Stewardship of environment and financial resources

The Saint Paul Area Synod assembly adopted a resolution in 2007 calling on both the synod and congregations to find ways to reduce, re-use, and recycle. For the last two years, the assembly planning team worked hard to find ways to address environmental stewardship, and evaluations expressed appreciation for these changes—and asked for more! In addition, increased costs of printing and mailing are resulting in additional changes this year. Here’s what to expect:

• When possible, we will use paper, biodegradable, or compostable products for food and beverage service instead of plastic or Styrofoam.
  
• Information about ministry partners—once stuffed in registration packets—will be available at a designated table or in the display area.
  
• The Pre-Assembly Report—previously mailed to registered voting members one month before the assembly—will now be posted online. The Pre-Assembly Report contains background materials for the assembly—general information, rules of procedure, agenda, speaker information, the report of the bishop, resolutions, biographical information about nominees, annual reports from synod committees and ministry partners, and the minutes of the 2009 assembly. Voting members will be informed of its availability via email and asked to read the materials online. Voting members who do not have access to computers should call the synod office and ask to have the materials mailed to them. Since this represents a significant change from previous years (most synods have switched to distributing materials in this way), please make sure that email addresses are included in registration materials and expect regular electronic updates about the assembly.
  
• We recognize that the change in the distribution of materials might create some confusion. Please call the synod office if you have questions. We are committed to providing the background information to voting members so that they understand and can prepare for the important work before them during the synod assembly. Please help us with the change by communicating with your congregation’s voting members in a timely way and making certain to include email addresses in the registration materials.
  
• Voting members will receive a Program Bulletin at registration. This booklet, which combines the Pre-Assembly Report and the Program Supplement, will contain materials needed for the business of the assembly as well as worship materials. Evaluations have suggested that voting members will find it less confusing to have materials together in one bulletin.
  
• Evaluations from last year overwhelmingly rejoiced that the ubiquitous bottled water disappeared from the assembly! And those who assisted with clean-up throughout the assembly also appreciated its absence! Expect the same this year. Please bring your own travel mug or use the water fountains located throughout the building. A limited number of coffee mugs will be available for $2 for use during the assembly.