2024 Synod Assembly Wrap-Up
Thank you to all who participated in our 2024 Synod Assembly, held May 10-11 at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi. Here are a few of the highlights:
- Eternal Flame Lutheran Church in Vadnais Heights was welcomed into the synod and the ELCA as our newest full-fledged congregation.
- Representatives were elected to the Synod Council and synod committees, as were voting members to the 2025 Churchwide Assembly. (See the list under Elections below.)
- The Rev. Dr. Roger Willer provided a report from the churchwide organization. (See below for a video message from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton.)
- The assembly approved two resolutions and one memorial:
- The assembly approved the 2025 budget.
In a nod to the assembly theme of “Called to Show Up,” keynote presenter Joe Davis used the spoken word and music to challenge and inspire the assembly. Assembly participants each received a copy of his book, Remind Me Again: Poems and Practices for Remembering Who We Are.
“May you live in interesting times…” Many would say we live in uncertain times, with a world experiencing war and famine, the stress and lingering effects of the pandemic. In this video message, Presiding Bishop Eaton reminds us that as people of the Resurrection we also live in hope. God’s love sustains us even in the most difficult times.
Elections
Congratulations to the following people who were elected to Synod Council or synod committtees:
- Synod Council, Vice President: George Mickelsen – Zion, Chisago City
- Synod Council, Secretary: Thaoke Her – Eternal Flame, Vadnais Heights
- Synod Council, At-Large, Lay: Toya Dragseth – St. Anthony Park, St. Paul
- Synod Council, At-Large, Deacon: Sister Tashina Good – Shepherd of the Hills, Shoreview
- Synod Council, At-Large, Person of Color/Language Other Than English: Peter Songster – Christ the Servant, Vadnais Heights
- Committee on Discipline, Rostered: The Rev. Sarah Kerkes – Zion, Chisago City
- Consultation Committee, Lay: Lynne Moratzka – Elim, Scandia
- Consultation Committee, Rostered: The Rev. Karen Williams – Grace, St. Paul
Congratulations to the following people who were elected as Voting Members for the 2025 Churchwide Assembly:
- Lay: Don Steinke – Faith, Forest Lake
- Lay: Craig Anderson – Hosanna, Forest Lake
- Lay: Michael Larson – Easter, Eagan
- Lay – Young Adult: Macy Craig – Resurrection, Woodbury
- Lay – Young Adult: Grace Reigel – Immanuel, St. Paul
- Lay – Person of Color/Language Other Than English: Ye Her – Eternal Flame, Vadnais Heights
- Rostered Minister – Deacon: Deacon Kate Lindberg – St. Mark’s, North St. Paul
We look forward to their participation on council, committees or the churchwide assembly!
Observances
Each year, the Saint Paul Area Synod takes time at its assembly to:
- recognize milestone anniversaries of rostered ministers and congregations
- honor those who have retired during the past year
- remember those who have passed away
- and welcome rostered ministers who are new to the synod
Watch the “Observances” video here and/or check out the list below:
2024 Roster Anniversaries
| 25 Years | 55 Years |
| The Rev. Daniel Anderson | The Rev. Daniel Brumm |
| The Rev. Jonathan Larson | The Rev. Thomas Duke |
| The Rev. J Lynne Lorenzen | The Rev. Rodney Maeker |
| The Rev. Emily Meyer | The Rev. Gary Olson |
| The Rev. Robin Steinke | |
| 60 Years | |
| 40 Years | The Rev. Roger Anderson |
| The Rev. Roger Allmendinger | The Rev. Arthur Bruning |
| Deacon Jerome Brakke | The Rev. Ronald Freimark |
| The Rev. Paul Gauche | The Rev. Ronald Leslie |
| The Rev. John Keller | The Rev. E Lind |
| The Rev. Connie McCallister | The Rev. Lyle Lutz |
| Deacon Catherine Powers | The Rev. Vern Rice |
| The Rev. Michael Rogness | |
| 50 Years | The Rev. Clarence Schaffner, Jr. |
