Synod Assembly 2007

Metropolitan Chicago Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 20th Annual Synod Assembly

ELCA NEWS SERVICE June 11, 2007 Wayne Miller Elected Bishop of ELCA Metropolitan Chicago Synod 07-104-MRC/JD* CHICAGO (ELCA) - The Rev. Wayne N. Miller, St. Mark Lutheran Church, Aurora, Ill., was elected June 9 to serve a six-year term as bishop of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). He was elected on the fifth ballot during the synod assembly June 8-9 in Rosemont, Ill., with a vote of 343-222 over the Rev. Lawrence J. Clark, executive director, Lutheran Theological Center in Atlanta. Miller, 57, will succeed the Rev. Paul R. Landahl, 69, who announced he would not seek re-election. Landahl has served as bishop since 2001. Miller led on the fourth ballot with 214 votes. Clark received 165 votes and the Rev. Robert A. Davis, Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Libertyville, Ill., received 156. There were 57 names on the first or nominating ballot. Miller will assume his new role as bishop on Sept. 1. He will be installed on Sept. 9 at a location yet to be announced. Born here, Miller earned a bachelor's degree in music education at Augustana College, Rock Island, Ill., in 1972, and he earned a master of divinity degree from Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) in 1984. Augustana is one of 28 colleges and universities of the ELCA; LSTC is one of eight ELCA seminaries. After he was ordained in 1984, Miller served as assistant pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church here and pastor of the Augustana Center for Developmentally Disabled Children until 1986. He was associate pastor of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Naperville, Ill., from 1986 to 1994, before he was called to St. Mark Lutheran Church, Aurora. Miller currently serves on the ELCA Metropolitan Chicago Synod Council and the executive committee, and he is a member of the local arrangements committee for the 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Miller served on the synod's worship and youth and young adult teams. He was a founding board member of the Suicide Prevention Services of Fox Valley, a member of the faith subcommittee of the 16th Judicial Circuit's Family Violence Coordinating Council, an instructor of Christianity at Aurora University, Aurora, and convener for the Aurora Area Religious Organized Network. Miller and his wife Pamela Miller, leader of youth services at North Aurora Public Library, are the parents of two adult children. The ELCA Metropolitan Chicago Synod has more than 116,000 baptized members in 217 congregations across four Illinois counties -- Cook, DuPage, Kane and Lake. The synod office is located here. - - - *Jeffrey Drake, director for public relations, ELCA Metropolitan Chicago Synod, provided information. For information contact: John Brooks, Director, at 773-380-2958 or news@elca.org www.elca.org/news ELCA News Blog: www.elca.org/news/blog	The synod assembly for next year is June 6-7, 2008, at the Crowne Plaza O'Hare Hotel (5440 River Road, Rosemont, IL 60018). Living in God's amazing grace: Thanks be to God! Minutes of the Assembly - as a PDF (143KB) Friday - June 8 and Saturday - June 9, 2007 Crowne Plaza O'Hare Hotel 5440 River Road Rosemont, IL 60018 Resolutions Adopted by the Assembly Report of the General Ballot Dr. Klein's Presentation to the Assembly Assembly Summary with Photographs Friday, June 9, 2007 Photographs (click link above for photographs) Saturday, June 10, 2007 Photographs (click link above for photographs) Friday, June 9, 2007 Photographs (click link above for photographs) Reception of the synod's newest congregation, United Mission of Christ, Chicago Plenary Session I -The day began with registration followed by a worship service celebrating 100 years of Lutheran Campus Ministry. In addition, the synod officially set apart its first group of synod deacons. The purpose of the Synod Deacon Program is for the certification and support of those engaged in service as deacons in congregational ministry. Those being set apart as synod deacons are: Raymond E. Bebee - serving at Grace, Villa Park, in the areas of, evangelism education and discipleship mentoring. Patrick Briggs - serving Christus Victor, Elk Grove Village, in the areas of Christian education, and pastoral care. Rebecca Dahlstrom - Grace, River Forest, in the areas of worship leadership, Christian education, parent support, Diakonia administration Karen Mason - Lutheran Church of the Master, Carol Stream, adult education Marlene Miloch - serving at All Saints, Palatine, in the areas of volunteer coordination and spiritual gifts assessment. William Stroud - serving at Immanuel, Chicago. After worship, the opening business of the assembly began including appointment of committees, and welcoming guests. Bishop Paul R. Landahl gave his report where he spoke, among other items, about the work of the synod's Antiracism Team, and the synod's companion synod relationships with the Central Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa, and the Northelbian Lutheran Church, Hamburg, Germany. The plenary speaker, the Rev. Dr. Ralph Klein, Christ Seminary-Seminex Professor of Old Testament at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC), was the main plenary speaker. His presentation “Lutherans Read the Bible – Lutherans, Read the Bible,” explored a Lutheran understanding of how to read the Scriptures – in preparation for the ELCA’s Church Council proposal, Book of Faith: Lutherans Read the Bible. Dr. Klein's report is available online here. During lunch hearings were held on resolutions. Balloting took place throughout the assembly. Plenary Session II - Vice President Nanette Dahlke gave her report Vice President Carlos Peña of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America was the representative from the churchwide office, and chaired the assembly during the votes for bishop. He gave his report about the ELCA. Plenary Session II two continued with introductions of rostered leaders new to the synod, followed by debates on resolutions. After debates on resolutions, rostered leader and congregational anniversaries were recognized. Lutheran Campus Ministry gave a presentation and received a special offering. The evening concluded with a banquet honoring the ministry of Bishop Paul R. Landahl, followed by a worship service. Saturday, June 10, 2007 Photographs (click link above for photographs) Bishop-elect Wayne N. Miller and his wife, Pamela Miller Plenary Session Three included a report on the third ballot for bishop, followed by introductory statements and questions and answers from the three final candidates. Presentations were given about Fair Trade, and Natural Church Development. During lunch conferences held their meetings, followed by workshops. The assembly welcomed the synod's newest congregation - United Mission of Christ. Candidates for ordination and commissioning were introduced. The result of the fifth ballot for bishop was announced, and the Rev. Wayne N. Miller, bishop-elect, was introduced to and addressed the assembly. For more information, click here. The assembly ended with a Festival Eucharist Service, the closing of the assembly, and a reception for guests of the Festival Eucharist Service. Final Resolutions Resolutions (in PDF) - Final version of resolutions adopted by the assembly. Adobe Acrobat Reader needed to view and print files. Download FREE Adobe Acrobat Reader now. 1. Churchwide Support for Ministries in Chaplaincy, Pastoral Counseling, and Clinical Education 2. A Memorial to Respond to the Decision of the Discipline Hearing Committee 5. Metropolitan Chicago Synod Antiracism Training 6. A Faithful Response to Caring For God’s Creation 7. Resolution on Justice Discipleship 8. To Support the Christians in the Holy Land 9. Understanding and Confronting Christian Zionism Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson’s Synod Assembly Video People interested in purchasing the DVD featuring ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson that was shown at the synod assembly on Friday, June 9, 2007, may purchase it from the ELCA by calling 1-800-638-3522. The DVD costs $10. The DVD may also be purchased online at www.elca.org/mosaic/thanks2007 and clicking "Order a copy" under the DVD.
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