Our Voices Member Reflections

Member Reflections

2008 Synod Assembly

Carl Zauche

The number of people that I recognize when I go to synod assembly always amazes me. I meet plenty of pastors of course. Several from in town and some that I know from my sister‘s church or other churches that I have visited. Then there are the people I know from Gloria Dei or other Cedar Rapids churches and some from Bible Study Fellowship. There are also the people on the synod staff that have come to visit or spoken at Holy Redeemer and a few that I recognize from other synod events. But even with all the people that I didn‘ t know, we all knew we were fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and there was a friendly smile on every face and plenty of hands to shake when it came time to pass the peace.

Often, the synod assemblies are held at a Lutheran college to save money and to give the attendees a chance to become familiar with some of the institutions supported by the mission support funds that we send to the synod. This year, however, the assembly was held at the new Marriott in Iowa City due to the large number of attendees expected. In addition to the usual church business, this year we elected a new Bishop to the South Eastern Iowa Synod to replace Bishop Hougen who is retiring on July 31st, at the end of his term.

The nomination and voting process was very unique. We got to hear from the top 7 vote getters in the second ballot and the top 3 from the 3rd ballot were given a chance to respond to a slate of questions. It was clear from the 3rd and 4th ballots that people liked what they heard from Rev. Michael Burk as the number of votes he received grew quickly as the ranks were thinned. All in all it was very encouraging to see how many qualified candidates were nominated. As Rev. Burk said, ultimately, it was not so much our job to pick the person that the Holy Spirit willed to be bishop but that the Holy Spirit would make a bishop out of whom ever we elected. Given the fine slate of candidates, I didn‘t think we could go too far wrong. With the help of the Holy Spirit, I believe Rev. Michael Burk will make a fine bishop.

Pastor Brenda Peconge

As Brian and I were driving to the first day of the Synod Assembly, I realized that this was the 15th Synod Assembly I have attended in SE Iowa, beginning when I was on internship at St. Matthew in Davenport. That is a lot of Assemblies! Every time I have attended, I have felt the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit. This year was no different, from discernment during elections, to the sharing of new ideas, to the renewing of relationships.

I felt the Spirit‘s presence when we elected Pastor Michael Burk to be our new Bishop. Pastor Burk‘s experience as a parish pastor, his work with the ELCA, and his deep faith will serve our synod, the ELCA, and the whole Church very well. Although I will miss Bishop Hougen‘s leadership very much, I am very excited to have Pastor Burk as our Bishop-elect.

I felt the Spirit‘s presence as we listened to Diane Jacobsen tell us about the ELCA‘s Book of Faith initiative, which is intended to help Lutherans gain deeper knowledge of the "first language of faith" - the Bible. I look forward to seeing how we can use this new resource at HRLC, as we strive for a fuller and more intimate relationship with God‘s Word.

I felt the power of the Spirit as I spoke with colleagues, with members of my first call congregations in Calamus, and with members of my internship congregation. The Spirit is active everywhere, and I was delighted to be able to share how we feel that presence here at Holy Redeemer. (OK, so I bragged a little!)

I felt the Spirit‘s power through the presence of many representatives of the ELCA‘s full Communion partners: the Episcopal Church, the United Church of Christ, the Presbyterian Church, and the United Methodist Church. Ecumenism is a vital part of what it means to be the Church, and the presence of these sisters and brothers in Christ is always encouraging. We have much to learn from them, and we have much to share, as well.

Thank you for allowing me the privilege to be away for the Assembly. It is important work … and it affects all of us.

Other Reflections

For Vicar Craig Brown's reflections, refer to his Vicar's View column.

Also in attendance at the 2008 SE Iowa Synod Assembly, were Evelyn Nuehring, as a voting member, and Brett Nitzschke, as a visitor. Watch for their reflections coming in July.