Last updated 03/09/2009

Synod Assembly 2008

May 29-31, 2008
Split Rock Resort

The Twenty-First Annual Synod Assembly of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA, was held at Split Rock Resort, Lake Harmony, Pa., from Thursday, May 29, through Saturday, May 31. Click here for a summary of the assembly.

The Rev. Dr. Samuel R. Zeiser was elected bishop on the fifth ballot on May 31.

For a biographical sketch of Bishop Zeiser, click here.

See below for pre-assembly materials.

For information from the assembly, including the resolutions adopted, election results, and other information, click the links below:

• Resolutions adopted
• Results of the ballots for bishop
• Results of the ballots for other elections
• Sermon preached by Pr. Kathie Bender Schwich at the closing worship
• Minutes of the assembly

Pre-Assembly and Assembly Information

• Assembly agenda
• 2008 Bulletin of Reports
  • Contents
  • Executive Reports
  • Ministry Teams
  • Support Committees
  • Other Committees and Groups
  • Agencies and Institutions
  • Treasurer's Acknowledgements for 2006
  • Rules of Procedure
  • Spending Proposal (Budget) for 2008
  • Letter to Synod Assembly from Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson
• Report of the Synod Council on Synod Needs, Concerns, and Priorities
• Biographies of the twelve people (eleven pastors and one deaconess) celebrating their fiftieth anniversary of rostered ministry.
• Election of a New Synod Bishop (study process materials).

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Report of the Synod Council on Synod Needs, Concerns, and Priorities

Both parts of the Synod Council report on synod needs, concerns, and priorities, compiled with the assistance of the ELCA Synodical Relations and Research and Evaluation offices, are now available. Click here for a copy of the first report, distributed in March. Click here for a copy of the second report, distributed in May.

The first report is based on conversations at the fall mission district assemblies and meetings of invitation-only focus groups. The spring mission district assemblies provide an opportunity to discuss the report as it impacts the election of a synod bishop.

The second report summarizes the responses of 54 participants who completed a brief questionnaire.

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Election of a New Synod Bishop

The Synod Council approved a study process to prepare for the election of the next bishop and assembled additional materials for use at special gatherings in the mission districts held last fall.

These materials are available online by clicking the links below:

• Imprint for the Future: Called Together in Mission
  • Procedure for the Election of a Synod Bishop — 2008, approved by the Synod Council, June 30, 2007; includes a time line
• Election of a Bishop: Process for 2008
  • Details of the process to be used in the election of a bishop before and at the 2008 Synod Assembly, approved by the Synod Council, October 24, 2008
• Choosing a Bishop: Questions to Assist in Preparation
  • Resource produced by the ELCA for the election of a bishop
• Constitutional Requirements for
  • The Election of a Bishop
  • The Responsibilities of the Bishop
• Definition of "Ecclesiastical Ballot"
  • Information provided to synods by ELCA Secretary Lowell Almen in 2006
• Questions for Reflection and Discussion
  • Worksheet to use during the fall mission district gatherings and for personal reflection

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© 2008 Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod. All rights reserved.