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Judy Bush
Secretary
Official Call: 28th Annual Indiana-Kentucky Synod Assembly
June 5 – June 7, 2015
Breathe, Spirit, Breathe
The 28th Annual Assembly of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America will be held Friday, June 5 through Sunday, June 7, 2015 at the Indianapolis Marriott East
hotel, located in Indianapolis, IN. Registration opens at 3:00 p.m. EDT on Friday, June 5 with the Made
New for Mission Banquet: Celebrating Leaders and Ministries of the Past, Present and Future
starting at 5:30 p.m. EDT. Bishop Bill Gafkjen will preach at the opening Eucharist worship which will
begin at 7:30 p.m. EDT. The first plenary session begins at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2015 EDT.
Pre-Assembly workshops will be from 2:00-4:00 p.m. EDT, Friday, June 5, 2015.
Voting Members Representation Formula (according to Synod Council Action SC/95/93):
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Each congregation shall elect at least two lay voting members (one male and one female)
for the IN-KY Synod Assembly.
One additional voting member (male or female) shall be elected by congregations having
between 1,000 and 1,999 baptized members.
Two additional voting members (one male and one female) shall be elected by
congregations having between 2,000 and 2,999 baptized members.
Three additional voting members (male or female to balance delegation) shall be elected
by congregations having more than 3,000 baptized members.
Voting member representation shall be determined by the most recent congregational report on
file with the synod office. Any changes in congregational representation, including substitution,
must be approved by the secretary of the synod, Judy Bush: [email protected].
Professional Leaders Representation
1. All ordained ministers, associates in ministry, diaconal ministers, and deaconesses under call
and on the roster of this synod in attendance at the IN-KY Synod Assembly shall be voting
members (IN-KY Synod Constitution S7.21a and b). Associates in ministry, deaconesses and
diaconal ministers are considered in addition to voting membership of lay members of
congregations.
2. Retired clergy on the roster of this synod shall have the privilege of voice and vote at meetings
of the IN-KY Synod Assembly (IN-KY Synod Bylaw S7.22.01).
3. By action of the IN-KY Synod Council (SC/2009/32), pastors from other traditions who are not
currently rostered in the ELCA, but are serving congregations of the synod under appointment
of the bishop as interim ministers must register as visitors and have voice but not a vote during
the assembly. It is expected that the congregations being served by these ministers will cover
the cost of their attendance.
Registration Fees and Other Information
The registration fee is $150.00 (which includes the Saturday evening meal, coffee breaks,
evening receptions, and all materials) per voting member.
Fee for registered visitors is also $150.00, which includes the Saturday evening meal, coffee
breaks, receptions and materials.
The Made New for Mission Banquet: Celebrating Leaders and Ministries of the Past, Present
and Future held at 5:30 PM, Friday evening, June 5, 2015, is $35.00 per person, and is
separate from the registration fee.
By action of the IN-KY Synod Council (SC/2015/4), retired professional leaders on the roster
of this synod pay a reduced fee to attend the assembly - $75.00.
Fees for interim pastors are to be paid by the congregation(s) being served.
Any congregation or voting member needing assistance with the registration fee may notify the
IN-KY Synod Council Executive Committee of that need in writing by April 14, 2015 (mail to
the synod office address, attention: IN-KY Synod Council Exec. Comm. or email the IN-KY
Synod Council Secretary, Judy Bush: [email protected] ).
REGISTRATION DISCOUNT
Congregations are strongly encouraged to select their voting members early. Registration
rates increase to $180 after the early bird registration deadline, Friday, March 20, 2015.
Registration rates increase to $90 for Retired Rostered Leaders after March 20, 2015.
Registration for the IN-KY Synod Assembly will open Monday, February 9. Please register online at
http://events.signup4.com/ikassembly2015. You will also find a link to the assembly registration and
hotel reservation page at http://www.iksynod.org/assembly2015.html. Assembly registration will close
Friday, May 15, 2015. If you need assistance to register electronically, please call Carol Webb at
(317) 253-3522.
LATE/ON-SITE REGISTRATION
After Friday, May 15, only on-site registration will be available. The fee will be $215.00
per registrant ($105.00 for Retired Rostered Leaders). Meals may not be guaranteed with on-site
registration, but will only be available on a “first come, first served” basis as we receive cancellations.
In an effort to continue being good stewards of our earth’s resources and our synod’s move towards
electronic communication, the Bulletin of Reports will be available as a FREE download on the
Indiana-Kentucky Synod’s web site: http://www.iksynod.org/assembly2015.html by May 6, 2015.
Printed copies may be purchased for $15.00 through the registration system.
Detailed assembly registration and hotel reservation information are included in this mailing, along
with other important and helpful information.
