The Florida-Bahama Synod Assembly will gather virtually October 15-16. COVID-19 has made it impossible to gather in person. If my arithmetic is right, this is the 44th  assembly or convention I have attended and the 15th at which I’ve been parliamentarian.  Assemblies include all pastors, deacons, and at least two lay persons from each congregation in the synod. It has a wide representation.

Some of the assemblies are interesting, some are boring, and a few of them heated. What do these assemblies accomplish? Constitutionally, they are required for elections. We elect members of the Synod Council, committees, voting members of the ELCA Churchwide assembly, and some years a bishop. It’s a pretty democratic process.

More importantly, I believe, is that the assembly is simply an opportunities for people in the synod to gather together.  “Synod” comes from a Greek word which means “a gathering.” Its root “syn” means together. We need reminders that our congregation is part of something greater.  Together as a synod we accomplish so much more than any single congregation could. Our synod supports a college, seminary, three camps, and a social service agency. New congregations are established by the synod. Through the ELCA we support missionaries, feed the hungry, respond to disasters, and operate the publishing company Augsburg-Fortress.

A virtual gathering by Zoom is a new experience for us. We will miss the experience of worshiping together. However, we can still pray together. Please remember our synod in your prayers.

Read Psalm 133:1 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne