2013
BULLETIN OF REPORTS
Part 1
Published May 2014
1
Table of Contents
Bulletin of Reports ........................................................................................................................... 4
General Information ........................................................................................................................ 5
Special Guest Introductions ............................................................................................................ 6
Revival Preacher &
ELCA Representative ................................................................ 6
Revival Music Leader ................................................................................................................... 6
Chaplain & Bible Study Leader .................................................................................................... 6
Guest Speaker at the
Pre-Assembly Banquet........................................................... 6
Roland E. Powell Convention Center ............................................................................................... 7
Lower Level.................................................................................................................................. 7
Upper Level.................................................................................................................................. 8
Rules of Procedure for the 2014 Delaware-Maryland Synod Assembly ......................................... 9
Delaware-Maryland Synod, ELCA
2014 Synod Assembly Agenda .............. 11
Overview.................................................................................................................................... 11
Plenary Session One .................................................................................................................. 12
Plenary Session Two .................................................................................................................. 13
Plenary Session Three................................................................................................................ 14
Plenary Session Four ................................................................................................................. 15
Nominations Committee/ Biographies of Nominees .................................................................... 16
Nomination: Synod Council, Dean............................................................................................. 16
Nomination: Synod Council, Cluster C: Clergy........................................................................... 17
Nomination: Synod Council, Cluster C: Lay Male ...................................................................... 18
Nomination: Consultation Committee, Clergy .......................................................................... 19
Nomination: Consultation Committee, Lay Female .................................................................. 20
Nomination: Chair of Mission Through Partnership Team........................................................ 21
Constitution and Bylaws Committee ............................................................................................. 22
Report of the Bishop ..................................................................................................................... 23
Part A: The Ship is Turning......................................................................................................... 23
Part B: Roster Changes (as of April 15, 2014) ............................................................................ 26
Necrology............................................................................................................................... 26
Retired ................................................................................................................................... 27
Ordinations ............................................................................................................................ 27
2
Consecrations and Commissionings ...................................................................................... 28
Received Onto the Roster of the Delaware-Maryland Synod ............................................... 28
New to the Synod Roster ....................................................................................................... 29
Transfers Out of the Delaware-Maryland Synod................................................................... 30
New Congregations ............................................................................................................... 32
Resigned From the Roster of the Delaware-Maryland Synod and the ELCA ........................ 32
Removed From the Roster of the Delaware-Maryland Synod and the ELCA ........................ 32
Memorials and Resolutions ........................................................................................................... 33
Resolution for “I Love Mar Lu Ridge” Month ............................................................................ 33
Memorial to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Regarding:
Portico Benefits Services Covering Hearing Aids....................................................................... 34
2015 Faith Spending Plan .............................................................................................................. 35
Vision 2018: Discerning God's Plan ............................................................................................... 37
Walking Together, Fully Alive In Christ ...................................................................................... 37
Synod Council ................................................................................................................................ 39
Secretary.................................................................................................................................... 39
Treasurer ................................................................................................................................... 40
3
Bulletin of Reports
The Bulletin of Reports is being presented in two parts this year: Part 1 contains
all those documents that voting members will need to have in front of them as
they conduct the assembly's business, such as the agenda, resolutions and
memorials, nominations, the proposed budget, etc.
As you arrive and register for the assembly, you will receive a printed copy of
Part 1. You do not need to bring your own copy. If you do, or if you want to access
the information electronically using your laptop or tablet, simply indicate that
you do not need a printed copy when you register.
Part 2 of the Bulletin of Reports contains important information that the
assembly needs for background information and to hold the officers, Synod
Council and related ministries accountable. It is not information, however, that
the assembly will act upon. Part 2 will not be printed by the Synod Office, so you
need either bring your own paper copy or plan to access these reports
electronically.
If you plan to access information electronically, please know that high speed
internet access is available in the assembly hall. We are working hard to make
sure to have reliable wifi access throughout our meeting space. However, we have
run into problems in the past and cannot guarantee service.
4
Welcome to Ocean City and to the
27th Annual Assembly of the
Delaware-Maryland Synod, ELCA
General Information

The Assembly BOOKSTORE is located in Room 210. It will be open throughout
the assembly.

DISPLAYS from various groups, organizations and vendors can be found in
Rooms 207-208 throughout our time together. Check it out!

There are NO MEAL TICKETS. The meals you have pre-purchased are indicated
on your nametag. Please wear your nametag when coming to the meals!

There is ASSIGNED SEATING in the Assembly Hall this year because ongoing
construction in the Convention Center limits our space somewhat and we want to
guarantee a seat at the table for each voting member. When you enter the
Assembly Hall, please consult the seating chart that is displayed at the entrance,
then locate the seats reserved for your congregation. Voting members who are
not part of a congregational group (retired, on-leave-from-call, noncongregational call) please sit in the front of Section A.

The BISHOP’S HOSPITALITY SUITE is in the Grand Hotel, Room 827. You are
welcome to stop by for refreshment and conversation on Friday evening,
beginning at 9:45 p.m.

Our CHAPLAIN and BIBLE STUDY LEADER this year is the Rev. Karen Brau
(Luther Place Memorial Church, Washington, D.C.). If you need pastoral
assistance, you may approach her in person or call her cell phone: 410-926-7557.

WORSHIP AT ASSEMBLY is offered in a variety of ways: Friday, 9 a.m. PreAssembly Worship with Holy Communion in the Convention Center, Rooms 202203; Friday, 7:30 p.m., Revival Service, St. Peter Lutheran Church; Saturday, 11
a.m. Holy Communion, Assembly Hall; Saturday, 3 p.m., Closing Worship with
installations, Assembly Hall.

During registration, you will have an opportunity to sign up for THE E-LETTER,
the synod’s weekly electronic newsletter. You may also send an e-mail to Jennifer
Baxter in the synod office, jbaxter@demdsynod.org, if you wish to sign up later.

