Twelfth Biennial Convention Updates - July 12, 2008

Report of the Elections Committee July 12

Synod Council,
Lay Persons, Term: 2008 – 2012
Elected: Brian Koivu (N)

Clergy, Term: 2008 - 2012
Elected Rev. Colin Cameron
Rev. Riitta Hepomaki

2008 - 2010 Budgets Highlights

The Eastern Synod budget (approximately $2,750,000 annually) is based on the five ways that we, as a synod, allocate our financial resources to be a church In Mission for Others:

• Leadership Development and Support – Funding for Waterloo Lutheran Seminary, clergy and lay retreats, health benefits for retired pastors/spouses and other leadership support. 

• Mission Within the Synod – Funding for Canadian missions, outdoor ministry, campus ministry and chaplains serving in military, health, correctional services and community ministries.  

• Addressing Human Need – Funding primarily for GHDA and CLWR. 

• Mission in Canada and Beyond – Funding provided by the synod for the national church in support of world missions, ecumenical relations, public policy and synodical relations.

• Support for Congregations – Funding to support congregational learning, service, support, witness, worship and youth ministries, as well as support from the Bishop,   synod office staff and Conference Deans in times of congregational transitions and celebrations.

Budgets for 2008 to 2010 reflect the synodical committee restructuring that was approved by Assembly 2008 as well as a renewed staffing model replacing one “Assistant to the Bishop” position with the addition of several part-time “Ministry Directors” and an augmented role for Conference Deans.

Due to funding shortfalls, deep and painful cutbacks affecting a number of ministry areas were implemented several years ago. Although further reductions are not currently planned for 2008 – 2010, increases of 1% in 2008, 2.2% in 2009 and 3.5% in 2010 in congregational benevolence offerings will be required to balance these budgets. An enthusiastic and generous response by congregations to the Synod’s Vision Visits program is essential in achieving these targets.

Vision Visits
In order to address ongoing financial concerns and to make real the budget passed by the assembly, The Resource Development Committee is planning a series of Vision Visits. With the held of volunteer visitors, the committee will visit every congregational council in the synod in the hopes of discussing ways to expand the congregation’s awareness of the Renewed Vision for Mission and work to increase support for synod missions and programs.

New Pastors in the Eastern Synod

The Bishop introduced all the new pastors that have joined the Eastern Synod in the last two years.

Leadership Awards

Photo Caption: From left to right are: Rev. Nancy Kelly, Herb Henkel, Rev. Dr. Bart Beglo and Paul and Shirley Bruer.

The 2008 Eastern Synod Leadership Awards were presented at the Saturday evening banquet. The crystal flame of the award symbolizes the light of Christ which emanates through the witness of all Christian people, while also representing the gifts of the Holy Spirit as they have been expressed within the lives of the individual award recipients.
The 2008 Clergy Leadership Award for Exemplary Service to the Wider Church was presented Rev. Dr. Bart Beglo. For the first time, the Lay Leadership Award for Exemplary Service to the Wider Church was awarded to a couple – Paul and Shirley Bruer.
Rev. Nancy Vernon Kelly was awarded the Clergy Leadership Award for Exemplary Service to the Wider Community and Herb Henkel received the Lay Leadership Award for Exemplary Service to the Wider Community.

Volunteers Make the Convention Tick

Hundreds of volunteers and generous sponsors resulted in the success of the Twelfth Biennial Convention of the Eastern Synod. Thanks to those who served as musicians, singers, greeters, stewards, ballot counters and hosts. Thanks to those who served on the Local Arrangement, Hospitality, Communications and Transportation teams. Their smiling faces and untiring work throughout the assembly was appreciated by all.

Ordination Celebrations

Those pastors receiving their 25th Anniversary Cross were Joachim Barkley Probst, Thomas Doherty, James Goos, Timothy Kuhlmann, Ilze Kuplens-Ewart, Svante Olson, Lester Skonnord, Thomas Zumbrock.

40 Years - Earl Albrecht, Theodore Heinze, W. Philip Heinze, Carl Kappes, Maris Kirsons, Heino Laaneots, Everett Mossman, Tonis Nommik, Clinton Rohr, Gordon Schmidt, Donald Stroh, Peeter Vanker.

50 Years - Vernon Cronmiller, Charles Dechert, David Granskou, William Huras, William Kurschinski, Barry Lang, Joachim Von Schemling, Eric Weber, Clyde Wentzell,
60 Years Arthur Conrad and Eric Reble.