Preparing for the Assembly
2015 G J
C
S
A
12-13
P
A
W
elcome to the 2015 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly! We look forward to mee ng you and appreciate the me you will spend with us. This document will help you prepare for the Assembly and explain how to access the PreAssembly material. WHAT IS A SYNOD ASSEMBLY? Just as a congrega on has an annual mee ng, each year the Grand Canyon Synod has an annual mee ng. Representa ves from all the congrega ons of the synod are invited to come together to form the Vo ng Membership of a Synod Assembly. The purpose of the Assembly is to hear reports of ministry that has been accomplished on our collec ve behalf, to elect people to serve in synod leadership capaci es, to deliberate issues, and to consider and approve a synod Mission Plan for 2016-2017. In Grand Canyon Synod Assemblies, business is mixed with opportuni es for Assembly par cipants to be inspired, grow in understanding, and experience a deepening of faith. These opportuni es may come in various forms: worship, speakers, discussion, Bible Study, workshops, forums, and fellowship. WHO ATTENDS A SYNOD ASSEMBLY? The vo ng membership of the Assembly includes from each congrega on: clergy, associates in ministry and diaconal ministers under call in this synod and lay members; a 10% representa on of the re red rostered leaders on the synod roster and all members of the Synod Council. As cons tuted,
at least 60% of the vo ng members of the Assembly are lay members. Other Assembly par cipants include representa ves from the ELCA Churchwide offices, synod staff, representa ves from the synod program units and related agencies and ins tu ons, special guests, and visitors. ASSEMBLY VOCABULARY The words “Assembly and Vo ng Members,” (rather than “conven on and delegates”) were chosen deliberately to reflect an ecclesial understanding that the three primary expressions of this church…. congrega%ons, synods, and the Churchwide organiza on…. exist and serve within this one church. In this church, members gather in worship, carry out service, and assemble occasionally for governance decisions and elec ons. Assembly par cipants do not come from a given caucus; they are not gathered as poli cized delegates to a party conven on. Rather, they assemble as duly selected members of this church with vo ng responsibili es. SEATING ON THE ASSEMBLY FLOOR Vo ng Members must be seated in the “Vo ng Member” sec on in the Center for Compassion during business sessions in order to speak at a microphone, receive a ballot, vote, and be counted in a quorum or division of the house. Visitors must be seated in areas designated, “Visitors” during plenary sessions. This is a legislave mee ng where vo ng plays a cri cal role. Thank you for respec ng these rules of procedure for the good order of the business of the Assembly.
P REGISTRATION Registra on will open at 7:30AM on Friday, June 12, in the Center for Compassion at Love of Christ Lutheran Church. SIGNING IN AT THE ASSEMBLY If you are a vo ng member of the Assembly, you are required to sign a creden als form when you register that allows you to vote on the Assembly floor. At this me you will pick up your registraon packet which includes your nametag, meal ckets, and vo ng materials. VOTING MEMBERS MUST WEAR THEIR NAMETAG AT ALL TIMES DURING BUSINESS SESSIONS. PRE-ASSEMBLY REPORTS This sec on contains the official documents that will be used during the Assembly and will become the permanent record aAer the Assembly. These reports are available on our website and the Guidebook App. It is the responsibility of each vo ng member to read and become familiar with the informa on provided in the Pre-Assembly Reports. You may choose to print or download all the Assembly files for your reference or only those that are necessary to assist you in your role at the Assembly. I. A. B.
Assembly Informa%on Assembly CommiDees Highlights of the 2015 Assembly
II. A. B. C. D.
Business Assembly Rules & Procedures Vo ng Member Orienta on Memorial/Resolu ons Nomina ng Report
A
III. A. B. C.
Business—Finance Treasurer’s Report—January 31, 2014 Auditor’s Report Proposed Mission Plan—2016-2017
IV.
Reports—Bishop and Synod Leadership
V.
Reports—Boards & Commi:ees
VI.
Reports—Agencies and Ins%tu%ons
VII. Grand Canyon Synod Cons%tu%on VIII. Congrega%on and Conference Sta%s%cs It is suggested each Vo ng Member print and take to Assembly (or download) the following infomaon: ♦
Preparing for the Assembly
♦
2015 Vo ng Member Orienta on
♦
2015 Assembly Rules & Procedures
♦
Agenda
♦
Memorials/Resolu ons
♦
Treasurer’s Report – January 31, 2015
♦
Proposed Mission Plan 2016-2017
♦
List of Workshops
ASSEMBLY PARTICIPATION By par cipa ng fully in the Assembly…. aDending business sessions, forums and workshops; joining in worship; visi ng displays; engaging in conversa on and sharing in discussions, you will be blessed and others will be blessed by your presence. Hopefully the Assembly experience will help to further equip and encourage you as a witness to the Gospel and servant of the Lord!
Welcome to the 2015 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly!
C
S
A
12-13
P
A
W
elcome to the 2015 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly! We look forward to mee ng you and appreciate the me you will spend with us. This document will help you prepare for the Assembly and explain how to access the PreAssembly material. WHAT IS A SYNOD ASSEMBLY? Just as a congrega on has an annual mee ng, each year the Grand Canyon Synod has an annual mee ng. Representa ves from all the congrega ons of the synod are invited to come together to form the Vo ng Membership of a Synod Assembly. The purpose of the Assembly is to hear reports of ministry that has been accomplished on our collec ve behalf, to elect people to serve in synod leadership capaci es, to deliberate issues, and to consider and approve a synod Mission Plan for 2016-2017. In Grand Canyon Synod Assemblies, business is mixed with opportuni es for Assembly par cipants to be inspired, grow in understanding, and experience a deepening of faith. These opportuni es may come in various forms: worship, speakers, discussion, Bible Study, workshops, forums, and fellowship. WHO ATTENDS A SYNOD ASSEMBLY? The vo ng membership of the Assembly includes from each congrega on: clergy, associates in ministry and diaconal ministers under call in this synod and lay members; a 10% representa on of the re red rostered leaders on the synod roster and all members of the Synod Council. As cons tuted,
at least 60% of the vo ng members of the Assembly are lay members. Other Assembly par cipants include representa ves from the ELCA Churchwide offices, synod staff, representa ves from the synod program units and related agencies and ins tu ons, special guests, and visitors. ASSEMBLY VOCABULARY The words “Assembly and Vo ng Members,” (rather than “conven on and delegates”) were chosen deliberately to reflect an ecclesial understanding that the three primary expressions of this church…. congrega%ons, synods, and the Churchwide organiza on…. exist and serve within this one church. In this church, members gather in worship, carry out service, and assemble occasionally for governance decisions and elec ons. Assembly par cipants do not come from a given caucus; they are not gathered as poli cized delegates to a party conven on. Rather, they assemble as duly selected members of this church with vo ng responsibili es. SEATING ON THE ASSEMBLY FLOOR Vo ng Members must be seated in the “Vo ng Member” sec on in the Center for Compassion during business sessions in order to speak at a microphone, receive a ballot, vote, and be counted in a quorum or division of the house. Visitors must be seated in areas designated, “Visitors” during plenary sessions. This is a legislave mee ng where vo ng plays a cri cal role. Thank you for respec ng these rules of procedure for the good order of the business of the Assembly.
P REGISTRATION Registra on will open at 7:30AM on Friday, June 12, in the Center for Compassion at Love of Christ Lutheran Church. SIGNING IN AT THE ASSEMBLY If you are a vo ng member of the Assembly, you are required to sign a creden als form when you register that allows you to vote on the Assembly floor. At this me you will pick up your registraon packet which includes your nametag, meal ckets, and vo ng materials. VOTING MEMBERS MUST WEAR THEIR NAMETAG AT ALL TIMES DURING BUSINESS SESSIONS. PRE-ASSEMBLY REPORTS This sec on contains the official documents that will be used during the Assembly and will become the permanent record aAer the Assembly. These reports are available on our website and the Guidebook App. It is the responsibility of each vo ng member to read and become familiar with the informa on provided in the Pre-Assembly Reports. You may choose to print or download all the Assembly files for your reference or only those that are necessary to assist you in your role at the Assembly. I. A. B.
Assembly Informa%on Assembly CommiDees Highlights of the 2015 Assembly
II. A. B. C. D.
Business Assembly Rules & Procedures Vo ng Member Orienta on Memorial/Resolu ons Nomina ng Report
A
III. A. B. C.
Business—Finance Treasurer’s Report—January 31, 2014 Auditor’s Report Proposed Mission Plan—2016-2017
IV.
Reports—Bishop and Synod Leadership
V.
Reports—Boards & Commi:ees
VI.
Reports—Agencies and Ins%tu%ons
VII. Grand Canyon Synod Cons%tu%on VIII. Congrega%on and Conference Sta%s%cs It is suggested each Vo ng Member print and take to Assembly (or download) the following infomaon: ♦
Preparing for the Assembly
♦
2015 Vo ng Member Orienta on
♦
2015 Assembly Rules & Procedures
♦
Agenda
♦
Memorials/Resolu ons
♦
Treasurer’s Report – January 31, 2015
♦
Proposed Mission Plan 2016-2017
♦
List of Workshops
ASSEMBLY PARTICIPATION By par cipa ng fully in the Assembly…. aDending business sessions, forums and workshops; joining in worship; visi ng displays; engaging in conversa on and sharing in discussions, you will be blessed and others will be blessed by your presence. Hopefully the Assembly experience will help to further equip and encourage you as a witness to the Gospel and servant of the Lord!
Welcome to the 2015 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly!
