Members of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin,
The next few months are important months of discernment within our Synod’s congregations and communities. Invoking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will soon begin prayerfully considering the gifts and needs of the South-Central Synod and the types of pastoral gifts and leadership abilities we desire in possible candidates for the Office of Bishop. We invite you and members of your congregation to participate in the Pre-Assembly Process leading up to the Bishop Election at the Special Meeting of the Synod Assembly, September 27-28, 2013. Please share this information widely with members of your congregation.
We encourage you to visit the web page established for the Bishop Election, http://www.scsw-elca.org/bishop_election.aspx, to access all documents related to the Bishop Election, including the timeline, a guide to this year’s election process, information on the responsibilities of the bishop, an Invitation for Nominations, and Nomination Forms.
The Nomination Process opens on Monday, June 3 2013. Any member of a congregation in the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin is invited to nominate a candidate for bishop. Forms are available on the Bishop Election Webpage, and can be returned electronically. A candidate for bishop is not required to reside within the geographical boundaries of the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin. Any ordained pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in good standing is eligible to serve as bishop. To be included in any pre-assembly activities, a pastor must be nominated no later than Sunday, June 30 2013. The nomination period remains open until the first ballot at the Special Synod Assembly in September.
The Synod Council has charged the Bishop Election Task Force with establishing this year’s process for the Election of a Bishop. Great attention was paid by the Task Force to model the process on the 2007 Election closely, so that Synod members can get to know nominees prior to the Bishop Election while allowing time for discernment within the Synod and for nominees in the process.
With the shorter timeframe until September’s special election, communication will be of great importance. A majority of the communication regarding the Bishop Election will be done electronically via the webpage,http://www.scsw-elca.org/bishop_election.aspx. Thank you, in advance, for communicating information to members in your congregation.
We encourage you to read the documents posted online and consider nominating a candidate for Bishop. If you have any questions about the Bishop Election Process, please refer all inquiries to the Bishop Election Task Force at scswbishopelection@gmail.com.
God’s peace and blessings,
Eric Peterson, The Rev. Matthew Kruse, ChairSynod Vice- President Bishop Election Task Force
Visit the Bishop Election webpage for information: http://www.scsw-elca.org/bishop_election.aspx
Trinity Lutheran Church 