Northern Illinois Synod Assembly
June 13-14, 2008
Augustana College
Rock Island, IL

Pastor Laura

Highlights of the assembly for me always include worship. This year was especially poignant as it was the 5th anniversary of my ordination worship. The many Trinity hosts and my fellow delegates who were present also made this a great experience in serving the whole church.

Regarding specific forums, I attended the NIS Youth Ministry Forum and received more details about the 2009 Youth Gathering in New Orleans. This information was shared with our Youth Minister, LYO youth and the LYO team.

As a member of the Bishop's Taskforce on Health and Wellness, I helped to coordinate and staff the first Run, Walk, and Roll. We gave out pedometers, t-shirts, and encouragement to participants of this new assembly "forum" as they modeled healthy behaviors to us all!

The other forum I attended was Bishop Wollersheim's. He lifted up several ministries and answered general questions. Of note, he related: 1) fostering congregation-to-congregation relationships between ELCA churches and sister churches in Tanzania, as well as new sister congregations in India; 2) growing the NIS campus ministry pastoral position at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb to be a full time call, and asked congregations to each consider a $600 minimum gift this year to help this goal be achieved; 3) recognizing the work of the Health and Wellness Taskforce whose goal is to improve the health of rostered leaders in the synod; 4) advancing the Green ministry of the synod in our stewardship of the earth; and 5) encouraging congregations and individuals to work toward debt reduction for new rostered leaders (e.g., offering to "retire" $2000 of debt per year for each year a rostered leader stays in his/her call after 3 years).

Report from Karen Dowsett

WHEE ... what a weekend, right?!?!?!?!?!

What a GREEN team for Trinity !!! Thank you everyone for the support you gave to the success of the 21st NIS Synod Assembly. We had many comments of appreciation for the work that all you did and that you looked great in your unique color. We know that many of you gave up special time to help with this project and we are appreciative of your generosity.

Hi-lights:

Heather Martin's first time driving a golf cart

Heather Schmidt, Dave Dwyer, Patty Jo Dooley-Jones, Paul Neder - first time delegates

Golf cart drivers had their challenges; no carts, stalled carts, no lights for evening shift, running out of gas, etc., but you kept smiling and worked out a plan - thanks, Brian, Rick, Laura, Chuck, Kay, Denny, Diana, Dick,
Tom, Paul, Brian, Mark, Becki, Heather, Kathy, & Art

Father/Son duo - Dick & Paul Eckermann driving Golf Carts

Two Husband & Wife Teams driving Golf Cars - Chuck & Kay Allen & Brian & Diana Alm

10 ladies in registration: Diane, Judy, Barb, Carol, Diana, Cindy, Judy, Barb, Carolyn, & Karen (beautiful job, in spite of the heckler at the end of the registration tables).

10 ushers collecting & directing communion: Butch, Tom, Jim, Al, Jim, Jill, Jack, Ron, Chuck, & Al (looked great & so professional)

Preparation work completed by: Judy, Julie, Diane, Diana, Cindy, Diane, Paula, Judy (great job and done in record time, hope you are enjoying your bags

Patty Jo Dooley-Jones

Stretch and Pray
. This was a class involved viewing a video that included basic yoga moves and similar stretches to loosen our muscles and calm our thoughts. Once we were calm, we began prayer, with definitive types of prayer such as praying for the world, for others and then for our personal needs. The class size was about 25 people in a room that would have accommodated 5-6 people, so it was a challenge as we moved, but it was wonderful to see so much interest in using movement with prayer.

Following Stretch and Pray,I attended Run, Walk n' Roll, which involved walking around Augustana campus while repeating a phrase that would center our prayer time. A course was laid out for us, but we were free to choose our route, so I chose to walk into the middle of campus and up the slough path. The weather was perfection with cool breezes and comfortable temperature. For those who do not find movement and prayer to be a good combination, I am the opposite. While I like to be quiet when I am asking God for what I want, I find that when I am moving and in prayer, I do my best listening to hear what God wants.

On day two, I attended the break-out session on Campus Ministries. Augustana College has two full time pastors and one fulltime Catholic nun on staff to meet the student's needs. The College has retreats during the year and weekly worship services on campus. Northern Illinois University has one part time pastor, that the Synod would like to increase to fulltime. They also have several students who are trained as "peer ministers" to help meet the spiritual needs of both students and staff. This year, they are opening a coffeehouse to be available for study and quiet time. They also have a Wednesday worship service on campus.

