synod council minutes indiana-kentucky synod, elca … 2016 synod council... · 2016-05-21 ·...
TRANSCRIPT
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SYNOD COUNCIL MINUTES
INDIANA-KENTUCKY SYNOD, ELCA
JANUARY 22-24, 2016
BENEDICT INN RETREAT AND CONFERENCE CENTER,
BEECH GROVE, INDIANA
ATTENDANCE
Officers: Bishop Bill Gafkjen, Vice-President Ted Miller, Secretary Judy Bush, Treasurer Sue
Miller
Clergy: Pastors Amy Beitelschees-Albers, Jessica King, Jerald Mielke (Saturday a.m./Sunday),
Randall “Randy” Schroeder (Friday, Saturday), Charles Strietelmeier, and Karen Strietelmeier
Laity: Michael Anderson, Bernie Augenstein, Rebecca Jane Daum, Elizabeth Gaskins (Sunday),
Clyde Knigga (Friday, Saturday), Danielle Nuss, Laura Richcreek, Marilyn Saum, Paul Trickel,
and E. Louise Williams
Staff: Assistants to the Bishop Pastors Rudy Mueller and Heather Apel, DEM Pastor Nancy
Nyland (Saturday/Sunday)
Synod Attorney: Josh Tatum (absent)
Auxiliary Representative: Linda Doerge, president of the I-K Women of the ELCA (absent)
Churchwide Council Representative: Rev. Vicki Garber (absent)
Guests: Debbie Asberry and Lisa Negstad (Friday, Saturday)
Guide Team: Pastors Amy Beitelschees-Albers, Dan Forehand, Randy Schroeder, (chair), (Dr.)
Hank Langknecht, Janet Manning, and Bishop Bill Gafkjen
Prayer Team: Rhonda Gibson, Missy Schroeder, Julie Stegelmann (Friday, Saturday)
Absent: Pastors Dana Lockhart, Jerald Mielke (Friday, Saturday p.m.), Randy
Schroeder(Sunday), and Pamela Thiede, Elizabeth Gaskins (Friday, Saturday), Tim Knauff, Amy
Kruse, Pattiann Meeks, Pr. Steve Reshan, Noah David Smith, Nancy Walter, DEM Pastor Nancy
Nyland (Friday)
INDIANA – KENTUCKY SYNOD COUNCIL RETREAT
IN-DEPTH INTRODUCTIONS AND FRAMING OF THE WEEKEND
The executive committee met at 3:30 p.m. Friday, January 22, 2016, at the Benedict Inn
Retreat and Conference Center, Beech Grove, Indiana.
At 7:00 p.m. the Synod Council convened at the Benedict Inn Retreat and Conference
Center. Bishop Gafkjen introduced Sister Sheila who oriented the group to the facility. She
noted that they are praying for the group while they are here.
Bishop noted that we would be moving through the liturgy as we are together. He continued,
“This evening begins with the Gathering.” He led the group in prayer and the group sang, ELW
#814 “Take, Oh, Take Me As I Am.”
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Lisa Negstad reintroduced herself and summarized the interactions with the group beginning
with the Synod Council meeting in January, 2015, then the retreat in April, and the 2015 Synod
Assembly in June. The group looked in April at what it wanted to hospice and what it wanted to
give new life. Each person introduced himself/herself, their position in the synod, and from
where they had come to the meeting.
The group engaged in a 1 to 2 to 4 exercise. As individuals each person considered what
they wanted to share with another. Then the group divided into pairs and shared their special
thoughts. And then two pairs joined in groups of four and shared significant thoughts that had
been shared.
Michael Bischoff was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer in August. For
which he has had surgery, chemo therapy and radiation. Lisa played a tape from Michael which
also included his wife and a friend in which he shared how the love and peace he is experiencing
through the thoughts and prayers of others is sustaining him and is so important to him.
