# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2001_S306 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 306 NATIONAL/DISTRICT SYNOD RELATIONS WHEREAS, The congregations of the SELC District have heeded the admonition of the Lord, “to permit the little children to come to Him,” through ever-expanding child care and educational ministries; and WHEREAS, The SELC District and its member congregations have uniquely responded to the criteria of Matthew 25 by “doing to the least of these” through the ministry of the Lutheran Haven; and WHEREAS, The SELC District has faithfully and generously supported the mission and educational ministries of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; and Wuereas, The SELC District has studied the existing merger documents and has acted in compliance; and WHEREAS, The SELC District has reviewed the Objectives as outlined in the synodical Handbook and has demonstrated that we are “walking together” with neighboring congregations, geographic Districts, and the Synod; therefore be it Resolved, That the 12th regular convention of the SELC District affirm our strong desire that the SELC District remain in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod as a nongeographic District and that we encourage The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and its representatives to consult with and include the SELC District President, Board of Directors, and legal counsel in all discussions regarding the future continuance of the SELC as a nongeographic District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Board of Directors SELC District 8-74 To Retain SELC District as Nongeographical District Wuereas, The SELC District of The Lutheran Church—Mis- souri Synod was a viable synod serving the unique needs of its members; and WHEREAS, The SELC in its years as a District of the LCMS has done outstanding work in missions; and WHEREAS, The operating expenses of the SELC District are among the very lowest of the operating expenses incurred by a Dis- trict of the LCMS; and WHEREAS, The congregations of the SELC District desire to re- tain their membership in a nongeographical District of the LCMS; therefore be it Resolved, That the SELC District of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod be retained as a nongeographical District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Faith Chesapeake, VA 8-75 To Recognize Fiscal Responsibility of SELC Wuereas, The SELC District has functioned for 30 years as a nongeographic District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; and Wrereas, During this time the SELC District has been a leader among the Districts of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in terms of the percentage of money given by the District for the work of the church at large; and WHEREAS, During this time the SELC District has been a leader among the Districts of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in terms of the percentage of its budget designated for missions and ministries; and WHEREAS, The operating costs of the SELC District are in fact lower than several other geographic Districts both in percentages and in actual dollar amounts, leaving more of our monies free to do mission work; and 2001 Convention Workbook WHEREAS, This congregation, Calvary Lutheran Church of Parma, OH, has been committed to the joint ministry that the SELC District congregations have carried out together for this entire time; and WHEREAS, Calvary Lutheran Church anticipates an exciting fu- ture of membership within the SELC District, participating in the ministries of the SELC District and supporting those ministries with our prayers, our gifts, our time, and our talents; therefore be it Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in con- vention reject the proposals of the Task Force on Synod and Dis- trict Relations regarding the dissolution and amalgamation of the SELC District; and be it further Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in con- vention affirm the past, present, and future ministries and missions of the SELC District; and be it finally Resolved, That the congregations of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod be invited to join with their sister congregations of the SELC District in celebrating the centennial of the SELC in the years 2002-2003. Calvary, Parma, OH; Ascension, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Dr. Martin Luther, Chicago, IL; Holy Cross, Johnstown, PA; St. John, Emporia, VA 8-76 To Recognize Congregational Ministries of SELC Wrere_as, St. John Lutheran Church and School since its found- ing in 1909 has been a member of the SELC, when it was an inde- pendent synod and since its establishment as a nongeographical District of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod; and Wrereas, St. John Lutheran Church and School has been com- mitted to the mission and ministry of the SELC District along with the other congregations of the District during that time; and WHEREAS, St. John Lutheran Church and School enjoys strong fellowship ties with other member congregations of the SELC Dis- trict; and Wuereas, St. John Lutheran Church and School is anticipating a strong relationship with the new mission projected in Jackson Township, OH, to the immediate north, along with all the other mission congregations supported and, Lord willing, soon to be es- tablished by the SELC District; and WHEREAS, The pastor of St. John Lutheran Church and School is the Central Circuit representative and chairman of the board of the Lutheran Haven of Oviedo, FL, the retirement community, as- sisted-living facility, and nursing home owned and operated by the SELC District; and WHEREAS, The SELC District has operated efficiently and with- out much overhead in carrying out Christ’s Great Commission in accordance with the Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions and the Synod’s Constitution and bylaws; and WuereEAs, The SELC District has proven to be cooperative and churchly with sister congregations and the respective geographical Districts in which SELC congregations are located as missions and other projects are established and implemented, and will continue to be so; therefore be it Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in con- vention affirm the mission and ministry of the SELC District; and be it further Resolved, That the LCMS reject the proposals of the Task Force on Synod and District Relations regarding the dissolution and amalgamation of the SELC District; and be it finally Resolved, That the LCMS encourage its congregations to join the congregations of the SELC District in celebrating the 100th an- niversary of the SELC in 2002-2003. St. John, Massillon, OH; Ascension, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Calvary, Parma, OH; Dr. Martin Luther, Chicago, IL; Holy Trinity, Yonkers, NY; St. John, Emporia, VA