Santander Arena Reading, PA

289 Pages·2016·6.83 MB·English

MINUTES of the PROCEEDINGS

28TH ANNUAL ASSEMBLY
NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA
SYNOD

of the

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH
in AMERICA

Santander Arena
Reading, PA

May 29 - 30, 2015

CONTENTS:

PART I

Assembly Program
Assembly Committees
Assembly Reports

Auditor’s Report
Proposed Budget

2015 Assembly Minutes
Voting Members

PART II, Page 121

Constitution and Bylaws
Standing and Continuing Resolutions

PART III, Page 165

Congregational Statistics, 2014
Treasurer’s Acknowledgments
Synodical Statistics, 2013 & 2014

PART IV, Page 203

Directories for:

Synod Council
Mission District Councils
Synod Ministry Teams
Synod Support Committees
Boards of Institutions and Agencies
Ordained Pastors
Specialized Pastoral Care Professionals
United Church of Christ Pastors
Full-Communion Partner Denomination Pastors
Deaconesses
Associates in Ministry
Diaconal Ministers
Synodically Authorized Lay Ministers
Slovak-Zion Synod Congregations
Congregations, Listed by Location
Social Ministry Agencies

INDEX, Page 289
3

th
28 Annual Synod Assembly
Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA
May 29-30, 2015
Santander Arena, Reading, PA

2015 Synod Assembly Program

Friday, May 29, 2015

8:30 AM Registration Opens
10:00 - 12:00PM Plenary Session One
Opening Worship (with Order for the Opening of an Assembly)
Adoption of the Program
Report of the Bishop
Report of the Nominating Committee; First Ballot
Reports of the Vice President and Synod Council
Report of the Secretary
Report of the Treasurer
Ministry Team Reports
First Report of the Committee of Reference and Council
Greetings from Bear Creek Camp
12:00 - 2:00 PM Lunch

2:00 - 2:30 PM God’s Playground

2:30 - 5:00 PM Plenary Session Two
Report of the First Ballot, Second Ballot
Greetings from Portico Benefit Services
Keynote Address: The Rev. Dr. Karl Krueger
Recognition of Hope’s Table SAWC
BREAK
Ministry Team Reports
Recognition of Anniversaries of Rostered Service
Adoption of 2016 Program Proposal
5:00 - 7:00 PM Prayer and Dinner
7:00 - 8:30 PM Plenary Session Three
Report of the Second Ballot, Third Ballot
Address by the ELCA representative, Mr. Carlos Peña
Greetings from the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
Greetings from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia
World Hunger Offering
Update on Always Being Made New: The Campaign for the ELCA
Greetings from Diakon Lutheran Social Ministries
Saturday, May 31, 2014
8: 30 - 10:00 AM Festival Worship Service
(with installation of deans, synod council members and bishop’s staff)

10:00 - 12:00 PM Plenary Session Four
Report of the Third Ballot, Fourth Ballot
Greetings from Pennsylvania Council of Churches
Second Report of the Committee of Reference and Council
Acknowledgment of retirements; Recognition of rostered individuals new
to the synod
Introduction of candidates for the roster
Recognition of Susquehanna County Church Without Walls SAWC
Keynote Address: The Rev. Dr. Karl Krueger
Ministry Team Reports
Report of the Fourth Ballot, Fifth Ballot (if necessary)
Ministry Team Report
Action of 2016 Compensation Guidelines
Unfinished Business
Report of the Committee on Minutes
12:00 - 1:00 PM Lunch

12:30 - 4:00 PM God’s Playground

2:30 - 3:15 PM Ken Medema Concert
3:15 - 4:00 PM Closing Worship
2015 SYNOD ASSEMBLY COMMITTEES
Assembly Coordinator Elections

The Rev. Kurt Garbe Ed Cool, Chair
The Rev. Peter Kuritz, Staff Liaison
Arrangements/Planning Team Dawn Baxter
Jim Carey
The Rev. Jeffrey Carstens Carol Cool
The Rev. Christopher deForest Jim Hemerly
David Derr Marian Jameson
The Rev. Christian Eichorn The Rev. Katie Lyon
Marty Everhart, SALM The Rev. Mark Rigg
The Rev. Kurt Garbe The Rev. Carl Shankweiler
The Rev. Callista Isabelle Larry Stauffer