LECTIO DIVINA DEVOTION
Debbie Asberry led the group in a special devotional exercise. Three individuals read three
readings – Mark 10:46-52, a statement from Goethe, Acts 2:43-47. Then a fourth person read
reflections on the texts. The group divided into small groups of 2-3 people; reflected and shared
their reflections on the readings. The following questions guided the reflections: What word or
phrase most speaks to you, What wisdom do these texts offer in light of the work that is before
this weekend, the work as a mission territory, and What else occurs to you? The devotion closed
with the group praying in unison.
EVENING PRAYER
Bishop Gafkjen read Isaiah 43:1-21 and then accompanied the group by playing his ukulele
as the group sang ELW #798 “The Summons”. The group exchanged peace with each person.
SOCIAL TIME
The group enjoyed fellowship and light refreshments.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 2016
MORNING PRAYER WITH EUCHARIST
Following breakfast, the group gathered in the second floor meeting room of the Benedict
Inn Retreat and Conference Center at 9:00 a.m. Bishop Gafkjen led the worship which included
the Meal. The opening hymn of praise was ELW #556, “Morning Has Broken”. It was followed
by the Eucharistic Prayer, Distribution, Post-Communion Prayer, Closing Prayer, and Song from
the ELW #817, “You Have Come Down to the Lakeshore.”
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ENGAGE IN NEXT EVOLUTION OF HOLY CONVERSATIONS
Lisa Negstad led the discussion of the Holy Conversations that have been reported by
congregations of the synod. She asked the group to consider three questions. They were: What
are the patterns, what are the dominant narratives you see, and what are the compelling
narratives you see? The group divided into groups of three to address the questions. Then
formed different groups of three to answer the questions again.
When the group reconnected as the entire group, individuals shared what they had been
hearing in terms of the answers to the questions. The responses were the following: reaching
out, forming groups and tasks, connections, more spiritual, reaching out to larger church as well,
moving from negatives to positives, personal invitations, longing for relationships, faith
formation desire, joy, joy in serving, questioning of identity, need to serve out of gratitude, sense
of optimism, given congregations a way to interact with each other, difficulty in identifying
where there is life rather than where there is deficiency, bringing people together to know each
other, some experimentation going on, being the church in the world requires new approaches,
way to talk about faith journey, and seeing the congregation as a place to equip people to be
involved in issues of justice.
Lisa shared her appreciation of the way the group is doing, particularly their engagement in
the process.
DEEPEN UNDERSTANDING OF LIFE CYCLES OF SYSTEMS
Debbie Asberry wanted everyone to understand the theoretical underpinning of the system.
She shared her experience of understanding the cycle of the system. Systems rise to a place of
grace but then begin to decline. As people experience decline, some try to think of different
ways of doing their work. Those thinking of new ways need to find each other and network.
Some called them Wayfinders. She quoted Thomas Martin in terms of thinking about new ways
of doing and thinking. The new is trying to be born. We are called in the middle space of
hospice and being born. We can get stuck in the „tyranny of what exists‟. Time of emergence is
a time of constant discernment. She asked individuals to get a sense of the system. On the floor
was blue tape in the shape of the cycle – rise and decline, new beginning rising and declining.
She asked each person to identify where the synod is as a mission territory and stand on the spot
on the cycle representing their evaluation. Individuals then shared why they stood where they
stood.
Debbie brought the group back together and summarized the last activity. The system is one
of hospice and renewal. After the break the group watched a video by Deborah Frieze “How I
Became a Localist” which was a Ted Talk. She explained the system change process and
identified four individuals in the process: trail blazers, hospice workers, protectors, and
illuminators. Debbie asked individuals to identify which of the four they identified with and
stand on that square which had been placed on the floor in appropriate spaces in relation to the
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system cycle. She also had a spot for those who were not sure where they identified. Again
individuals explained why they stood where they were standing and Debbie asked them how they
felt about that.
