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SYNOD COUNCIL MINUTES

INDIANA-KENTUCKY SYNOD, ELCA

JANUARY 22-24, 2016

BENEDICT INN RETREAT AND CONFERENCE CENTER,

BEECH GROVE, INDIANA

ATTENDANCE

Officers: Bishop Bill Gafkjen, Vice-President Ted Miller, Secretary Judy Bush, Treasurer Sue

Miller

Clergy: Pastors Amy Beitelschees-Albers, Jessica King, Jerald Mielke (Saturday a.m./Sunday),

Randall “Randy” Schroeder (Friday, Saturday), Charles Strietelmeier, and Karen Strietelmeier

Laity: Michael Anderson, Bernie Augenstein, Rebecca Jane Daum, Elizabeth Gaskins (Sunday),

Clyde Knigga (Friday, Saturday), Danielle Nuss, Laura Richcreek, Marilyn Saum, Paul Trickel,

and E. Louise Williams

Staff: Assistants to the Bishop Pastors Rudy Mueller and Heather Apel, DEM Pastor Nancy

Nyland (Saturday/Sunday)

Synod Attorney: Josh Tatum (absent)

Auxiliary Representative: Linda Doerge, president of the I-K Women of the ELCA (absent)

Churchwide Council Representative: Rev. Vicki Garber (absent)

Guests: Debbie Asberry and Lisa Negstad (Friday, Saturday)

Guide Team: Pastors Amy Beitelschees-Albers, Dan Forehand, Randy Schroeder, (chair), (Dr.)

Hank Langknecht, Janet Manning, and Bishop Bill Gafkjen

Prayer Team: Rhonda Gibson, Missy Schroeder, Julie Stegelmann (Friday, Saturday)

Absent: Pastors Dana Lockhart, Jerald Mielke (Friday, Saturday p.m.), Randy

Schroeder(Sunday), and Pamela Thiede, Elizabeth Gaskins (Friday, Saturday), Tim Knauff, Amy

Kruse, Pattiann Meeks, Pr. Steve Reshan, Noah David Smith, Nancy Walter, DEM Pastor Nancy

Nyland (Friday)

INDIANA – KENTUCKY SYNOD COUNCIL RETREAT

IN-DEPTH INTRODUCTIONS AND FRAMING OF THE WEEKEND

The executive committee met at 3:30 p.m. Friday, January 22, 2016, at the Benedict Inn

Retreat and Conference Center, Beech Grove, Indiana.

At 7:00 p.m. the Synod Council convened at the Benedict Inn Retreat and Conference

Center. Bishop Gafkjen introduced Sister Sheila who oriented the group to the facility. She

noted that they are praying for the group while they are here.

Bishop noted that we would be moving through the liturgy as we are together. He continued,

“This evening begins with the Gathering.” He led the group in prayer and the group sang, ELW

#814 “Take, Oh, Take Me As I Am.”

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Lisa Negstad reintroduced herself and summarized the interactions with the group beginning

with the Synod Council meeting in January, 2015, then the retreat in April, and the 2015 Synod

Assembly in June. The group looked in April at what it wanted to hospice and what it wanted to

give new life. Each person introduced himself/herself, their position in the synod, and from

where they had come to the meeting.

The group engaged in a 1 to 2 to 4 exercise. As individuals each person considered what

they wanted to share with another. Then the group divided into pairs and shared their special

thoughts. And then two pairs joined in groups of four and shared significant thoughts that had

been shared.

Michael Bischoff was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer in August. For

which he has had surgery, chemo therapy and radiation. Lisa played a tape from Michael which

also included his wife and a friend in which he shared how the love and peace he is experiencing

through the thoughts and prayers of others is sustaining him and is so important to him.

LECTIO DIVINA DEVOTION

Debbie Asberry led the group in a special devotional exercise. Three individuals read three

readings – Mark 10:46-52, a statement from Goethe, Acts 2:43-47. Then a fourth person read

reflections on the texts. The group divided into small groups of 2-3 people; reflected and shared

their reflections on the readings. The following questions guided the reflections: What word or

phrase most speaks to you, What wisdom do these texts offer in light of the work that is before

this weekend, the work as a mission territory, and What else occurs to you? The devotion closed

with the group praying in unison.