If you would like to be a PRAYER PARTNER with Bishop Wolfgang, send a note
to prayerpartners@demdsynod.org. Prayer Partners promise to pray for the
bishop and the ministry of our synod once a week, on a day of their choice, for a
year and receive his weekly e-mail blog each Sunday evening.
God Bless Our Time Together!
5
Special Guest Introductions
Revival Preacher &
ELCA Representative
Rachel Kurtz sings in a variety of venues,
from coffee shops to colleges, pubs to
house parties, and youth weekends to
churches. Rachel has also had the pleasure
of singing in India and West Africa.
The Rev. Dr. Stephen Paul
Bouman currently serves as
the Executive Director of
the Congregational and
Synodical Mission unit of
the ELCA. He previously
served as bishop of the
ELCA Metropolitan New York Synod from
September 1996 to January 2008 and
before that as an assistant to the bishop.
He has also served parishes in Queens,
Jackson Heights, and Bogota, New Jersey.
He graduated from Concordia Theological
Seminary/Seminex in 1973. He received
his Master of Sacred Theology from New
York Theological Seminary in 1978 and his
Doctor of Ministry degree in 1980, an
honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from
General Theological Seminary of the
Episcopal Church in 2001, and an
honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
degree from Wagner College in 2008.
Chaplain & Bible Study Leader
The Rev. Karen Brau has
served as senior pastor of
Luther Place Memorial
Church in Washington, D.C.
since December 2008. Pr.
Brau was ordained in 1990
and served for 18 years as
pastor in the inner city of East Baltimore
where she was instrumental in forming
both Amazing Grace Lutheran Church and
the Amazing Port Street Project. Pr. Karen
is curious about the ways God is moving in
the world and eager to engage people
around the deep spiritual hunger of our
day.
Guest Speaker at the
Pre-Assembly Banquet
Pr. Bouman is a published author of a
number of scholarly articles, books,
curricula and devotionals. Two recent
books are They Are Us: Lutherans and
Immigration, co-authored with Ralston
Deffenbaugh, published in 2009 and
Grace All Around Us (an account of
ministry in the time of the September 11,
2001 attacks) published in 2007. His latest
book, The Mission Table: Renewing
Congregation and Community, was
published in August 2013.
Sonya Greene is a Regional
Gift Planner for the
Delaware-Maryland Synod
and with the ELCA
Foundation. She began her
service in October 2013.
Sonya provides development
services to the Lutheran Development
Alliance and gift planning services
to congregations and
individuals within the synod. Sonya has
worked for 19 years advancing mission and
services for non-profits and businesses.
Sonya worked as a healthcare professional
serving children, cancer patients, and
individuals with Alzheimer’s. She led
operations for a nationwide baseball
marketing firm to place high school
players into colleges and pro-leagues. For
13 years, Sonya led character development
programs impacting 80,000 youth
and raised over $45 million in
resources for the Boy Scouts of America.
Revival Music Leader
Rachel Kurtz is a fulltime
singer/songwriter, traveling
the country to sing about
faith, life, love and the
freedom we have in Jesus.
Rachel has been involved
with youth ministry for the
past 15 years. Many of the youth will
remember her from the 2012 ELCA Youth
Gathering in New Orleans.
6
Roland E. Powell Convention Center
Lower Level
************
************
*********************************************************
All pre-purchased meals will be held in Exhibit Hall B.
*********************************************************
7
Upper Level
Activities and Locations
Bookstore
Business Sessions
Childcare
Displays/Exhibits/Vendors
Elections/Tech Room
Morning Devotions
Registration
Synod Office
210
Bayfront Ballroom
213
207-208
212
202-203
209
211
8
Rules of Procedure for the 2014 Delaware-Maryland
Synod Assembly
1. All cell phones and pagers shall be on vibrate or silent during the assembly.
2. Registered voting members shall be seated within the bar of the assembly.
3. The privilege of voice (on any issue before the Assembly), but not vote shall be
granted to:
A. The presiding bishop of the ELCA and such other official representatives
of this church as may be designated from time to time by the Church
Council;
B. The chairpersons of synodical mission teams and task forces who are not
voting members of the Synod Assembly; and
C. The president or president’s appointee of the synodical youth, women’s
and men’s organizations, and those additional persons whom the Synod
Assembly or the Synod Council shall from time to time designate.
4. The privilege of voice and vote shall be granted to any assistant to the bishop not
otherwise granted such privilege.
5. In addressing the chair, speakers shall use a microphone and shall identify
themselves by name and congregation, agency, or institution.
6. No person shall speak more than twice on the same question, except by consent of
the assembly, and only after all others have spoken.
7. A member who has spoken on the pending question(s) may not move the previous
question(s) at the conclusion of his/her speech.
8. A member may not move the previous question until the opportunity is available for
five pro and five con points of view to be presented.
9. The question shall be automatically called after thirty (30) minutes of debate unless
the assembly consents to an extension of time.
10. In all business meetings, speeches from the floor shall be limited to two minutes.
11. All motions, other than routine ones, shall be written by the mover on forms
furnished for that purpose, signed, and sent to the presiding officer, with a copy for
the secretary.
12. When there are many pro and con statements on any motion, the chair will recognize
alternately persons making a pro or con statement. This shall be done by those
speaking “for” using the odd-numbered microphone and those speaking “against
9
using the even-numbered microphone. Those persons proposing a subsidiary,
incidental, or privileged motion shall indicate this action by raising a white card and
using either microphone.
13. If three (3) speakers have spoken in favor of a motion, with no one speaking against,
the chair may proceed to call for the vote on the motion.
14. Only voting members wearing voting member badges shall receive ballots for voting.
Voting members must be seated in the boundaries of the voting member section of
the plenary hall.
15. No motion is before the house until it is stated by the chair, and no discussion shall
occur without a motion before the assembly.
16. For elections other than bishop, additional nominations may be made from the floor
for all positions except for conference-cluster based positions on the Synod Council,
the youth position on the Synod Council, Mission Team Leaders, and the Dean on
