An Exciting Weekend!

Normally at this time of year I would be packing my bags to get ready for the Northern Illinois Synod Assembly. Along with a male and female voting member from Peace we would be heading off to Augustana College in Rock Island tomorrow. For those of you unfamiliar with the assembly, it’s much like the annual meeting we have each year here at Peace. Reports are made from the different committees, ministries, and staff members. Elections are held for the various openings on committees, ministries, and the Synod Council. And there is worship!
 
Something important to know is the number of lay people… non-rostered ministers... far outweigh the number of pastors and deacons. In other words, it’s people like you who help shape the Northern Illinois Synod. Even at the national level of the ELCA an assembly is held every three years and 60% of the voting members are not clergy but lay members from congregations all around the United States.
 
The ELCA is not a “top down” type of organization. In other words, the presiding bishop and our synod bishop don't dictate what happens in the greater church, the synod, or the congregation. They definitely can make recommendations and have input, but the final decision is up to the people. All the people. That’s why it is so important for us to send members of our congregation to our synod assembly! We are grateful this year’s female voting member to the assembly is Beth Hobby. Unfortunately, no one stepped up to claim the spot as our male voting member. So, come on guys… let’s start thinking about who can attend next year!
 
Because of COVID, last year’s assembly was cancelled. So, this year, we have a lot of work to do! This year the assembly is being held virtually via Zoom. Friday and Saturday rostered ministers and lay voting members from all over the synod will be sitting behind their computers watching and voting on the different items on the agenda. If you’d like to watch any of it, it will be live streamed on the Northern Illinois Synod webpage at www.nisynod.org.
 
Because I chair the election committee for the synod, Jim and I will be traveling to Rockford Friday afternoon and will be working at "Assembly Central". There are about 25 people who make up the credentials committee, election committee, technical team, and the synod staff who will be behind the scenes making sure everything goes smoothly so on Saturday afternoon we can all breathe a sigh of relief! Please be in prayer for all the voting members both lay and rostered ministers as we shape the future for the Northern Illinois Synod.
 
Pastor Lu