EVENING PRAYER

Bishop Gafkjen read Isaiah 43:1-21 and then accompanied the group by playing his ukulele

as the group sang ELW #798 “The Summons”. The group exchanged peace with each person.

SOCIAL TIME

The group enjoyed fellowship and light refreshments.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 23, 2016

MORNING PRAYER WITH EUCHARIST

Following breakfast, the group gathered in the second floor meeting room of the Benedict

Inn Retreat and Conference Center at 9:00 a.m. Bishop Gafkjen led the worship which included

the Meal. The opening hymn of praise was ELW #556, “Morning Has Broken”. It was followed

by the Eucharistic Prayer, Distribution, Post-Communion Prayer, Closing Prayer, and Song from

the ELW #817, “You Have Come Down to the Lakeshore.”

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ENGAGE IN NEXT EVOLUTION OF HOLY CONVERSATIONS

Lisa Negstad led the discussion of the Holy Conversations that have been reported by

congregations of the synod. She asked the group to consider three questions. They were: What

are the patterns, what are the dominant narratives you see, and what are the compelling

narratives you see? The group divided into groups of three to address the questions. Then

formed different groups of three to answer the questions again.

When the group reconnected as the entire group, individuals shared what they had been

hearing in terms of the answers to the questions. The responses were the following: reaching

out, forming groups and tasks, connections, more spiritual, reaching out to larger church as well,

moving from negatives to positives, personal invitations, longing for relationships, faith

formation desire, joy, joy in serving, questioning of identity, need to serve out of gratitude, sense

of optimism, given congregations a way to interact with each other, difficulty in identifying

where there is life rather than where there is deficiency, bringing people together to know each

other, some experimentation going on, being the church in the world requires new approaches,

way to talk about faith journey, and seeing the congregation as a place to equip people to be

involved in issues of justice.

Lisa shared her appreciation of the way the group is doing, particularly their engagement in

the process.

DEEPEN UNDERSTANDING OF LIFE CYCLES OF SYSTEMS

Debbie Asberry wanted everyone to understand the theoretical underpinning of the system.

She shared her experience of understanding the cycle of the system. Systems rise to a place of

grace but then begin to decline. As people experience decline, some try to think of different

ways of doing their work. Those thinking of new ways need to find each other and network.

Some called them Wayfinders. She quoted Thomas Martin in terms of thinking about new ways

of doing and thinking. The new is trying to be born. We are called in the middle space of

hospice and being born. We can get stuck in the „tyranny of what exists‟. Time of emergence is

a time of constant discernment. She asked individuals to get a sense of the system. On the floor

was blue tape in the shape of the cycle – rise and decline, new beginning rising and declining.

She asked each person to identify where the synod is as a mission territory and stand on the spot

on the cycle representing their evaluation. Individuals then shared why they stood where they

stood.

Debbie brought the group back together and summarized the last activity. The system is one

of hospice and renewal. After the break the group watched a video by Deborah Frieze “How I

Became a Localist” which was a Ted Talk. She explained the system change process and

identified four individuals in the process: trail blazers, hospice workers, protectors, and

illuminators. Debbie asked individuals to identify which of the four they identified with and

stand on that square which had been placed on the floor in appropriate spaces in relation to the

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system cycle. She also had a spot for those who were not sure where they identified. Again

individuals explained why they stood where they were standing and Debbie asked them how they

felt about that.