Synod Council. Those making such nominations must:
A. Obtain the consent of the person being nominated.
B. Insure the nomination fulfills the category assigned for that purpose.
C. Obtain a nomination form at the Pages table and turn it in to the secretary
when the nomination is presented.
17. Amendments to the budget may not increase total expenditures. Amendments
changing one line item must be reflected in an equivalent change in other line
item(s) so that total expenditures remain constant. Anyone suggesting an
amendment must complete a form which spells out the rationale for the proposed
change. The forms can be found at the Pages table.
18. The minutes of this Synod Assembly shall be referred to the Synod Council for
certification.
Robert’s Rules of Order, latest edition, shall be the governing parliamentary
procedure of this assembly, except as otherwise provided in the constitution, bylaws,
and continuing resolutions of this synod and in these rules of procedure of the Synod
Assembly, unless otherwise ordered by the assembly.
10
Delaware-Maryland Synod, ELCA
2014 Synod Assembly Agenda
Overview
FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2014
SATURDAY, MAY 31, 2014
7:00 – 8:15 a.m. Breakfast (hotels)
8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Registration
(Convention Center, Room # 209)
9:00 A.M. Pre-Assembly Service of Holy
Communion (Rooms # 202-203)
7:00 – 8:15 a.m. Breakfast (hotels)
7:00 – 8:15 a.m. Synod Council meeting
(Grand Hotel)
10:00 A.M. – 12:30 P.M. BUSINESS SESSION 1
 Opening Prayer
 Bible Study/Theme
 Greetings/Introductions/Rostered
Leaders New to Synod
 Organizational Matters/Rules of
Procedures/Agenda
 Nominations Committee Report
 Constitution and By-Laws Committee
Report
 Report of the Bishop and Response
 Memorials/Reference & Counsel
Committee
12:30 P.M. LUNCH
9:00 – 11:00 A.M. BUSINESS SESSION 3
 Opening Devotions led by DAART
 Bible Study
 Elections Committee Report/Second
Ballot (if needed)
 ELCA Representative, Q & A
 “Vision 2018” Discussion (Committee as
a whole)
 Memorials/Reference and Counsel
Committee
11:00 A.M. SERVICE OF HOLY COMMUNION
12:30 P.M. LUNCH
12:30 p.m. Deadline: Late Resolutions
12:30 p.m. Deadline: Second Ballot
2:00 – 5:30 P.M. BUSINESS SESSION 2
 Opening Prayer
 Bible Study
 Elections / First Ballot
 Recognition of Anniversaries
(congregations, rostered leaders)
 Introduction of 2015 Budget
 Memorials/Reference & Counsel
Committee
 4:45 p.m. Introduction of “Vision 2018:
Discerning God’s Plan”
and discussion/prayer in small groups
2:00 – 3:00 P.M. BUSINESS SESSION 4
 Opening Prayer
 Elections Committee Report / Second
Ballot
 Reports of Synod Officers
 Adoption of 2015 Synod Budget
 Adoption of “Vision 2018” Strategic
Plan
 Reference & Counsel Committee
 Malaria Campaign Update / Hunger
Taskforce Report
 New & Unfinished Business
5:30 p.m. Deadline: First Ballot
5:30 p.m. Deadline: Budget Amendments
3:00 P.M. CLOSING WORSHIP with Installation
of Synod Council, Deans, Conference
Secretaries, Committee Members, etc.
7:30 – 9:00 P.M. REVIVAL SERVICE at
ST. PETER, 10301 COASTAL HIGHWAY
11
Friday, May 30
Plenary Session One
Beginning:
Ending:
10:00 a.m.
12:30 p.m.
_______________________________________________________
Agenda Item
Reference
Recommended Action
Opening Prayer & Bible Study (Chaplain Karen Brau & Bishop Wolfgang Herz-Lane)
Greetings / Introductions / Orientation (Vice President Yolanda Tanner)
Welcome to New Pastors and Lay Rostered Leaders (Bishop Wolfgang Herz-Lane)
Organization of the Assembly:
Report of the Committee of Credentials
Adoption of the Rules of Procedure
pp. 8-9
Adoption of the Agenda
pp. 10-14
Report of the Nominating Committee
pp. 15-20
Report of the Constitution and
By-Laws Committee
pp. 21
Report of the Bishop & Response
pp. 22-31
To adopt the Rules of
Procedure as Presented
To adopt the Agenda
Report of Memorial/Reference &
pp. 32-33
Counsel Comm.
____________________________________________________________
DEADLINE for Submission of Late Resolutions:
Friday, May 30, 2014 at 12:30 p.m.
12
Friday, May 30
Plenary Session Two
Beginning:
Ending:
2:00 p.m.
5:30 p.m.
________________________________________________________
Agenda Item
Reference
Recommended Action
Opening Prayer and Bible Study (Chaplain Karen Brau)
Report of the Committee on Credentials
Elections / First Ballot
Recognition of Anniversaries (Bishop Wolfgang Herz-Lane & Vice President Yolanda Tanner)
Presentation of 2015 Synod
Faith Spending Plan
pp. 34-35
Memorial / Reference &
Counsel Committee
pp. 32-33
Introduction of “Vision 2018:
Fully Alive in Christ”
pp. 36-37
See recommendations
of Reference & Counsel
DEADLINE for turning in First Ballot to Pages’ Desk:
Friday, May 30, 2014 at 5:30 p.m.
DEADLINE for proposed Budget Amendments:
Friday, May 30, 2014 at 5:30 p.m.
13
Saturday, May 31
Plenary Session Three
Beginning:
Ending:
9:00 a.m.
11:00 a.m.
_______________________________________________________
Agenda Item
Reference
Recommended Action
Opening Devotions (Definitely-Abled Advocacy and Resource Team, DAART)
Bible Study (Chaplain Karen Brau)
Report of the Committee on Credentials
Elections Committee Report / Second Ballot (if needed)
ELCA Representative (The Rev. Stephen P. Bouman)
“Vision 2018” Discussion (Committee as a Whole)
Report of the Reference &
Counsel Committee
pp. 32-33
See recommendations
of Reference & Counsel
____________________________________________________________
Report of the Elections Committee / Second Ballot (if needed)
____________________________________________________________
DEADLINE for turning in Second Ballot to Pages’ Desk:
Saturday, May 31, 2014 at 12:30 p.m.
14
Saturday, May 31
Plenary Session Four
Beginning:
Ending:
2:00 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
________________________________________________________
Agenda Item
Reference
Recommended Action
Opening Prayer (Chaplain Karen Brau)
Report of the Committee on Credentials
Report of the Committee on Elections / Second Ballot
Reports from the Synod Council:
Report of the Vice President
Report of the Secretary
Action on 2013 Assembly Minutes
Report of the Treasurer
Action on Auditor’s Statement
pp. 38
To adopt the 2013 Minutes1
pp. 39-45
To adopt the SY 2013 Audit
Vote on 2015 Faith Spending Plan
pp. 34-35
To adopt the 2015 Faith
“Vision 2018: Fully Alive in Christ” (action)
pp. 36-37
To adopt the document
Reference & Counsel Committee
pp. 32-33
As recommended
Spending Plan
Malaria Campaign Update / Hunger Taskforce
New and Unfinished Business
Explanation of Evaluation Process
Preview of 2015 Synod Assembly: May 28 - 30, 2015, Ocean City
____________________________________________________________
1
By previous Synod Council action, assembly minutes are provided only electronically. Go to www.demdsynod.org.
15
Nominations Committee/ Biographies of Nominees
Nomination: Synod Council, Dean
The Rev. Kevin C. Clementson


