Synod Council Update PDF Print E-mail

 

By: Patty Sampson-Brouchard, Secretary of the Synod
 
The Upstate NY Synod Council met October 19-20 at Christ the King Retreat House in Syracuse. Thirty five persons were in attendance which included Council members, Officers, Staff, Deans, Bishop Jerge and special guests. The tone of the meeting was set by an engaging discussion and reflection led by Rev. Greg Tennermann on the theme and first part of the book, A Door Set Open, Grounding Change in Mission and Hope. The Niagara Frontier Conference guided the Council's work with prayer and devotion as well as hosting a fellowship time where new Council members were welcomed. Special guests at the meeting were: Jill Palmeter, CPA, who provided guidance to Council members on the fiduciary responsibility of board members and Denise Ballou explained the role of Mission Interpreters and offered their use in congregations and conferences to explain and encourage Mission Support.
 
The Council's work included affirming the:
  1. Update to the Synod Personnel Policies, the first major revision since 1998.
  2. Recommendations from Rev. Judith VanOsdol, DEM, for Holy closure and/or sale of certain church properties and a proposal for how Synod Council members can connect with congregations and assist with thanking and asking for Mission Support;
  3. Authorization for the Synod Executive Committee to adopt a revised Synod Youth Safety Policy at their November 2012 meeting;
  4. Revisions to the bylaws of ILCCM (Campus Ministry in Buffalo), Lutheran Social Services, Jamestown (LSS) and RIT Campus Ministry, Rochester and election of Board members for LSS and Niagara Lutheran Health Care.
  5. Dean's Report of Roster changes;
  6. Treasurer and Finance Committee Reports and Resolutions including upgrading the Director of Communication's workspace at the Synod office and paying back to the Synod's Church Extension Fund some of the money borrowed by the Feed the Roots of Leadership Campaign
  7. Nomination of Chris George by the Niagara Conference to fill a 3 ½ year term on Synod Council
  8. Recommendations for Seminary Scholarships and Trexler Grants for 2013
  9. Ideas for Congregational and/or Council members to support the Feed the Roots of Leadership Campaign. 
Also, Rev. Jeff Kane was congratulated on his recent engagement to be married. The meeting concluded with prayer by 11:30 a.m. Saturday.
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