Lisa said we are transitioning now into discovering the new shoots. She asked individuals to

state where the work of the Holy Spirit is seen. Answers were the buzz, seeking answers as to

what is life giving, hopeful spirit in the room, when the group is together more so than in

congregations, when we realize we are in all places, leading us to see our roles and where we

could be, acceptance. What is the Spirit telling us – being open to invitation, voice of hope,

sense of peace rather than anxiety, God‟s will be done, Spirit‟s invitation to awareness and what

is needed for the journey. How will we respond – Pastor Amy responded by taking off her

sweater coat as the blind man had taken off his coat in the reading from Mark, with trust and

hope, with grounding and acceptance of possibilities, not unique in our positon, part of pattern,

what‟s coming, gratitude, with others, not alone, remaining faithfully calm, continuance.

DEVELOP PROTOTYPES/EXPERIMENTS TO TEST NEW IDEAS AND LEARN

FROM THEM

A goal is to help each other see some new ideas and practices that may be emerging. Lisa

read a quote from Structured for Mission by Alan J. Roxburg. Paraphrasing, the thought is „what

a group needs is not primarily a new re-structuring proposal but time and ways in which they can

learn to name and test new habits and practices in the new space.‟ Some raised questions as to

whether we are talking about ideas for congregations or new habits and practices for the synod.

Debbie answered that the group is acting on behalf of the Mission Territory. The process is

trying to move from the creativity side to concrete action. The process is whether the group sees

the energy and what is “bubbling up”. Bishop Gafkjen noted that for him it has been helpful to

ask questions, „specifically, why does it matter and should it matter‟. We have synod as

structure and also as 55,000 people in 188 congregations. When we look at prototypes, we are

looking at what serves the mission. How do we do our work more effectively to support

congregations. And how do we share mission being done by congregations with other

congregations. Questions we might ask are: where is the Spirit working, how is the Spirit

working, and what are we going to do about it.

Lisa asked that we move into a setting of how do we move to action. She asked individuals

to engage in a creativity matrix and asked individuals to engage in brain storming. The matrix

had the people along the top – Lay Leaders, Congregations, Rostered Leaders and Pastors,

Bishop and Synod Staff, Synod Council, Deans, and Wild. Down the side were

Partnerships/Connections/Community, Digital/Technology, Roles, Locale:

geography/environments, and Wild. The ones down the side are avenues of implementation.

She asked the group to break into five groups and do some brainstorming. Each person wrote on

post-it notes thoughts and ideas that fit in the various cells of the matrix and then placed those

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notes in the appropriate cells. Each of the five groups had a matrix that was generally filled out.

The combined matrix of the five groups is attached.

PRAYER AT MID-DAY

At 12:05 Lisa asked for someone to lead prayer prior to lunch and Missy Schroeder

volunteered.

LUNCH

DEVELOP PROTOTYPES/EXPERIMENTS TO TEST NEW IDEAS AND LEARN

FROM THEM, CONT’D

After lunch Lisa, sensing that individuals had engaged fully prior to lunch and had a filling

lunch, asked the group to share their level of excitement from 1 to 10. Then she asked

individuals to do a bus stop tour and review the matrixes that were created prior to lunch. Lisa

then asked individuals to select one item on a matrix that particularly sparks the individual and

take it to the big, central matrix which was on the floor. After individuals had an opportunity to

select items, an individual was asked to read the combined matrix. The Central Matrix of Ideas

is attached. It contains twenty-nine ideas. Lisa asked what one is noticing about the items;

answers were connecting, effective way to communicate, helping network happen, nice blend of

technical and adaptive challenges. She asked individuals to read and ponder the central matrix.

She then asked which of these might you like to lead. Then the individual can host and facilitate

a dialogue on that topic, determine if it is an idea to try, who else is willing to help try the idea,

who else needs to be invited to try the idea, what are first 3 steps, what access/resources do you

need. There were five groups chosen. The groups were „Listening to young people as relates to

digital/technology‟, pastors and rostered leaders working together in shared ministry serving

their communities and shared ministry in broader geographical area with more than pastors,

synod council members connect with deans, spiritual formation for rostered leaders on a regular

basis, and effective, lively network relationships through network weavers.

There were small groups formed to answer the questions regarding the big ideas: determine if

it is an idea to try, who else is willing to help try the idea, who else needs to be invited to try the

idea, what are first 3 steps, what access/resources do you need. Upon returning to the main

group, the groups shared the results of their small group discussions.

