The Rev. Beth A. Schlegel                                                                      bschlegel@lss-elca.org
Synod Secretary

OFFICIAL NOTICE: COVID-19 IMPACT ON THE SYNOD ASSEMBLY
 
To: The congregations and the rostered ministers of the Lower Susquehanna Synod,
ELCA
From: Beth A. Schlegel, synod secretary
Date: May 6, 2020
Re:  COVID-19 Impact on the 2020 Synod Assembly



Grace and peace to you in our risen Lord, Jesus Christ.

As the COVID-19 mitigation measures of social distancing and staying at home persist, the Synod Council at its April 18, 2020, meeting acted to postpone indefinitely the Edification Days scheduled for May 16, 2020, and May 30, 2020. It further acted to change the location of the June 6, 2020, Synod Assembly to the Lower Susquehanna Synod offices at 900 S. Arlington Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17109.
 
Since our current governing documents stipulate the necessity of conducting an annual assembly between May 15 and June 30 and desiring the safety of our voting members as well as compliance with the ongoing pandemic mitigation measures, the Synod Council approved a procedure to adjourn the Synod Assembly on June 6, 2020, following determination of quorum, effectively postponing the assembly. On June 6, 2020, the 2020 Synod Assembly will be convened remotely by Zoom, with the Synod Council comprising the voting members present. Bishop James Dunlop will call the 2020 Synod Assembly to order and the lack of quorum will be determined. At that time, there will be a motion to adjourn, postponing the remainder of the assembly to a later date. If on June 6, 2020, we know the date and location of that later session, it will be announced; if not, the assembly will Adjourn to the Call of the Chair and the details of reconvening will be announced when known.
 
Conferences that have already held their spring assemblies do not need to schedule an additional assembly prior to a reconvened Synod Assembly. Once a date for reconvening the Synod Assembly has been established (and we do not know when that will be), other conferences will need to convene assemblies within the ninety days prior to that date. Conference secretaries and deans hold office until newly elected officers are installed at the reconvened Synod Assembly. Instructions regarding resolutions and memorials will be forthcoming once a date for reconvening the Synod Assembly has been established.
 
Some congregations have registered voting members for the Synod Assembly and Edification Days and have asked about refunds for those fees. Since we hope to reschedule those events and due to the coronavirus mitigation measures we do not know when we will be able to do that and therefore also do not know what costs will be involved, we are making no decisions at this time regarding refunds. Registration remains open. No change in fee structure can be made at this time.
 
By May 6, 2020, the Bulletin of Reports as we currently have it will be posted on the synod website and is the official notification of the recommendations of the Synod Council to date, including proposed amendments to synod governing documents. Hard copies may be requested from the synod office. If the Synod Council meets over the summer, it may bring additional or revised recommendations to the Synod Assembly when it reconvenes.

This is the official notification of these changes.

To the glory of God.



The Rev. Beth A. Schlegel, synod secretary
Lower Susquehanna Synod, ELCA 
717-652-1852
900 S. Arlington Ave. Suite 220B                    
Harrisburg, PA 17109