The Rev. Matthew C. Fuhrman

Grace Lutheran
Church, Westminster,
Md.
Education: B.A.,
M. Div.

Pr. Kevin Clementson
received his B.S. degree
from Bemidji State University in
Bemidji, Minn. and his M.Div. from the
Lutheran Theological Seminary in
Gettysburg, Pa. His most recent
positions include Dean of the
Westminster Conference; Board of
Director for Carroll Lutheran Village;
and, Colleague in First Call Theological
Education program.
Prince of Peace
Lutheran Church,
Rosedale, Md.
Education: B.A.,
M. Div.
Pr. Matt Fuhrman
serves as senior pastor
at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in
Rosedale, Md. He has formerly served as
pastor of Salem Lutheran Church in
South Baltimore, Md. and Grace
Lutheran Church in Westminster, Md.
In addition to parish ministry, he
previously served as chaplain in the
Navy Reserve, deploying with Marine
Wing Support Squadron 472 to Iraq in
2004 in support of Operation Iraqi
Freedom.
Pr. Clementson’s most recent
community service positions include
Treasurer of Westminster Ecumenical
Ministerium; Board of Directors of
Shepherd Staff; and Community
Advisory Board at Carroll Lutheran
Village.
On the synodical level, he serves on the
Estonian-Finnish Task Force, the
Mission through Partnership Team, and
the Rostered Leader’s Compensation
Task Force. He has volunteered as
“Pastor of the Week” for the past several
summers at Mar-Lu-Ridge; MLR’s Civil
War Camp is one of his favorites!
“The Synod Council is charged with the
responsibility of giving expression to the
work of the congregations of the
Delaware-Maryland Synod. I am a
parish pastor who has served small,
medium, and large congregations. I
believe I understand the unique visions
and needs of such congregations and
would seek to fairly represent their
interests,” Kevin shared.
Matt is both a graduate of McDaniel
College where he graduated with a
Bachelors of Arts in history in 1995 and
a graduate of Gettysburg Lutheran
Seminary where he graduated with a
Master of Divinity degree in 2000.
Matt elaborated, “I feel that my
experience in the parish and in the
military provides a unique and helpful
perspective to the Synod Council. It has
been a joy to serve in this position for
the past year, and I look forward to
continuing to serve if re-elected.”
16
Nomination: Synod Council, Cluster C: Clergy
The Rev. David James Albertson


The Rev. Norma L. Schenning

Living Grace Lutheran
Church, Urbana, Md.
Education: B.S.,
M. Div., S.T.M.

Pastor David Albertson
received his B.A. from
Colorado State
University, his M.Div. from Talbot
School of Theology, California, and his
S.T.M. from The Lutheran Theological
Seminary at Gettysburg, Pa.
Immanuel Lutheran
Church, Manchester,
Md.
Education: B. A.,
M. Div.
Pr. Norma Schenning
received her B.A. from
Salisbury University
and her M. Div. from the Lutheran
Theological Seminary at Gettyburg, Pa.
She is a retired ELCA Pastor. She served
at Immanuel Lutheran Church,
Manchester, Md. from 1989 to 2009.
She is currently serving as Vice Pastor at
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church,
Hampstead, Md.
His most recent positions include
Mission Developer at Living Grace
Lutheran Church, Urbana, Md.;
Transforming Ministry Team for the
Delaware-Maryland Synod; and pastor
at Evangelical Lutheran Church,
Frederick, Md.
Her three most recent community
service positions are Board of Directors,
Carroll Lutheran School in Westminster;
Board of Directors, NESAP in
Hampstead; and, Board of Directors,
Carroll Lutheran Village in Westminster.
Pr. Albertson’s three most recent
community service positions include
Board of Trustees, Religious Coalition of
Emergency Human Needs; Rotary Club
of Southern Frederick County; and
Secretary of the Frederick Conference of
the Delaware-Maryland Synod.
“The Assembly should elect me to this
position because I am a person of
integrity and have a wealth of
experience in the congregation, in the
conference, and in the Synod,” Pr.
Schenning said. “I love the Lord and am
honored that my conference nominated
me.”
“I’m convinced that the next decade will
be truly transformational for all three
expressions of our church and, because I
love the Lutheran tradition and our
understanding of the Gospel, I want to
share in the work of change on whatever
level will be more beneficial,” Dave
shared.
17
Nomination: Synod Council, Cluster C: Lay Male
Paul Richard Donnelly


Dennis Edward Page

St. John’s Lutheran
Church, Hagerstown, Md.
Education: Towson
University

Paul Donnelly earned his
degrees in History and
Education at Towson
University. He is currently the Director
of Youth Ministry at St. John’s Lutheran
Church and a Head Boys Tennis Coach.
Good Shepherd
Lutheran Church,
Frederick, Md.
Education: University
of Illinois
Dennis Page is the
Council President of
Good Shepherd and
past Council President of three other
ELCA churches in three different states.
He has taught Adult Sunday School for
15+ years. Mr. Page has chaired every
committee most churches have,
including evangelism and stewardship.
The last time he chaired a committee
was the Good Shepherd Call Committee,
which selected Pastor Mark Huffman as
their pastor.
His most recent community service
positions are helping to clean the Bread
and Cheese Creek in Dundalk, Md.;
planting trees for the Blue Water
Baltimore City Beautification Project;
and assisting the American Heart
Association in Heart Walk in Baltimore,
Md.
Mr. Page has a love for teaching the
Bible to all ages. He was born a Catholic,
but at 26 became a Lutheran. The
Catholic Church gave him a deep faith
which allowed the Lutheran to mature
it.
“I believe that I should be on the Synod
Council for several reasons. First off, I
am young (23) and can bring different
perspectives and points of view that
older members may not see, thus giving
the council a more open mind on
different matters. Secondly, I am a very
active member in the DelawareMaryland Synod already. I am the
director of youth ministry at St. John
Lutheran Church in Hagerstown as of
last September, and live/work at MarLu-Ridge, a Lutheran-based retreat
center and summer camp. Several
members in the Delaware-Maryland
LYO have been under my leadership at
Mar-Lu-Ridge or elsewhere. I have
taken my youth to different faith based
retreats every chance I get. Working
with youth in both religious and secular
regions (as I am also a tennis coach) is
my passion, and I will bring that passion
with me, should I be elected to the
council.”
Dennis shared his thoughts, “I am
dedicated to do the Lord’s work as he
has directed me through the Holy Spirit
over the years. I trust the Lord’s
directions to go or do what He needs of
me. I am a good administrator and
organizer, who believes in the power of
team work and prayer.”
18
Nomination: Consultation Committee, Clergy
The Rev. Dr. Fred Lehr


The Rev. Virginia K. Price
Our Shepherd, Severna
Park, Md.
Education: B.A.,
M.Div., D.Min.