The point was made that in prototyping failure is a step in learning. There is individual

discernment with failure but it can be understood that all are trying to learn.

There was a short break.

AGREE ON NEXT STEPS

Lisa welcomed everyone back from a short break. She shared more information on

prototyping. It can happen anywhere in the synod. Others should be encouraged to try ideas. It

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is organic with new ideas springing forward. Prototypes have the following criteria: are

relevant, right (elements of whole system in it), rapid (fast enough so that momentum is not lost),

clarity (needs to be understandable, clarifying the question that needs answered). The steps

include the following: build a model of the prototype, test it, get feedback. It should be small

enough to test and should get multiple feedback. With the feedback there will be spiritual

discernment. There needs to be help in doing reflections and feedback.

What is the process of doing feedback; does the synod need to be providing a process of

discernment. How do we support each other as we move forward, hold each other accountable,

resource each other, hold in prayer, how do we involve the „walk a-ways‟? The walk a-ways

may be asking pertinent questions. One of the ways would be to have Guide Team and Prayer

Team continue to check on the prototypes and perhaps include some Synod Council folk and

some deans. Another way is to build into regular Synod Council meetings reports from

prototypes. There is almost sort of Quaker listening we could do. We need to make a tentative

decision about process of discernment and feedback. All the prototypes so far fit within the

container of the structures in place.

Lisa recommended to have a blended team which will be the prototype

stewardship/discernment team that will provide feedback. The group would be asking questions

to help the teams. The group might include members of Synod Council, Guide Team, Prayer

Team, and perhaps a „walk-a-way‟. The practice of listening to the Spirit is also important.

Someone asked if the Guide and Prayer Teams want to continue working or do some think they

need to step away. The Prototype Stewardship/Discernment Team would be 5- 7 members.

There will be time during the April Synod Council meeting to discuss the prototype team.

PRAYER TEAM REFLECTIONS / SPIRITUAL EXAMEN REFLECTIONS ABOUT

RETREAT

Lisa asked to shift, expressing gratitude for the way the group worked together and engaged

in the process. The first question is Where have you seen the Holy Spirit move? Answers were

during the small group prototype discussion sessions, sticker pickers, in worship and singing,

people being open to the process, people being on different places on the curves, being diverse

yet working together, a sense of trusting, sense of knowing, sense of expectation, hopes of

Guiding Team were met, fears of Guiding Team did not materialize, touched by the energy, safe

space to think and be, is all holy. What is the Spirit telling us? Answers were Amen, let‟s go

dance as the Body of Christ, on the right track, moving forward together, like Jesus said “Go on

your way”. How do we want to respond? Answers were we‟ve talked, listened, now is time to

act, being called to act boldly, with joy. Lisa said it has been a pleasure to be with you, with

gratitude. Debbie said it was a leap of faith for both of us. Debbie continued that the way the

group engaged the process was wonderful, awesome to watch the Spirit move through you. The

Synod Council expressed gratitude for consultants and facilitators Lisa Negstad, Michael

Bischoff and Debbie Asberry.

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CLOSING PRAYER

Bishop Bill announced that dinner would be at 5:30 p.m., Synod Council is tomorrow

morning, and we will try to leave early. The group finished with the sending portion of the

liturgy, singing ELW 843 “Praise the One Who Breaks the Darkness”.

SYNOD COUNCIL MEETING

SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2016

HOLY COMMUNION

Synod Council met in the chapel on the upper level of the Benedict Inn Conference and

Retreat Center at 9:00 a.m. for worship. After Confession the group sang ELW #822 “Oh, Sing

to the Lord” accompanied by Bishop playing the ukulele and Pastor Amy playing the mandolin.

