1. Gratitude for the churches of the International Lutheran Council (ILC)
(Submitted by the Executive Council):
WHEREAS the Good News of Jesus Christ is heard around the world, and people of every nation and tribe and language and people are called to life in Him; and
WHEREAS a special relationship between the ELCE and partner church bodies around the world has enriched us with the support of pastors, gifts and prayers shared between nations,
BE IT RESOLVED that the Evangelical Lutheran Church of England, meeting as synod under the theme of “Behold, I am doing a new thing”, acknowledge the great gift that God has given to us in our partners of all nations, and especially those of the International Lutheran Council, and, giving thanks accordingly, renew its commitment to work in partnership with those who share our confession of faith.
[Following the presentation of this resolution synod will sing the thanksgiving hymn “Now thank we all our God”. (See back of book of reports.)]
2. Appointment of Jacob, Cavenagh, and Skeet as Auditors for the ELCE and ELCE Trust Ltd
(Submitted by the Executive Council)
BE IT RESOLVED that Jacob, Cavenagh, and Skeet be appointed as Auditors for the ELCE and ELCE Trust Ltd for the forthcoming financial year.
3. Being synod – financial interdependence
(Submitted by the Executive Council)
WHEREAS the Church as the Body of Christ always seeks to mutually build up one another; and
WHEREAS the Church as an organisation requires good administration and stewardship for the sake of the Body;
BE IT RESOLVED that the ELCE adopts the principle and practice that member congregations and institutions contribute to the central administration; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the amount contributed represent up to 10% of operating expenditure or property rental or both.
Nominations Committee
(Mike Jennings)
The Nominations Committee met once during the year on 28th June in Harlow together with Chairman Reg and Chairman-elect Jon. Much of the committee’s business was conducted by phone and email.
For yet another year Maria Credé has done most of the administrative work and the other committee members thank her for the time and effort she has spent on this. She is standing down this year as she believes it is time for a new generation to pick up the mantle, although whether that includes hosting the meeting in June with a meal remains to be seen. We thank her for all the work she has done over the years on this key committee to identify and approach potential members for all the other committees.
All the congregations were approached in April to consider and nominate names for potential office holders for the positions on the various committees that are becoming vacant in October. 11 congregations replied. As a result of this 56 people were approached to stand for office (some for more than 1 position) and 28 positive replies were received.
The committee wishes to note that this year there are no positions where we do not have a nomination. This is a measure of the willingness of the members of our congregations to offer their services to the ELCE. We recognise that this voluntary work is done in ‘spare’ time and can at times be onerous but it is a significant contribution to the work of the church and the ELCE would not be the same without it.
The position of Vice-Chairman is for one year only as Revd Ehlers (Chairman elect) had one year remaining of his term as Vice-Chairman.
Although the position of Treasurer is currently vacant electing an existing member of the Executive Council will not result in a further vote for another Executive Council member as the council consists of seven members and the role of Treasurer has been undertaken within the Executive Council by Revd Samiec acting as temporary Treasurer.
There is one circumstance where a result may require a further vote – that of Pastoral Councillor to the Executive Council for two years. To cover this eventuality, the Nominations Committee request that all congregations consider nominations and bring these to Synod so that all nominated Pastors can be approached between the first and second readings of the nominations. If required a vote for Pastoral Councillor can then be conducted after the result of the Vice-Chairman vote.
* All duly elected persons to the Executive Council, Boards and Committees are elected for a period of three years – unless otherwise stated.
The Chairman of the ELCE and the Westfield House staff are permanent members of the CTSC – nominated by Barnes Conference and elected for a 2-year term