The Rev. George Matthews
The Rev. Greg Shreaves
The Rev. Glenn Simmons Registration
The Rev. Suzanne Trump
The Rev. Gary Walbert Deborah Frey
The Rev. Mary Wolfe Diane F. Hemerly
Bishop Samuel Zeiser Jim Hemerly
Larry Mast, SALM
God’s Playground Marcia Mast
Catherine Mordosky
The Rev. Eileen LeVan-Smith Ron Mordosky
Brian Smith Larry Stauffer
Mary Simmons
Excuse
Minutes
The Rev. Nancy Moore
The Rev. Virginia Biniek
Ushers The Rev. D Michael Bennethum,
Staff Liaison
The Rev. Bruce D. MacLaughlin, Co-Chair The Rev. Jeffrey Butz
The Rev. Jimmy Lee Werley, Co-Chair Luke Swanson
The Rev. Mary Gade, Staff Liaison The Rev. Mark Swanson
Rosalie Adducie, The Rev. Kathleen Ash-Flashner
Pete Baney, Paul Bartlett Worship
Janice Clemmer, The Rev. Laura Csellak
William Dimmich, SALM The Rev. Callista Isabelle, Chair
Doc Duckworth, Donna Duckworth The Rev. Martha Sipe
Martin Everhart, SALM
Dave Fox, Donna Fox Greeters and Volunteers
Jim Hirko, Kim Hirko, Kim Lapp
Dottie MacLaughlin, Nicole Marcano Pastors and members of congregations in
The Rev. Barry Mitchell the Reading area
The Rev. Elizabeth Mitchell
Rich Moore, Allison Obeid Reference and Counsel
The Rev. Paulette Obrecht, Kate Peires
The Rev. Dennis Ritter, Sally Sassaman The Rev. D. Michael Bennethum, Staff Liaison
Bobby Siegfried, Beth Stoner The Rev. Carolyn Hetrick
Kevin Taylor, Inge Williams The Rev. James Muske
The Rev. Carl Shankweiler

7

EXECUTIVE REPORTS
(OFFICERS, DEANS)

