Monday, August 17

Photos from the 2009 Churchwide Assembly

 

View all the images from Monday, August 17, 2009
 

Volunteers are the life of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly. From greeting attendees to passing out registration packets to assisting in plenary, these people, many who have traveled many miles at their own expense, bring to life our tag line, “God’s work. Our hands.”
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 [ ] Volunteers are the life of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly. From greeting attendees to passing out registration packets to assisting in plenary, these people, many who have traveled many miles at their own expense, bring to life our tag line, “God’s work. Our hands.”

Carlos Peña, vice-president of the ELCA, chats with Gary Brugh, budget director, after registering for the assembly. Vice-President Peña was elected to a six-year term in 2003 and will stand for reelection at the 2009 Churchwide Assembly.
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 [ ] Carlos Peña, vice-president of the ELCA, chats with Gary Brugh, budget director, after registering for the assembly. Vice-President Peña was elected to a six-year term in 2003 and will stand for reelection at the 2009 Churchwide Assembly.

The ELCA Church Council acts as the board of directors of this church and shall serve as the interim legislative authority between meetings of the churchwide assembly. The voting members of the council consist of the four churchwide officers and 33 other persons elected by the churchwide assembly.
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 [ ] The ELCA Church Council acts as the board of directors of this church and shall serve as the interim legislative authority between meetings of the churchwide assembly. The voting members of the council consist of the four churchwide officers and 33 other persons elected by the churchwide assembly.

Secretary David Swartling speaks to a group of youth and young adult voting members and young rostered leaders. Mr. Swartling takes an active interest in the future leaders of this church.
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 [ ] Secretary David Swartling speaks to a group of youth and young adult voting members and young rostered leaders. Mr. Swartling takes an active interest in the future leaders of this church.

Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson responds to questions from the national media. While Bishop Hanson mentioned topics being discussed by the assembly such as HIV/AIDS, the Lutheran Malaria Initiative, and the full communion agreement with the United Methodist Church, but the questions centered on issues of sexuality.
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 [ ] Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson responds to questions from the national media. While Bishop Hanson mentioned topics being discussed by the assembly such as the election of a Vice PresidentPDF Format, funding of the HIV and AIDS StrategyPDF Format, the Lutheran Malaria InitiativePDF Format, and the full communion agreement with the United Methodist ChurchPDF Format, but the questions centered primarily on issues of sexuality.

Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson reads from the liturgy as Treasurer Christina Jackson-Skelton and Vice-President Carlos Pena listen. Opening worship at the assembly was a joyous and memorable way to begin the assembly. 
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 [ ] While the churchwide assembly is primarily a legislative business meeting, just as in our lives back home, worship is central to doing the business of the church. Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson led the assembly in a rich and memorable opening worship that included this petition in the sung prayers of intercession, "We pray for patience in listening; for openness in debate; for kindness in every exchange; for wisdom as you lead us into the future."

 Beginning with a remembrance of our baptismal calling to the laying on of hands to sharing the peace of Christ, opening worship was a rich tapestry of liturgical practices and sacramentals that culminated with Holy Communion.
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 [ ] Beginning with a remembrance of our baptismal calling to the laying on of hands to sharing the peace of Christ, opening worship was a rich tapestry of liturgical practices and sacramentals that culminated with Holy Communion. Learn more about worship in the ELCA.

 Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson lights the candle and proclaims the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly open. He told the assembly, "My role is to help you be attentive, wise, engaged, respectful." This is Bishop Hanson's fourth churchwide assembly as presiding bishop.
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 [ ] Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson lights the candle and proclaims the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly open. He told the assembly, "My role is to help you be attentive, wise, engaged, respectful." This is Bishop Hanson's fourth churchwide assembly as presiding bishop.

 Saint Paul Area Synod Bishop Peter Rogness (left) and Minneapolis Area Synod Bishop Craig E. Johnson (right) welcome the voting members of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly. Host synods play an important role in assisting the churchwide organization in bringing life to an assembly.
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 [ ] Saint Paul Area Synod Bishop Peter Rogness (left) and Minneapolis Area Synod Bishop Craig E. Johnson (right) welcome the voting members of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly. Host synods play an important role in assisting the churchwide organization in bringing life to an assembly.

 Plenary session one opened the business of the church. Amendments, motions, speaking in favor of, speaking against, our Parlimentarian was kept on his toes!
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 [ ] Plenary session one opened the business of the church. Amendments, motions, speaking in favor of, speaking against, our Parlimentarian was kept on his toes!

View all the images from Monday, August 17, 2009