| The Rev. Charles Brown | The Rev. Roger Schwarze |
| The Rev. Joseph Everson | |
| The Rev. Ronald Olson | 65 Years |
| The Rev. John Straiton | The Rev. Arne Jessen |
| The Rev. John Wheelock | The Rev. Leland Johnson |
2024 Milestone Congregation Anniversaries
| 50 Years | 150 Years |
| Easter, Eagan | Spring Lake, North Branch |
| Hosanna, Forest Lake | Zion, Chisago City |
2024 Retirements
| The Rev. Nancy Bence | Deacon Diane Pearson |
| The Rev. Deborah Blue | The Rev. Kris Ross |
| The Rev. Scott Jakel | The Rev. Andrew Smith |
| The Rev. Kristine Linner | The Rev. Rick Summy |
| The Rev. Jeffrey Marian | Deacon Karen Wilson |
| The Rev. Russell Myers |
2024 In Remembrance
| The Rev. Charles Claus | The Rev. Delbert Sailer |
| The Rev. Michelle Gawienowski | The Rev. Thomas Schultz |
| The Rev. Bonnie Jensen | The Rev. Arthur Solberg |
| The Rev. Ronald Nielsen | The Rev. Wayne Stumme |
| The Rev. Thomas Nyman |
2024 New to the Synod
| Deacon Steve Arnold - Retired | The Rev. Jenny McLellan - St. James, Burnsville |
| The Rev. Stanley Ayashim - First, St. Paul | The Rev. Ruthie Mhanga - Gustavus Adolphus, St. Paul |
| The Rev. Rob Carlson - Shepherd of the Valley, Apple Valley | The Rev. Gary Mikkelson - Retired |
| The Rev. Pepe Demarest - Recovery Church, UMC, St. Paul | The Rev. Carrie Stiles - St. Paul, Wyoming |
| The Rev. Reed Fowler - Grace, Apple Valley | The Rev. Walter Still - Our Savior’s, Circle Pines |
| The Rev. Amelia Houdek - King of Kings, Woodbury | Deacon Ashley Tangen-Greenwood - Gloria Dei, St. Paul |
| The Rev. Wesley Kimball - All Saints, Cottage Grove | The Rev. Karen Thompson - Retired |
| The Rev. Joy Knoppel - Christiania, Lakeville | The Rev. William Thompson - Retired |
| The Rev. Annie Langseth - House of Prayer, Oakdale | The Rev. Susan Tjornehoj - Retired |
| Deacon Patty Lee - Our Lady of Peace Hospice, St. Paul | The Rev. Amy Vigesaa - Bethlehem, Bayport |
| Deacon Kate Lindberg - St. Mark’s, North St. Paul | The Rev. David Wangaard - Retired |
| The Rev. Bonnie Lomen - Retired | The Rev. Larry Westfield - Retired |
Worship
A hymn sing featuring some of our most beloved Easter hymns carried us into Friday evening’s synod-wide worship service. With preaching by Bishop Lull on our assembly theme, “Called to Show Up,” talented musicians and a cadre of worship leaders, the service was a festive kick-off to Synod Assembly! This year’s assembly worship offering, which totaled more than $4,000, was designated for ELCA World Hunger, which is celebrating 50 years of working toward a just world where all are fed.
Watch the recorded livestream of the service here:
Mission Fair
The Saint Paul Area Synod Assembly is a great time to make connections with people from congregations around the synod, as well as affiliate organizations! The Mission Fair featured 30 displays of ministries, programs and events of synod work groups, ELCA partners and others. Participating organizations included:
Advocates for Racial Equity Work Group
Augsburg University Campus Ministry
Bega Kwa Bega – Iringa Committee
Camp Onomia
Care of Creation Work Group
Center of Addiction & Faith
Cherish All Children – LSSMN
CYF Twin Cities Leadership Team
Clergy Financial Resources
Dignity for Daughters
ELCA Foundation
ELCA Mission Investment Fund
ELCA Young Adults
ENGAGE: Lutherans for Gun Violence Prevention
Friends of Huruma
Global Refuge
Guatemala Committee
Luther Seminary
Lutheran Advocacy – Minnesota
Lutheran Campus Ministry-Twin Cities
Lutheran Faith Community Nurse Association
Lutheran Mideast Development
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota
LSS at Allianz Field
Mental Health Connect
The Ministry Lab
Minnesota Contemplative Outreach
Shobi’s Table
Vanco
Vitality Team of the Saint Paul Area Synod
Acknowledgments
