North/West Lower Michigan Synod

NEWS

The Bishop’s Letter – March 2010
This document should be posted on a bulletin board in a prominent location in your building. You may wish to make a few copies and have them available for members of your congregation.

Congregation Newsletter Insert - March 2010
Congregations are encouraged to enclose this in their monthly newsletter.

Congregations in Transition – March 2010
This list keeps you informed of congregations in the call process.

2010 Hounduras Trip Application

Germany Trip Update
October 10-23, 2010

All is in place for this amazing trip of a lifetime –we have some wonderful plans in place for this pilgrimage/study tour. 2 full weeks – and the price, $3,395 per person double occupancy, covers everything (gratuities, hotels, taxes/fees, seminars & sessions with local folks on a variety of topics and round trip from Detroit). Mark your calendars, make your plans & find some friends and invite them –along the way. Download the brochure for more details.

EVENTS

2010 Synod Assembly
May 20-22, 2010 (Thursday through Saturday)
Lansing Center

For the Lord Loves Justice
May 20-22, 2010
Lansing, Michigan

Introduction
The theme for the 2010 Synod Assembly comes from Psalm 37:28. This powerful theme reminds us that God is for the things that make for right relationship in our lives together. When we acknowledge our relationships as brothers and sisters under God’s parentage, and do so without prejudice on any level, we are practicing justice toward one another.

This year, our assembly begins with a picnic lunch on the Capitol Lawn from 12pm-3pm on Thursday, May 20. This is an opportunity to discuss social justice issues with state senators and representatives. Keep this in mind when selecting voting members.

Guests
The Rev. Margaret Payne, Bishop of the New England Synod
Carlos Peña, Vice President of the ELCA

Location
Meals, plenary sessions and workshops will take place at the Lansing Center, 333. E. Michigan Ave., Lansing MI 48933.

Registration
Registration fees are $110/person (includes meals) and $60/person (no meals).

Register online (pay by check or credit card).
Or register via postal delivery (payable by check), with this form.
Note: Registrations are due on or before April 30, 2010.

Lodging
You are responsible for securing your own lodging reservations at one of the following hotels.
Radisson Hotel, 111 N. Grand Ave., Lansing MI 48933

Located one block from the Lansing Center)
$79/night (single or double occupancy)
Complimentary valet parking
Cut-off date for reservations: May 6, 2010
Visit www.radisson.com/lansingmi and use this promotional code: NWSE10. Or call 800-333-3333 or 517-482-0188 and clarify that you are with the North/West Lower Michigan Synod.

Country Inn & Suites, 6511 Centurion Dr., Lansing MI 48917

$84/night (single or double occupancy)
Located 6.8 miles west of the Lansing Center, near the intersection of I-496 and Creyts Rd.
Free parking; shuttle service to Lansing Center provided by Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau
Cut-off date for room reservations: April 30, 2010
Call 517-827-7000 and ask for a room in the SYNOD block.
Note: Individual cancellations must be made by 3pm, May 19, 2010, to avoid NO SHOW charges for one night of any room remaining unsold.

Hampton Inn Lansing, 525 N. Canal Rd., Lansing MI 48917

$84/night (single or double occupancy)
Located 9.5 miles west of the Lansing Center, near the intersection of I-96 and M-43 (Saginaw Highway)
Free parking; shuttle service to Lansing Center provided by Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau
Cut-off date for room reservations: April 30, 2010
Call 517-627-8381 and refer to block code NLM.
24-hour cancellation policy

Lansing West Hotel & Conference Center, 7501 W. Saginaw Hwy., Lansing MI 48917

$84/night (single or double occupancy)
Located 9.3 miles west of the Lansing Center, near the intersection of I-96 and M-43 (Saginaw Highway)
Free parking; shuttle service to Lansing Center provided by Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau
Cut-off date for room reservations: April 30, 2010
Call 517-627-3211 and refer to block code NWL.
24-hour cancellation policy

Parking
The Radisson Hotel, located one block west of the Lansing Center, provides complimentary valet parking to overnight guests. Those commuting will incur a charge of $5.00/entry to park at the Lansing Center. Those staying at other hotels may utilize the shuttle service provided by the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau or utilize their own vehicles and incur charge of $5.00/entry to park at the Lansing Center.

Meals
The registration fee covers lunch and dinner on Friday, May 21. You are responsible for your own dinner on Thursday evening and for breakfast on Friday and Saturday. Breakfast may be purchased in the restaurant at the Radisson. Other hotels may provide complimentary breakfast.

Pre-Assembly Report
The Pre-Assembly Report will be available on April 30 at www.mittensynod.org. Paper copies will be mailed via U.S. Priority Mail to voting members and visitors who have registered by the April 30 deadline.

Ministry Display Tables
ELCA-related ministries are invited to host a display table during the assembly. Eight-foot skirted tables are available for a $15 fee and will be positioned around the perimeter of the meeting space. Electrical service is available for an additional $55. Tables may be set up between 3pm and 7pm on Thursday, May 20 and must be cleared by 12pm on Saturday, May 22. Reservations will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis and space is limited. You will find reservation information on the assembly registration form.

Note: The distribution of food and beverages is prohibited by the Lansing Center as is the sale of any kind of merchandise. Should the North/West Lower Michigan Synod incur any fees as a result of such activity, the costs will be passed on to the ministry or committee.

Resolutions
Resolutions must be submitted electronically by February 28, 2010 to rebecca@mittensynod.org.

Nominations
Nominations are also due on February 28, 2010. Download the form and follow the instructions.

Annual Reports
Annual reports are to be submitted electronically by March 31, 2010 to rebecca@mittensynod.org.

Terminology
Voting members are not delegates as that term is understood or used in some political contexts. People are not sent as agents of a particular caucus, nor are they gathered to act as politicized delegates to a regional party convention. Rather, they assemble as duly selected members of this church with voting responsibilities for governance and elections on behalf of the synod.

The Synod Assembly is an assembly of the people of this church, some of whom have been chosen as voting members. They assemble together in worship and are nurtured in the faith through Word and sacrament. Then, in their deliberations, they seek the wisdom and guidance of God’s Spirit in the decisions and elections of the assembly. Therefore, we use the term “voting member” rather than the term “delegate.”

Voting Members per (S7.21, 22)
The membership of the Synod Assembly, of which at least 60% of the voting membership shall be composed of lay persons, shall be constituted as follows:

All ordained ministers under call, retired or on disability leave on the roster of this synod in attendance at the Synod Assembly shall be voting members.
All Associates in Ministry, Deaconesses, and Diaconal Ministers, on the official lay rosters in attendance at the Synod Assembly shall be voting members.
A minimum of one lay member elected by each congregation with less than 175 baptized members, one of whom shall be female and one of whom shall be male, shall be voting members.
A minimum of two lay members elected by each congregation with more than 175 baptized members, one of whom shall be female and one of whom shall be male, shall be voting members.
Additional voting representation from congregations shall be apportioned according to the baptized membership report on the 2009 statistical reports. (1000-1400: one additional voting member; 1500-1999: two additional voting members; 2000 or more: three additional voting members). These additional voting members shall be equally divided between female and male, except odd-numbered voting members, if any, may be either female or male.