Judy Bush, Secretary
Breathe, Spirit, Breathe
28th Indiana-Kentucky Synod Assembly – June 5-7, 2015
Indianapolis Marriott East, Indianapolis, IN
About the assembly
On-site assembly check-in begins at 3:00 p.m. (EDT) Friday, June 5 and will close at 5:00 p.m. prior to
the banquet. Assembly check-in will reopen at 7:30 a.m. Saturday, June 6.
Orientation for first time attendees will be held at 4:15 p.m. (EDT) Friday, June 5.
The Made New for Mission Banquet: Celebrating Leaders and Ministries of the Past, Present and
Future will begin at 5:30 p.m. (EDT) on Friday, June 5.
The first plenary session begins at 8:30 a.m. (EDT) Saturday, June 6.
The Sending Eucharist is scheduled to begin at 11:15 a.m. (EDT) on Sunday, June 7.
All synod assembly events will be held at the Indianapolis Marriott East Hotel, 7202 East 21st Street,
Indianapolis. The hotel provides free parking.
Keynote speaker: The Rev. Dr. Cheryl Peterson, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Trinity
Lutheran Seminary in Columbus, OH.
ELCA Representative: Kathryn Lohre, Assistant to the Presiding Bishop/Executive for Ecumenical and
Interreligious Relations.
Highlights include: Celebrating leaders and communities within the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, inspiring
worship, celebratory dinners, motivating and informative plenary sessions, election of Synod Council,
board and committee members, and all the other aspects of assembly that help us to be the church
gathered together and sent out in mission. We will engage in focused conversations and small group
sessions as we listen for the Spirit’s guidance in the ways we live out our shared mission and ministry
within the Indiana-Kentucky Mission Territory.
Hotel Sleeping Room Reservations
Hotel reservations are in addition to and separate from your synod assembly registration.
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Indianapolis Marriott East Hotel for assembly participants
and is the location where all of the assembly activities will occur.
o To make a reservation online, go to http://www.iksynod.org/assembly2015.html, or use the
link on the assembly registration website: http://events.signup4.com/ikassembly2015.
o To make a reservation by phone, call 800.228.9290 or 317.352.1231; ask for “reservations” and
mention the name of our group, Indiana-Kentucky Synod.
o Rate is $107.00 per night, plus taxes.
o Hotel rooms must be booked by Tuesday, May 5, 2015 to receive the group rate.
o Check in time is 4:00 p.m. and check out time is noon.
2015 Indiana-Kentucky Synod Assembly Calendar
Feb. 9
Assembly registration opens: http://events.signup4.com/ikassembly2015
Make all assembly registrations through the online registration website.
Mar. 2
Annual reports due to the synod office from synod staff, officers, committees, ministries,
institutions
Mar. 20
Registration discount ends at midnight. After this date registration rates increase to $180.00 for
voting members and visitors, $90.00 for retired rostered leaders.
Apr. 21
Resolutions from congregations, committees due to Rudy Mueller, [email protected]
Mission Fest table reservation requests due to Heather Apel, [email protected]
Deadline for information to be included in “Made New for Mission” banquet celebration booklet to
Danielle Burrus, [email protected]
Apr. 22
General election nominations and biographies due to Rudy Mueller, [email protected]
May 1
Last day for submission of preview copies of materials for the assembly information packet to
Heather Apel, [email protected]
May 5
Last day of guaranteed rooms at the Indianapolis Marriott East Hotel
May 6
Pre-assembly Bulletin of Reports available as a free download on the IN-KY Synod Assembly
website: http://www.iksynod.org/assembly2015.html
May 15
Pre-assembly registration ends; Only on-site registrations ($215.00 for voting members and
visitors; $105.00 for retired rostered leaders) will be accepted after this date and meals are not
guaranteed.
May 15
Deadline for 550 copies of pre-approved materials for information packet sent to:
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, c/o Rev. David Doane
1005 N. 21st Street, Lafayette, IN 47904
May 21
Nominations and resolutions from conferences due to Rudy Mueller, [email protected]
The Assembly Needs Volunteers!
Do you know someone who would like to volunteer to serve as registration person, page, booth area
attendant, or other important role during the assembly? This could be a spouse who is accompanying a voting
member, a member of your youth group, or someone from your congregation who would benefit from being
at assembly. Contact Heather Apel, [email protected], for more information.
This document and other pre-assembly materials are available for viewing and downloading via the synod’s
website: http://www.iksynod.org/assembly2015.html. Please check this site regularly for the latest
information related to the assembly.
Questions?