The reading and basis for the sermon were Luke 4:14-21, The Beginning of the Galilean

Ministry, and The Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth. Bishop last preached at Faith United

(Richmond, Indiana) and will preach tonight at ecumenical service in Lexington, Kentucky, with

several „bishop types‟; he brought greetings from Faith United and asked to extend greetings

from the Synod Council. He noted the audacity of Jesus statement, "Today the scriptures have

been fulfilled in your hearing." He was speaking of the hopes and promises of generations. The

people assumed it would be a morning like every other morning. We bring our long standing

yearnings as we approach Sunday morning worship as always. There is transforming power that

greets us as we worship the crucified and risen Jesus who stands among us now, whether we

expect it or not. Today we are gathered up into God's arms; expect it.

After the sermon the group sang ELW #723, “Canticle of the Turning”. The group shared

Holy Communion; worship closed with the group singing ELW #538, “The Lord Now Sends Us

Forth”.

PLENARY ONE

Vice-President Miller called the meeting to order at 9:50 a.m. He referred to the agenda and

welcomed everyone. Additionally, he said that we would try to finish by lunch.

REVIEW OF RETREAT

Vice-President Miller asked if there were comments about the retreat on Friday and Saturday.

Going forward it was thought that the prototype groups will continue. There will be a prototype

task force that will act as a sounding board and support group for the prototype groups. The

prototype task force will include a walk away, possibly a dean, anyone who wanted to stay on

from the Guide Team and Prayer Team. Bishop Gafkjen thanked the group for their

commitment and willingness to expend time and energy in embracing the process.

REVIEW OF MEETING AGENDA, ADDITION OF ITEMS, IF ANY, FROM RETREAT

The agenda was modified in that plenary one and two may be combined to facilitate finishing

earlier than 2:00 p.m. There were no guest reports since the guests were absent.

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CHURCHWIDE AND CHURCHWIDE ASSEMBLY CONCERNS, IF ANY

Bishop discussed the churchwide assembly in New Orleans in August. Carlos Pena will no

longer serve as Vice-President of the ELCA. There is a Gathering in conjunction with the

Churchwide Assembly. Bishop Eaton has initiated a future directions process; he called

attention to a document in the dropbox entitled Priorities in Context: Sustainability and

Membership Growth, A Background Paper for the Future Directions Table. The document

details the history and research done in reviewing the sustainability of the mission and ministry

of the ELCA. The future directions process will build on that summary and research. It is for

council members only. There will be a meeting of churchwide voting members after the April

Synod Council meeting which is April 15-16.

REPORTS & REQUESTS FOR ACTION FROM EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, OFFICERS, AND STAFF ROSTER CONCERNS

Executive Committee and Officers

Vice-President Miller thanked the group for their support during the time of his father‟s

illness and death. He attended a Region 6 meeting in Ohio with the Bishop and Pastor Vicki

Garber. He is always humbled to be with a group like that. We are blessed to have our

leadership in the region. Vice-President Miller continued that there is a letter going out with a

tabulation of the gifts that candidates for Bishop should possess. The list was compiled as part of

the Bishop selection process. The list will be sent to conference ministeriums and conference

councils requesting names that should be considered. He has a biographical information form

that needs to be approved by Synod Council. He distributed the form (attached). Mike

Anderson moved that the form be approved; Marilyn Saum seconded the motion. The Synod

Council

VOTED: SC/2016/1: that the Biographical Information Form for a nominee for

Bishop of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod be approved.

Secretary Bush reported on the Congregational Constitution Task Force action by referring to

the report in the dropbox. The constitution for Our Saviour Lutheran Church, West Lafayette,

Indiana, was approved conditioned on making corrections; all needed corrections were in

sections which are required. The constitution for Gethsemane Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne,

Indiana, was approved conditioned upon addressing conditions and with the exception of

Chapter 9 and C13.02. The constitution for Purdue Lutheran Ministries, Purdue University,

West Lafayette, Indiana, was disapproved; two members of the task force will meet with Purdue

Lutheran Ministry members to assist them in revising their constitution.

