Eastern District Synod - One in Mission, One in Call
In a year where Synods have been approached in new ways, this felt like a “traditional” Synod from the first minute and yet it was a synod that focused on the fact that the work of the church is always done in the context of responding to God. The entire Synod experience was planned to be one worship experience from the call to order through to the closing communion.
On Wednesday afternoon, June 18, Synod began in that deliberate context of worship in Johnston Hall of the Moravian College campus, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. As the delegates of Synod made their way to the tables, locating their names, there was a sense that the work of the church was at the forefront and whether a first-timer, or a seasoned delegate, the participants knew in the coming days many discussions would be had that would impact the work of the District for the next four years.
In a spirit of togetherness, the opening worship experience focused on a time to contemplate the reason for being called to serve in this body of believers. The liturgy carried throughout a theme of cooperation and movement, a forward push in the journey, not only as individuals but also as a community. The roll call showed the emphasis of the event as each delegate was called by name to acknowledge their presence and in being called, were asked to take a stone placed at their seat to the front of the room where they were collected in a pile, on display to symbolize that we were building a covenant place, a place where despite differing views and opinions, we are one in mission, one in call. Included in the liturgy was the decommissioning and blessing of the outgoing District Executive Board and the reception and acknowledgement of all commission, board, and agency reports.
Prior to the conclusion of this opening worship, a liturgical prayer for discernment in the seeking of God’s guidance was held and the first ballot for District President was cast. With outgoing President, the Rev. Gary Straughan, not eligible for election, the vote was an open, non-nomination ballot, where any active pastor of the Northern Province was eligible. Until election of a President, no business is brought to the floor beyond elections for various open offices/positions.
After worship and the first plenary session, delegates were transported to East Hills Moravian Church, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, for a catered opening banquet. During the banquet, the Rev. Gary Straughan, who has served as the District’s President since 2002, gave the State of the Church Address stating that over the past four years, there were many accomplishments, especially in the area of planting seeds of mission in local communities and beyond, by individual congregations but also noting that there were times of sadness with some congregations having to close their doors due to declined giving and membership. He said people see the church as a “treasure waiting to be found” and that line of thinking can be a major problem. Instead of waiting to be found, he declared that our task is to take the treasure into the world and to join our Chief Elder in ministry to that world. Straughan listed the many outreach programs he has witnessed, stating the Moravian church is one rich in talent, ministry, and initiative. Despite lack of size and the economic troubles that pervade our society, the members of the district congregations do not lack the desire to do more. He challenged the District, to not be overwhelmed by hindrances but instead to be inspired by the desire to work as a community to accomplish more. His message applauded the diverse missional activity occurring across the district, the quality and professionalism of our district clergy, the commitment and professionalism of our laity, and the outstanding quality of our district staff.
After the meal, delegates were transported back to Moravian College where they met for the first time in their mission teams, or the main areas set aside for concentration and discussion. The Mission Teams were:
- Adults and the Aging
- Children, Youth, and Young Adults
- Church and Society
- Developing Congregations
- Finance
- Governance and Communication
- Missional Outreach
- Ordained Ministry
- Stewardship and Lay Ministry
- Urban Ministries
After initial team member introductions and an overview of what the purpose of the team was, resolutions and reports given to the group prior to the beginning of Synod were presented. The chaplain of the group then led the team in a time of devotion and reflection to end their first day.
Each day on Thursday and Friday, always in the context of worship, the work of synod continued, with time for plenary, voting, and work in the mission teams. Being the photographer of the event, I often get the opportunity to observe, and traveling from mission team to mission team I heard not passivity but active, enthusiastic discussion of the topics at hand. Delegates were working in a spirit of oneness despite difference; clearly the intent of Synod was alive in the groups with each team realizing their role in carving a future for the District. Each team found they couldn’t talk about their area of work without talking about finance and the way increased stewardship toward these efforts would be necessary. The gem of those discussions was not in the mechanics of how to make it possible, but in the realization that all things are possible through God.
Notably on Thursday night, the new District President was elected on the 11th ballot. The Rev. David Bennett, Chaplain of Moravian Theological Seminary, received 112 of 167 votes. With that election, the rest of the Eastern District Executive Board could be elected and legislation could be brought to the floor for consideration. Listing of the legislation passed and reports accepted can be found at http://www.mcnp.org/edeb/legislation2008.htm.
Each day of Synod was inspired by the work of the church, as displays of current ministries throughout the district, province, and interprovincially surrounded Johnston Hall. One did not have to go far to see evidence of a living church, serving in every day life.
On Saturday, Synod was done, coming to close officially during closing worship at College Hill Moravian Church, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The Rt. Rev. Sam Gray pulled everyone together once more during his sermon entitled, “One is Not ALWAYS the Loneliest Number.” He reminded delegates that Synod was one big worship service spanning several days with each of the attendees being a part of something larger, something more, that as delegates and even those beyond Synod, the Moravian Church is “One in Mission, One in Call.”
The closing included installation of the new Eastern District Executive Board and the celebration of the sacrament of Holy Communion, emphasizing that we are who we are and we do what we do because Christ shed his blood for us and that we, therefore, live to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Though concluded, Synod did not end as each delegate was challenged with taking back to their individual congregations the enthusiasm and importance of the work at hand. There is much work to do over the next four years until the Synod will gather once more, rejoining to meet the challenges of the day.
