Warm thanks to the Local Arrangements Committee in Victoria and the three hosting congregations: Good Shepherd, Grace, Lutheran Church of the Cross. Your hospitality was warm, the meals you provided were delicious and your desire to provide all the support to the convention that you could was evident! The smooth functioning of the convention is a tribute to your huge effort – we thank you!
PS- Love the red scarves!
Retiring BC Synod Treasurer Gene Blishen presented the budget for July12010 to June 30, 2010. Mr. Blishen told how the synod has been encumbered by a lawsuit brought by former member congregation, Christ the King Lutheran in Surrey. ”We’ve been crippled with that action,” says Blishen. The legal action remains pending and relates to who is entitled to approximately $470,000 of proceeds previously received on the sale of land on which the Church formerly operated. The $470,000 proceeds remain in a legal trust account.
Though being cautioned that, “Just because it’s in the budget doesn’t mean you have the money to spend,” delegates voted in favour of giving synod council the discretion to increase the youth program budget line to $5,000 and the campus ministry budget line to $7,500.
“Start small – celebrate even one youth participating!” says Bronwyn Nestegaard-Paul from Grace, Victoria, youth delegate at convention. Tarynn McKenzie from Church of the Cross, Victoria and Christopher Sandl from Good Shepherd, Victoria also offered advice on ministering to youth. Ideas included being willing to use more contemporary music and language; having a youth leader (volunteer is great) in the church; use technology; express interest and invitation.
The youth also reminded all delegates – “DON’T FORGET ABOUT C.L.A.Y. (Canadian Lutheran Anglican Youth gathering)!”
BC SYNOD COUNCIL:
Elected- Open Clergy: Eric Krushel
Elected- Open Lay: Armen Petznik
BC SYNOD TREASURER:
Elected by acclamation: Stephen Holmes
LTS Board – elected 2nd ballot
Rev. Nathan Fong
INFO on Balloting for BISHOP
First (nominating) Ballot-
Those receiving 6 or more votes (alphabetically):
Eric Krushel (8); Eddie Kwok (8); Greg Mohr (47); Brenda Nestegaard-Paul (6).
Second Ballot – Bishop (Those receiving 7 or more votes)
Eric Krushel (11); Eddie Kwok (16); Lyle McKenzie (7); Greg Mohr(58)
Third Ballot
Eric Krushel (12); Eddie Kwok (18); Lyle McKenzie (11); Greg Mohr(67) Rev. Dr. Greg Mohr elected by majority.
Ms. Darlene Johnson, who has served a total of 10 years on Synod Council, was elected as B.C. Synod Vice-Chair. Ms. Johnson is a member of Peace Lutheran, Abbotsford, and has been serving as Vice-Chair pro-temp for Synod Council.
Meeting in groups of 3 or 4, delegates and visitors went through a guided exploration of gratitude and generosity in order to become more comfortable sharing this aspect of our faith.
Discussion followed a variety of questions that looked at gratitude, giving and generosity. The questions considered early memories of money; who modeled generosity in your life; considering a theology of giving; making a commitment for growth.
As this reporter walked through the room, I was struck by the intensity of conversation among group members. A good activity.
Elections begin for Vice-Chair of Synod
Using the ecclesiastical method of elections, a nominating ballot for Vice-Chair was held. Because there are already two clergy on the executive, it is required that the Vice-Chair be a lay person. Thirty-seven people were nominated. The nominees who received five or more votes on the first ballot are: Hans Gust, Darlene Johnson, Armen Petznik, Stephanie Stauss. Second ballot requires 75% of votes for election.
Results of second ballot – no election – the following lay people will be on the third ballot for Vice-Chair: Hans Gust (12); Darlene Johnson (28); Armen Petznik (7); Jonquil Hallgate(7). Numbers indicate votes received.
Diverse Faces
One of the five pillars of direction for our Church is “Diverse Faces” – we thank Pastor Alan Lai for making available this photo of some of the diversity within the BC Synod.
Committee Reports
The Committee on the Report of the Bishop presented and offered motions in support of Bishop Gerhard’s reports.
Delegates heard from the following Synod Working Committees: Faith and Society; Missions and World Missions; Stewardship; Worship; C-Tel; Campus Ministry.
Bishop Gerhard’s report and the reports of the Working Committees are available through the Synod Website: www.bcsynod.org
On schedule and with all agenda items items completed, the business of the convention closed with a loud, “AMEN!”
Delegates and guests gathered at the University of Victoria, Faculty Club for a festive and fun evening. Pastors Lyle McKenzie and Kathy Martin provided light hearted emcee talent. There was live music and a delicious meal. Ordination anniversaries for 25, 30, 40 and 50 years were recognized.
The focus of the evening was saying a fond farewell to Bishop Gerhard Preibisch. National Bishop Susan Johnson spoke of Bishop Gerhard’s faithfulness to the church and his dedication to social justice issues. The synod Deans presented Bishop Gerhard with a gift; Treasurer Gene Blishen offered the ‘top 5 and bottom 5′ traits of our bishop, to the delight of the crowd. Assistant to the Bishop and Bishop-elect Gregory Mohr spoke of the bishop as mentor, friend, leader and a true family man. Finally, the bishop and his ever patient spouse, Winn, spoke words of gratitude and affection. Genuine feelings of love and appreciation were apparent from all speakers.
The evening continued after the banquet with a ‘party-on’ benefit in support of First Lutheran, Vancouver in their provision of sanctuary to the Lennikov family.
B.C. Bishop-elect Gregory Mohr was ordained in 1983 after attending Lutheran Theological Seminary, Saskatoon. He has served at Lutheran Church of the Master in Airdrie, Alberta and King of Life, Coquitlam, B. C. Most recently he has served the synod as Assistant to the Bishop.
The son of a clergyman, Bishop-elect Mohr earned his Doctor of Ministry from St. Stephen’s, University of Alberta, writing a dissertation concerning the experience of being a pastor’s child.
Bishop-elect Mohr is married to LaRee and is the father of Joel and Carmelle. In accepting the convention’s call to serve, our new bishop said, “Thank you for your confidence. I feel honoured, humbled and a little bit scared.”
(Note: The correct name of the Bishop-elect is Gregory Mohr, we apologize for the confusion of the incorrect surname previously.)
Rev. Dr. Greg Mohr, presently Assistant to the Bishop of the BC Synod, has been elected on the third ballot to serve as British Columbia Synod’s fourth Bishop!