Heather Apel, Director of Synod Assembly Planning
Indiana-Kentucky Synod, ELCA
911 E 86th Street, Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46240
317.253.3522; [email protected]
Breathe, Spirit, Breathe
28th Annual Indiana-Kentucky Synod Assembly
June 5-7, 2015
http://www.iksynod.org/assembly2015.html
Made New for Mission Banquet: Celebrating Leaders and Ministries of the Past, Present and Future
The Friday evening banquet serves as the kickoff celebration for the 2015 Indiana-Kentucky Synod Assembly. We will lift
up people and ministries as we come together to rejoice and give thanks to God for the common mission we share. This
banquet is a separate cost from the general registration fee, and is $35.00 per attendee.
Commissioning, Consecration and Ordination Anniversaries for Rostered Leaders
Honorees celebrating 50 years of service
Rev. Roger P. Drews
Rev. George H. Mercer
Honorees celebrating 25 years of service
Rev. Mark W. Bartusch
Rev. Lisa E. Dahilll
Congregational Anniversaries
Rev. John D. Place
Rev. Walter B. Stitt, Jr.
Rev. Mitchell D. Phillips
Rev. Nancy A. Nyland
150 Years St. John Lutheran Church, North Liberty, IN
50 Years
Resurrection Lutheran Church, Madison, IN
Congregations under Development, Congregations under Redevelopment and Mission Developers
New Rostered Leaders in the IN-KY Synod
Partners in Mission: Ecumenical Guests
Friday Evening Worship and Reception
The opening Eucharist worship service will be held at the Indianapolis Marriott East at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 5, 2015.
All are welcome to attend, especially those from area congregations. Bishop Bill Gafkjen will preside. A reception and
time for fellowship will immediately follow at the hotel’s outdoor Oasis patio.
Worship Offering Designations
The offering from the Gathering Eucharist will support Shalom Ministry. This is a new ministry that is growing
out of Salem Lutheran Church, Indianapolis, which is reaching out to the multicultural community, especially
refugees and other groups emigrating from sub-Saharan Africa.
The offering from the Sending Eucharist will support the ELCA Malaria Campaign. This year marks the end of this
campaign to eradicate malaria in Africa and we encourage every congregation to take up a special offering
collection within their communities that voting members and leaders can bring to the synod assembly Sending
Worship.
Synod Assembly In-kind Service Project
A list of items to be collected to support a ministry designated by the Lafayette Conference of the IN-KY Synod will be
posted to the synod assembly webpage as soon as it becomes available.
Pre-Assembly Workshops
Workshops will take place before the start of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod Assembly, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. on Friday, June
5. There is a $10.00 cost per person to cover materials, meeting space and refreshments. Attendees can register for
their choice of workshops when they register for the assembly. http://events.signup4.com/ikassembly2015
Doing Justice: Actions Speak Louder Than Words
These days, the work of the Church is more about individuals going out into the community as vital partners searching
for the places where God’s deep concern for justice is most needed.
What does justice in action look like? Join the IN-KY Synod Community Organizing Team in an experience whose
participants will walk through the process of preparing for and participating in a justice action.
Participants will engage in a simulation experience that begins with identifying a problem in a town, crafting a solution
to the problem, and identifying a public official who has power to make changes. At a public gathering, participants will
demonstrate their collective power by proposing their solution and asking for a response from the public official. The
workshop will end with an evaluation of the process and possible next steps. Come to learn; leave inspired.
Multisensory Worship
More than two-thirds of Protestant churches in the U.S. use screens for worship, but often those worship leaders just
project the words of a hymn and a close-up of the worship leaders. Pr. Paul Hegele will demonstrate how to create
multi-sensory worship, including screens with art, liturgical motifs, musical scores and video clips. Participants will:
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Appreciate the potential for richer worship by placing liturgy, music scores, photographs, art, graphics, YouTube
videos, and movie clips on a screen
Experience how easy it is to prepare for worship with a screen
Learn to think visually while preparing sermons in which pulpit and screen complement each other
Go online and select visuals to enhance scripture and sermon
Identify the cost of hardware and software
Enjoy “A Brush With Grace” sampling of famous paintings with religious stories
Paul Hegele is pastor of Ascension Lutheran Church in Louisville. He has offered workshops on media-enhanced worship
around the nation and is the creator of The Broad Cast Lutheran television program and The Welcome Place media
campaign for the Northwest Ohio Synod. Because worship is more than visuals and spoken words, Todd Hildreth,
Director of Worship at Ascension Lutheran Church in Louisville and instructor at Bellarmine University, will share exciting
liturgical music not found in the Evangelical Lutheran Worship. Todd is nationally known as a jazz pianist and has
accompanied such musicians as Aretha Franklin, Nora Jones, the Monkees and Brian Setzer.
