Over the last 3 days (Sunday evening, all day Monday, and this morning) I was privileged to attend as one of the two voting members (Thanks Marla for being such a wonderful partner!) from Faith Lutheran Church for the North/West Lower Michigan Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America annual assembly. While at times it was very warm (Ok – I think someone even compared it to the temperature of Hell) in the rooms and things didn’t always happen according to plan, it was an AMAZING experience.

So much happened in those short hours – heard stories of how God is alive and working through the ELCA, our synod, our congregations, and our people, heard debate on a variety of resolutions from gun control to mental health to environmental concerns with fossil fuels, some passed and some didn’t, but all was thoughtful and respectful debate. We elected people to the Synod Council and various committees. I learned more about changes Portico is making to the healthcare plans the ELCA offers to Pastors and Lay staff because of Healthcare Reform. We had Bible studies and sang songs as we gathered after each break. There were various speakers from around our state and the world, including a Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia. I met a lot of people I never knew before and ran into some old friends.

The most important elections we held were to select a new Bishop for our synod for the next 6 years. It is a long process – 5 ballots over 3 days, speeches, and Q/A times – but it is a slow deliberate process to allow everyone to make the choice that is needed. In the end the votes were very close, but a bishop was elected. (and no, we don’t use smoke to indicate success or failure with each ballot 🙂 ) When the results were announced – everyone was supportive and loving to the Bishop-elect – even though you know almost 1/2 the room didn’t vote for him – but that is in the past – and we have our leader who we will support.

We also had 2 full worship services with Holy Communion – such a powerful experience having that many Christians (and of course they are Lutherans!) together in one room all singing the praises of our Lord and Savior. At the close of the closing worship service, we the congregation gave a blessing to the outgoing Bishop which was an extremely moving experience.

Overall it was so awesome to feel God’s Love so abundantly everywhere you went, hear of all the wonderful work we are doing around the world in the name of Jesus, and feel the every-living presence of the Holy Spirit in the decisions we made. This experience has renewed my faith in God and in the work of the ELCA. Now to see if I can make it happen to go to the church-wide assembly in August…