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Important Note About Sunday Morning Worship

If you are watching our livestream of Sunday morning worship, please be aware that during the offering, we will be "offline" for about 5 minutes. Stay tuned because we will be back online for the Great Thanksgiving.

Plenaries and Speakers

Staff, clergy and volunteers emerged from their rooms in the early hours of the morning to prepare Saturday's plenaries and workshops. With outstanding collaboration, compassion, and if we're being totally honest - - coffee - - day two's assembly was off to an energetic start, opening with an inspiring video message from Bishop Minerva Carnano, followed by the sharing of ballot results by Christa Wyneken Garcia. (Voting results are listed in their own section below.)

Next, Council Vice President, Simon Wong, delivered a powerful message of unity. This message began by asking if we all did our homework. What homework? At the last assembly, Simon asked everyone to meet two new people, ask where they worship, and get to know them and their congregations, because it's good to share our joy and hope. Simon didn’t grade us, but he encouraged us to do the same thing this year, and judging by the fellowship in the ballroom, I’d say we’re well on our way to passing his class.

After a recap of the last year -our time with interim Bishop Clair Burkat, and the installation of Bishop Jeff Johnson- Simon shared Cantonese song lyrics that he learned all the way back in kindergarten. Derived from Aesop’s Bundle of Sticks tale, Simon proceeded to hold up one, single stick, where he would break it to show how brittle it was when broken alone. But when Simon pulled at an entire bundle of sticks -long sticks, short sticks, dull and sharp sticks- he could not break them. “Together is better. Unity is strength,” he said; we cannot afford to divide ourselves, and only when we are together, despite our differences, will we be unbreakable.

“We all have to be the church that we want,” Simon said, and in an effort to get a jump on this, our illustrious VP will be kick-starting group conversations later this year. Simon is looking for moderators. You can email him at synodvicepresident@spselca.org to learn more.

Next came a thoughtful prayer from Jason Bense, a prayer for God to open our hearts, in the spirit of Jesus, faith, hope, and love, and then, Rev. Dr. John Valentine presented Memorials and Resolutions.

Facilitating Healthcare Options for Rostered Ministers was put forward by St. Stephen's Santa Cruz, who struggled with insurance benefits. A substitute motion was called and seconded. Questions and concerns were communicated in accordance with synod assembly. A representative from Portico was able to offer clarification. A vote was called to substitute the original motion, motion carried. Voting results are listed below.

Council Treasurer Scott Taylor presented the spending plan approved by the synod council for 2024. He went over the budget vs. actual salary comparisons, then explained the 2025 spending plan which included support staff salaries, the difference between the budget and spending plan, total property income, salaries, benefits, grants to other organizations, occupancy, non-labor expenses, operating expenses, and revenues. Scott said that in the upcoming fiscal year, we are projecting a “break even” situation.

Bishop Jeff proceeded to interview Rev. Ruben Duran, a vibrant and enthusiastic Director of Congregational Vitality, ELCA. Rev. Ruben says that “Baptism is the great equalizer of all people” and “the only antidote to racism.” No matter where a person is from, we stand together. There is a need for renewal in the church, and we must strive to “be a church of transparency, integrity, open to vulnerability.” By the end of this year, you’ll all hear ways in which to formulate and train church leaders to carry out this mission.

Then Reverend Louise Britts took the floor. The reverend, after sharing a vulnerable story of her own, shared gospel music with us. Rev. Louise urged us to let the spirit flow through our bodies in any form that moved us. Some folks in session lifted their hands in praise. Others swayed, some sang, and some cried.

After another fabulous storytelling session with Pr. Rebecca Anderson, plenaries resumed with an encouraging word from Bishop Jeff, stating that “Synod” is a plural word that describes collaboration, existing when we find ways to act together. When Jeff hears the word “church,” he doesn’t think of a building or a denomination, but rather people – created by God, empowered by the Spirit.

He then introduced incoming Synod staff: Administrative Director, Rev. Brandon Peck; Assistants to the Bishop, Rev. Dr. Charlane Lines and Megan Macpherson, mDiv; and Director of Evangelical Mission, Rev. Amy Kienzle.

Rev. Dr. Diane Bowers gave an update of the ongoing work to implement the resolution passed in 2022 by the Sierra Pacific Synod to establish a Reparations Fund. The team is currently in the draft/rules/guidelines phase, and the final version of the draft proposal will be presented to the Synod Council.

After a video of Fresno’s Bulldog Pantry, we were delighted with a presentation from the Sierra Pacific Synod Youth Committee who lead retreats, attend planning sessions and events. SPSYC shared photos and stories from their retreats, then sang happy birthday to two members named Bella and Edward. Yes, for real. Following Bella and Edward’s birthday celebration was a video of Los Gatos Faith Lutheran Church, who shared photos from 75 whole years in ministry - - congratulations!

Episcopal pastor Rev. Rebecca Blair (St. Anne’s Episcopal and Zion Lutheran) proceeded to lead those in session in a vivacious call-and-response moment of spiritual practice. “This is the day that the Lord has made!” hollered one side of the room, and in return the other side called out, “Let us rejoice and be glad in it!”

Before our lunch break, Rev. Dr. Charlane Lines thanked WELCA for providing hospitality, SF Night Ministry for providing name badges and stuffing nametags, Conference 4 and St. Paul’s Oakland for offering grants for scholarships for Synod Assembly, Sunsource Solar for sponsoring our keynote speaker, and each congregation who paid extra so that more folks could make it out to assembly.

