Minimal discussion, maximal business

Group 236

10:37 AM – Plenary Session 2 opened with the sound of nearly 300 voices raised in song. “Amazing Grace,” indeed.

Think reading a resolution is dull? Not when it includes prayers read here in Spanish, and also in Tamil, Oromo and English.

Think reading a resolution is dull? Not when it includes prayers read here in Spanish, and also in Tamil, Oromo and English.

John White, Synod Vice President, reported on the activities of the Synod Council. This including proposed changes to the Bylaws, to clarify, streamline and actually reflect how committees, teams, tables and other groups report and relate. The motion was recommended to the Assembly by the Synod Council and was quickly passed.

Synod Compensation Guidelines presented the most interesting discussion to date, with a Voting Member amending the motion to request a new compensation study for the guidelines that will be brought forward next year. Both the amendment and guideline proposal were passed.

Bishop Graham offered his report.

The Rev. Christine Stephan, Chair of Reference and Counsel, followed. Resolutions to offer greetings to other synod assemblies, support our local camps (Mar-Lu-Ridge & Caroline Furnace), and support immigrants all passed with minimal discussion.

The second plenary session wrapped up with a touching montage for those pastors and congregations celebrating significant anniversaries. Then Voting Members and visitors were broken in two groups for lunch, alternating with the opportunity to hear more from and dialogue with our ELCA churchwide representative, Jodi Slattery.