Lisa said we are transitioning now into discovering the new shoots. She asked individuals to
state where the work of the Holy Spirit is seen. Answers were the buzz, seeking answers as to
what is life giving, hopeful spirit in the room, when the group is together more so than in
congregations, when we realize we are in all places, leading us to see our roles and where we
could be, acceptance. What is the Spirit telling us – being open to invitation, voice of hope,
sense of peace rather than anxiety, God‟s will be done, Spirit‟s invitation to awareness and what
is needed for the journey. How will we respond – Pastor Amy responded by taking off her
sweater coat as the blind man had taken off his coat in the reading from Mark, with trust and
hope, with grounding and acceptance of possibilities, not unique in our positon, part of pattern,
what‟s coming, gratitude, with others, not alone, remaining faithfully calm, continuance.
DEVELOP PROTOTYPES/EXPERIMENTS TO TEST NEW IDEAS AND LEARN
FROM THEM
A goal is to help each other see some new ideas and practices that may be emerging. Lisa
read a quote from Structured for Mission by Alan J. Roxburg. Paraphrasing, the thought is „what
a group needs is not primarily a new re-structuring proposal but time and ways in which they can
learn to name and test new habits and practices in the new space.‟ Some raised questions as to
whether we are talking about ideas for congregations or new habits and practices for the synod.
Debbie answered that the group is acting on behalf of the Mission Territory. The process is
trying to move from the creativity side to concrete action. The process is whether the group sees
the energy and what is “bubbling up”. Bishop Gafkjen noted that for him it has been helpful to
ask questions, „specifically, why does it matter and should it matter‟. We have synod as
structure and also as 55,000 people in 188 congregations. When we look at prototypes, we are
looking at what serves the mission. How do we do our work more effectively to support
congregations. And how do we share mission being done by congregations with other
congregations. Questions we might ask are: where is the Spirit working, how is the Spirit
working, and what are we going to do about it.
Lisa asked that we move into a setting of how do we move to action. She asked individuals
to engage in a creativity matrix and asked individuals to engage in brain storming. The matrix
had the people along the top – Lay Leaders, Congregations, Rostered Leaders and Pastors,
Bishop and Synod Staff, Synod Council, Deans, and Wild. Down the side were
Partnerships/Connections/Community, Digital/Technology, Roles, Locale:
geography/environments, and Wild. The ones down the side are avenues of implementation.
She asked the group to break into five groups and do some brainstorming. Each person wrote on
post-it notes thoughts and ideas that fit in the various cells of the matrix and then placed those
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notes in the appropriate cells. Each of the five groups had a matrix that was generally filled out.
The combined matrix of the five groups is attached.
PRAYER AT MID-DAY
At 12:05 Lisa asked for someone to lead prayer prior to lunch and Missy Schroeder
volunteered.
LUNCH
DEVELOP PROTOTYPES/EXPERIMENTS TO TEST NEW IDEAS AND LEARN
FROM THEM, CONT’D
After lunch Lisa, sensing that individuals had engaged fully prior to lunch and had a filling
lunch, asked the group to share their level of excitement from 1 to 10. Then she asked
individuals to do a bus stop tour and review the matrixes that were created prior to lunch. Lisa
then asked individuals to select one item on a matrix that particularly sparks the individual and
take it to the big, central matrix which was on the floor. After individuals had an opportunity to
select items, an individual was asked to read the combined matrix. The Central Matrix of Ideas
is attached. It contains twenty-nine ideas. Lisa asked what one is noticing about the items;
answers were connecting, effective way to communicate, helping network happen, nice blend of
technical and adaptive challenges. She asked individuals to read and ponder the central matrix.
She then asked which of these might you like to lead. Then the individual can host and facilitate
a dialogue on that topic, determine if it is an idea to try, who else is willing to help try the idea,
who else needs to be invited to try the idea, what are first 3 steps, what access/resources do you
need. There were five groups chosen. The groups were „Listening to young people as relates to
digital/technology‟, pastors and rostered leaders working together in shared ministry serving
their communities and shared ministry in broader geographical area with more than pastors,
synod council members connect with deans, spiritual formation for rostered leaders on a regular
basis, and effective, lively network relationships through network weavers.
