Partner Synods

Partner Synods are groups of two [or three] synods from different locations in the ELCA working to form community and partnership.  The partnership, adopted by the March 2002 session of the Conference of Bishops, will allow synods to become familiar with the history, customs, culture, and faith practices of their ELCA brothers and sisters. 

What are you up to? 

a report to the Conference of Bishops

SOUTH DAKOTA & SIERRA PACIFIC

• Exchange of Bishops at synod assemblies, leading Bible study and worship.

MINNEAPOLIS AREA & TEXAS-LOUISIANA GULF COAST

• Shared ideas and resource materials in the areas of The Call Process, Stewardship, Youth and Family and some other general areas.

SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA & NEW ENGLAND

• Exchange of Bishops and Bishops’ Assistants at synod assemblies, leading Bible study and worship.

• Bible Camps have exchanged leaders for Bible studies and facilitators of stakeholder meetings.

• Plans for a New England Bishop’s Assistant to attend the Southeastern Minnesota theological conference in late 2004.

NEBRASKA & PACIFICA

• Exchange of Bishops at synod assemblies.

• Met and shared dinner at the 2003 Churchwide Assembly. Also established prayer partners.

CENTRAL STATES & NORTH CAROLINA

• Exchange of Bishops, Bishops’ Assistants, and Synod Assembly Coordinators at synod assemblies. Opportunities included leading Bible study, worship, and assisting with the coordination of each other’s synod assembly.

• Central States shared experience with revisions to Synod Council’s Reference and Counsel.

• Synod staff and voting members shared dinner at the 2003 Churchwide Assembly and sat together during the assembly.

• Met and shared ideas on effective communication at the 2004 Communicators’ Consultation.

• Future plans include exchanges with Resource Center staff and Bishops’ Assistants at annual theological conferences.

ARKANSAS-OKLAHOMA & METROPOLITAN NEW YORK

• Exchange of Bishops at synod assemblies and lead Bible studies.

NORTHERN TEXAS-NORTHERN LOUISIANA &

SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA

• Exchange of Bishops at synod assemblies.

• Bishop’s Assistant presented “Congregation Mission Planning Process” at the 2004 synod assembly.

• Established prayer partners between the Women of the ELCA boards as well as financial donations to a Continuing Education Fund.

METROPOLITAN CHICAGO & FLORIDA-BAHAMAS

• Metropolitan Chicago Synod Council forwarded $10,000 to the Lutheran Disaster Response to help with post-hurricane recovery efforts with an extra challenge to its congregations by matching 20% of all contributions up to $25,000 for an additional $5,000.

NORTHERN ILLINOIS & LOWER SUSQUEHANNA

• Exchanged video greeting from Bishops at 2003 synod assemblies.

• Bishop Wollersheim was keynote speaker for the Lower Susquehanna Bishop’s Convocation.

• Voting members met and shared dinner at the 2003 Churchwide Assembly.

• Many Lower Susquehanna congregations pray weekly for Bishop Wollersheim.

• Lower Susquehanna will appoint a Partner Synod Task Force in September, 2004.

CENTRAL/SOUTHERN ILLINOIS & UPSTATE NEW YORK

• Exchange of Bishops and Vice Presidents at synod assemblies.

• Future plans to share information and expertise on Central/Southern Illinois’ successful stewardship campaigns and Upstate New York’s ability to attract large numbers of youth at synod assemblies.

SOUTHEASTERN IOWA & GRAND CANYON

• Exchange of Bishops for synod council meetings.

• Voting members met and shared lunch during the 2003 Churchwide Assembly.

• Vice President attended Synod Council retreat in 2003 and shared information on successful companion synod program as well as suggestions on how both synods could expand their partnership.

• Bishops exchanged video greetings for the 2004 synod assemblies.

• WELCA groups have shared correspondence.

WESTERN IOWA & OREGON

• Exchanged Bishops for synod assemblies, leading workshops and worship.

NORTHEASTERN IOWA & SOUTH CAROLINA

• Synod staff and officers built a strong collegial relationship at the 2003 Churchwide Assembly.

• Established prayer partners.

• South Carolina financially supported Northeastern Iowa during spring floods through the Lutheran Disaster Response and promoted giving options on their webpage.

NORTHERN GREAT LAKES & DELAWARE-MARYLAND

• Bishop Knoche preached at the Northern Great Lakes 2004 Synod Assembly.

• Prayer Covenant was formed between the synods.

• Northern Great Lakes sponsored a “year of prayer” for their congregations, highlighting their relationship with Delaware-Maryland.

• Bishop Knoche prepared devotionals that were highlighted on the Northern Great Lakes synod webpage.

• On-going communication between vice presidents.

NORTHWEST SYNOD OF WISCONSIN &

NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA

• Bishops served as churchwide representatives at each other’s assembly.

• Exchanges of visits by synods’ presidents of Lutheran Youth Fellowship.

• Visit by bishop’s assistant in Northwest Synod of Wisconsin to Northeastern Pennsylvania.

• Pen Pal Program for Sunday School classes established in several congregations.

• Synods’ Resource Centers shared materials.

• Voting members met and shared snacks at the 2003 Churchwide Assembly.

GREATER MILWAUKEE & EASTERN WASHINGTON-IDAHO

• Plans for Bishop Wells to attend the 2005 synod assembly as the keynote speaker.

LACROSSE AREA & SOUTHEASTERN

• Conference calls made to each other’s synods during assembly with an amplified speaker phone.

• Plans for bishops exchange at the 2005 synod assemblies.

• Joint Youth mission trip planned for spring 2005.

SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN & SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA

• Staff of the Southeast Michigan synod visited with the staff of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod. The staff was exposed to a wide variety of ministry settings in the synod.

• Southeast Michigan will host the staff of Southeastern Pennsylvania in November, 2004.

• Southeast Michigan synod has included the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod on its stationary as one of its companion synods.

NORTH/WEST LOWER MICHIGAN & UPPER SUSQUEHANNA

• Each bishop attended a synod-wide pastors’ gathering in the partner synod.

INDIANA-KENTUCKY & WEST VIRGINIA-WESTERN MARYLAND

• Bishops Stuck and Dunkin attended and presented at each other’s 2003 synod assemblies.

• Vice Presidents Rehmel and Friedline attended each other’s assembly in 2004.

• A combined gathering of voting members and staff at the 2003 Churchwide Assembly.

NORTHWESTERN OHIO & SOUTHWESTERN WASHINGTON

• Bishops have been in communication with each other.

• Southwestern Washington’s former Vice President provided wine from his winery for the opening Eucharist at the 2003 Northwestern Ohio synod assembly.

SOUTHERN OHIO & METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON, D.C.

• Bishop Schneider attended Southern Ohio’s synod assembly.

• Bishops and Vice Presidents have met at ELCA sponsored events.

ALLEGHENY & MONTANA

• Voting members met at the 2003 Churchwide Assembly.