LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 87

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OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
ing the World with the Gospel of Hope (mission emphasis of the
Atlantic District).
Our ever-gracious Lord has carried the Atlantic District through
significant challenges since the Synod’s last regular convention,
including the COVID-19 pandemic (with many deaths connected
with this virus in its congregations, schools, and agencies), the closure of congregations and schools, the closure of Concordia College—New York (after 140 years of service to the Church), and the
resignation of the bishop/district president. Yet, even with these,
the Atlantic District has endeavored to Live Loved (the theme of
the 2022 district convention) as the love of God in Christ Jesus
has been shared through the Holy Word and blessed Sacraments.
As the crucified, risen, ascended, and returning Christ continues to
be proclaimed with vigor, this district rejoices with every Baptism,
confirmation, marriage, commissioning, ordination, installation,
and new and creative mission initiative while confessing the one
true faith as children of the Augustana.
Parishes, schools, and agencies of the Atlantic District responded to the incomparable trials of the COVID-19 pandemic prayerfully with appropriate uses of technology in addition to responsible
in-person spiritual care. Circuit visitors and the district Praesidium
continue to meet monthly via Zoom for the sharing of information,
for planning, and for encouragement. Bible classes, Services of the
Holy Word, meetings, and other events using digital technology
stretched congregations, schools, and agencies to proclaim Christ
crucified to even more people than before the pandemic began. Resources were shared to help congregations, schools, and agencies
initiate and strengthen online giving platforms and develop more
effective digital presences for both Christians and seekers. With
a strong confessional commitment moved by the Holy Spirit, the
church in eastern New York has not been prevented from proclaiming Christ crucified by the pandemic and its consequences.
With the unfortunate and devastating closure of Concordia College—New York, people in this district and beyond have expressed
a profound and pronounced need not only for repentance but also
for renewal as new opportunities for church worker formation and
religious education remain possibilities for this region while partnerships with others in the Synod can be strengthened. As a result
of the closure of Concordia College—New York, the district office
moved from the Concordia campus in Bronxville to midtown Manhattan. Staff positions have been shifted, adjusted, and added as the
office continues to be reorganized for efficiency and effectiveness.
The district also provided workers to serve in national capacities in the Lutheran Women in Mission (LWML) and the LCMS
Board for National Mission in addition to the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians. This Engaging the World with the Gospel
of Hope, then, has happened not only in eastern New York but in
other parts of the nation with impact all over the world.
The witness of individuals and congregations (2019 Res. 1-01A
and the Synod Mission Priority [MP] 1, “Plant, sustain, and revitalize Lutheran churches”) has been strengthened with monthly
prayer guides that include every congregation of the district and
monthly prayer meetings via Zoom. Here I Stand Sunday provided
a chance to highlight witnessing despite threatening circumstances
(2019 Res. 4-09). The Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF)
has assisted with ministry solutions and clarity while the district
has begun pilot projects with Set Apart to Serve and Concordia
Plans Services (MP 4, “collaborate with the Synod’s members and
partners to enhance mission effectiveness”) in addition to other appropriate local partnerships to assist with revitalization, reorganiza-

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tion, and growth. Congregations, schools, and agencies have been
informed of resources available from the LCMS national office
while support for international mission has continued. Congregations are encouraged and assisted in the sharing of resources (2019
Res. 1-03) while addressing mental illness and other challenges
through district task forces and partner organizations, especially
because of the COVID-19 pandemic (Res. 3-04A, MP 4).
During the pandemic, a special Zoom educational gathering for
pastors promoted an ongoing and healthy discussion about racism
in the church. A district convention resolution carries forward the
Synod’s condemnation of racism while affirming the common humanity of all people (2019 Res. 11-04A, MP 3, “perform human
care in close proximity to Word and Sacrament”) as the district
engages daily in multiethnic outreach (Res. 1-05A) and studies
racism in the history of the church with a desire to proclaim both
Law and Gospel. As the district is undertaking a reassessment in
conjunction with the LWML Atlantic District coming out of the
pandemic, it continued to offer workers continuing education opportunities (in-person and online) and to encourage all members
to update their biographical and statistical information (2019 Res.
6-04, MP 5, “promote and nurture the spiritual, emotional, financial, and physical well-being of pastors and professional church
workers”), so that vitalized congregations, sanctified workers, and
dynamic agencies reflect the vision of this district (words from the
Vision Statement of the Atlantic District).
While giving thanks to the Lord for and providing for all
schools (Res. 12-01A, MP 6, “enhance early childhood education,
elementary and secondary education, and youth ministry”), theological education (MP 2, “support and expand theological education”) and supporting families (MP 7, “strengthen and support the
Lutheran family in living out God’s design”) remain important
priorities for the days ahead as the district’s task forces, board of
directors, circuit visitors, Praesidium, and workers endeavor to address both the needs of the church and the needs of those who do
not have faith in Christ. The Atlantic District’s Festival of Workshops in March of 2023 was themed Making Disciples for Life and
highlighted the Synod’s seven mission priorities to preach Christ
crucified (1 Cor. 1:18–25). It provided an opportunity to begin a
new chapter in the life of the saints of this district with a parish pastor as its new bishop and president, highlighting not only the ties
that bind the Lord’s people across the Synod who walk together
but also a renewed commitment to vigorously make known the love
of Christ by word and in deed with an evangelical, catholic, and
reforming habitus to the praise and glory of God—the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Dien Ashley Taylor, President
R22

California-Nevada-Hawaii District
Under the theme Building on the Rock, the 2022 CaliforniaNevada-Hawaii (CNH) District Convention reelected their District
President Mike Lange of Brentwood, California, and elected First
Vice-President Mitchell Gowen of Aiea, Hawaii. The convention
resolved together to make one new ministry start in each circuit in
the next triennium. In addition, the convention accepted and endorsed a triennium strategic mission plan under this mission statement: We strengthen God’s People to serve and bear witness to
Christ. Its five goals serve these purposes:
2023 Convention Workbook