A warm introduction from Rev. Dr. Davena Jones (UCC) pulled us back into session in the afternoon, followed by prayer with assembly chaplain Rev. Trudy Franzen. Nominating Committee Chair, Christa Wyneken Garcia, returned to the stage to announce the nominees for the following positions:

At Large Representatives for Synod Council
Young Adult Representative for Synod Council
At Large Person of Color or Primary Language Other than English to the Churchwide Assembly
At Large Youth or Young Adult Voting Member to the 2025 Churchwide Assembly
ELCA Church Councilperson at the 2025 Churchwide Assembly
Consultation Committee
Discipline Committee

Tellers were thanked for their service in collecting ballots.

Jim Kowalski came to the podium and introduced the “Giving Team,” consisting of himself, Bishop Jeff Johnson, Christine Sinnott, and Scott Taylor. Jim and the other three members of the Giving Team have a combined background of more than a century of development and giving experience. The team consulted with former interim bishop Claire Burkat and Pr. Dan Potaznick, and looked into giving programs implemented by other synods. The key to making their programs successful is that giving is a synod priority. With that said, they implored us not to decrease congregational giving. “We’ll have to build the plane by flying it,” said Jim, and urged others to consider volunteering. Prayers are wanted for this team and its program. “We will need your enthusiasm, and we will be grateful for

your prayers and support.”

The Bishop held staff interviews at the “podcast table” in the center of the room where two chairs awaited these four people. Bishop Jeff asked why Rev. Dr. Charlane Lines, Rev. Brandon Peck, and Rev. Amy Kienzle why they want to serve the Synod. Aside from being a practical decision that lined up time-wise, Charlane knows the Synod is in a challenging time, and would like to be a part of the healing process. Brandon holds mission and vision at the forefront, and enjoys working collaboratively with an excited staff. Amy likes living in the space at the edge of the church with new and emerging ministries, and working with all three expressions of the church: congregational, synodical, and churchwide.

At that point, Linda Babcock revealed the Warner Grant Trust Recipients.

Christ Church, San Francisco - Monthly Super Sunday School
Cross and Crown Lutheran Church and School, Rohnert Park - Teacher and student guides
Holy Shepherd Lutheran, Orinda - Preschool student and parent lending library
Faith Lutheran Church, Reno - New children’s ministry
Zion Lutheran Church, Stockton - Early childhood furniture and art supplies
Ressurection Lutheran Church Infant Care Center and Preschool, Dubin CA - playground and room furniture
St. Paul Lutheran, Oakland - Junior and senior high school student room
Grace Lutheran Church, Ukiah - Junior and senior high school student room

The session concluded with Rev. Jeff Hansen leading the assembly in a call and response exercise, followed by contemplative silence, intentional breathing, and finally, prayer.

Votes

Synod Council Conference 8 Election Results:

Rev. Sharon Amundson - 97

Rev. Sylvia Mueller - 180

Churchwide Assembly Conference 3 Election Results

Time Paulson - 189

Gary Ely-Grisham - 81

Churchwide Assembly Conference 4 Election Results

Connie Barnhardt - 104

Ingrid Larson - 166

Churchwide Assembly Conference 7

Erika Hidley - 131

Sue Hertless - 137

Churchwide Assembly Conference 8

Rob Westerhoff - 105

Jorge Carajal - 166

Resolution: Facilitating Healthcare Options for Rostered Ministers

Substitute motion - Seconded

Vote to substitute original motion - Motion carried

Motion Carried

Nominations

Slates voted on:

ELCA Church Council Member at the 2025 Churchwide Assembly: Rev.Kristofer Rude
Consultation Committee: Rev. Jason Bense, Rev. Jill Ross, Rev. Jose Luis La Torre Cuadro, Ms. Cammie Chen, Ms. Stephanie Oana
Discipline Committee: Rev. Nate Winterhoff, Rev. Susan Birkelo, Rev. Thomas Bayou, Mr. Jim Dyke, Ms. Leanne Martinsen, Ms. Sia Kitaly

All slates passed.

Workshops, Booths, and Fellowship

Workshops continued throughout the afternoon, and booths remained in the foyer for most of the day. In the early evening, dinner was served, and at 7:00, everybody filed back into the ballroom for the much awaited storytelling event.

We heard 8 emotional stories involving a swathe of topics from boating accidents to brain tumors, motorcycle crashes to difficult family situations. We heard coming-out stories, stories about fear, and stories about love. We give thanks for Christian, Melva, Jim, Mary, Taylor, Chrislyn, Cary, and Rebecca for sharing their stories with all of us.

And so concludes day 2 of Synod Assembly.

Stay tuned for the next -and final- update!

Links and Resources

Assembly Workshops

English | Spanish

Download Guidebook

For Android/PC | For Apple/Mac

Paper copies are not available at Synod Assembly this year. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Synod Compensation Guidelines

(Proposed Resolution)

English | Spanish

Facilitating Healthcare Options for Rostered Ministers

(Proposed Resolution)

English | Spanish

Synod Offering

Support for St. Andrew's Refugee Service (STARS)

The Bulldog Pantry | La Despensa Bulldog

Photos Wanted!

Are you at assembly in person? We encourage you to take photos! You can share your photo by clicking the link to our Drive, or accessing the QR code. You may also send pictures to Michael N-D, Comms Coordinator at communications@spselca.org.

Click Here for Link to Drive