Congregational History
Whether your congregation is old or new, large or small, it can be a wholesome, edifying, and uniting experience to
open up and make available the stories of a congregation through the years. You never know what exciting surprises
you may find along the way!
Workshop leaders Pastor Marcus Felde (Bethlehem, Indianapolis) and Barbara Eades (St Paul, Olean) published a 270page history of the St. Paul Lutheran Church, Olean, IN, “Faithful to Our Lord through Changing Times,” as part of the
150th anniversary celebration in 2007. Work included a transcription and publication of the entire parish register of
baptisms, confirmations, weddings, and funerals. They collected confirmation class photos, included full copies of the
congregation’s various constitutions, and wrote a history in three chapters covering three fifty-year periods of the
church’s life.
Workshop leaders will encourage and equip other congregations to undertake a history project. Participants will receive
examples to take home as possibilities for their own congregations. Understanding and owning a church’s history is
important to the vitality of a congregation. Church members may be surprised at what they will gain through carefully
examining how God has been at work in a community of Word and Sacrament over the years.
2015 Indiana-Kentucky Synod Assembly Elections
Positions Nominated by the Nominating Committee
Synod Council (Clergy) – 2 positions
2 at large positions
o Can be either male or female (3 year term each)
Synod Council (Associate in Ministry, Deaconess, or Diaconal Minister) – 1 position
1 at large position
o Can be either male or female (3 year term)
Synod Council (Youth) – 1 position
1 at large position
o Can be either male or female (2 year term)
o Youth = 18 years or younger at time of election
Consultation Committee – 2 positions
1 clergy position, male (6 year term)
1 lay position, male (6 year term)
Lutheran Outdoor Ministries, Indiana-Kentucky Corporation Board – 2 positions
1 clergy position (one year term to fill out vacancy)
1 lay female position (three year term)
Churchwide Assembly Voting Member – 1 position
1 youth or young adult (younger than age 30 at time of election) who is a person of color or whose
primary language is other than English
Positions to be nominated by conferences
Synod Council Lay
4 positions – (one nominee each) (three year term each)
o Lay male: South East Indiana and Lafayette Conferences
o Lay female: North East and East Central Indiana Conferences
Churchwide Assembly Voting Members
10 positions – (two nominees from each Conference)
o Clergy: East Central Indiana, Lafayette, Northwest Indiana, South Central and Southeast
Indiana Conferences
o Lay male: East Kentucky, Evansville, and Northeast Indiana Conferences
o Lay female: Indianapolis and North Central Conferences
Position to be nominated by Special Task Force:
Secretary of the Synod
In accordance with the I-K Synod’s Constitution and By-Laws, S8.30,
(http://www.iksynod.org/About_Us/Synod%20Constitution%20after%202014%20SA.pdf), the secretary shall
serve a four-year term and be a member of an I-K Synod congregation. She/he may be ordained, commissioned,
consecrated, or lay. See the Synod Constitution +S8.32 for list of duties. See the Mission/Vision/Core Values
booklet pp 2-3 (Role of Missionary) and pp 16-17 (Role of Synod Council) for role descriptions
(http://www.iksynod.org/About_Us/Core%20Values%207-12.pdf).
Members of the Task Force for this position are Charlie Strietelmeier (chair), Chris Walda, and Pattiann Meeks.
To submit nominations for this position, contact Pr. Strietelmeier at [email protected].
The Indiana-Kentucky Synod staff continues to be good stewards of its resources, time and
energy. Many of the synod assembly materials that the synod used to print and mail are now
available on the website: http://www.iksynod.org/assembly2015.html
Find information, resources and forms on the website:
Instructions for submitting resolutions to the assembly
Resolution submission form
Mission Fest information and policies
Mission Fest table request form
Breakout request form
Time of Voice opportunities
Instructions for including materials in the information packet
The Bulletin of Reports will be available as a download by May 6, 2015
Important Dates to Keep in Mind
February 9 – Assembly registration opens: http://events.signup4.com/ikassembly2015
Registration rates are $150.00 for voting members and visitors, $75.00 for retired
rostered leaders.
March 20 – Registration discount ends at midnight. After this date registration rates
increase to $180.00 for voting members and visitors, $90.00 for retired rostered leaders.
May 5 – Last day of guaranteed rooms at the Indianapolis Marriott East Hotel.
May 15 – Pre-assembly registration ends. Only on-site registrations will be accepted after
this date and meals are not guaranteed. On-site registration fees are $215.00 for voting
members and visitors, $105.00 for retired rostered leaders.
Questions?
Heather Apel, Director of Synod Assembly Planning
Indiana-Kentucky Synod, ELCA
911 E 86th St., Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46240 - Phone: 317.253.3522
Email: [email protected]