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Faith Ministry Stories

Synod Assembly Report to Faith

Posted by Jennifer Tolzmann on

On Friday afternoon, May 14, and Saturday morning, May 15, five individuals from Faith attended the virtual St. Paul Area Synod Assembly, Waiting in Hope. Representing Faith was Pastor John, Deacon Nina, Linda Burk, Gail Harless, and Jennifer Tolzmann.

This annual accounting of the work of the Synod is always enlightening and encouraging. Along with the normal type of reporting and elections that take place in any organization’s annual meeting, there are always a number of interesting topics that are shared and explored. We heard inspiring words from Dr. Joy Moore from Luther Seminary and Mikka McCraken, representative to the Assembly from the ELCA. We approved a Welcome Statement for the Synod and heard exciting news about the Synod Capital Campaign launch, Planting Hope. We saw updates on a variety of ministry happenings, including words from those in Guatemala and Tanzania. Seeds were planted for the AWESOME ELCA Youth Gathering that will happen in July 2022 in Minneapolis. There will be summaries of some of the work, along with videos available on the Assembly webpage later this week.

Our tremendous Bishop, Patricia Lull, guides the Synod! Her sermon from Saturday morning is available at this link. She’ll speak here at Faith on June 6. We are in for a treat!

 

The comments that follow reflect some of the feelings Faith’s group experienced during the Assembly. Please reach out if you have questions about our experience.

 

“This is the first Synod Assembly I've taken part in and it feels like a blessing to me to have been asked. I was inspired by the passion, work and leadership in our synod and to hear more about what is happening outside the doors of Faith, embracing the congregations throughout the world.”

“I was really touched by a part of Bishop Lull's report to the synod. In discussing our church's commitment to journey on the road to racial justice, she said, "We are not perfect people, we are God's people." This gives me so much humility and hope as we seek to fully welcome and embrace our neighbors. None of us does this perfectly, yet we travel on the road to right relationships as God has called us ... and we are LOVED along this journey!”

 

"This was also my first Synod Assembly. As I sat in my living room attending the virtual sessions, sometimes texting with fellow Faith attendees, I was reminded once again. I am so grateful and so blessed to have found Faith Lutheran Church and the ELCA. I had never attended a Lutheran church in my entire life. I don't think I'd even stepped inside a Lutheran church. (You can tell I'm not a native Minnesotan! LOL) And I had never heard of the ELCA. The Synod Assembly reminded me how very glad I am to have done both. The principles espoused throughout the weekend were Biblically based and in such a supreme alignment with my own."

“I was touched by the depth of prayer and compassion that was shared concerning the wellness and support for our communities of color as well as mission fields around the globe. The 4 steps listed below seemed to fit well with Faith’s latest work with the IDI and the newly formed ASPIRE group.”