The executive committee is recommending that Bishop Gafkjen be authorized to enter into a

negotiated Synod Office lease extension. Bishop Gafkjen noted that they have been in the

facility for twenty-one years and the facility is dedicated to housing non-profits. He discussed

that with the reduction in staff and individuals desiring to work from home there are some

proposed changes in the office area and design. Renovations are done at lessor‟s cost and not the

synod‟s. After discussion the Synod Council

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VOTED: SC/2016/2: that Bishop William Gafkjen is authorized to enter into a

negotiated Synod Office lease extension, with the reduced rent schedule beginning

May 31, 2016.

Secretary Bush referred for consideration the previously distributed draft minutes of the

November Synod Council meeting. Marilyn Saum moved and Paul Trickel seconded that the

minutes be approved, and the Synod Council

VOTED: SC/2016/3: that the minutes of the November 13-14, 2015, Synod Council

meeting, pages 2212-2229 be approved.

Treasurer Sue Miller thanked everyone for prayers and support during her absence for her

father‟s death and her illness. She referred to the treasurer‟s report (attached) reflecting the

financial update as of December 31, 2015, which was in the dropbox. Mission Support was

ahead of last year‟s budget and appears that it will be over budget by fiscal year end of January

31, 2016. The operating bottom line was $54,000 positive to budget due in part to positive

variances in Mission Support, administrative expense and assembly expense. For the

endowment the principal remained intact; twenty-nine percent of endowment net assets are

accumulated earnings.

Finance Chair Paul Trickel reported that a proposed budget for 2017-18 was in the dropbox.

There is less draw on designated funds; it does include adding another staff member to synod

staff and includes a two percent merit increase. They are moving forward on the audit, thanks to

Sue Miller, Marty Mielke, and Chris Walda. MIF SFS (Mission Investment Fund Synod

Financial Services) took over payroll as of January 1 and will take over the other financial

services February 1. Sylvia Ore, Pastor Heather, Bishop, Sue Miller, Chris Walda, and Marty

Mielke were thanked for their efforts. Bishop said packets had been sent to congregations

regarding remittance to MIF SFS by electronic transfer or by check.

Paul Trickel continued with his report on the search for treasurer process. The job

description is being finalized and within next two weeks a request will be lifted up. Two people

have expressed an interest in the position. The term starts in September and is a four-year term.

The task force in the treasurer search is Rev. Pamela Thiede, Amy Kruse and Paul Trickel. A

decision will be made at the Synod Council meeting in April.

Bishop

Staff reports

2016 Synod Assembly Agenda and related Assembly topics

Assistant to the Bishop Pastor Heather Apel distributed a rough draft agenda for the 2016

Synod Assembly. Both companion synods from Indonesia and Chile will have representatives

with us. There will also be a representative from the Mennonite Church USA. Those three

groups will be the topic of keynote addresses or will be keynoters. We have to plan for multiple

ballots for the Bishop election which affects the agenda. She generally discussed the schedule.

They will close check-in at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday in order to have the first ballot. ELCA

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Secretary Boerger will be the churchwide representative to administer the Bishop election.

Second ballot will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday with close of check-in registration at 9:30 a.m. The

electronic system cannot be used for the ecclesiastical ballot. She reviewed the role of Synod

Council members during Synod Assembly. They are to be present and they do vote. Synod

Council members should attend the new member orientation meeting at1:00 p.m. on Thursday.

If a Synod Council member is also a voting member for their congregation, the congregation

picks up their costs. She is working on locations for Synod Assembly for 2017 and 2018. Synod

Council meets before Synod Assembly at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 9.

She explained that in the past the first offering during synod assembly will go to a ministry of

the synod and the second offering to a wider ministry. The staff recommendation is as follows:

Synod Assembly Worship Offering Designations – Opening Worship: Freed to Lead, Closing

Worship: ELCA Campaign – Leadership. The Synod Council

VOTED: SC/2016/4: that the 2016 Synod Assembly worship offering designations

be as follows: Opening Worship: Freed to Lead, Closing Worship: ELCA

Campaign – Leadership.

