Your synod council made a decision to cancel our assembly on June 12-13, 2020, at Gustavus Adolphus College. This came after the recommendation of the Synod Assembly Planning Committee considered the situation and recommended a cancelation and not a postponement of our planned assembly. A second task force of people looked into the constitutional and procedural issues and the challenges of trying to hold an assembly in a time when we are not sure when we will be able to gather again together in a large group. This group was made up of Tammy Schacher; Assembly Planning Manager, Joel Solie; Synod Attorney, Tom Gilbertson; Synod Parliamentarian, Steve Cook; Synod Minister, and Bishop Jon Anderson. Their recommendation also was to cancel and not postpone the assembly.
This led to the synod council considering and unanimously passing the following resolution on Saturday, April 25, 2020.
Whereas, the COVID-19 virus has disrupted our congregations’ and leaders’ lives.
Whereas, gathering in large groups is not possible or safe.
Whereas, we do not have to meet in an assembly and do not have business that demands a gathering.
Therefore, we move to cancel the 2020 Synod Assembly and call on the Synod Council to manage the life of the synod and steward our communal life in this season.
We are disappointed with the loss of this gathering but believe this is the best path forward at this time. If needed, the council may call a special assembly. At this time that is not expected or required. We know that this decision will also save resources of time and money for both our synod and our congregations.
Assembly Offering
+Bishop Jon V. Anderson
The synod council also acted on the request that congregations consider sharing the offering that normally is gathered as part of our assembly. This offering is directed towards our shared ministry partners that include; Lutheran Campus Ministries (St Cloud, Marshall, Morris), Shalom Hill Farm, MN Council of Churches, Luther Seminary, and Lutheran Advocacy – MN. We invite your congregation to share as it is able. Here is the resolution.
Whereas, we normally receive around $20K and have $25K in our budget from the assembly,
Therefore, we will invite individuals and congregations to still give an assembly offering which we may give another name.
We will be sharing more about synod assembly actions in the coming weeks, but we want to share this announcement and invitation.
Rev. Ann Zastrow; Synod Secretary
Rev. Jon Anderson; Bishop
