Thanks to all who made our 2022 Assembly possible
In this post, we try to thank the many people who made our return to in-person assembly possible. We apologize for anyone we’ve neglected. It’s a blessing to have so many who help us be church together at our biggest event of the year.
We start by thanking all the voting members who took the time to participate and travel for our two-day assembly, and by informing themselves on the business of our synod. Your leadership is greatly appreciated.
Special Guests
We were privileged to welcome our Churchwide representative, Rev. Louise Johnson, whose role with churchwide is Executive for Administration. Pastor Johnson delivered the churchwide report on Saturday and preached at the closing worship.
After numerous Covid-thwarted attempts to arrange a visit, we were blessed to welcome Rev. Roberto Trejo Haager, Pastor President of Iglesia Luterana Mexicana, ILM.
Synod Assembly Planning Team
This team has been working since last December to make our event run smoothly.
Rev. Nanette Christofferson
Rev. Steve Crittenden
Rev. Tina Mills
Rev. Sarah Stadler (especially for providing sunflower and calendula seeds from her garden — in honor of our Growing Generosity Appeal — as a gift to all who attended)
Bishop Deborah Hutterer
Theresa Thornburgh, Director for Administration and Events
Kathye Hamm, Administration and Events Assistant
Brian Flatgard, Director of Communications
Barbara Carl, Synod Vice President
Rev. Steve Springer: Chair of reference and resolutions and parliamentarian
Rev. David Brandfass, Synod Secretary
We also thank Erik Rehms, Synod Treasurer, for his work as Chair of the Credentials Committee and presenting our reports and mission spending plan.
Thanks Roger Bailey, Chair of the Nominating Committee, as well as Barbara Carl, Rev. David Brandfass, Janis Richert, Glenn Austad, and Mark Myers who served on the committee.
We thank Annette Chavez, our Spanish translator, and Richard Wall, our musician.
Love of Christ Lutheran in Mesa
We are incredibly blessed to receive the hospitality and welcome of the pastors, members, volunteers, and staff of Love of Christ Lutheran here in Mesa. Particularly,
Senior Pastor Steve Talmage
Dick Beckman, Operations Manager
Rob Mills, our A/V tech
Kevin Anderson
Patty Delaney
Dianne Oien
Don Barenz
Barb Talmage
The volunteers who kept us well fed
Presenters
We thank Rev. Carol Breimeier, Rev. Miguel Gomez-Acosta, and Rev. Peter Perry for leading us in Bible study and our “How to Have a Spiritual Conversation Without Being a Jerk” workshop.
Other volunteers
We had numerous folks who helped as table hosts and behind the scenes help.
Rev. Jason Adams
Veronica Alvarez
Andrea Arey
Glenn Austad
Cogan Blackmon
Rev. Sharon Brown
Twila Burdick
Rev. Douglas Dill
Rev. Alan Field
Rev. Mary Louise Frenchman
Rev. Lars Hammar, photographer
Rev. Chris Heller
Sue Jensen
Rev. Mike Johnson
Dr. Jerry Kingston
Hannah Manzanares
Laura Musfeldt
Mark Myers
Lisa Parrish
Tim Perlick
Rev. Pat Reed
Janis Richert
Glenn Schrader
Rev. Christine Stoxen
Rev. Daniel Valasakos
Diana Washington
Deacon Janice Zimbelman
Rev. Glenn Zimbelman
Rev. Jacqui Pagel
And thanks to anyone that we missed!