Report of the Task Force on Formation
Present: Peter Fotheringham, Rev. Kathryn Kuehl, Rev. Beth Schlegel, Marcus Thomsen (chair), Rev. David Fisher. Absent and excused: Marilyn Reed
The Task Force discussed potential advantages and disadvantages of a Synod budget that would allow each conference to retain a portion of its mission support dollars for the purpose of mission and outreach.
One concern was related to assigning or establishing responsibility in each conference for the administration of these funds. For example, mechanisms for identifying appropriate mission and outreach activities and distributing funds based on relative merit do not currently exist in most if not all conferences.
A possible approach would be to establish a Synod Escrow for each conference that could be used to distribute funds to the conferences. Conferences would submit proposals and would receive funds after a successful review. However, such a system would require the development of a review process and means to administer these escrowed funds. Another concern is that such a system could lead to hoarding of funds by some conferences that would not have mission and outreach projects and as a result some conferences may not get the level of support needed to fund active projects.
The Task Force agreed that it is a false premise that mission and outreach are not happening because funding is insufficient. The will for mission comes first and then resources follow. Indeed several sources of support already exist, and conferences should be made aware of these opportunities for funding.
Increased communication about existing resources for outreach and mission will help conferences obtain the requisite support for related activities. These resources include Congregational Mission Grants, the Bishop’s Congregational Mission Fund and ELCA Partnership Support Grants. The descriptions of these resources, the methods for requesting funds, and the criteria used to review the requests should be communicated using all means possible to the leadership in the Lower Susquehanna Synod; including but not limited to rostered leaders, conference deans and presidents of congregation councils. Means of communication could include mailings, postings on Carings & Sharings and the Lower Susquehanna Synod web site.
The Task Force has two recommendations for Synod Council: 1)
- The resolution about conference funding from the 2010 Synod Assembly that was referred to Synod Council not be adopted. 2)
- The goal of funding conference outreach and mission be achieved by focusing energy on existing mechanisms and resources, such as the Bishop’s Congregational Mission Fund, Congregational Mission Grants, the ELCA Partnership Support Grants and the work of the Director for Evangelical Mission.
Respectfully submitted by Marcus Thomsen
Recommendations 1) and 2) adopted by Synod Council on February 26, 2011.
Thomas E. McKee, synod secretary
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