R-1 RESOLUTION TO BECOME "GREEN CONGREGATIONS"
WHEREAS, God's first commandments to humanity are that we care for and take care of God's good creation (Gen. 1:28 & 2:15); and
WHEREAS, Jesus came to bring salvation to the entire cosmos (John 3:16-17); and
WHEREAS, the Church, as the body of Christ in the world, is charged with calling the world to repentance and ushering in the kingdom of God; and
WHEREAS, "the whole creation is groaning" due to the abuse and misuse of God's good creation by humanity;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the congregations of the Northern Illinois Synod be encouraged to become "green congregations" by forming a Green Team in the congregation that will:
1. Evaluate the building and grounds of the congregation and take a minimum of two steps each year to help reduce the congregation's negative impact upon the environment,
2. Educate and encourage its membership on the ways in which they can help care for God's creation in their everyday lives by living simply and walking lightly on the earth, and
3. Communicate with and respond to the work of the Northern Illinois Synod Green Team.

R-2 -RESOLUTION TO BECOME A "GREEN SYNOD"
WHEREAS, God's first commandments to humanity are that we care for and take care of God's good creation (Gen. 1:28 & 2:15); and
WHEREAS, Jesus came to bring salvation to the entire cosmos (John 3:16-17); and
WHEREAS, the Church, as the body of Christ in the world, is charged with calling the world to repentance and ushering in the kingdom of God; and
WHEREAS, "the whole creation is groaning" due to the abuse and misuse of God's good creation by humanity;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Northern Illinois Synod become a "green synod" by prayerfully considering the following steps:
1. Instituting all possible changes to improve energy efficiency in the synod office and other properties owned and/or operated by the synod, including but not limited to:
a. Performing a "green" audit (as per Green Synod Model proposed by Dr. David Rhoads, LSTC) that will make short and long term recommendations to lessen the carbon footprint on the earth,
b. Changing incandescent light bulbs to energy efficient compact fluorescent bulbs,
c. Exploring and utilizing alternate, more environmentally friendly means of producing electricity and heat, and
d. Replacing as necessary windows, doors, insulation, and other structural aspects of the property that may result in loss of energy.
2. Being persistent about the reduction and recycling of disposable resources in the synod office(s) such as paper, ink cartridges, plastic, Styrofoam, etc.; and
3. Taking all possible steps to make all synod sponsored events more environmentally friendly by things such as:
a. Reducing paper use by utilizing projection where practical and encouraging participants to use electronic media such as laptops, PDAs, etc., and
b. Insisting that meals be served in a manner that reduces waste by things such as:
i. Serving buffet style when possible so people only take what they will eat,
ii. Insisting on the use of paper or washable cups and plates instead of plastic or Styrofoam,
iii. Requiring that all recyclable waste be divided out and recycled properly.
c. Encouraging, expecting and enabling participants to carpool to events; and
4. Replacing synod owned vehicles with those that are the most environmentally friendly available (currently hybrid vehicles); and
5. Providing necessary support and resources so that the Northern Illinois Synod Green Team can continue its work to help the synod, its congregations and agencies to become green; and
6. Identifying a symbol that expresses and promotes our care for creation that will be used whenever green steps are taken; and
7. Instituting other strategies that may emerge as science and technology continue to explore means of helping preserve and regenerate the environment.

R-3 - GOOD SHEPHERD/LSSI SUNDAY RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the gospel of Jesus Christ compels the church to be active in the world as an incarnate expression of God's commitment to God's beloved creation; and
WHEREAS, we believe it is God's will, testified to in the Old Testament prophetic tradition and incarnated in the life and ministry of Jesus, that all people should experience wholeness of body, mind and spirit; and
WHEREAS, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois (LSSI) has served people in need in Illinois for more than one hundred and forty years and continues to serve people in need regardless of race, creed, ethnicity, etc.; and
WHEREAS, LSSI is the only statewide ELCA social ministry organization in Illinois; and
WHEREAS, LSSI like most other human care provider organizations in Illinois, has suffered from chronic underfunding of state-funded services;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the 2008 Assembly of the Northern Illinois Synod, that the fourth Sunday of Easter be designated as Good Shepherd/LSSI Sunday in every congregation in this synod beginning in 2009 and that congregations are encouraged to make use of resources provided by LSSI to lift up our common ministry through LSSI; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that members and friends of ELCA congregations in Illinois are encouraged to communicate to their elected officials their support for increased funding for human care services.

