December 15, 2020 in 2021 Assembly, Assembly
Positions to be Elected at Assembly
Nominations Needed for Synodical Positions
The SEPA Synod’s Nominating Committee is currently looking for help as we seek to raise up new leaders from across our synod. We are looking for qualified persons, both clergy and lay, to serve as nominees for the election at the SEPA Synod Assembly on April 23-24, 2021.
This year we have over 30 positions to fill and we will need your help in identifying qualified and gifted lay members and clergy that are willing to serve. We are asking you to contemplate and pray about who you think would be effective and called to the positions listed below. If you think of someone, approach them, talk to them about why you want to nominate them and ask if they would be willing. If they are willing give them the nomination form (linked below) and have them follow the instructions for nomination. We ask you to keep in mind that we are a diverse synod and we want our leadership to reflect that in age, ethnicity, and those whose primary language is other than English.
The positions to be filled are below:
Synod Council – Synod Council serves as the board of directors of the synod. They meet 5 to 6 times per year and serve as the legislative authority between meetings of the synod assembly.
Open seats:
- Synod Council, lay woman – Young Adult Representative, term ending 2022
- Synod Council, lay man – Young Adult Representative, term ending 2022
(Young Adult – between the ages of 18 and 30 at time of election or appointment)
To be filled from last year, 2020 Assembly not held:
- 3 clergy, terms ending 2023
- 1 lay woman, Chester Conference representative, term ending 2023
- 1 lay woman, Lower Bucks Conference representative, term ending 2023
- 1 lay man, Lower Montgomery Conference representative, term ending 2023
- 1 lay woman at large, term ending 2023
- 1 lay man at large, term ending 2023
Current positions to be filled, 2021 Assembly:
- 3 clergy, terms ending 2024
- 1 lay man, Central Philadelphia Conference representative, term ending 2024
- 1 lay woman, Upper Bucks Conference representative, term ending 2024
- 1 lay woman at large, term ending 2024
- 1 lay man at large, term ending 2024
- 1 lay woman youth representative, term ending 2023
- 1 lay man youth representative, term ending 2023
(Youth – under the age of 18 at the time of election or appointment)
Synod Vice President – In addition to these positions, the Assembly will also be electing a Vice President for a term ending 2025. The Vice President shall be a lay person, who is a voting member of a congregation of our synod. According to the Constitution, Bylaws and Continuing Resolutions of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod,
S9.05. The Nominating Committee shall nominate at least one person for vice president only if there is an incumbent; otherwise the Nominating Committee shall nominate at least two persons for vice president. Additional nominations may be made from the floor.
The Committee on Discipline – specifically considers the discipline of rostered ministers, officers, congregations, and members of congregations. The process of discipline is described in detail in Chapter 20 of the Constitution, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The Committee on Discipline does not hold regular meetings. The members of this committee serve on an “as needed” basis. Members serve for one six year term.
Committee on Discipline:
- 2 ministers of Word and Sacrament, term ending 2026
- 1 lay man, term ending 2026
- 1 lay woman, term ending 2026
The Consultation Committee – seeks to resolve disagreements within congregations on “substantive” issues. “When there is disagreement between or among factions within a congregation on a substantive issue which cannot be resolved by the parties, members of the congregation may petition the synod bishop for consultation after informing the president of the Congregation Council of their intent to do so.” The Consultation Committee does not hold regular meetings. The members of this committee serve on an “as needed” basis. Members serve for one six year term.
Consultation Committee
- 2 Ministers of Word and Sacrament, term ending 2022
- 2 Ministers of Word and Sacrament, term ending 2024
- 1 lay man, term ending 2022
- 1 lay man, term ending 2024
- 1 lay woman, term ending 2022
- 1 lay woman, term ending 2024
Churchwide Assembly positions – August 8 – 12, 2022 is the date of the Churchwide Assembly in Columbus, OH. Our Synod is to send a total of 16 voting members to the CWA. The Bishop and the Vice President are two of that number. In addition to them we have the following positions:
- 4 positions for Rostered Ministers
- 4 positions for Lay Man
- 4 positions for Lay Woman
To ensure diversity in ethnicity, language, and age at the CWA, we also are to have
- 1 additional Rostered Minister that is a Person of Color or whose primary language is other than English
- 1 additional Lay Youth or Young Adult, that is, a person who is 30 or under at the time of election or appointment.
Nominees for ELCA Church Council – SEPA Synod is in the rotation to put forward nominees to serve on the ELCA Church Council. The Synod Assembly needs to send 2 nominees to stand for election to the Church Council at the 2022 Churchwide Assembly, where one of them will be elected to serve.
- 2 Rostered Ministers
If you identify anyone wishing to be nominated for a position please use the nomination form below and submit it by February 15, 2021. We appreciate you taking time and care as you submit nominations for consideration by the synod council and nominating committee. By submitting a nomination form it does not guarantee a nomination.
The Nominating Committee requires all nominees submit a digital photo of themselves and respond to the following questions – (1) List your top five spiritual gifts and/or personal gifts you would bring to the position if elected, and (2) How have you used these gifts in service to the church and your work?
A digital photo and response to the questions are required for a nominating form to be considered complete. Nominating forms submitted without the required information will not be accepted and will not be placed in nomination.
Completed nominating forms, and answers to the “spiritual and personal gifts” question, should be sent to:
Pr. Joseph Klinger, Nominating Committee Chairperson
pastor@redemptionphiladelphia.org
Digital photos must be sent to:
Ms. Cynta Outterbridge
Database Manager
Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod
Please note:
- Those nominated must be active members of congregations of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod.
- As always, we seek a diversity of candidates.
- Before suggesting a person, ask whether the person is willing to serve if elected.
- The Nominating Committee is not required to place in nomination the name of any person suggested.
- Except for the congregations of the officers and the youth and young adult representatives, two people from the same congregation may not serve on the Synod Council at the same time. The Synod Council may make exceptions to this requirement to promote greater diversity and/or inclusivity.
- In light of the level of responsibility and influence of the following positions, it is our practice that a person may serve as one of the following at a time: Synod Council Member, Conference Dean, or Member of the Candidacy Committee. A person serving in any of these roles may stand for election or appointment to another, but if chosen must resign their current position.
For questions or concerns contact Pr. Joseph Klinger, Nominating Committee Chairperson