Pr. Fred Lehr has
served as Interim
Pastor at The
Lutheran Church of
the Good Shepherd (LCGS), Bel Air, Md.
Prior to LCGS, he was Interim at Peace
Lutheran in Glen Burnie, Md. He also
served as Director of Church Planting in
the Moravian Church. He received his
B.A. from Susquehanna University, his
M.Div. from The Lutheran Theological
Seminary in Gettysburg, Pa. and his
D.Min. from Drew University.
New Hope Lutheran
Church, Columbia,
Md.
Education: B.S.,
B.A., M. Div.
Pr. Ginny Price
received her B.A. in
French and B.S. in
Psychology from
Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pa. She
attended The Lutheran Theological
Seminary in Gettysburg, Pa. for her M.
Div.
Her recent positions include Director of
Admissions and Coordinator of Spiritual
Formationat the Lutheran Theological
Seminary at Gettysburg, Assistant to the
Bishop in the Delaware-Maryland
Synod, and Pastor at St. Paul Lutheran
Church, Jefferson, Md.
Pr. Fred’s most recent community
service positions are consultant to
Vermont Dept. of Health, Professional
Advisory Committee of the March of
Dimes, and Regional Advisory
Committee of the Muscular Dystrophy
Association.
Her most recent community service
position is Local Coordinating Council,
Frederick County, Md.
Pr. Ginny expanded on her background
and beliefs, “I have been a pastor for 25
years and grew up in a pastor’s home. I
know the challenges and joys of serving
in a variety of ministry settings. I also
care deeply about the integrity of the
office of ministry and for the whole
people of God. I have the gift of
discernment.”
He is a life-long learner with continuing
education on coaching and diversity;
redeveloping congregations; brief
solutions-oriented therapy; total quality
management; conflict and power
utilization and; conflict management in
church systems; crisis intervention;
group work skills; and experiential
education.
Pr. Lehr expanded on his skillset, “I
bring a combination of experience and
training including conflict management,
organizational development, and other
skills needed to serve in this capacity. I
have also been a servant of the Church
for 40+ years in a variety of settings.”
19
Nomination: Consultation Committee, Lay Female
Sue Fitzsimmons


Gail L. Wilson

Epiphany Lutheran
Church, Baltimore,
Md.
Education: B.S., B.S.
St. Luke Evangelical
Lutheran Church,
Hampden, Md.
 Education: B.S.B.A.,
M.B.A., and D. HT. in
progress
Sue received her B.S.
degrees at
Shippensburg State
College in
Pennsylvania. She is a retired Maryland
state employee. Her recent positions
include Team Leader for the Synod
Partnership Team, Epiphany Lutheran
Church Synod Assembly Voting Member
and Lutheran Home and Hospital
Foundation Board Member.
Gail received her first
degrees at the Florida
Institute of
Technology; she is currently working
towards her D.HT with the American
Institute of Holistic Theology. Her
recent service positions include: Mission
in Leadership Task Force; Task Force
for the Order of St. Stephen, Deacon;
and the Synod Worship Team.
Her three most recent community
service positions include the HARBEL
Community Association of which she is
currently the Board President; three
years as a member and three years as
Council President of the Epiphany
Lutheran Church Council; and office
volunteer of Epiphany Lutheran Church
(maintaining “Power Church” and other
duties as needed).
Her three most recent community
service positions are being a part of the
Worship Leader Team at Charlestown
Village; a private literacy instructor; and
being founder of the free clothing
giveaways at Peace Lutheran Church in
Glen Burnie, Md.
Gail is also the Archdeacon of the Order
of Saint Stephen, Deacon, where she
works with, mentors, teaches, and
oversees candidate deacons, vicar
deacons, and deacons.
“If elected to this office, I will bring the
knowledge/experience I have gained
from previous synod positions,
including two three-year terms as the
Partnership Team Leader, two threeyear terms on the Synod Council, work
with Paul Erbes on developing Vision
2018:Discerning God's Plan, and leading
small groups in Delaware, Baltimore,
and other sites in Maryland,” Sue
offered.
Gail shared her willingness to serve. “I
am willing to serve at the synod level. I
have had significant experience in my
professional life in conflict management
and have always tried to seek a win-win
situation.”
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Nomination: Chair of Mission Through Partnership Team
Claudia J. Harrington


St. Paul Lutheran
Church, Jefferson, Md.
Education: B.S., M.S.
Claudia received her
B.S. degree at Towson
State, her M.S. at Hood
College, and has also
attended the University of Connecticut.
She is a retired educator, currently
working at Sylvan Learning Center.
Claudia is a lay member of the
Delaware-Maryland Synod Council; in
2013 she was a lay voting member at the
Churchwide Assembly; and a member of
the Board of Trustees, National
Lutheran Communities and Services.
Her most recent community service
positions include the Jefferson
Ecumenical Ministries Food Bank;
serving and providing food for the
Frederick Soup Kitchen; and tutoring at
the Frederick Rescue Mission.
Claudia adds, “I have served for three
years as a member of our Synod Council
and last year on the Discernment Team
for what God is calling us to do. I am
involved with Mission Interpretation,
and I would be able to share stories from
each of our partners. We need to
increase awareness of how mission and
ministry happens in our partnership
relations and trust the work of the Holy
Spirit.”
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Constitution and Bylaws Committee
The Constitution & Bylaws Committee underwent a leadership change during 2013.
Pastor Michael Dubsky resigned as Chair and Pastor Earl Janssen was appointed Chair
on October 1, 2013. Added to the committee were Steven Bishop, Bruce Larson, and
Mykel Hitselberger.
The Churchwide Assembly made changes to the Model Constitution for Congregations
in August 2013. Those changes have been made available for congregations to use to
update their constitutions. Adopting those Model Constitution changes requires only a
majority vote at a Congregation Meeting. All congregations are urged to adopt these
changes. The bulk of the changes involves calling of pastors and discipline of members.
The Churchwide Assembly also made changes to the Model Constitution for Synods. The
appropriate required changes were made to the Delaware-Maryland Synod Constitution
and were subsequently reviewed by the Synod Council.
The Constitution and Bylaw Committee made available a review of congregation
constitutions with recommendations about how to update these constitutions and many
congregations accepted this assistance.
Since the last Bulletin of Reports, the following Constitutions and/or Bylaws have been
approved.
Peace Lutheran Church, Glen Burnie, Md.
Evangelical Lutheran Church, Frederick, Md.
Trinity Lutheran Church, Reisterstown, Md.
Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, Eldersburg, Md.
St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Arbutus, Md.
St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Hampstead, Md.
Epiphany Lutheran Church, Raspe Ave, Baltimore, Md.
St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church, Wilmington, Del.
Mt. Union, Taneytown, Md.
Zion, Wilmington, Del.
St. Paul's, Cumberland, Md.
St. Mark's, Hagerstown, Md.
There are no amendments to the Synod Constitution required at this Synod Assembly.
Pastor Earl Janssen, Chair
22
Report of the Bishop
Part A: The Ship is Turning
Jesus said to them: The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, ask the
Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. (Luke 10:2)
The ship has started to turn.
Jerry Knoche, now our bishop emeritus, was fond of saying that being a bishop was like
being the captain of an ocean liner. “You can turn the ship,” Bishop Knoche would say,
“but it turns only very slowly.”
Halfway through my six-year term as bishop, I can certainly vouch for Bishop Knoche’s
accuracy in perception. It’s been hard work on the part of many, many people; but here
is the good news:
The ship has started to turn.
There are those, I suppose, who would question this positive assessment, and on the
face of it, they certainly have a point. If you look at the most recent statistics, one cannot
escape the conclusion that our synod, along with the whole ELCA, is in serious trouble.
Maybe, those critics might say, the ship isn’t turning at all; it’s sinking.
Consider:

In 2007, the Delaware-Maryland Synod consisted of 87,500 baptized members in
182 congregations. By 2012,
we had 67,800 members
and 175 congregations. In
other words, we lost 20,000
By the numbers …
people, almost a fourth of
(April 16, 2013 – April 15, 2014)
the total membership, in
just five years.
Number of prayer partners
637

Total worship attendance in
the congregations of our
synod was 23,400 in 2007.
By 2012, that number had
dropped to 17,800.

