2023 Synod Assembly Agenda
*Assembly Chair to confirm Order of Business.
FRIDAY, MAY 5, 2023
8 am – 10:30 am
Registration and Check-In
Grand Ballroom Foyer
9:50 am
Opening of the Assembly
Grand Ballroom
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
PLENARY SESSION I
Grand Ballroom
Welcome, Bishop Paul Egensteiner
10:05 | Introductions:
The Rev. Kathleen Koran, Chaplain
The Rev. C. Anderson James, Parliamentarian
Jodi Slattery, ELCA Representative
The Rev. Dr. Theresa Thames, Keynote Speaker
The Rev. Martha Cruz & The Rev. Rebecca Pollicino, Reference and Counsel Co-Chairs
The Rev. Danielle Miller, Consultation Committee Chair
The Rev. Kevin O'Hara, Nominations & Elections Chair
The Rev. Will Kroeze, Worship Committee Chair
The Rev. Paul Johnsen, Assembly Planning Coordinator
Synod Staff
Synod Council
Deans
10:15 | Robert’s Rules
10:20 | Synod Assembly Resources
10:25 | Introduction to Voting Platform, Scott Casey
10:35 | Registration and Attendance, Maria Rodas
10:38 | Adoption of the Agenda, Bishop Paul Egensteiner
10:43 | Adoption of Standing Rules and Procedures, Bishop Paul Egensteiner
10:48 | Report of the Vice-president, Christopher Vergara
11:18 | Report of the Treasurer, John Litke
Including presentation of the Recommended Budget. Discussion will be held at the Budget Breakfast, Saturday, May 6
11:43 | Announcements, Maria Rodas
Prayer, Chaplain
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Lunch
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Registration & Check-In
Grand Ballroom Foyer
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
PLENARY SESSION II
Grand Ballroom
Call to Order, Bishop Paul Egensteiner
Prayer, Chaplain
1:05 | Registration and Attendance, Maria Rodas
1:08 | Bishop’s Report, Bishop Paul Egensteiner
Hymn
1:43 | Report from MNYS Finance Team, Karen Falco & S. Dcn. Donna-Mari Fieldsa
1:48 | Report from the Executive Assistant to the Bishop, S. Dcn. Gayle Ruege
1:53 | Report from MNYS Director for Evangelical Mission, Branden Dupree
1:58 | 2022 Anniversaries, The Rev. Christopher Mietlowski
2022 Silver Jubilees, The Rev. Christopher Mietlowski
2022 Golden Jubilees, The Rev. Christopher Mietlowski
Hymn
2:18 | Consultation Committee Introduction, Bishop Paul Egensteiner & Synod Council Secretary The Rev. Robert Schoepflin
2:38 | Consultation Committee: Report I, The Rev. Danielle Miller
2:58 | Announcements, Maria Rodas
Prayer, Chaplain
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
COFFEE BREAK
3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Registration & Check-In
Grand Ballroom Foyer
4:00 pm – 6:15 pm
PLENARY SESSION III
Grand Ballroom
Call to Order, Bishop Paul Egensteiner
Prayer, Chaplain
4:05 | Registration and Attendance, Maria Rodas
4:08 | Consultation Committee: Collection of Questions Process, The Rev. Danielle Miller
4:18 | Keynote Presentation, The Rev. Dr. Theresa Thames
5:18 | Reference and Counsel, The Rev. Martha Cruz & The Rev. Rebecca Pollicino
5:48 | 2023 Anniversaries, The Rev. Gladys Diaz
2023 Silver Jubilees, The Rev. Gladys Diaz
2023 Golden Jubilees, The Rev. Gladys Diaz
6:03 | In-Memoriam, Bishop Paul Egensteiner
Hymn
6:13 | Announcements, Maria Rodas
Prayer, Chaplain
6:15 pm – 7:30 pm
Dinner
6:30 – 7:30 pm
Registration, Check-In & Check-Out
Grand Ballroom Foyer
7:00 – 7:30 pm
Meditation
Chapel – Melville Room
7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Holy Eucharist with the Rite of Ordination for Ministers of Word & Sacrament
9:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Reception
SATURDAY, MAY 6, 2023
7:00 am - 8:00 am
Budget Breakfast
Nassau/Suffolk Rooms
7:00 am - 8:00 am
"Being" Yoga Class, The Rev. Dr. Theresa Thames
Chapel – Melville Room
Start your day with a Saturday Morning Slow-Flow. In a society focused on doing, we invite you into a practice of Being. This accessible all-level class moves at a slow pace while weaving together breath and yoga postures. This class teaches the importance of pranayama, mindfulness, and connecting deeply with oneself and nature. Dress comfortably and bring a yoga mat or a full-size bath towel.
8:00 am - 8:30 am
Meditation
Chapel – Melville Room
8:00 am – 10:30 am
Registration, Check-In & Check-Out
Grand Ballroom Foyer
8:00 am
Display Tables Open
8:30 - 8:55 am
Morning Prayer
Grand Ballroom
9:00 am - 9:45 am
Forums & Workshops
9:45 am - 10:00 am
10:00 am – 12:30 pm
PLENARY SESSION IV
Grand Ballroom
Call to Order, Bishop Paul Egensteiner
Prayer, Chaplain
10:05 | Registration and Attendance, Maria Rodas
10:08 | Churchwide Report, Jodi Slattery
10:38 | Consultation Committee: Report II (Including Responses from Appealing Congregation), The Rev. Danielle Miller
11:18 | Consultation Committee: Assembly Deliberation and Action, The Rev. Danielle Miller
Hymn
11:43 | Common Ballot I, The Rev. Kevin O’Hara
12:13 | Adoption of Recommended FY 2024 Budget, John Litke
12:23 | Announcements, Maria Rodas
Prayer, Chaplain
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Registration, Check-In & Check-Out
Grand Ballroom Foyer
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Lunch
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
PLENARY SESSION V
Grand Ballroom
Call to Order, Bishop Paul Egensteiner
Prayer, Chaplain
1:35 | Registration and Attendance, Maria Rodas
1:38 | Reference & Counsel, The Rev. Martha Cruz & The Rev. Rebecca Pollicino
2:08 | Assistant to the Bishop Report, The Rev. Gladys Diaz
2:13 | Assistant to the Bishop Report, The Rev. Christopher Mietlowski
2:18 | Assistant to the Bishop Report, Roberto Lara
2:23 | Common Ballot II, The Rev. Kevin O’Hara
2:33 | Presentation from Our Partners
Wartburg
Center for Evangelical Mission
2023 Lutheran Summer Gathering
Camp Ma-He-Tu
Pinecrest
Koinonia
Growing in Faith (Diakonia)
United Lutheran Seminary
Lutheran Ministries in Higher Education (LMHE)
3:18 | Announcements, Maria Rodas
Prayer, Chaplain
END OF 2023 SESSION
3:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Registration, Check-Out
Grand Ballroom Foyer
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Coffee Break with Snacks
4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Holy Eucharist with the Rite of Setting-Apart of Synodical Deacons and the Closing of the Assembly
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Reception
Version updated on April 28, 2023 following Executive Committee action. Pending Synod Council approval.