The Synod Assembly would not be possible but for the contributions of many! We offer a heartfelt thanks to:
Our Host:
St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church: pastors and staff, especially Mark Jackson and the A/V tech team, facilities crew and many volunteers
Worship Planning Committee:
Deacon Stephanie Anderson – Augustana, West St. Paul
Pastor Jason Bryan-Wegner – Augustana, West St. Paul
Andrew Jacob – Augustana, West St. Paul
Bill Chouinard – liaison from St. Andrew’s, Mahtomedi
Bishop Patricia Lull – synod staff liaison
Worship Contributors:
Pastor Aaron Holmgren – Salem, West St. Paul
Pastor Stanley Ayashim – First, St. Paul
George Michelsen – Zion, Chisago Lake
Pastor Amy Mihelich-Smith – St. Andrew’s, Mahtomedi
Hilary Wagner – Augustana, West St. Paul
Musicians:
Andrew Parr, Doug Berg-Williams, John Metcalfe, Steven Garcia, Olav Serres, Doug Jones, Hannah Deyo, Chloe Johnson, Valerie Drewes, Martha Barth, Carrie Ann Uwadiae, Wenie Lado, Katie Jonza, Ingrid Elzey, Forrest Schrader, Logan Combs, Adrian Rossing, Seth Hartwell, Brandon Berger, David Gindra, Josiah Telschow, Isaac Drewes, Janet Metcalfe
Representatives of Eternal Flame Lutheran Church:
Robert Nao Yeng Her
Long Vang
Thaoke Her
Rev. Vern Rice
Rev. Dr. William Siong
Credentials Committee:
Sister Tashina Good, Synod Council representative – Shepherd of the Hills, Shoreview
Katie Hendrikson – Candidate
Kyle Anderson – Candidate
Alison Bondy – Candidate
Becky Sliva – Candidate
Lauren Mildahl – Candidate
Kimberly Ryan – Candidate
Fred Grimsrud – Our Savior’s, Stillwater
Pastor Lloyd Menke – Our Saviour’s, Hastings
Pastor Karna Moskalik – Our Savior’s, Stillwater
Pastor Nathan Baker-Trinity – First, Rush City
Pastor Amy Mihelich Smith – St. Andrews, Mahtomedi
Pastor Sarah Anderson – Christ the King, New Brighton
Pastor Ruthie Mhanga – Gustavus Adolphus, St. Paul
Elections Committee:
Pastor Peter Christ, Chair, Synod Council Representative
Pastor Mitch Kinsinger, City Conference
Pastor David Bjorkland, East Central Conference
Pastor Paul Canon, North Conference
Pastor Annie Langseth, East Central Conference
Pastor Amelia Houdek, Southeast Conference
Pastor Sarah Rhode, South Conference
Pastor Rob Carlson, South Conference
Deacon Diane Shallue, North Central Conference
Jennifer Tolzman, North Conference
Anne Gerrietts, City Conference
Rolf Lowenberg-DeBoer – Synod staff
Others:
Dan Nyberg, Electric Picture Company, Roseville – Assembly Photographer
Randy Smith – Assembly Secretary
Pastor Tanner Howard, Assembly Parliamentarian
Hilary Wagner, Worship Bulletin Designer
Marie Wiegert MAN, BSN, RN, CPAN, CAPA, on-site first responder
Caryn Josephson of the Iringa Committee
Julie Printz of the Guatemala Committee
Assembly Planning Team and Logistics (staff):
Rachel Holsten
Leslie Ortiz
Mary Smith
Bulletin of Reports
The Bulletin of Reports contains reports from the synod’s public witness work groups, ministry partners, and agencies and institutions affiliated with the Saint Paul Area Synod and the ELCA. These reports reflect the array of work we undertake together and as part of the whole church as we carry out global ministries, seek to become more inclusive and loving to all, develop resources and equip leaders, advocate for justice and the common good, serve the needs of the poor and marginalized, and find new collaborative and effective ways to work together as the body of Christ in the world. Reports from the following entities were received for 2024:
Synod Work Groups:
Advocates for Racial Equity
Care of Creation
Cherish All Children
Engage – Lutherans for Gun Violence Prevention
Other Organizations:
Augsburg University
ELCA Region 3 Archives
1517 Media
Global Refuge
Luther College
Lutheran Campus Ministry-Twin Cities
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota
Portico Benefit Services
Wartburg College
