Southwestern Texas Synod Assembly Orientation for voting members and visitors

1. Southwestern Texas Synod Assembly Orientation for voting members and visitors May 31- June 2, 2019 Omni – Corpus Christi, TX

2. Purpose of the assembly • Gathered to be transformed and connected by God’s grace through:  • Our common work (the business) • Discipleship experiences • Sent: energized, inspired and equipped to engage in God’s mission in the world

3. Theme of the assembly • Open Eyes and Burning Hearts • Luke 24:13-35 – Road to Emmaus • God’s grace transforms and connects us to learn, to love, to lead

4. Our common work “The business”

5. The general business of the church • Approve synod budget • Discuss and vote on Synod Assembly Resolutions and Memorials to Churchwide Assembly • Receive reports from synod leaders and the wider church • Elect synod leaders (not in 2019) • Public recognitions • Install synod leaders

6. Classification of participants • Voting member (vs. delegate) – voice and vote • At least 60% lay people (including deacons) • All active rostered ministers of the Southwestern Texas Synod • Synod Council members • Balance of male and female • Up to 10% of rostered ministers not under call (retired, on leave, disability) • Visitor, Observer – no vote, Lay: no voice. Rostered: voice. • Volunteer • Interactive Learning Table Displayer

7. Expectations of voting members • Expect the Holy Spirit to show up • Attend all sessions • Attend workshops • Visit the Interactive Learning Tables • Come prepared! Download or print and read your Bulletin of Reports in advance • Get your guidebook app in advance

8. Robert’s rules of order • Purpose: “to enable assemblies of any size, with due regard for every member's opinion, to arrive at thegeneral will on the maximum number of questions of varying complexity in a minimum amount of time and under all kinds of internal climate ranging from total harmony to hardened or impassioned division of opinion.” – Robert’s Rules of Order • Designed to help people to speak without interruption, hear multiple points of view, stick to the topics at hand • Check the Bulletin of Reports for tips on how to use Robert’s Rules • Parliamentarian helps the chair (the Bishop) moderate using these rules appropriately

9. Resolutions and memorials • Whereas’s and Be it Resolved’s • Purpose: education, open discussion on a topic, take a stand as a synod, give thank, request ELCA churchwide assembly to study or to do something • 2019 – 1 resolution so far: Engagement in the Holy Land

10. Speaking and voting • Microphones - “for”, “against”, “point of order/question” • Voting can be by voice, show of hands, written ballot or electronic • Close votes – “division of the house” – facilitators count hand votes by using clickers

11. Consent agenda • Groups routine business and reports into one agenda item • Can be approved in one action, rather than filing motions on each item separately • Saves time, frees up agenda for more strategic conversations • Any voting member can request separate consideration of any item in the consent agenda – simply request at a microphone prior to consent agenda approval • All consent agenda items must be available in advance of the meeting for review

12. What’s in this year’s consent agenda? • Resolution/Memorial #1

13. Discipleship experiences

14. Worship • Friday 8:00 pm – “Entering” • Saturday 8:45 am – “Discovering” • Sunday 8:30 am – “Celebrating”

15. Practicing generosity – 2019 Assembly offering • Endowment established in 2018 to honor Former Bishop Tiemann and Debbie for 18 years as bishop and 39 years of service to the church • 4 awards granted in 2019 (recognition at assembly) • Lay and Rostered leader leadership development grants • Conference goals • Checks payable to SWT Synod (Assembly offering, conference membership)

16. Dwelling in the word • Synod wide practice – living in and out of the Biblical text • Listening to God in Scripture • Asking questions of the text: what word, phrase or image catches your attention • Sharing with a neighbor • This year: dwelling in the Emmaus text (Luke 24:13-25)