Assistant to the Bishop Pastor Rudy Mueller reported that he would lead the congregation

council workshop in Muncie on February 27. The other item he mentioned was that there is no

action for the council. He did point out that there are some changes in interim assignments

which can be found on the vacancy report.

Director for Evangelical Mission Pastor Nancy Nyland referred to her report in the dropbox.

She is recommending Phil and Susan Schmidt, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church at Crestview Hills,

for a three-year term as new mission interpreter coordinators. They would recruit and train

mission ambassadors who can talk about the work of the wider church. The Synod Council

VOTED: SC/2016/5: that Phil and Susan Schmidt, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church at

Crestview Hills, KY, be appointed as mission interpreter coordinators for a three-

year term.

She reported that Connect is moving forward with the second training April 25, 26. The

congregations that are participating have been very positive. Pastor Jerry Mielke said that it is

exciting to be on board. It is a two-year commitment and he would encourage congregations to

consider it.

Liz Gaskins asked about the Latino ministry that was planned. Pastor Nyland reported that

nothing has worked out in Indianapolis and she continued that she is open to areas of minority

specific ministries.

Bishop Gafkjen reported on technology. He stated that we are hoping to roll out a new

website soon. Pastor Wade Apel is working on it. It is hoped that it will be more user friendly.

The target is February 1. Pastor Wade is also helping do a technology audit and is finding ways

to save money and is getting technology in a good place. They are looking at moving from an

onsite server to one on the cloud.

Bishop Gafkjen then discussed staffing. There will be a reconfiguration of staffing beginning

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February 1. He noted, “Be patient as we live into some new roles.” He outlined the new

positions and responsibilities. They are also shifting the way they do management with Pastor

Heather being the staff coordinator. The office space is being rearranged. Sylvia, April and

Carol will meet weekly so that there is a more collegial environment in the office rather than a

hierarchical one.

He stated that the job description for the synod communicator has just gone out and asked,

“Please have anyone interested to contact the Bishop”. The job description is posted on the

website and has gone out to the congregations.

Mary Anderson is the trained hunger coordinator. There will be an opportunity to network

and keep world hunger lifted up in the synod.

Bishop Gafkjen continued with his report. He put a document entitled Indiana-Kentucky

Synod Bishop Election Report, Research and Evaluation, Office of the Presiding Bishop, January

2016. It describes the synod and is from churchwide. The Indiana-Kentucky Synod is by far the

largest synod geographically in Region 6. In the synod 41.9 percent of the congregations have

typical worship attendance of 1 to 50 which represents 15.8 percent of the worshipers in the

synod. Thirty-six percent of the congregations have typical worship attendance of 51 to 100

which represents 31.8 percent of synod worshipers. All six synods in Region 6 have shown a

decline in worship attendance from 2004 to 2014 with the Indiana-Kentucky Synod showing the

largest decline of 42 percent; the decline in the other Region 6 synods ranged from 33 percent to

39 percent.

Bishop Gafkjen reported that it looks like we may have a Gift Planner in the next two weeks.

Bishop Dillahunt of the Southern Ohio Synod and he will be interviewing applicants. Bishop

Gafkjen is very hopeful. The plan is that the person will start February 1 and will be working

with other partners and work cooperatively with them. Our financial responsibility for the

position will be $6000 and will begin in August. He will ask the gift planner to work on

legacy/planned giving, major gifts, with congregations on planned giving, and funding of four

areas – Freed to Lead, Campus Ministries, Candidacy, New Mission/New Starts. Pastor Jerry

Mielke moved, Bernie Augenstein seconded the motion to have the gift planner work on the four

areas that bishop specified. The Synod Council

VOTED: SC/2016/6: that the work of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod gift planner be

focused on the following four areas: Freed to Lead, Campus Ministries, Candidacy,

and New Mission/New Starts.

ROSTER CONCERNS

There are four individuals requesting on-leave-from-call status or continuation of that status.

