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SYNOD ASSEMBLY SYNOD VICE PRESIDENT REPORT 2017 “I look to the mountains; where will my help come from? My help will come from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not let you fall; your protector is always awake.” (Psalm 121: 1-3, TEV) This year may be considered as a series of mountain tops and valleys. The mountain tops did outnumber the valleys. Attending the Churchwide Assembly in New Orleans had to be one of the highlights of the year. It was a great honor to take part in the opening worship processional with Bishop Prois and the other bishops and vicepresidents. It was also special to have an active role in one of the worship services. To listen to nearly a thousand people worship and sing praise to God was humbling and inspiring. The plenary sessions, banquets and breakout sessions were informative and encouraging. To experience being asked for money for a meal and seeing the homeless sleeping in doorways on the streets of New Orleans was awakening to the plight of the needs of America. Thank you to the Churchwide organization and the Western Iowa Synod for the opportunity to attend. The year with the Synod Council has been rewarding and yet frustrating. Strides have been made in the evaluation of the conference structure, nominating processes and responsibilities of the Conference Deans. The progress has been deliberate and thorough. This has been somewhat intentional to ensure that the final proposals are as applicable as possible to serve the mission of the Western Iowa Synod. This investigation, discussion and discernment should be an ongoing process that determines and addresses the changing issues faced by the Western Iowa Synod and ELCA. Thank you to the Mission Center staff, Conference Deans and Synod Council members for their dedication and diligence as the many issues have been discussed and decided throughout the year. It has been a joy and privilege to work with the Synod Council and Mission Center staff as we worked through the many items on the quarterly agendas. Several items in the ongoing growth of the Western Iowa Synod have been identified and addressed that improved the administration of the Synod mission. Policies and procedures have been established that were necessary to advance both congregational and synodical relationships. Thank you to Bishop Prois; Rev. Jeff Ungs, Dir. Of Evangelical Mission and Asst. to the Bishop; Rev Lorna Halaas, Dir. Of Missional Leadership; Cindy Wells, Dir. Of Global Mission; Lynn Egesdal, Admin. Asst. and Faith Formation Coordinator; Kay Broich, Mission Center Administrator and Julie Cook, Admin. Asst. for all their faith and support. Thanks to the Synod Council for their dedication and insight in the continued growth of the Western Iowa Synod. And finally, thank you to all the pastors and congregations of the Western Iowa Synod for their prayers and encouragement. As we look ahead, we have hope in the mission of the ELCA, the Western Iowa Synod and every congregation and faith in the grace of God. May the blessings of God and the peace of Jesus Christ be with us always. Brian Campbell Synod Vice President

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