LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2001, Page 306

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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