Pastor Barry Riehle has submitted his resignation at Zion Lutheran Church, Sunman

(Manchester), IN; he senses a call to transition and wants to do interim ministry. He is

requesting on-leave-from-call for the first year. Pastor Judy Brennan has been on family leave

and is requesting the fourth year of a possible six years on-leave-from-call for family leave.

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Diaconal Minister Barbara Finley is requesting a second year of on-leave-from-call for

discernment. Pastor Miltoria Sangobiyi has been on-leave-from-call three years; she is

requesting a continuation of that status. Since the council can only approve three years of on-

leave-from-call, the council if they wish may recommend to the Conference of Bishops that a

fourth year of on-leave-from-call be granted. Based on Bishop Gafkjen‟s recommendation, the

Synod Council

VOTED: SC/2016/7: that Pastor Barry Riehle be granted the first year of on-

leave-from-call status, that Pastor Judy Brennan be granted the fourth year of on-

leave-from-call for family leave, that Diaconal Minister Barbara Finley be granted a

second year of on-leave-from-call, and that Pastor Miltoria Sangobiyi be

recommended to the ELCA Conference of Bishops for an extension of her on-leave-

from-call status beyond the third year.

There were no Synod Council calls to consider or retirements to approve. For Synod Council

information, Bishop Gafkjen reported that Liberty Lausterer has resigned while on-leave-from-

call. If she would desire to return, she would contact the person who works on candidacy for

reinstatement.

The former Calvary Church property in Louisville has not been sold. The executive

committee continues to monitor the process as does Pastor Nancy Nyland. When the property is

sold, the Synod Council will decide what to do with the funds.

Assistant to the Bishop Pastor Heather Apel reported that the Reconciling In Christ Task

Force meets on Thursday. There will be a report at the 2016 Synod Assembly.

Pastor Rudy Mueller will be getting out information regarding the vacancies that the

nominating committee needs to address for Synod Assembly election.

Bishop had a request. He has been doing conversations regarding same sex couples. They

use documents and resources regarding relationships. Congregations are asking if they are being

called to do same gender marriages. They have been good conversations. If there are

congregations that wish to have those conversations, please have them call the synod office. He

tries to communicate that everyone is welcome as long as we are able to honor the image of God

in others. We are a both/and people not an either/or people. He has a workshop model that he

can share with others.

CLARIFICATION OF TASKS, MEETING REVIEW

Pastor Charlie Strietelmeier and Bernie Augenstein volunteered to lead worship during the

April meeting. Pastor Karen Strietelmeier volunteered to be mission monitor.

REPORT OF MISSION MONITOR AND CLOSING REFLECTIONS

Paul Trickel shared that his observations centered on today. The music today was especially

propelling and compelling. The Spirit has been working to expedite the meeting. We can‟t

spend enough time talking about the wonderful energy in the room. The people around the table

exemplify the Spirit moving.

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Pastor Charlie Strietelmeier said that the Spirit was working prior to coming to the meeting.

Mike Anderson said that Pastor Charlie made the comment last night that there was a lot of

energy and focus. Pastor Jerry Mielke mentioned that he has been on Synod Council before and

the Spirit is certainly present among the group. Liz Gaskins noted that she was attending a

multi-cultural senate in Chicago. She reported that there is going to be a change in the ELCA

constitution because we have failed miserably in the ten percent quota. Each of us is responsible

for spreading the Gospel and we need to be intentional. We do have persons of color and those

whose language is other than English that need to hear the Gospel. She said “the reason I am in

this church is because it is welcoming and has given me an opportunity to advocate for multi-

cultural groups.” She challenged the group to lift all peoples in your communities.

SENDING PRAYER

Bishop Gafkjen closed with prayer and offered grace.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:55 p.m. Individuals enjoyed lunch and fellowship provided

by the staff of St. Benedict Retreat Inn and Retreat Center.

Respectfully Submitted in His Service,

Judith A. Bush, Secretary

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Attachment A

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Attachment A

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Attachment B

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Attachment C

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Attachment C

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Attachment D

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Attachment D

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Attachment D

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Attachment D

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Attachment D