In 2007, total giving in our
congregations was $40.6
million. By 2012, giving (both undesignated and designated) had fallen to $34.7
million. Adjusted for inflation, our churches have lost 22 percent of their support
in five years.
Congregations visited
Sermons preached
Ordinations/Consecrations/Commissionings
1-on-1 meetings with rostered leaders
Meetings and conferences attended
23
71
49
5
99
159
Those are dire numbers, to be sure. The economic crisis that began in 2008 and has not
yet faded completely for all of our people has had a large impact. So have the decisions
the ELCA made on human sexuality in 2009 (six of our congregations left as a result,
taking some 6,000 members with them). And so has the continuing secularization of
our society that has pushed churches of all stripes to the margin.
Here is another number:
Of the people who live on the territory of the Delaware-Maryland Synod, 58 percent do
not attend any church! More than half of the population in the states of Maryland and
Delaware do not report any religious affiliation. 58 percent!
Do you realize that if only one percent (26,000 people) of those who are unclaimed
would be open to worshipping in an ELCA congregation, worship attendance in our
synod would more than double. Just one percent!
Here is another number:
After this, the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in
pairs to every town and every place where he himself intended to go. He said to
them: The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, ask the Lord of
the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest (Luke 10 : 1 – 2).
And yet another number:
… and that day about 3,000 persons were added (Acts 2 : 41).
Being church in today’s world is not purely a numbers game. Spreading the kingdom of
God goes deep as well as wide! As we focus on “mission” in all of its various forms
during our 2014 Synod Assembly, let us recall that it is not our mission that we pursue;
it is indeed God’s mission of reconciling the whole of creation to God’s self.
We can learn, I think, from the early church when Christianity was a movement of
excited disciples whose hearts were burning with such joy they couldn’t help but tell
others about Jesus. To the extent that we are able to share in that joy and become
disciples of our Lord proclaiming God’s kingdom to all around us, the future of God’s
church in this part of the kingdom looks bright.
Because despite of what you may have thought when you read those dire numbers up
top, there is good news to share as we gather in assembly this year.
Consider:

At this assembly, voting members will receive and act upon the year-long work of
the synod Discernment Team, presenting a blue print for moving forward in
mission over the next four years that includes an exciting proposal to help up to
100 of our congregations develop mission and outreach plans.

On March 1, 2014, the Delaware-Maryland Synod and the Maryland Diocese of
the Episcopal Church began a new ministry to the young adults and young
24
families in the Canton/Fells Point neighborhoods of Baltimore, bringing our full
communion relationship to a whole new level of partnership.

In the fiscal year that ended on January 31, 2014, the Delaware-Maryland Synod,
for the first time since 2007, received a tad more income than in the year before,
enough so that the Synod Council was able to restore some painful cuts it had
been forced to make earlier in the year to synod grants for campus ministry, MarLu-Ridge camp, the seminary and two social service agencies in Delaware.

Since our last assembly, the Bishop’s Office has placed 17 pastors and lay rostered
leaders in new calls, more often than not with specific plans for advancing God’s
mission in local contexts.

This year’s RoadTrip high school youth event in Ocean City drew 486
participants, the largest turn-out ever.

Over the past few years, our synod has developed or begun eight new
congregations and ministries, including outreach to immigrant families from
India and from Ethiopia; six congregations are currently in redevelopment, and
two are beginning a transformational ministry process with the aim of shifting
from a membership model to a discipleship paradigm.

Where smaller, declining congregations have consolidated into new churches for
the sake of mission, significant growth has often been the result.

The Community of St. Dysmas, our synod’s pioneer prison ministry, is 30 years
old this year; since we last gathered in assembly, about 50 prisoners have been
touched by this ministry, often in life-changing ways.

Lutheran campus pastors from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and
College Park, and from Towson University led 12 students on a life-changing
pilgrimage to Alabama and Georgia during this year’s spring break, traveling
through Civil Rights history and talking about present-day realities of racism.

Mar-Lu-Ridge camping and retreat center registered 220 campers more this
summer than last, and retreats are up 8.5 percent.

Our synod’s new regional gift planner, Sonya Greene, who began her ministry
among us just last October, has already secured $450,000 in major donations to
ELCA ministries and is working on deferred gifts totaling more than $1 million.

