LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 89

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OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS
against the kingdom of God. A number of saints succumbed to the
ravages of COVID-19 and were summoned to the Lord’s waiting
arms. Even then it was not a loss but their gain as they were removed from this vale of tears to heavenly bliss where there are no
tears, no pain, and no darkness but only light, no anguish but only
rest as they await the reunion of body and soul, and of all the saints,
planned when the Lord returns on the Last Day.
Now we have much to do to reclaim the wandering, the fearful,
the uncertain, and the stymied. Our doors are open, the Gospel is
proclaimed, and the Lord Jesus still reigns. We who still stand and
breathe have no one other than our holy, true, and Triune God to
thank for that.
Since last we met as a Synod in convention, we have seen one
congregation, Beautiful Savior, Colona, conduct its last service before commending the saints in her care to neighboring congregations. One congregation, Faith, Flora, was transferred to our neighboring Southern Illinois District so she and her new dual parish
partner, Trinity, Iuka, could enjoy membership in the same district.
In Christ … Newness of Life marked the theme of our 2022
district convention. Essayist the Rev. Dr. Scott Murray led us in
a study of Romans 6:3–4 which expounded upon our identity in
Christ through Holy Baptism, the sanctified life we now live because of that Baptism, and the resurrection of the body that comes
to us as God’s baptized children. Because of changes in convention schedules postponed a year due to COVID-19, ours was not
the final district convention of the triennial cycle. The Rev. Mark
Miller concluded his third term as district president, announcing
his impending retirement well before the “bonus year” was added
to the cycle. We are grateful to God for the leadership that President
Miller provided during his ten years as district president. The Rev.
Michael Mohr, then serving Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Vandalia, was elected on the first ballot as the new district president.
This was a convention of transitions. The district concluded
its successful “Bring Giving Home” stewardship initiative, reinvigorating the members of her congregations in their vocation as
stewards of the resources our Lord brings into their lives. At the
same time, a new effort began, “Dollars for Missions,” fulfilling the
2019 Synod convention’s charge that “each district set before the
member congregations the defined mission outcomes that all congregations can see and help achieve through their extra designated
funds received via the 1.1.1 mission funding model” (2019 Res.
8-02). Our district is also working through the Making Disciples for
Life effort of our Synod to implement the “Beyond the Classroom”
module, assisting schools in reaching out into their communities
to bring the Good News of Christ to those who do not regularly
receive the Word.
While the convention was one of transitions, we also rejoiced
in a bit of stability at the district office. While the district president is new, the other district executives continue their service. The
Rev. Dr. Ken Schurb serves in the areas of Missions, Evangelism,
Stewardship, and Human Care, while Mr. Lewis “Trip” Rodgers
oversees Education, Congregational Life, and Communications.
Mr. Hugh Shown provides steady and stalwart support as our bookkeeper, taking on some of the duties of receptionist and business
manager as well. Mrs. Christine Anderson continues in her leadership as Executive Director of our independent CID Church Extension Fund, ably aided by longtime assistant Mrs. Susan Short. Gift
Planning Counselor the Rev. Chuck Olander continues his faithful
duties, looking to expand his work in the coming years. One addition to our staff came this past triennium in Mrs. Amy Holmes, pro-

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viding much needed secretarial support. While starting in person at
the office, Amy continues to work remotely now after her family
relocated to Tennessee during the pandemic.
We remain God’s baptized people, rejoicing to see the opportunities He presents as we march into the coming triennium, into
the “new normal.”
Michael W. Mohr, President
R24

Eastern District
The 100th Convention of the Eastern District was held at First
Trinity Lutheran Church in Tonawanda, New York, June 17–18,
2022, with 138 voting delegates in attendance. The convention
theme was “To the Ends of the Earth,” drawn from Acts 1:8. The
Rev. Dr. Chris Wicher presided. The Rev. Charles Whited served
as convention chaplain, the Rev. Ron Breight as election committee chair and the Rev. Sean Walters as credentials committee chair.
The Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison served as the Synod’s representative and presented to the convention on the state of the LCMS
at several junctures in the convention proceedings. Among those
who would also address the convention would be Mr. Rick Porter,
Regional VP for LCEF, who would bring greetings from the same;
Mark Elberding, on behalf of the Eastern District board of directors; Dee Grzyb, president of the Eastern District LWML; Steve
Klafehn, representing the Eastern District LLL; the Rev. Nycholas
Grieg, who brought greetings from the newly constituted “Friends
of Pioneer”; Mrs. Susan Knowles, representing the Ambassadors
of Reconciliation; and the Rev. Robert Marshall, presenting on behalf of the Lutheran Heritage Foundation.
A resolution was presented at the convention approving the realignment of circuits of the Eastern District in response to changing demographics. This resolution represented a great deal of work
in the preceding weeks and months. Happily, the resolution was
passed by unanimous vote. Circuit visitors for the newly configurated circuits were elected by circuit caucuses.
A major focus of the convention was the “partnering” of congregations in situations where a full-time pastor is no longer feasible due to financial constraints on the part of one or more congregations. A number of pastors who are serving in such “yoked”
situations presented during the course of the proceedings.
The Rev. John L. Pingel of Buffalo was elected as president of
the Eastern District; also elected were regional vice-presidents: the
Rev. Charles Whited, Buffalo Region; the Rev. Larry Stojkovic,
Rochester Region; the Rev. Dan Hahn, Pittsburgh Region; and the
Rev. Fred Hoover, Philadelphia Region.
Challenges affecting the Eastern District are similar to those
found across the Synod. Cultural winds opposing the Gospel message grow increasingly strong. Many congregations face decreased
funding and declining membership. Nevertheless, God’s Word and
Sacraments remain efficacious. God’s Word continues to go forth
imparting grace and peace. People continue to be brought to saving faith in Christ and sustained in that faith through the Means of
Grace.
Staff serving the Eastern District out of the district office, in
addition to the district president, include: Bruce Sutherland, assistant to the president; Ruth Marzano, administrative assistant to the
president; Kathy Fretthold, assistant to the president for education;
2023 Convention Workbook