Dispatches from the most recent Synod Council meeting

Readers,

This report is from Rick Nelson on the latest Synod Council meeting. Besides being a member of the Synod Council, Rick also is editor and publisher of the Wahkiakum County Eagle in Cathlamet, and knows very well how to write and meet deadlines. I think you'll be hearing more here and in the newsletter and Lutheran supplement from Rick, not only about the Synod Council meetings, but also the Hunger Committee meetings, and maybe some news and feature stories. Thanks so much, Rick. It's great to have two of us pulling this wagon.

— Rachel Pritchett

By Rick Nelson, Synod Council member

Members of the Southwestern Washington Synod Council discussed the theme of the 2012 synod assembly, the synod's finances and possible options for the Living Stones Prison Ministry when it held its January 21 teleconference.

Scheduled for May 18 to 19 at the Vancouver Hilton, the synod assembly theme, said Bishop Robert D. Hofstad, will be "Sunday Faith on Monday Morning." Speakers will explore the notion of how people express their Christian faith in their daily lives and vocations.

The keynote speaker, whom Bishop Hofstad will be Gov. Christine Gregoire. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America churchwide representative will be Secretary David Swartling, a former Seattle attorney and synod vice president.

Synod Finances

Bishop Hofstad and synod Treasurer Andreas Udbye reported the synod will likely finish the 2011-2012 fiscal year with revenues approximately $60,000 below the budgeted amount. The synod budget totaled $960,000, and actual revenue will be close to $900,000, Udbye said.

Hofstad said that, because of ongoing expense reductions, the actual shortfall to the synod will be around $12,000. Hofstad said he planned for a $40,000 shortfall and had already reduced spending. The synod's churchwide contribution, which is based on a percentage of revenue, was automatically reduced with the decline in revenue.

Hofstad said that the synod also has received some unexpected funds from the Lutheran Community Foundation in Minneapolis that could reduce the deficit further. Also, two congregations which have been behind their normal giving levels have pledged to catch up, and three congregations have pledged to increase their giving to the synod.

Council members noted that the synod has had to adjust spending for the past two years to meet its expenses. The council and synod staff committed to the issue of declining revenue by promoting mission support to the synod.

Living Stones ministry

The council also addressed the Living Stones Prison Ministry at the Washington Correctional Center for Men in Shelton. The synod assembly voted to start the ministry six years ago, Bishop Hofstad said, with the expectation that the program would become self supporting through support from synod congregations.

The program costs about $95,000 per year, Hofstad said, and support from congregations only brings in just over $30,000. "Five year ago, none of us knew the economic downturn would happen," Hofstad said. "Several congregations have reduced giving or dropped it."

Hofstad outlined an idea to reduce spending while maintaining the ministry; he plans to present a concrete proposal to the council when it meets March 31 in Olympia.

"If we continue to value this as a ministry, it's incumbent upon us to find it a way to make it work," commented Synod Vic President Jim Hushagen.