Assembly completed

June 3, 2007 (5:24am)
54º F, Very foggy, SSE wind, 1 mph.

Good morning,

The East Central Synod of Wisconsin Assembly is history for another year. This was kind of bitter-sweet one for me as it will be my last. It also was Margriet’s first. The two gals who were the Bible Study and Devotional leaders were super. Both have a fist full of degrees from very prestigious universities and a bucketful of alphabet soup after their names. Would like to listen to/study with them often. The Bishop and the Associate also had some good messages.

It was a very quiet assembly with little real problems discussed. Budget and rostered "Minimum Compensation Package" were approved without much discussion at all. We also elected new folks for the Council and Officers very calmly. The Synod is on of only 20% of Synod’s that are growing within Church Wide. We also have a surplus in our budget and have been able to give over and above what we had budgeted last year. Not many Lutheran church groups can say that today.

I did run into two other delegates to the Church Wide Assembly in August. Apparently they want us to fly to the Assembly rather than drive. The cost is actually lower to fly than to drive. The money cap on driving expenses is $300.00. The cost of parking is $20.00/day at the hotel, for at least 6 days. We probably will fly out of Marquette and not drive again until returning to Marquette again. Kind of looking forward to it, but not all of the people and downtown big city. Needless to say, it will be an adventure.

Yesterday we got to the Assembly late. For what ever reason, both of us thought it started at 9:00 A.M. instead of the real start an hour earlier! Oh well. Can’t be perfect all of the time. At noon, rather than pay $25.00 ea. for a "box lunch," we decided to take a chance and eat at a restaurant each day. Yesterday pastor would join us as the day before he had to see one of our members who is presently in jail. There really isn’t anything near the Assembly to eat, so we jumped in pastor’s car and headed to Margriet’s favorite place to eat - Old Country Buffet. Howard thought it was a good idea since we didn’t have to wait for a waitress to take our order, we could return sooner. Once we got in the place, pastor decided we probably would be late back again - there was too much to choose from. He thought he could make a whole meal and a lot of time at the dessert buffet alone! We did have a good meal and saved the congregation some money at the same time.

One thing about the Assemblies is there are always booths of folks displaying their programs and some who are selling church related things. It give us an opportunity to pickup all kinds of goodies they are giving away too - notepads, pens, flashlights, high lighters, carabineers, and even some balsa wood gliders we had as kids. They will be sent to a couple of kids we know for sure. Some of the give-away’s are really handy and will be used.

The entertainment at the Banquet was a couple of gals called Tina and Lena ( www.Tina-Lena.com ). A take off on the Ole and Lena books and cartoons, with a mix of music and message added in. They really are good and have been preforming together for over 20 years. They also went to school together and were best friends then. Both came from teaching professions and also are Grandma’s too. They have a couple of very powerful voices and really sing up a storm. Really great humor and message. Had everyone laughing and in a really happy mood.

Church today is Sundae Sunday and Margriet is supposed to bring snacks. Guess we can forget about bringing anything as it will all be there. That’s good timing!

Time to get a-going.

In Christ My Saviour,

Chris ><>