Recap of 2008 ELCMA Assembly

            *Elected Rev. Wayne Kaufman, pastor, Faith Blakeslee, PA – NE PA Synod          

            *Elected Dr. Mary Hughes, LTS-Trinity, Columbus OH – SOH Synod                      

*Thanked Mr. Edward Jesse & Rev. David Preisinger for their service as co-chairs of the ELCMA Council

            *Welcomed newly appointed Spiritual Director Rev. Allyn Giuffre

            *Welcomed newly appointed Treasurer Rev. Timothy Spence

*Changed ELCMA Bylaws to rename the standing committee, Staff Support, to Personnel Committee which more accurately reflects the work of that committee.  NOTE:  ELMCA Coordinator and Council named a sub-committee of the Personnel Committee – Coordinator’s Mutual Ministry - made up of Revs Steve Bond, Joyce Dix-Weiers and Allyn Giuffre.

            *Approved a balanced budget for 2009

            *Took two field trips

1. Lake Tour - We visited Mazza Winery and distillery for wine and brandy tasting. Following our little taste of heaven we proceeded to Grandview Farms to visit keynote speaker Dawn Samuelson’s equine training institute. We then traveled to the village of Bemus Point for a brief walking tour of this ‘tourist Mecca,’ with it’s floating stage, historic hotel and new development. We concluded the field trip with a stop at the Viking Trader, a gift shop highlighting Chautauqua County’s Swedish heritage. 

2. Wine and History Tour - We visited Quincy Cellars, one of Chautauqua County’s newest wineries, to see how one farm has made the transition from traditional to value-added agriculture. At Quincy Cellars toured the farm and production facilities and taste wines in their renovated century-old barn, complete with field stone tasting cellar. After that visit we made our way to Westfield and along the way get a glimpse of the heart of the Lake Erie grape belt. In Westfield we visited the Lincoln-Bedell Statue commemorating the historic exchange between Grace Bedell and presidential candidate Abraham Lincoln when she convinced him to grow a beard to help his election campaign.

            *Awarded the Glenn Heasley Award in Appalachian Ministry to the Rev. Louise Knotts    

            *Awarded the Don Roth Recognition Award to First Lutheran Church in Warren PA

            *Introduced the Sustainable Living Campaign – a direct result of the Advocacy Summit

            *Scheduled the following dates for upcoming assemblies: 

April 27-29, 2009 in Morristown TN

April 26-28, 2010 in NW PA Synod

May 09-11, 2011 in West Virginia /Western Maryland Synod

April 23-25, 2012 in Upper Susquehanna Synod