Resources

The following PDF files are available to download:
Synod Constitution>
Proposed Rules and Procedures for 2008 Saint Paul Area Synod Assembly (require adoption by the assembly on May 30)>
Proposed Agenda>
Report of the Synod Bishop>
Ministry Reports>
Preliminary Budget Report>
Minutes of the 2007 Synod Assembly>
Summary of Actions by the Executive Committee and Synod Council>

Saint Paul Area Synod Assembly: Highlights

May 30-31, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Burnsville. Tony Campolo is the keynote speaker, and voting members will elect a bishop, voting members to the 2009 Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis, a synod secretary, nominees for the ELCA Church Council, and other representatives to synodical boards and committees.

Tony Campolo
Tony Campolo is professor emeritus of sociology at Eastern University, St. Davids, Penn. He previously served for ten years on the faculty of the University of Pennsylvania. Founder and president of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education (EAPE), Dr. Campolo has worked to create, nurture and support programs for “at-risk” children in cities across North America, and has helped establish schools and universities in several developing countries. Dr. Campolo is a media commentator on religious, social and political matters, having guested on television programs like Nightline, Crossfire, Politically Incorrect, The Charlie Rose Show, and Larry King Live. He co-hosted his own television series, Hashing It Out, on the Odyssey Network, and presently hosts Across The Pond, a weekly program on the Premier Christian Radio Network in England. He is the author of 34 books, including The God of Intimacy and Action, Letters to a Young Evangelical, and  Speaking My Mind. Dr. Campolo is an ordained minister, has served American Baptist Churches in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and is presently recognized as an associate pastor of the Mount Carmel Baptist Church in West Philadelphia. 

Carlos Peña
Carlos Peña is vice president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, having been elected to a six-year term in 2003. Peña worked for the Galveston (Texas) Independent School District from 1976-79 as a band director. In 1979 he joined his family’s business, Kleen Supply Co. Inc., Galveston, which also acquired C. M. Distributing Corp., Houston, in 1999. He now serves as president of both companies. He was president of First Lutheran Church, Galveston, from 1989-95, and was vice president of the ELCA Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod from 1991-95. In 1993, he was elected to serve a six-year term on the ELCA church council and was on the council’s executive committee. Peña is married to Diane, a former teacher and administrator in an Episcopal school. They have a son, Steven, and a daughter, Stephanie. The Peñas reside in Galveston and are members of First Lutheran Church.

Worship Offering: Crossing Bridges
The worship offering will be directed to the Crossing Bridges mission appeal, a $2 million effort of the 114 congregations of this synod to support future leaders of the church, to enliven the lives of those who hunger for the gospel by launching new communities of faith, in the suburbs and in immigrant communities in the heart of the city; by reaching out to those living in poverty with support and inviting them into the life of our congregations; and by deepening our relationships with our companions in the Iringa Diocese in Tanzania. The goals of this appeal are carried out in countless ways, every day, in all the congregations of this synod. Crossing Bridges challenges us to carry forth these efforts together, connected, gathered, and strengthened by the Body of Christ. An offering envelope is included in this pre-assembly report. Please pray about your own gift and discuss a congregational offering with the leaders of your congregation. Offering will be received during the opening worship service on May 30.

Book of Faith
Book of Faith: Lutherans Read the Bible is an initiative for renewal adopted by the 2007 Churchwide Assembly. It’s an endeavor across this church to encourage reading the Bible and discovering the heart and source of our faith. Individuals, congregations, and institutions will be invited to commit to talk and join Bible-centered conversation that will lead to greater biblical literacy and fluency. And in this midst of these conversations, we’ll deepen our understanding of what it means to be Lutheran and the insights and theology that ground our faith and shape our approach.

Throughout the assembly, we’ll pause to hear several personal reflections about how the Bible has shaped individual lives in portions of the agenda identified as Dwelling in the Word. Dr. Rolf Jacobson, associate professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary, will provide additional insights and ideas as time allows about how to embed this initiative in the culture of our congregations. Augsburg Fortress will provide a free copy of the first resource—Opening the Book of Faith: Lutheran Insights for Bible Study—to those who stop by the display in the Community Room.

Sending Video
How do you see that the world is about to turn? Where in your life, your congregation, your community, or the world is God at work—shaping, sculpting, and transforming creation? Think about this question...because on Friday, May 30, a film crew will be asking this question to an array of voting members in order to prepare a final video to show as we prepare to depart into the world following the conclusion of the assembly on Saturday, May 31.