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2007 Synod AssemblyThe Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod met in assembly May 31 to June 2 in The Woodlands. A one page highlights (designed to be a bulletin insert) willl soon be available and can downloaded by clicking on the link below. Synod Highlights In order to view and print the highlights you will need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your system. You can download the reader for FREE from the Adobe site - click the link below and follow the prompts.
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May 31st Highlights ...The Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod met in assembly May 31 to June 2 at The Waterway Marriott in The Woodlands, TX.
As we officially began our assembly, our newest congregation - Joyful Life Church in The Woodlands - was introduced and welcomed into the synod.
Bishop Hanson then led the introduction to the first ballot for bishop. He highlighted that this process is a call, not just an election. The responsibilities of the bishop were outlined with the primary responsibility being the "the synod's pastor." It is a call to Word and Sacrament, to be an evangelist, to be the ecumenical officer of the synod, and to be a leader of the vision in and for the synod. After listening to a passage from Ephesians and sharing a time of prayer, the first ballot (or the ecclesiastical or nominating ballot) was cast.
Two of our resolutions, Resolution 1 (A Resolution for the Development of an African American/African Descent Outreach Strategy) and Resolution 16 (A Resolution to Declare the Synod a "Community of Respect") passed as presented.
We then had several reports from synod officers, including Vice-President Erika Soechting (who thanked Bishop Blom for being a mentor and the synod for the opportunity to serve), and Treasurer Arwin Strehlow who reported that congregational giving has increased for the second year in a row.
Bishop Hanson then spoke in the role of the synod and the ELCA, the three expressions of the church (congregation, synod, and churchwide), the excellent Youth & Family Ministry and Communications Ministry in our synod, and the ongoing changes in the ELCA. "God is making a difference," said Bishop Hanson, "and for that change we offer our thanks. I thank you for your generosity and faith." Return to 2007 Synod Assembly Page
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We opened the assembly in worship around Word and Sacrament. The Rev. Mark
Hanson (right), Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, presided
at the service and the Rev. Paul Blom (left
), Bishop of our synod, was the preacher.
Bishop Blom spoke of how God came to be one of us - being sent as God's Son - as
we are called to go out into the world to be the hands and voice of God.
Jazz Sunday, the popular music group, led the service with great talent
and energy.
Bishop Hanson continued in the role of keynote speaker as he shared a vision for
stewardship for the whole church, sharing personal stories and encouraging those
gathered to share their own stories with each other.