About the 2009 Upper Susquehanna Synod Assembly

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As usual, this year’s assembly is a two-day event to be held at Susquehanna University on Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 20. Both days will begin at 8:30 a.m. Focusing on “God’s work. Our hands,” on Friday we will emphasize the mission of the synod and the ministry of all of us together. On Saturday, the mission of our congregations and the ministry of the laity will be the emphasis.

In addition to rostered leaders and voting members of the assembly, congregational members are invited to attend an interactive Ministry Fair to be held in the Degenstein Campus Center from 11:30 a.m. to 1:20 p.m. on Saturday, June 20. While there will be no registration fee for those who attend this portion of the assembly, we are encouraging everyone to complete a registration form so that we may know how many people to expect. Lunch will be available in the Degenstein Dining Hall only for those who purchase it in advance through the registration process. Workshops related to the Ministry Fair also are available without charge to all persons who choose to attend.  Assembly registration begins at 7:00 a.m. on Friday.

Voting Members:

  • Please bring your Bulletin of Reports pages in a three-ring binder, placed in numerical order for ease of use during the assembly.
  • The bar of the assembly where voting members sit is the front section of the Weber Chapel. Voting members should sit in this section so that they will be recognized as voting members by the pages.
  • If a voting member is unable to attend one or more of the sessions, he/she should provide the Bulletin of Reports to his/her alternate.

Regarding Nominations from the Floor:

  • The Report of the Nominating Committee will be mailed to voting members in advance. Persons named have been nominated for the position identified.
  • Additional nominees may be made from the floor of the assembly. Nomination forms will be available at the pages’ table located in Weber Chapel behind the bar of the assembly.
    • Nominees must be identified by (a) name, (b) occupation, and (c) congregational membership.
    • Certification must be presented that each nominee has consented to serve if elected.

Guest Speakers:

  • The ELCA Representative will be David D. Swartling, Secretary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
  • The Bible Study Leader will be the Rev. Dr. Thomas W. Martin, Assistant Professor of Religion, Susquehanna University.

Dinner and Program:

  • The standard buffet will be offered Friday evening for those who have registered for this meal.
  • Following dinner, we will celebrate the anniversaries of congregations and pastors, as well as honor the retirement of some of our leaders. Both Bishops Main and Driesen will be celebrating their anniversaries of ordination-a total of 70 years of ordained ministry! One of our pastors will be celebrating his 60th anniversary. 725 years of ministry will be celebrated as we recognize all those who are observing their 25th, 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th, 50th, 55th, and 60th anniversaries. Wow! This is indeed a “milestone” worth celebrating.
  • Pastors William Esborn and Andrew Weaver will entertain us following our milestone recognitions with their amazing feats of “Gospel Magic.”
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