Nebraska Synod of the ELCA: News Release--March 21, 2006

"Bound for Greater Things – Jesus Christ Transforms Lives!" will be the focus of Nebraska Lutherans for three days in June, when leaders from Nebraska Synod congregations gather in Kearney for the 2006 Nebraska Synod Assembly. June 1-3 are the dates for Assembly 2006, with pre-Assembly events starting Thursday morning in Kearney on June 1. "We gather for the great work that God has placed before us," said Assembly Planner Lee Griess." — to be the people of God in Christ Jesus, those who proclaim Christ in our congregations and communities, firmly believing that Jesus Christ Transforms Lives."

On Friday and Saturday, June 2 and 3, voting members meet at the Kearney Event Center to conduct the business of the ELCA Nebraska Synod.

Leaders can begin to gather on Thursday, June 1st, for two workshops, a buffalo barbeque, and worship. A bus will be available to shuttle people from the Kearney Event Center to the Archway. Nebraska Synod Council members will meet from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Kearney.

Augsburg/Fortress personnel will teach a seminar at the Holiday Inn from 8 a.m. to noon to introduce AKALOO – a new program of life-long faith formation for the whole congregation. Register for AKALOO at: www.AKALOO.org

Instruments in hand, Assembly musicians BREAD FOR THE JOURNEY, offers a workshop for worship leaders and teams from 4 -5 p.m. at the Kearney Event Center. They will show ways to increase variety in worship services.

The buffalo barbeque begins at the Archway Monument at 5 p.m. Nebraska Lutheran rancher Lance Kuck has donated the meat. About 6:30, people can head back to the Kearney Event Center for dessert and a chance to chat with the nominees for Bishop. Evening worship starts at the Event Center at 8 p.m.

Nebraska Synod has the privilege of welcoming the Rev. Dr. Mark S. Hanson, Presiding Bishop of the ELCA who will speak with us twice. The Rev. Dr. Barbara Rossing, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, will be our Bible Study leader and preacher at the closing communion service.

Worship on Friday morning begins at 7:45 a.m. The 2006 Assembly officially convenes at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, June 2, and ends midday Saturday, June 3. Offerings taken at this Assembly will go for mission development - Hope Lutheran Church in Columbus, and for a potential mission site in West Omaha.

Election balloting will occur on Friday morning, Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. Besides electing a bishop, we will elect a vice president, Synod Council members, 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly voting members.

Friday evening, a banquet at the Holiday Inn will honor rostered leaders celebrating anniversaries and retirements, and recognize newly certified Parish Ministry Associates. For those attendees preferring a casual meal, a picnic is planned at Yanney Park in Kearney. Music will be provided by Kearney First Lutheran's Youth Praise Band.

In June 2006, Nebraska ELCA Lutherans will elect a pastor to serve a six-year term as Bishop for Nebraska Synod. Six Lutheran pastors from around the country/synod agreed to be considered as nominees for that position. Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson and Vice President Mary Hock will conduct the bishop election.

Thirty-nine pastors were nominated on Saturday, Feb. 18 in 16 meetings across the state. About 400 Nebraska Lutherans, voters and visitors, attended the nominating meetings.

Six nominees have allowed their names to go on the ballot for bishop:
David L. deFreese, Bishop, Nebraska Synod; Wenda W. Fry, Pastor, Bethany Lutheran Church, Elkhorn, Nebraska; Jonathon K. Jensen, Pastor, Zion Lutheran Church, Carleton, Nebraska; Damon D. Laaker, Assistant to the Bishop, Nebraska Synod, and Pastor, Grace Lutheran Church in Omaha; Gary Panko, Pastor, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Royal, Iowa; and Gordon D. Peterson, Assistant to the Bishop, Pacifica Synod.

"Each pastor on the official nominee list was contacted and agreed or declined to be considered for the Bishop's office," said Mary Hock of Holdrege, Nebraska Synod Vice President. Thirty-three ELCA pastors declined to be listed on the ballot for Bishop.

Biographical data for the nominees will be compiled and sent to Assembly voting members 30 days before the June election. Voting members and visitors can meet the nominees for bishop on Thursday, June 1 at a 7 p.m. gathering at the Kearney Event Center. The 39 pastors ( and their synods) nominated include:

Robert H. Albers, St. Paul Area; Bruce William Barth, Nebraska; Steven D. Berke, Rocky Mountain; Milfred L. "Bud" Christensen, Nebraska; David D. Daubert, Nebraska; *David L. deFreese, Nebraska; Andrea DeGroot-Nesdahl, S.Dakota Synod; Ronald E. Drury, Nebraska; Wenda W. Fry, Nebraska; Kathryn J. Gerking, SE Iowa; John M. Gosswein Jr., Nebraska; Leland J. Griess, Nebraska; Glenn J. Harless, Nebraska; James C. Helgren, Nebraska; Lowell R. Hennigs, Nebraska; Duane L. Holst, Nebraska; Jonathon K. Jensen, Nebraska; Gregory P. Johnson, South Dakota; Michael S. Knudson, Nebraska; David P. Kramer, Nebraska; Damon D. Laaker, Nebraska; U. Fredrik Landsberg, Nebraska; James C. Lindberg, Nebraska; Stephen J. Lund, Nebraska; Tom O. Miller, Nebraska; Phillip R. Nielsen, Nebraska; Gregory J. Olson, Nebraska; Gary L. Panko, Western Iowa; Gordon D. Peterson Jr., Pacifica; Gretchen E. Ritola, Nebraska; Martin J. Russell, Nebraska; Harold E. Schmidt, Nebraska; Carlos D. Schneider, Nebraska; David H. Sites, Nebraska; Larry L. Sydow, Nebraska; Walter F. Taylor, Jr., NW Lower Mich.; Steven L. Ullestad, NE Iowa; Timothy J. Wiggins, Nebraska; Ronald A.Youngerman, Nebraska.

Assembly 2005 voting members also will elect a vice president, Synod Council members, 23 clergy and lay people to serve as 2007 ELCA Churchwide Assembly voting members, and members of the synod Discipline Committee.

The Nebraska Synod Nominating Committee selected two people from submitted nominee applicatons sought from across the synod. Additional nominations can be made from the Assembly floor.

Biographical data for these nominees will come to Assembly voting members as part of the regular Bulletin of Reports.

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Assembly 2006 - elections, worship, business