R-4 - RESOLUTION TO INCREASE HUNGER APPEAL GIVING
WHEREAS, 38% of the congregations of the Northern Illinois Synod gave more to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America World Hunger Appeal in 2007 than in 2006; and
WHEREAS, the Northern Illinois Synod hunger giving total for 2007 was the highest in the nearly thirty year history of the ELCA World Hunger Appeal; and
WHEREAS, 38% of the congregations of the Northern Illinois Synod gave less in 2007 than in 2006 and 24% were recorded by the Synod as giving nothing to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal in 2007; and
WHEREAS, the rising cost of food world-wide has already caused increased hunger and violence in several countries; and
WHEREAS, water scarcity and pollution in world water supplies threaten to increase beyond the current total of more than one billion people around the globe who lack access to safe drinking water and sanitation services;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that every congregation in the Northern Illinois Synod be challenged to increase its commitment to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal by:
1. Setting a goal for 2008 to increase yearly giving to the ELCA World Hunger Appeal;
2. Remitting ELCA World Hunger Appeal donations through the Northern Illinois Synod office to receive proper credit;
3. Considering a partnership with other congregations who are sponsoring Foods Resource Bank projects in our synod; and
4. Educating congregation members about the work of the ELCA World Hunger Appeal, its contribution to Lutheran World Relief and Lutheran World Federation projects, and the growing crises in food and water supplies.

R-5 - CALL FOR MORAL DELIBERATION
WHEREAS, the gospel declares, "Blessed are the peacemakers" (Matthew 5:9), calls us to repent, and challenges us, "Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed" (Romans 12:2); and
WHEREAS, the biblical prophets call us in each generation to speak the truth in love to the powers and principalities of our time, for God says to us, "I have called you and given you power to see that justice is done on earth" (Isaiah 42:6); and
WHEREAS, "Christianity stands or falls with its revolutionary protest against violence, arbitrariness and pride of power and with its plea for the weak. Christians are doing too little to make these points clear rather than too much. Christendom adjusts itself far too easily to the worship of power. Christians should give more offense; shock the world far more than they are doing now. Christians should take a stronger stand in favor of the weak rather than considering first the possible right of the strong" (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Sermon on II Corinthians 12:9); and
WHEREAS, Bonhoeffer also instructs us that "The followers of Christ have been called to peace…. And they must not only have peace but make it…. to renounce hatred and wrong…. and in so doing overcome evil with good, and establish the peace of God in the midst of a world of war and hate" (The Cost of Discipleship); and
WHEREAS, the ELCA social statement For Peace in God's World reminds us that "as a community of moral deliberation, the Church is a setting of freedom and respect where believers of different perspectives may learn from one another;" and also that "the church is a disturbing presence when it refuses to be silent and instead speaks the truth… when it names and resists idols that lead to false security, injustice, and war, and calls for repentance" (page 5); and
WHEREAS, the purpose of this resolution is to enhance and forward the mission of the church and synod by fostering moral deliberation and encouraging responsible action as individuals and as a "Public Church;"
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Northern Illinois Synod in Assembly encourages its members, congregations, clusters, and other groupings to enter into moral deliberation and discussion concerning our nation's foreign and military policy, making use of resources and activities.

R-6 - BOOK OF FAITH INITIATIVE
WHEREAS, all the baptized when they affirm their baptism promise "to hear the Word of God" and "to proclaim the good news of God in Christ
WHEREAS, all parents and sponsors covenant to place the Holy Scriptures in the hands of their children and nurture them in faith and prayer; and
WHEREAS, pastors at their ordination vow to be diligent in their study of the Holy Scriptures; and
WHEREAS, the ELCA has begun a Book of Faith Initiative inviting everyone to join the conversation, to make a commitment, and to become part of the initiative (see http://www.elca.org/bookoffaith);
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that we become a "Book of Faith" synod, committing ourselves to live in and from the Word of God in all our meetings, assemblies and events, so that as we regularly and increasingly hear, read, study, share and are engaged by God's Word, we lead by example in faithful service and holy living; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the bishop of our synod-who "as its pastor, shall be a teacher of the faith of this church and shall provide leadership for the life and witness of this church"-in coordination with the Synod Advocate, be affirmed in his leadership of this initiative personally and through collaborative programmatic work with congregations of the synod; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all voting members of this synod assembly covenant together to begin a regular practice of Bible study and prayer, gathering with others in their congregation and/or community to speak and hear the Word from one another; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we celebrate and continue to support and strengthen those places where Scripture is already taught and engaged, such as Women of the ELCA Bible studies, camping and campus ministries, Diakonia, congregation councils, Sunday school and other congregational groups; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we encourage all congregations to become "Book of Faith" congregations, which will find expression by
o exploring new opportunities for engaging the Bible,
o sending sufficient numbers of members to synod events for training as Bible study leaders, and
o including biblical study as an integral part of all meetings and groups, in order to become more fluent in the first language of faith-the language of Scripture-that we might live into our calling as a people renewed, enlivened, empowered, and sent by the Word.