which featured jazz music led by Jon Ailabouni.

VIEW THE LIVE STREAM VIDEOS

Assembly Offering

The Synod Assembly offering has brought in $8,086, as of June 30. This year’s offering supports the H. George Anderson Northeastern Iowa Synod Fund for Leaders to provide scholarships for seminary students from the Northeastern Iowa Synod and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service to support newly arrived refugees in America.

Offering gifts can be made online through the donate button below or by sending a check to: Northeastern Iowa Synod, 201 20th St. SW, P.O. Box 804 Waverly, IA 50677-0804.

GIVE ONLINE

Bishop Kevin Jones
Pastor Robin Brown
Jazz music leads Saturday’s worship service.
Download the Assembly Offering Bulletin Insert
Synod Assembly Resources
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2022 Offering Bulletin Insert 228 KB 4 downloads

This year’s Synod Assembly offering supports the H. George Anderson Fund for Leaders…
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2022 Adopted Resolutions 130 KB 2016 downloads

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2022 Synod Election Results 75 KB 1994 downloads

Results for synod council and committee members …
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2022 Bishop’s Report 82 KB 1615 downloads

Bishop Kevin Jones’ report to the 2022 Northeastern Iowa Synod Assembly …
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Faith, Sexism and Justice Workshop Slide Presentation 370 KB 2467 downloads

Slide presentation from the Faith, Sexism and Justice workshop …
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2022 Synod Assembly Schedule 109 KB 2449 downloads

Schedule of activities for the 2022 Northeastern Iowa Synod Assembly …
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2022 Workshops & Exhibits 112 KB 1765 downloads

Twelve workshops and a variety of ministry exhibits will be part of Saturday’s events…
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2022 Pre-Assembly Reports 8 MB 2089 downloads

Reports from Northeastern Iowa Synod networks, committees and partner ministries …
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2022 Synod Assembly General Information Sheet 148 KB 2638 downloads

General information about the 2022 Northeastern Iowa Synod Assembly …
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Parliamentary Procedure Guide 11 KB 1467 downloads

An outline to follow parliamentary procedure. …
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    Northeastern Iowa Synod

    201 20th St. SW, P.O. Box 804
    Waverly, IA 50677-0804
    (319) 352-1414
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