The number of pastors and lay rostered leaders in our synod who are persons of
color or with a primary language other than English has increased dramatically in
the last three years, to 20 persons. All of them are under call, and about half are
ministering in contexts that reflect not just their own backgrounds.
25
God is good, all the time! The challenges we face as a church in this young century may
be daunting, but we also know that “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but rather a
spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1 : 7). When I was elected
bishop in 2010, that was the verse that the Spirit laid on my heart. It has guided my
work and that of our talented synod staff ever since, and it will guide our synod as we
move forward, “walking together” in mission for the sake of the world.
You are not required to remember all the numbers I have thrown at you in this bishop’s
report, but do remember this:
The ship has started to turn.
Peace & Blessings,
Bishop Wolfgang D. Herz-Lane
Delaware-Maryland Synod, ELCA
Part B: Roster Changes (as of April 15, 2014)
Necrology
These rostered persons have died since the 2013 Synod Assembly:
June 6, 2013
The Rev. Andrea Rachel Hagen-Arndt
Born April 27, 1942
Ordained April 12, 1975
July 13, 2013
The Rev. Eugene Donald Ries
Born December 29, 1926
Ordained May 26, 1954
October 19, 2013
The Rev. Athisayam David Victor
Born September 30, 1929
Ordained September 14, 1958
December 24, 2013
Norma Pilot-Peters
November 27, 1942
Commissioned May 17, 1977
January 18, 2014
Naomi R. Gieser
Born July 15, 1923
Commissioned March 5, 1978
26
Retired
These rostered persons have retired since the 2013 Synod Assembly:
The Rev. Bruce Heggen
July 1, 2013
The Rev. Blaine E. Feightner
July 1, 2013
The Rev. W. Gregory Martin
September 1, 2013
The Rev. Judith A. Moller-Gavlick
September 1, 2013
The Rev. John W. Keating
November 1, 2013
The Rev. Barbara Melosh
November 1, 2013
The Rev. Barbara N. Parrish
November 1, 2013
The Rev. David G. Berg
January 1, 2014
Dorothy E. Lewis, AIM
February 24, 2014
The Rev Thomas Williamsen
April 1, 2014
The Rev. G. Neale Wirtanen
April 1, 2014
Ordinations
These persons have been ordained since the 2013 Synod Assembly:
Scott R. Lee
June 1, 2013
Delaware-Maryland
Synod Assembly
Ocean City, Maryland
Kenneth Powell
June 1, 2013
Delaware-Maryland
Synod Assembly
Ocean City, Maryland
Kibreab B. Gudeta
January 11, 2014
Calvary Lutheran Church
Mt. Airy, Maryland
Meheret Y. Caruthers
May 3, 2014
Christ Lutheran Church
Baltimore, Maryland
27
Lauren Muratore
May 3, 2014
Christ Lutheran Church
Baltimore, Maryland
Karin M. Albaugh
May 3, 2014
Christ Lutheran Church
Baltimore, Maryland
Consecrations and Commissionings
These persons have been consecrated or commissioned since the 2013 Synod Assembly:
Michael S. O’Donnell
June 1, 2013
Delaware-Maryland
Synod Assembly
Ocean City, Maryland
Reginald B. Price
June 1, 2013
Delaware-Maryland
Synod Assembly
Ocean City, Maryland
Received Onto the Roster of the Delaware-Maryland Synod
This person has been received onto the roster of the Delaware-Maryland Synod since the
2013 Synod Assembly:
The Rev. Moses B. Gobah
Ordained in the Lutheran
Church of Liberia, transferred
November 11, 2013
28
New to the Synod Roster
These persons are new to the synod roster since the 2013 Synod Assembly:
The Rev. Ann B. Schlossnagle
Called as Pastor of Grace
Lutheran Church,
Woodsboro, Maryland,
June 9, 2013
The Rev. Amsalu T. Geleta
Called as Associate Pastor of
Christ Lutheran Church,
Baltimore, Maryland
October 1, 2013
The Rev. Naomi J. Hartman
Called as Pastor of Faith
Formation at Ascension
Lutheran Church, Towson,
Maryland, November 1, 2013
The Rev. Janet S. Peterman
Called through the Synod
Council as Interim Pastor of
St. Paul Lutheran Church,
Newark, Delaware,
November 25, 2013
Robert Federwitz
A retired Associate in
Ministry, transferred to our
synod
Eleanor Federwitz
A retired Associate in
Ministry, transferred to our
synod
The Rev. Kibreab B. Gudeta
Called through the Synod
Council as Chaplain at
Hospice of Washington
County, Inc., Hagerstown,
Maryland, and Associate
Pastor at the FoxvilleGreensburg Parish;
November 16, 2013
29
The Rev. Stuart Luce
Called as Pastor of St. Paul
Lutheran Church, Aberdeen,
Maryland, March 15, 2014
The Rev. Moses B. Gobah
Called through the Synod
Council as Chaplain for
Pastoral Care and PsychoSocial Support at the Johns
Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore,
Maryland, November 13, 2013
The Rev. Shawn O. Brandon
Called through the Synod
Council as Interim Pastor of
Gloria Dei! Lutheran Church,
Arnold, Maryland,
March 10, 2014
The Rev. Sara L. Yotter
Called as Pastor of Joy
Reigns Lutheran Church,
Edgewater, Maryland,
April 27, 2014
The Rev. Meheret Y. Caruthers
Called as Associate Pastor of
St. John Lutheran Church,
Linthicum, Maryland,
February 1, 2014
The Rev. Karin M. Albaugh
Called as Pastor of Bethel
Lutheran Church, Frederick,
Maryland, April 13, 2014
Transfers Out of the Delaware-Maryland Synod
The Rev. Beverly D. Lange Donnella
The Rev. Lisa A. Watson-Barcia
Called as Pastor of St. John
Lutheran Church, Fairfield,
Pennsylvania, July 9, 2013;
transferred to the
Lower Susquehanna Synod
Called as Pastor of
St. Paul Lutheran Church,
Terryville, Connecticut,
September 1, 2013;
transferred to the
New England Synod
30
The Rev. Jeanne L. Madsen
Called as Interim Pastor of
the Lutheran Church of the
Holy Spirit in Centennial,
Colorado, October 1, 2013;
transferred to the
Rocky Mountain Synod
The Rev. Veronica D. Webber
Called as Pastor of Grace
Lutheran Church, Bellevue,
Washington, October 27,
2013; transferred to the
Northwest Washington
Synod
The Rev. Glenn E. Ludwig
Retired pastor, transferred to
the Western Maryland-West
Virginia Synod
The Rev. Joshua Semovoski
Called to King of Kings
Lutheran Church,
Middletown, New Jersey;
transferred to the New Jersey
Synod; January 21, 2014
The Rev. Rachel Semovoski
Called to King of Kings
Lutheran Church,
Middletown, New Jersey;
transferred to the New Jersey
Synod; January 21, 2014
The Rev. Mary B. Miller-Zurell
Transferred to the North
Carolina Synod
The Rev. Danny R. Hammons
Called to St. Luke Lutheran
Church, Gales Ferry,
Connecticut, March 21, 2014;
transferred to the New
England Synod
The Rev. Maria J. Hammons
Called to interim ministry by
the New England Synod
31
New Congregations
The Slate Project
New mission in the
Waverly/Charles Street area
of Baltimore City
The Rev. Jason Chesnut,
Mission Developer;
June 1, 2014
The Canton Mission
New mission in cooperation
with the Episcopal Diocese
of Maryland
The Rev. James Hamilton,
Mission Developer (called by
the Espicopal Diocese of
Maryland); March 1, 2014
Resigned From the Roster of the Delaware-Maryland Synod and the ELCA
The Rev. W. Cary Moorman
September 21, 2013
The Rev. Penny R. Olson
January 1, 2014
Removed From the Roster of the Delaware-Maryland Synod and the ELCA
David G. Berg
January 1, 2014
James J. Wood
March 3, 2014
32
Memorials and Resolutions
Resolution for “I Love Mar Lu Ridge” Month
WHEREAS There is a need and desire to recognize that Mar-Lu-Ridge Camp and
Retreat Center (MLR) IS a ministry of the Delaware-Maryland (DE-MD) Synod of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA); and
WHEREAS MLR's mission statement is:
We welcome all people to a mountain-top experience of
Christian community that changes lives, makes disciples,
builds friendships, and encourages care of God’s creation;
and
WHEREAS MLR serves annually close to 1000 campers ages 6-17 in its summer camp
programs, and in addition, many family and adult campers during our summer sessions;
and
WHEREAS MLR also offers retreat opportunities year-round to a wide variety of
groups; and
WHEREAS MLR is committed to continually providing Community, Service, and
Sanctuary to all; and
WHEREAS MLR is a non-profit ministry, depending upon donations and fund-raisers
to help it keep its costs affordable as it supports current expenses and employee costs;
and
WHEREAS MLR has a 54 year history of positively effecting children’s lives and also
has maintained good standing within the American Camp Association; and
WHEREAS MLR has created a solid reputation within the synod and surrounding
areas;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the month of February be declared to be “I
Love Mar-Lu-Ridge” month within the Delaware-Maryland Synod; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that congregations of the Delaware-Maryland Synod