17. Workshops Friday – 4:00 p.m. The How To’s of Technology Open Our Eyes To Our Neighbor Review of the Proposed Budget 2020/2021 Saturday – 1:30 p.m. The ABC’s of Immigration It Takes a Village…But Where Are They? Open Our Eyes to the Power and Joy of Living Our Faith In Daily Life Stamina For Your Soul Leading Change Saturday – 2:45 p.m. AMMPARO – Congregations Walking Alongside Our Immigrant Neighbors BARNGA Learning From Our Partner Synod in Costa Rica Speaking Without Manuscripts Zen Practice For Lutheran Christians

18. Interactive learning tables Women of the ELCA Colores del Pueblo Fair Trade Water For Africa Texas Lutheran University Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest Power of Hope (Refugee Art) A Divine Canvas Upbring Reconciling Works Portico Benefit Services Lutheran Seminary Program in the Southwest Peace Not Walls Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago Cross Trails Ministry LEAD SWT Synod Poverty & Justice Task Force & Texas Impact Lutheran Campus Ministries (TLU, TX State, UT-Austin, UT-SA)

19. Affinity Lunches This will take place at tables on Saturday & Sunday during lunch Cleopas Experience Women Clergy Healing & Essential Oils Spouses of Rostered Leaders Deacons Retired Rostered Leaders Legacy Giving Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries Candidacy inquiries Peace Not Walls Youth/Young Adult participants Campus Ministry CICBA Immigration & Refugee Issues Latino Leaders Faith Formation Capital North Conference

20. Evening conversations Saturday evening 8 – 9 pm – stay tuned for location • Youth and Young Adults – Conversation with Bishop Briner • Conversation with Deacon Peggy Hahn

21. Keynote speaker, workshop leader Deacon Peggy Hahn serves as the Executive Director for LEAD, aligning passionate leaders, resources, and practices to grow Christian leaders who grow faith communities in our world. Peggy is a frequent speaker and author who is never without a pile of books to read and seeks coaches and mentors for herself in an ongoing quest to learn and grow. Peggy is committed to listening to pastors and leaders of all ages for insight into the ways they are growing in their own faith and what LEAD can do to support them in their development as leaders.

22. Elcarepresentative, workshop leader Rev. Brenda K. Smith is Program Director for Faith Practices and Book of Faith in the Domestic Mission Unit of the ELCA Churchwide Office. She works with other faith formation leaders, both lay and clergy, to create a culture of discipleship in the ELCA.  Rev. Smith and Rev. Dwight DuBois coordinate the Book of Faith ministry, one that aims individuals and congregations to be intentional about opening the Bible and having conversations about the transformative power of the word of God.  She also convenes the ELCA’s Renewal/Prayer/Revival Team that offers healing and prayer services; Lutheran revivals; and workshops on various topics across ELCA entities.

23. Some logistics

24. Schedule Saturday, June 17:30-8:30am    Check in8:45am            Opening & Brief Worship 9:15am          Plenary I10:00am          State of the Synod10:45am          Keynote 112:00pm          Lunch (Affinity Tables)1:30pm            Workshop 12:45pm            Workshop 24:00pm           Keynote 2 5:30pm Free for Dinner 8:00pm Evening Conversations Friday, May 312:00pm Synod Council4:00pm Workshops5:30-7:30pm Check in8:00pm Worship Sunday, June 28:30am            Worship10:00am          Plenary II12:00pm          Lunch (Affinity Tables)1:15pm            Keynote 32:45 pmCross Trails Corporation3:15 pmPlenary III5:00pm            Adjourn

25. Guidebook app • Your one stop shopping at Assembly • Available on smart phones, tablets and computers • www.guidebook.com • Download guidebook app • Download 2019 SWT Synod Assembly (when available)

26. Our synod website – “one stop shopping” www.swtsynod.org/assembly

27. other details • Play area (Prayground) for children and parents • Translation into Spanish • Special diet options • Twitter, Instagram: #swtsynod19 • Facebook Live for Plenary & Keynotes • Bishop’s sermon available online in advance – text is Luke 24:13-35 • Wifi on site: PW provided at event • Updated Bulletin of Reports

28. Questions?