There were small groups formed to answer the questions regarding the big ideas: determine if
it is an idea to try, who else is willing to help try the idea, who else needs to be invited to try the
idea, what are first 3 steps, what access/resources do you need. Upon returning to the main
group, the groups shared the results of their small group discussions.
The point was made that in prototyping failure is a step in learning. There is individual
discernment with failure but it can be understood that all are trying to learn.
There was a short break.
AGREE ON NEXT STEPS
Lisa welcomed everyone back from a short break. She shared more information on
prototyping. It can happen anywhere in the synod. Others should be encouraged to try ideas. It
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is organic with new ideas springing forward. Prototypes have the following criteria: are
relevant, right (elements of whole system in it), rapid (fast enough so that momentum is not lost),
clarity (needs to be understandable, clarifying the question that needs answered). The steps
include the following: build a model of the prototype, test it, get feedback. It should be small
enough to test and should get multiple feedback. With the feedback there will be spiritual
discernment. There needs to be help in doing reflections and feedback.
What is the process of doing feedback; does the synod need to be providing a process of
discernment. How do we support each other as we move forward, hold each other accountable,
resource each other, hold in prayer, how do we involve the „walk a-ways‟? The walk a-ways
may be asking pertinent questions. One of the ways would be to have Guide Team and Prayer
Team continue to check on the prototypes and perhaps include some Synod Council folk and
some deans. Another way is to build into regular Synod Council meetings reports from
prototypes. There is almost sort of Quaker listening we could do. We need to make a tentative
decision about process of discernment and feedback. All the prototypes so far fit within the
container of the structures in place.
Lisa recommended to have a blended team which will be the prototype
stewardship/discernment team that will provide feedback. The group would be asking questions
to help the teams. The group might include members of Synod Council, Guide Team, Prayer
Team, and perhaps a „walk-a-way‟. The practice of listening to the Spirit is also important.
Someone asked if the Guide and Prayer Teams want to continue working or do some think they
need to step away. The Prototype Stewardship/Discernment Team would be 5- 7 members.
There will be time during the April Synod Council meeting to discuss the prototype team.
PRAYER TEAM REFLECTIONS / SPIRITUAL EXAMEN REFLECTIONS ABOUT
RETREAT
Lisa asked to shift, expressing gratitude for the way the group worked together and engaged
in the process. The first question is Where have you seen the Holy Spirit move? Answers were
during the small group prototype discussion sessions, sticker pickers, in worship and singing,
people being open to the process, people being on different places on the curves, being diverse
yet working together, a sense of trusting, sense of knowing, sense of expectation, hopes of
Guiding Team were met, fears of Guiding Team did not materialize, touched by the energy, safe
space to think and be, is all holy. What is the Spirit telling us? Answers were Amen, let‟s go
dance as the Body of Christ, on the right track, moving forward together, like Jesus said “Go on
your way”. How do we want to respond? Answers were we‟ve talked, listened, now is time to
act, being called to act boldly, with joy. Lisa said it has been a pleasure to be with you, with
gratitude. Debbie said it was a leap of faith for both of us. Debbie continued that the way the
group engaged the process was wonderful, awesome to watch the Spirit move through you. The
Synod Council expressed gratitude for consultants and facilitators Lisa Negstad, Michael
Bischoff and Debbie Asberry.
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CLOSING PRAYER
Bishop Bill announced that dinner would be at 5:30 p.m., Synod Council is tomorrow
morning, and we will try to leave early. The group finished with the sending portion of the
liturgy, singing ELW 843 “Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness”.
SYNOD COUNCIL MEETING
SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2016
HOLY COMMUNION
Synod Council met in the chapel on the upper level of the Benedict Inn Conference and
Retreat Center at 9:00 a.m. for worship. After Confession the group sang ELW #822 “Oh, Sing
to the Lord” accompanied by Bishop playing the ukulele and Pastor Amy playing the mandolin.