are encouraged to post notices in their bulletins and newsletters sharing the news of
Mar-Lu-Ridge, in particular, regarding summer camp; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that congregations of the Delaware-Maryland Synod
be encouraged to invite MLR staff to come to their congregations to speak in an effort to
raise awareness of this ministry; and
33
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the congregations of the Delaware-Maryland
Synod would pray for the ministry of Mar-Lu-Ridge, seek to partner with them in a
variety of ways, and support Mar-Lu-Ridge as much as possible.
Submitted by:
The Rev. Mark A. G. Huffman
The Rev. Charlene Barnes
The Rev. Gerry F. Rickel
Memorial to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Regarding: Portico Benefits Services Covering Hearing Aids
WHEREAS the age of the rostered leaders is skewed toward senior citizens who
typically have a more frequent incidence of hearing loss, and
WHEREAS hearing aids can cost $2,000 to $6,000 each, and
WHEREAS most insurance companies do not cover hearing aids because they do not
consider them a “medical necessity”, and
WHEREAS most people believe that being able to adequately hear IS a “medical
necessity,” and
WHEREAS it appears that Jesus valued hearing as a “medical necessity” … note Luke
22:51 “Jesus said, ‘No more of this.’ And He touched his ear and healed him…”, and
WHEREAS we are called to model our lives after Jesus,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Delaware-Maryland Synod memorialize
the ELCA in Assembly to instruct the Portico Benefits Services to provide full insurance
coverage for hearing aids for the rostered professionals and its members.
Submitted by:
The Rev. Dr. J. Fred Lehr
34
2015 Faith Spending Plan
35
36
Vision 2018: Discerning God's Plan
Walking Together, Fully Alive In Christ
“We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do.
He keeps us in step with each other.” Ephesians 4:16
God’s Voice
“You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay
together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one
God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present to all.
Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness. But that doesn’t mean
you should all look and speak and act the same. Out of the generosity of Christ, each of
us is given his {or her} own gift. …He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist,
and pastor-teacher to train Christians in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s
body, the church, until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient
and graceful in God’s Son, fully mature, adults, fully developed within and without, fully
alive like Christ. …We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do.
He keeps us in step with each other.” Ephesians 4: 4-7, 11-13, 16 (The Message)
Our Journey to 2018
God calls us together to participate in God's work to serve our neighbors in the world.
Our communities are in desperate need of God’s love and grace, expressed and
communicated through our active discipleship. Our connective tissue as congregations
and communities is the gospel of Jesus Christ, and so in all that we do we strive to
embody Christ through our media and message.
Our Destination
The earliest Christians were known as the “People of the Way” which identified them as
people who were following something much more than their own ideas. They were
following God’s will as they witnessed it through Jesus Christ.
The WAY of Discipleship: Our people will be empowered to share the Good News of
Jesus Christ in their communities.
The PATHWAY: Sharing the Good News of Christ involves both understanding the
mission field in which each congregation and related ministry exists and
understanding the unique gifts each ministry brings to the mission. Our synod will
assist congregations to form or revise a clear vision and mission plan to reach out to
their particular community with love, as modeled by Jesus Christ.
Metrics:
 Synod staff will engage 20 congregations per year in the development of
congregational mission plans with a total of 100 congregations engaged by
2018.
37
The WAY of Communication: Our communication will be effective and a defining
characteristic of our synod.
The PATHWAY: Our Delaware-Maryland Synod will foster open communication
through the formation of a synod wide communication plan that utilizes various
forms of technology and where each congregation council will be asked to appoint a
synod communicator to facilitate congregation and synod two-way communication.
Metrics:
 The Mission Through Partnership Team will work to expand the existing
mission interpreters program and identify 10 Synod Communicators in 2014
and 25 per year thereafter for a total of 110.
 Synod staff will work to double the e-mail address list for our synod E-Letter
by 2016.
 The Budget Development Committee and Synod Council will work to identify
resources to add a communications specialist to our synod staff by December
2014.
The WAY of Connectedness: Our congregations and related ministries will thrive
through deeper connectedness with other congregations and communities through
mutual support and sharing of resources.
The PATHWAY: Using the current structure of 3 clusters, congregational
equipping events will be held within each cluster twice a year. These events are
designed to: strengthen the congregations and their leaders; to deepen
connectedness between congregations and related ministries; share best practices
and other resources; and provide specific training to help each congregation
identify and live out their particular vision and mission to their own unique
communities. As part of this connectedness, our synod will foster intentional
links between congregations and related ministries such as campus ministries,
outdoor ministries, and social service and justice ministries; and to ensure that
youth and young adults are accompanied in their faith journeys beyond their
congregations.
Metrics:
 Engage 12 congregations in the “Healthy Congregations” pilot project in 20142015, expand by an additional 12 congregations in 2016-2017
 Establish coaching relationships with pastors/leaders of congregations
engaged in the “Healthy Congregations” process with 24 coaches trained and
supported by 2017
The WAY of Leadership: Our leaders, both lay and rostered, will be energized to serve
with passion, health, and effectiveness in ministry.
The PATHWAY: A three-year plan for specific leadership growth will be
developed and adopted by the Synod Council by November 2014. The plan will
focus on deepening the spiritual and physical health practices of leaders and
equipping them to better understand and respond to the changing dynamics of
the church and community. This plan should include, but not be limited to,
38
existing leadership trainings and activities and move our synod toward new
methods and resources such as webinars, social media, and one-to-one coaching.
Metrics:
 Mission Through Leadership Team will present draft plan to Synod Council
by the September 2014 meeting
 Synod Council will revise plan as part of its November 2014 retreat
Synod Council
Secretary
Being a part of the synod council is such a rewarding experience as the members share
their witness, their care for each other, and their love of our Savior, Jesus Christ through
their deliberations and their work as council members.
The synod staff, including Bishop Herz-Lane, Assistants Linda Chinnia, Rev. Ed Kay,
Rev. Katie Kluckman-Ault, Rev. Ron Schlak, Jennifer Baxter, Cindy VanVliet, and Pat
Walton offer their talents, knowledge, and commitment to the work of the church is so
many ways and to so many people as disciples of Christ.
The duties of the office of secretary have been performed in accordance with the
requirements of the synod’s Constitution and Bylaws. All minutes of the synod council
and the executive committee, upon approval, are regularly placed into the archives of
the synod. There were no matters for which the seal of the synod was needed for
authentication.
Recommendation: That two copies of the Minutes of the 2013 Synod Assembly of the
Delaware-Maryland Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, as certified by the
synod council, be approved as the official record of the 2013 Synod Assembly and
deposited in the archives of the synod.
Nancy Gordon, secretary
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Treasurer
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