Dear Partner in Ministry,
Plans are well under way for the Indiana-Kentucky Synod’s 2008 Assembly. You and the groups you represent have important roles to play in making the assembly an exciting, inspiring, and effective event.
For those who submit REPORTS for the Bulletin of Reports
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This includes Synod Council Officers, Synod Program Staff, Synod Committees, and Institutions and Agencies formally related to or supported by the Indiana-Kentucky Synod.
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You are required by the synod constitution and bylaws to prepare and submit an annual report for the bulletin of reports. The deadline for submission is Friday, March 7, 2008.
This is a FIRM deadline. Reports received after this date will not make it into the Bulletin of Reports to be sent to voting members before the assembly and will have to be distributed in other ways.
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Most reports should not exceed one page.
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Please prepare your report either in Word format (WordPerfect is also acceptable) or as a PDF file and email it to Bill Gafkjen at bgafkjen@iksynod.org. If you cannot submit your report in this fashion, please contact Pastor Gafkjen at the synod office phone number below. The Bulletin of Reports will be distributed in digital format this year; electronic/digital submission will assist in this process proceeding smoothly and effectively.
For those who would like information in the Synod Assembly INFORMATION PACKET
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The Synod Assembly Information Packet, which is distributed at on-site registration to the voting members of synod assembly, provides opportunity for a wider variety of agencies and organizations to make assembly participants aware of mission and ministry opportunities, important information, and available resources.
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In 2002 the I-K Synod Council established a process for reviewing materials for inclusion in this packet: “The Indiana-Kentucky Synod Assembly Information Packet may include materials regarding ministries affiliated with the ELCA, as well as other organizations of interest or concern to the voting members of the assembly. All materials to be included in this packet shall be reviewed and approved by the Secretary of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod in consultation with the Bishop.”
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In accordance with this policy, please send one review copy of what you would like included in the packet to Bill Gafkjen at the synod office by Monday, May 5, 2008.
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Once your material has been approved, you will be invited to prepare 800 copies and ship or deliver them to Faith Lutheran Church (c/o Carolyn Carden, 1000 Tates Creek Rd., Lexington, KY 40502; 859-266-7621) by Friday, May 23, 2008.
For those who would like to participate in the CELEBRATION OF MINISTRIES
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Please about the Celebration of Ministries (formerly known as the Festival of Booths) here, which will introduce you to the expectations related to this aspect of the assembly and guide you through the process of reserving space.
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The booth reservation request form (to be completed and submitted electronically) should be returned to Bill Gafkjen at the synod office by Friday, April 18, 2008. Because booth space is limited, booth reservations are not automatic – you must submit a form each year to secure booth space and a waiting list will be formed when all available spaces have been filled.
For those who would like to REGISTER FOR THE ASSEMBLY
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Registrations for the assembly and for hotel accommodations are separate transactions from each other and from reserving a booth space. Information about hotel reservations and assembly registration are available through the assembly registration Web site. Read also the piece entitled “Synod Assembly Communication Opportunities.” This summary should be helpful as you discern the best ways to celebrate and lift up during the assembly the many ministries that occur in, through, around, and beyond the Indiana-Kentucky Synod.
Thank you for your partnership in the gospel as, together, we seek to empower, equip, and encourage the people of God in the Indiana-Kentucky Synod to make Christ known!
Pastor Bill Gafkjen
Assistant to the Bishop
Director of Synod Assembly Planning
(317) 253-3522
bgafkjen@iksynod.org
