Crossings - July, 2010

From the Pastor for July, 2010

 

From the Pastor for July, 2010

 

This column highlights the Metropolitan Chicago Synod, ELCA Assembly meeting held on June 4-5 at the Crowne Plaza O’Hare Hotel, 5440 N. River Road, Rosemont, IL.

 

Cindy Lange, Carol Schaley and I represented Bethlehem Lutheran Church at this two day meeting.  Bishop Wayne Miller’s sermon on June 4 focused on the Assembly theme “You will be my witnesses.”  Cindy and Carol gave their Synod Assembly reports on June 13.  On June 20 we included a bulletin insert that presented a summary statement of the resolutions adopted at the Synod Assembly.  This insert is reprinted for this newsletter so members and friends can receive this information.

 

For a fuller report of the 2010 Synod Assembly, please go to Synod website at www.mcs.elca.org.  You will be able to read Bishop Wayne Miller’s inspiring opening sermon and his informative Bishop’s Report.

 

Several other items also relate to our congregational ministry.  A synod-wide stewardship strategy was adopted for use in local congregations.  A Latino ministry strategy has a special focus for the Fox Valley corridor.  The Saturday Spanish language Christian Education and worship at Bethlehem led by Pastor Antonio Cabello of Carpentersville at Bethlehem is one expression of this strategy.  Bethlehem is also one of 15 Metro Synod congregations that are currently participating in the Koinonia Leadership program.  Three Friday-Saturday training sessions given by Stephens Ministries of St. Louis MO in October and November will include a BLC team of leaders, to be selected this summer.

 

A Synod Assembly includes events to enjoy such as various worship services, fellowship opportunities and seeing familiar and new friends.  Places we serve as a church are highlighted in Synod reports and by the church wide representative.  Information you can use comes in various forms.  Our new Dean of the Northwest Conference of Metro Synod is Seth Moland-Kovash of All Saints Lutheran Church in Palatine.  Synod secretary Steve Srock encouraged congregations to update their parish constitution.  He also noted that of 10,400 congregations in the ELCA a total of 140 congregations or 1.5 per cent have officially voted to leave the ELCA and affiliate elsewhere.  Overall this Synod Assembly seemed to focus on witnessing for Jesus Christ and uniting in the essential ministries of the church wide ELCA, the Metro Chicago Synod, and our local congregations.  Thank you for sending our team of three to the assembly