2023 Secretary Memo

Memorandum

TO: All Ordained Ministers, Rostered Leaders, and Officers of Congregations and Authorized Worshipping Communities of the Metropolitan New York Synod (MNYS)

FROM: The Rev. Robert Schoepflin, Secretary

DATE: January 20, 2023

RE: 2023 Metropolitan New York Synod Assembly

 

On behalf of the Synod Council, I announce to you that the 2023 Metropolitan New York Synod Assembly will be held on May 05-06, 2023, at the Melville Marriott Long Island, NY.

HERE, you can find all the information that you and your congregation need.  

After three years of the Covid-19 pandemic, this assembly will be our first in-person since 2019. In that time, we have experienced hardships—personal and in our churches—and for many of us, the normal we knew has never really returned; however, in that same time, we have seen such an overwhelming sense of togetherness and a renewed call to care for the people in our communities. It is with this idea in mind that we will be gathering in assembly under the theme to “Live Like Christ in Our Communities,” committed to our unity in Christ by caring for each other, with the same compassion and empathy as Jesus would. Our two-day Assembly will include worship, business, elections, forums, workshops, and more.

The registration fees are as follows:

• Early Registration: January 20—March 07 (last day to receive payments is March 7)
  • Voting Member Price: $175
  • Visitor Price: $75
  • Meal Plan Price: $175
• Regular Registration: March 08—April 17 (last day to receive payments is April 17)
  • Voting Member Price: $200
  • Visitor Price: $100
  • Meal Plan Price: $175
• On-site Registration: May 05, at the Marriott Hotel
  • Voting Member Price: $350
  • Visitor Price: $150
  • Meal Plan Price: not available after April 17

If you need help with the Eventbrite form (to make changes or confirm registration) or if you need to submit a payment, please contact Maria Rodas at 212-870-2387 or [email protected].

The MNYS special rate at the hotel is $189 per room per night; that rate expires on April 6 or when our block of rooms is filled. Reservations should be made by clicking HERE, or by calling 1-800-228-9290 and stating that you are with the “Metropolitan New York Synod.

The following formula has been adopted for the election of voting members by congregations and authorized worshiping communities based on the current year’s congregational statistics:

• Authorized worshiping communities: 1 lay voting member
• Congregations up to 699 baptized members: 2 lay voting members
• Congregations of 700-999 baptized members: 3 lay voting members
• Congregations of 1,000 or more baptized members: 4 lay voting members

All ELCA rostered ministers of the synod (including retired or on leave from call) are voting members of the assembly. Those congregations that will not be sending voting members or rostered ministers who will not be attending, are expected to submit a request of absence form—for review by the bishop—which can be found HERE. In addition, all congregations are encouraged to submit registrations for alternate voting members (at no cost) to account for changes. To register an alternate voting member, click HERE.

Thank you for your continuing partnership, and I’m looking forward to our time together!