Conference Assemblies

Conference Assemblies

Feb.24, 2:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m. (registration); Roseville Lutheran Church, 1215 West Roselawn Ave., Roseville. Bishop Sally Dyck, Minnesota Annual Conference, United Methodist Church, is the speaker. Nominations for bishop, 2009 Churchwide Assembly, and other synodical committees.

Following the keynote address, each conference will caucus to consider resolutions, elect representatives to the 2009 Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis, nominate candidates for synodical bishop, and, if necessary, elect representatives to synod committees. Each congregation is entitled to send twice the number of its synod assembly voting members to conference assemblies. There is no pre-registration for conference assemblies.

Conference assemblies undergird the work of the synod assembly
The work of individual conferences undergirds the work of the synod assembly, particularly this year. Important work on resolutions—which are often directed to the synod assembly—occurs in the conference caucus. In addition, conferences will elect individuals to serve as voting members to the 2009 Churchwide Assembly in Minneapolis and nominate persons for bishop and to run as a representative to the ELCA church council. Some conferences will be electing representatives to other synod committees as well.

Important: Identify your voting members early
It’s not too early for congregations to identify individuals who will serve as voting members at both the conference assemblies and/or the synod assembly. Voting members appreciate being briefed in advance about their role and expectations. Each congregation is allowed twice as many lay voting members for the conference assemblies as for the synod assembly, balanced among male and female. Congregations identify voting members in all sorts of ways, but it’s a good idea to select voting members who are involved in the life of your congregation and have time to prepare and understand the issues and concerns before the assemblies.

Clergy and rostered laypersons serving under call also serve as voting members. Clergy under call to specialized ministry register in the conference in which they hold congregational membership. Because of the many elections this year, it is especially important that all voting members to conference assemblies register on arrival to receive the proper credentials. If you have questions about the number of voting members alloted your congregation, please call the synod office.

Nominations for bishop
At conference assemblies on Sunday, Feb. 24, each conference may nominate up to three persons for bishop. Candidates for bishop must be ordained pastors in the ELCA, though they need not be serving in the Saint Paul Area Synod. The term of office is six years, with a two-term limit. Bishop Rogness is eligible for re-election and has indicated his willingness to have voting members consider an extension of his call for another term.

Elections at conference assemblies
Several elections occur during conference assemblies. Nominations and self-nominations are welcome, either by calling the synod office, the conference representative to the nominating committee, or the conference dean. Biographical forms are available online or by calling the synod office. They should be completed by Feb. 17 and returned to the synod office so that they can be duplicated for the conference assemblies.

The following elections will take place during conference assemblies:
Abbreviations: Cl Clergy; LF Lay Female; LM Lay Male; L Lay, either male or female; PCL Person of color or whose language is
other than English

East Central Conference
Churchwide Assembly Voting Members Cl, LF, LM, open (Cl or L)
Nominating Committee Cl , three-year term

North Conference
Churchwide Assembly Voting Members Cl, LM
Dean L or Cl, three-year term

North Central Conference
Churchwide Assembly Voting Members Cl, LM, LF
Dean L or Cl, three-year term
Nominating Committee LM or LF, three-year term

South Central Conference
Churchwide Assembly Voting Members Cl, LF
Synod Council Representative L, three-year term
Dean L or Cl, three-year term

Southeast Conference
Churchwide Assembly Voting Members Cl, LF, LM
Dean L or Cl, three-year term

South Conference
Churchwide Assembly Voting Members 2 Cl, 1 LM, 2 LF, 1 LM or LF; 1PCL
Synod Council Representative Cl, three-year term