2019 Synod Assembly

The 2019 Saint Paul Area Synod Assembly was held May 17-18 at Saint Andrew's Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi. With the theme, "Both/And," participants explored The Great Commandment and The Great Commission through text studies led by the Rev. Dr. Mary Hinkle Shore.

The following 12 persons were elected to synod-wide roles:

• Synod Council - Peter Hanson, Mark Lichtenberger, Michael Collins and Deb Dahlberg
• Consultation Committee - Steve Egbert and Ruth Sorenson-Prokosch
• Discipline Committee - Susan Nelson, Janet Brahier and Marty Erickson
• 2019 Churchwide Assembly - Rachel Wermerskirchen, Bob Rygh and Elizabeth Wilder (ratified as voting members)

Voting delegates passed a resolution opposing conversion therapy and adopted the 2020 budget, anticipating $2,025,000 in mission support from congregations. Churchwide Representative Andrew Steele offered greetings  and a report from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

This year featured a mission fair....14 updates and presentations by ministry partners with topics ranging from  congregational vitality, campus ministry, global evangelism and advocacy to synod companion updates related to Tanzania and Guatemala. In addition, two dozen organizations staffed vendor displays throughout the assembly to share information about their programs and ministries.

Thanks to the efforts of a Worship Planning team, we enjoyed several opportunities to worship together with creative liturgies, remarkable music and joyous praise. An offering given in the amount of nearly $6,500 will fund camp and other learning experiences for youth and children from our ethnic specific congregations.

The assembly attendance included 351 voting members, 106 congregations and mission starts, 74 visitors and vendors and 10 advisors.