The reading and basis for the sermon were Luke 4:14-21, The Beginning of the Galilean
Ministry, and The Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth. Bishop last preached at Faith United
(Richmond, Indiana) and will preach tonight at ecumenical service in Lexington, Kentucky, with
several „bishop types‟; he brought greetings from Faith United and asked to extend greetings
from the Synod Council. He noted the audacity of Jesus statement, "Today the scriptures have
been fulfilled in your hearing." He was speaking of the hopes and promises of generations. The
people assumed it would be a morning like every other morning. We bring our long standing
yearnings as we approach Sunday morning worship as always. There is transforming power that
greets us as we worship the crucified and risen Jesus who stands among us now, whether we
expect it or not. Today we are gathered up into God's arms; expect it.
After the sermon the group sang ELW #723, “Canticle of the Turning”. The group shared
Holy Communion; worship closed with the group singing ELW #538, “The Lord Now Sends Us
Forth”.
PLENARY ONE
Vice-President Miller called the meeting to order at 9:50 a.m. He referred to the agenda and
welcomed everyone. Additionally, he said that we would try to finish by lunch.
REVIEW OF RETREAT
Vice-President Miller asked if there were comments about the retreat on Friday and Saturday.
Going forward it was thought that the prototype groups will continue. There will be a prototype
task force that will act as a sounding board and support group for the prototype groups. The
prototype task force will include a walk away, possibly a dean, anyone who wanted to stay on
from the Guide Team and Prayer Team. Bishop Gafkjen thanked the group for their
commitment and willingness to expend time and energy in embracing the process.
REVIEW OF MEETING AGENDA, ADDITION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, FROM RETREAT
The agenda was modified in that plenary one and two may be combined to facilitate finishing
earlier than 2:00 p.m. There were no guest reports since the guests were absent.
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CHURCHWIDE AND CHURCHWIDE ASSEMBLY CONCERNS, IF ANY
Bishop discussed the churchwide assembly in New Orleans in August. Carlos Pena will no
longer serve as Vice-President of the ELCA. There is a Gathering in conjunction with the
Churchwide Assembly. Bishop Eaton has initiated a future directions process; he called
attention to a document in the dropbox entitled Priorities in Context: Sustainability and
Membership Growth, A Background Paper for the Future Directions Table. The document
details the history and research done in reviewing the sustainability of the mission and ministry
of the ELCA. The future directions process will build on that summary and research. It is for
council members only. There will be a meeting of churchwide voting members after the April
Synod Council meeting which is April 15-16.
REPORTS & REQUESTS FOR ACTION FROM EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, OFFICERS, AND STAFF ROSTER CONCERNS
Executive Committee and Officers
Vice-President Miller thanked the group for their support during the time of his father‟s
illness and death. He attended a Region 6 meeting in Ohio with the Bishop and Pastor Vicki
Garber. He is always humbled to be with a group like that. We are blessed to have our
leadership in the region. Vice-President Miller continued that there is a letter going out with a
tabulation of the gifts that candidates for Bishop should possess. The list was compiled as part of
the Bishop selection process. The list will be sent to conference ministeriums and conference
councils requesting names that should be considered. He has a biographical information form
that needs to be approved by Synod Council. He distributed the form (attached). Mike
Anderson moved that the form be approved; Marilyn Saum seconded the motion. The Synod
Council
VOTED: SC/2016/1: that the Biographical Information Form for a nominee for
Bishop of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod be approved.
Secretary Bush reported on the Congregational Constitution Task Force action by referring to
the report in the dropbox. The constitution for Our Saviour Lutheran Church, West Lafayette,
Indiana, was approved conditioned on making corrections; all needed corrections were in
sections which are required. The constitution for Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne,
Indiana, was approved conditioned upon addressing conditions and with the exception of
Chapter 9 and C13.02. The constitution for Purdue Lutheran Ministries, Purdue University,
West Lafayette, Indiana, was disapproved; two members of the task force will meet with Purdue
Lutheran Ministry members to assist them in revising their constitution.