REPORT OF THE BISHOP

Dear Friends in Christ Jesus, respond favorably to congregational requests for
ministry enhancement funding. Seven congrega-
I am happy to greet you as we prepare for the 28th tions followed up on the offer made by the Synod
Annual Assembly of the Northeastern Pennsylva- Council Finance Committee at the 2014 Assembly
nia Synod. What a joy it will be to gather with you to submit Doing What Matters Requests. Every
at the Santander Arena in Reading! Over the past request was honored, which means that new ef-
few months special thematic planning for this as- forts at ministry were started and existing ministries
sembly has crafted an agenda meant to build rela- were strengthened in those congregations who
tionships among our congregations. As we near asked for and received support.
the start of Assembly 2015, I hope that you pray for
all who will attend, so that we can be empowered The blossoming of such ministry efforts is im-
by the Holy Spirit to live out our ministries with new portant as we move into God’s future for the con-
gregations of this synod. Recognizing, at the same
faith and renewed commitment.
In the year since we last assembled, there have time, that local circumstances can make it difficult
been a few developments in the life of this synod for some congregations to find new opportunities
that deserve attention. July 2014 brought a first for mission, we seek to be of assistance to congre-
wave of synod staff transitions that resulted in gations that are faced with dissolution or closure.
sharing responsibilities previously attended to by Since last year’s assembly, three synod congrega-
tions closed. Along with faith-related issues at the
one staff position. January 2015 then brought a
prospect of closing, there are legal and ecclesiasti-
second wave of transitions that changed the nature
of the staff in terms of personnel and a move to cal matters that must be addressed properly. The
Synod Council, therefore, formed a Task Force on
more part time positions. I am very happy with the
team that shares leadership responsibilities with the Closing of Congregations and charged it with
me, and I think we are already forming a strong creating a document meant to assist in fulfilling all
working relationship. Many helpful transition out- necessary steps. Representatives of each mission
comes have resulted, one of which is a group of district serve on the task force.
volunteers willing to give focused attention to the
care and maintenance of the Lutheran Center. Since we last assembled, a request came to the
Our stewardship of building and grounds is now Synod Council for the formation of a Creation Care
strengthened. Task Force which would organize and coordinate
events, promote advocacy, and disseminate infor-
With the staffing and structural foundation in place, mation and ideas meant to encourage environmen-
we are better able to venture into missional efforts tal sensitivity across the synod territory. The coun-
cil gave its approval. It is important that we hear
across the synod and around the world. I am par-
ticularly encouraged by progress being made on from members of this synod who have interest in
three of those efforts on our territory, all of which consequential issues of our time.
are made possible by the mission support of your
congregations. The Susquehanna County Initia- Voting members at the 2014 Assembly adopted a
tive, an outreach ministry of the Scranton/Wilkes- Synod Council resolution committing this synod to
Barre Mission District, will take on new dimensions participation in Always Being Made New: The
as a seminary intern explores ways to build on the Campaign for the ELCA. The goal is to have 100%
ministry already taking place there. The Synod participation by synod congregations. Information
Council recently voted in favor of Synodically Au- about the campaign can be found on the ELCA
thorized Worshipping Community status for Hope’s website (elca.org) or by contacting Guy Ehler, our
Table, a new ministry of Hope Lutheran Church in synod’s campaign coordinator. I have been
Reading that provides a mid-week meal and wor- pleased at the regular campaign contributions
ship opportunity to neighborhood residents. Mis- coming into the synod office, and I look with antici-
sion of Hope, a full-communion effort by the Epis- pation at the outcome of Always Being Made New
copal Diocese of Bethlehem, the Eastern District of Sunday on May 3, 2015. Support of any of the ten
the Northern Province of the Moravian Church, and ELCA ministries encompassed by the campaign
the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod is being will strengthen ministries already having profound
nurtured in Shenandoah under the direction of St. impact, such as World Hunger, Malaria, and Fund
for Leaders, as well as new ministries offering
John Lutheran Church.
fresh challenges, such as Youth/Young Adult, Dis-
Strong mission support also made it possible to abilities Ministries, and International Leaders –
Women.
9
Always Being Made New is important to me be- local progress of “Always Being Made New: The
cause it offers congregations small and large - ru- Campaign for the ELCA,” a five-year effort ap-
ral, suburban and urban - a substantive and trans- proved by the 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
formative stimulus to do what matters for God. The 2014 Synod Assembly approved our participa-
You can make an important contribution to your tion in this important endeavor to support the ELCA
congregation by rallying support for one or more of ministries nationally and internationally. We great-
the ministries of the campaign. There are re- ly appreciate Guy Ehler spearheading the cam-
sources for each ministry that help members un- paign in Northeast Penn.
derstand the positive impact they have in a world
hungry for hope. Use the resources and expand The Call Process Task Force is winding up its
support for the campaign. work. The newly drafted Procedures for Congre-
gations in Pastoral Transition, Checklist for NEPS
At last year’s annual assembly, voting members Congregations in Transition and Pastoral Transi-
elected me to serve a second six-year term. In my tion Timeline are being employed by the staff.
response to the election, I said that the call re- The need for some tweaking has occurred. Once
newed meant for me that it was a call unleashed. these improvements are made, we hope the work
Since last May, I have worked to define the mean- of the Task Force will be considered a success in
ing of “unleashed.” A major component of the de- improving the call process.
fining process took shape in the planning process
for Assembly 2015. During our time together at the The work of the Task Force on Closing Congrega-
Santander Arena, we will explore the outcome of tions has begun in earnest. Manuals from the Up-
the planning process. Those who have attended per New York Synod and the Southeastern Penn-
previous assemblies will find that Assembly 2015 sylvania Synod have been reviewed and are serv-
contains new elements. As in previous assem- ing as valuable resources while the Task Force
blies, there will be business to transact; but there drafts a manual for use in our Synod.
will be more opportunity for interaction among vot-
ing members than has generally been the case. We are blessed as a Synod to have a hard working
Among the objectives of the unleashed approach staff as well as council members and delegates to
to Assembly 2015 are: putting emphasis upon con- this Assembly willing to devote the necessary time
gregations; giving congregations opportunity to and effort to doing important work on behalf of the
define themselves in terms of ministry; encourag- greater church at the Synodical level. Thank you.
ing voting members to speak up about ministries
that excite them; inspiring one another to embold- Donald F. Smith, Jr., Vice President
en our reforming spirit in anticipation of the Refor-
mation’s 500th anniversary in 2017. I hear about

and see the commitment our members have to
their congregations as I visit week after week. It’s REPORT OF THE SECRETARY
time for more of us to discover how God is on the
loose in Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod congre- As of April 1, 2015, the following changes have
gations.
taken place since the 2014 Assembly:

I look forward to seeing you, hearing from you, and
ROSTER OF ORDAINED MINISTERS
talking to you at Assembly 2015.

With thanksgiving to God for our life together in
Ordinations
Christ Jesus,

Samuel R. Zeiser, Bishop Recher, Julie P., September 27, 2014
Williams, Inge M., November 1, 2014

REPORT OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
Received from Other Synods

Since my last report a year ago, we have had four Coleman, Kathleen G., Lower Susquehanna
Synod Council meetings in four different locations: Synod, June 5, 2013
the Lutheran Center; Luther Crest in Allentown; St. Garman, Timothy R., Upper Susquehanna
Joseph Hill Church, in a beautiful setting outside of Synod, November 26, 2014
Boyertown; and St. Mark, Bethlehem. It is always Kramer, Robert A., Lower Susquehanna Synod,
rewarding to travel around our territory and learn of August 1, 2014
the important work being performed by our congre- Middeke-Conlin, Rebecca E., New England
gations and social ministry entities. We are indeed Synod, May 15, 2014
blessed. Moore, Richard, Southeast Pennsylvania Syn-
od,
The Council continues to support and monitor the October 1, 2014
10