Can I Get a Witness?
Mount Olivet representatives at the 2016 Minneapolis Area Synod Assembly held May 6-7, 2016, were: Clyde & Lois Allen, Doris Buerkle, Martha Carlson, Curt Hokanson, Ken Jarcho, John Johnson, Paul & Mary Knutson, Gwen Ludwig, Bob Neuman, Peter Rodosovich, Les & Marilyn Sharpe, Pastor Gretchen Enoch, and Pastor Dennis Johnson. Mary Knutson shares some of her thoughts from the Assembly.
It was a privilege to attend the Minneapolis Synod Assembly, with the theme, “Can I Get a Witness?” The opening worship focused on taking care of God’s creation. Each congregation processed with jars of water from their respective watersheds and poured it into the baptismal font. Bishop Ann Svennungsen gave the sermon on John 4 and speakers presented on the need to tell our stories, just as the woman at the well told her story to others.
The Minneapolis Synod is made up of 150 congregations in the greater Minneapolis area and is one of 65 synods in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA). There were exhibits and displays about what is going on in the ELCA. It’s inspiring to know that the ELCA is reaching out to the refugees and is a real presence in other countries. More information is at www.elca.org where you can watch the video message shared at synod assemblies across the ELCA.
The ELCA Churchwide Assembly will be August 8-13, in New Orleans. I will be attending as a voting member and our congregational observer is Paul Knutson.
Mary Knutson, Delgate to the 2016 Mpls Synod Assemby & Mount Olivet members since 1989