The executive committee is recommending that Bishop Gafkjen be authorized to enter into a
negotiated Synod Office lease extension. Bishop Gafkjen noted that they have been in the
facility for twenty-one years and the facility is dedicated to housing non-profits. He discussed
that with the reduction in staff and individuals desiring to work from home there are some
proposed changes in the office area and design. Renovations are done at lessor‟s cost and not the
synod‟s. After discussion the Synod Council
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VOTED: SC/2016/2: that Bishop William Gafkjen is authorized to enter into a
negotiated Synod Office lease extension, with the reduced rent schedule beginning
May 31, 2016.
Secretary Bush referred for consideration the previously distributed draft minutes of the
November Synod Council meeting. Marilyn Saum moved and Paul Trickel seconded that the
minutes be approved, and the Synod Council
VOTED: SC/2016/3: that the minutes of the November 13-14, 2015, Synod Council
meeting, pages 2212-2229 be approved.
Treasurer Sue Miller thanked everyone for prayers and support during her absence for her
father‟s death and her illness. She referred to the treasurer‟s report (attached) reflecting the
financial update as of December 31, 2015, which was in the dropbox. Mission Support was
ahead of last year‟s budget and appears that it will be over budget by fiscal year end of January
31, 2016. The operating bottom line was $54,000 positive to budget due in part to positive
variances in Mission Support, administrative expense and assembly expense. For the
endowment the principal remained intact; twenty-nine percent of endowment net assets are
accumulated earnings.
Finance Chair Paul Trickel reported that a proposed budget for 2017-18 was in the dropbox.
There is less draw on designated funds; it does include adding another staff member to synod
staff and includes a two percent merit increase. They are moving forward on the audit, thanks to
Sue Miller, Marty Mielke, and Chris Walda. MIF SFS (Mission Investment Fund Synod
Financial Services) took over payroll as of January 1 and will take over the other financial
services February 1. Sylvia Ore, Pastor Heather, Bishop, Sue Miller, Chris Walda, and Marty
Mielke were thanked for their efforts. Bishop said packets had been sent to congregations
regarding remittance to MIF SFS by electronic transfer or by check.
Paul Trickel continued with his report on the search for treasurer process. The job
description is being finalized and within next two weeks a request will be lifted up. Two people
have expressed an interest in the position. The term starts in September and is a four-year term.
The task force in the treasurer search is Rev. Pamela Thiede, Amy Kruse and Paul Trickel. A
decision will be made at the Synod Council meeting in April.
Bishop
Staff reports
2016 Synod Assembly Agenda and related Assembly topics
Assistant to the Bishop Pastor Heather Apel distributed a rough draft agenda for the 2016
Synod Assembly. Both companion synods from Indonesia and Chile will have representatives
with us. There will also be a representative from the Mennonite Church USA. Those three
groups will be the topic of keynote addresses or will be keynoters. We have to plan for multiple
ballots for the Bishop election which affects the agenda. She generally discussed the schedule.
They will close check-in at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday in order to have the first ballot. ELCA
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Secretary Boerger will be the churchwide representative to administer the Bishop election.
Second ballot will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday with close of check-in registration at 9:30 a.m. The
electronic system cannot be used for the ecclesiastical ballot. She reviewed the role of Synod
Council members during Synod Assembly. They are to be present and they do vote. Synod
Council members should attend the new member orientation meeting at1:00 p.m. on Thursday.
If a Synod Council member is also a voting member for their congregation, the congregation
picks up their costs. She is working on locations for Synod Assembly for 2017 and 2018. Synod
Council meets before Synod Assembly at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 9.
She explained that in the past the first offering during synod assembly will go to a ministry of
the synod and the second offering to a wider ministry. The staff recommendation is as follows:
Synod Assembly Worship Offering Designations – Opening Worship: Freed to Lead, Closing
Worship: ELCA Campaign – Leadership. The Synod Council
VOTED: SC/2016/4: that the 2016 Synod Assembly worship offering designations
be as follows: Opening Worship: Freed to Lead, Closing Worship: ELCA
Campaign – Leadership.
Assistant to the Bishop Pastor Rudy Mueller reported that he would lead the congregation
council workshop in Muncie on February 27. The other item he mentioned was that there is no
action for the council. He did point out that there are some changes in interim assignments
which can be found on the vacancy report.
Director for Evangelical Mission Pastor Nancy Nyland referred to her report in the dropbox.
She is recommending Phil and Susan Schmidt, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church at Crestview Hills,
for a three-year term as new mission interpreter coordinators. They would recruit and train
mission ambassadors who can talk about the work of the wider church. The Synod Council
VOTED: SC/2016/5: that Phil and Susan Schmidt, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church at
Crestview Hills, KY, be appointed as mission interpreter coordinators for a three-
year term.
She reported that Connect is moving forward with the second training April 25, 26. The
congregations that are participating have been very positive. Pastor Jerry Mielke said that it is
exciting to be on board. It is a two-year commitment and he would encourage congregations to
consider it.
Liz Gaskins asked about the Latino ministry that was planned. Pastor Nyland reported that
nothing has worked out in Indianapolis and she continued that she is open to areas of minority
specific ministries.
Bishop Gafkjen reported on technology. He stated that we are hoping to roll out a new
website soon. Pastor Wade Apel is working on it. It is hoped that it will be more user friendly.
The target is February 1. Pastor Wade is also helping do a technology audit and is finding ways
to save money and is getting technology in a good place. They are looking at moving from an
onsite server to one on the cloud.
Bishop Gafkjen then discussed staffing. There will be a reconfiguration of staffing beginning
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February 1. He noted, “Be patient as we live into some new roles.” He outlined the new
positions and responsibilities. They are also shifting the way they do management with Pastor
Heather being the staff coordinator. The office space is being rearranged. Sylvia, April and
Carol will meet weekly so that there is a more collegial environment in the office rather than a
hierarchical one.
He stated that the job description for the synod communicator has just gone out and asked,
“Please have anyone interested to contact the Bishop”. The job description is posted on the
website and has gone out to the congregations.
Mary Anderson is the trained hunger coordinator. There will be an opportunity to network
and keep world hunger lifted up in the synod.
Bishop Gafkjen continued with his report. He put a document entitled Indiana-Kentucky
Synod Bishop Election Report, Research and Evaluation, Office of the Presiding Bishop, January
2016. It describes the synod and is from churchwide. The Indiana-Kentucky Synod is by far the
largest synod geographically in Region 6. In the synod 41.9 percent of the congregations have
typical worship attendance of 1 to 50 which represents 15.8 percent of the worshipers in the
synod. Thirty-six percent of the congregations have typical worship attendance of 51 to 100
which represents 31.8 percent of synod worshipers. All six synods in Region 6 have shown a
decline in worship attendance from 2004 to 2014 with the Indiana-Kentucky Synod showing the
largest decline of 42 percent; the decline in the other Region 6 synods ranged from 33 percent to
39 percent.
Bishop Gafkjen reported that it looks like we may have a Gift Planner in the next two weeks.
Bishop Dillahunt of the Southern Ohio Synod and he will be interviewing applicants. Bishop
Gafkjen is very hopeful. The plan is that the person will start February 1 and will be working
with other partners and work cooperatively with them. Our financial responsibility for the
position will be $6000 and will begin in August. He will ask the gift planner to work on
legacy/planned giving, major gifts, with congregations on planned giving, and funding of four
areas – Freed to Lead, Campus Ministries, Candidacy, New Mission/New Starts. Pastor Jerry
Mielke moved, Bernie Augenstein seconded the motion to have the gift planner work on the four
areas that bishop specified. The Synod Council
VOTED: SC/2016/6: that the work of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod gift planner be
focused on the following four areas: Freed to Lead, Campus Ministries, Candidacy,
and New Mission/New Starts.
ROSTER CONCERNS
There are four individuals requesting on-leave-from-call status or continuation of that status.
Pastor Barry Riehle has submitted his resignation at Zion Lutheran Church, Sunman
(Manchester), IN; he senses a call to transition and wants to do interim ministry. He is
requesting on-leave-from-call for the first year. Pastor Judy Brennan has been on family leave
and is requesting the fourth year of a possible six years on-leave-from-call for family leave.
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Diaconal Minister Barbara Finley is requesting a second year of on-leave-from-call for
discernment. Pastor Miltoria Sangobiyi has been on-leave-from-call three years; she is
requesting a continuation of that status. Since the council can only approve three years of on-
leave-from-call, the council if they wish may recommend to the Conference of Bishops that a
fourth year of on-leave-from-call be granted. Based on Bishop Gafkjen‟s recommendation, the
Synod Council
VOTED: SC/2016/7: that Pastor Barry Riehle be granted the first year of on-
leave-from-call status, that Pastor Judy Brennan be granted the fourth year of on-
leave-from-call for family leave, that Diaconal Minister Barbara Finley be granted a
second year of on-leave-from-call, and that Pastor Miltoria Sangobiyi be
recommended to the ELCA Conference of Bishops for an extension of her on-leave-
from-call status beyond the third year.
There were no Synod Council calls to consider or retirements to approve. For Synod Council
information, Bishop Gafkjen reported that Liberty Lausterer has resigned while on-leave-from-
call. If she would desire to return, she would contact the person who works on candidacy for
reinstatement.
The former Calvary Church property in Louisville has not been sold. The executive
committee continues to monitor the process as does Pastor Nancy Nyland. When the property is
sold, the Synod Council will decide what to do with the funds.
Assistant to the Bishop Pastor Heather Apel reported that the Reconciling In Christ Task
Force meets on Thursday. There will be a report at the 2016 Synod Assembly.
Pastor Rudy Mueller will be getting out information regarding the vacancies that the
nominating committee needs to address for Synod Assembly election.
Bishop had a request. He has been doing conversations regarding same sex couples. They
use documents and resources regarding relationships. Congregations are asking if they are being
called to do same gender marriages. They have been good conversations. If there are
congregations that wish to have those conversations, please have them call the synod office. He
tries to communicate that everyone is welcome as long as we are able to honor the image of God
in others. We are a both/and people not an either/or people. He has a workshop model that he
can share with others.
CLARIFICATION OF TASKS, MEETING REVIEW
Pastor Charlie Strietelmeier and Bernie Augenstein volunteered to lead worship during the
April meeting. Pastor Karen Strietelmeier volunteered to be mission monitor.
REPORT OF MISSION MONITOR AND CLOSING REFLECTIONS
Paul Trickel shared that his observations centered on today. The music today was especially
propelling and compelling. The Spirit has been working to expedite the meeting. We can‟t
spend enough time talking about the wonderful energy in the room. The people around the table
exemplify the Spirit moving.
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Pastor Charlie Strietelmeier said that the Spirit was working prior to coming to the meeting.
Mike Anderson said that Pastor Charlie made the comment last night that there was a lot of
energy and focus. Pastor Jerry Mielke mentioned that he has been on Synod Council before and
the Spirit is certainly present among the group. Liz Gaskins noted that she was attending a
multi-cultural senate in Chicago. She reported that there is going to be a change in the ELCA
constitution because we have failed miserably in the ten percent quota. Each of us is responsible
for spreading the Gospel and we need to be intentional. We do have persons of color and those
whose language is other than English that need to hear the Gospel. She said “the reason I am in
this church is because it is welcoming and has given me an opportunity to advocate for multi-
cultural groups.” She challenged the group to lift all peoples in your communities.
SENDING PRAYER
Bishop Gafkjen closed with prayer and offered grace.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:55 p.m. Individuals enjoyed lunch and fellowship provided
by the staff of St. Benedict Retreat Inn and Retreat Center.
Respectfully Submitted in His Service,
Judith A. Bush, Secretary
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Attachment A
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Attachment A
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Attachment B
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Attachment C
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Attachment C
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Attachment D
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Attachment D
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Attachment D
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Attachment D
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Attachment D