Synod Assembly 2011 Frequently Asked Questions
at the Omni Hotel, Champions Gate
- Excellent worship – examples to take home
- Participating in the church’s decision-making
- Networking and meeting other Lutherans in Florida
- Inspiring speakers (this year, Ruben Duran is the keynote presenter)
- Discovering new resources for ministry
- Learning about the global impact of our ministry as the ELCA
- Engaging our missional imaginations to inspire our own congregational life
- Voices to compliment the community
- Participation in deliberations and the decision-making process
- Uniquely important gifts and views for the life of the church
- Support of each other in the journey of faith
- Together in faith we act as the Body of Christ and experience the synergy of the Holy Spirit
- This year, all registered participants receive breakfast and lunch on Friday
- One-third of the Synod Assembly budget are Audio/Visual costs
- Registration software, copyright licenses, worship supplies
- Service charges at the hotel
- Moving and maintenance of copiers, office supplies, staff
- Committees, speakers, special guests
- The hotel provides the meeting rooms and large ballrooms with set-up when we guarantee a set number of “room nights”
- In Florida, convention hotels are the places large enough for the Assembly – college campuses cannot accommodate our schedule or provide comparable lodging
- Having the assembly in one place gives more time for us to be together
- This year the Omni provides many family-oriented activities
- Do you have a Florida Resident pass? Come a day early or stay a day late and enjoy the same room rate! Free shuttles to Disney from the Omni
- This year’s room night guarantee is set at 579 over two nights. We must pay for room nights not otherwise booked through registration.
- The room night cost of $139 was guaranteed before the economy in Florida crashed at the time of the signing of the legally binding contract in 2008.
- Currently, we have legally binding contracts for Assemblies in years 2011, 2012, and 2013. If we break the contract, there are stiff financial penalties
- The Synod Assembly is the highest legal entity in the Synod and is bound by the constitution to meet yearly.
- In our church, Synod Assembly is how we plan to fulfill our Gospel mandate for mission in this locality – Florida and the Bahamas – which we do together as congregations and rostered leaders.
- It has been the custom to allow travel time to and from the assembly during the daytime hours. Some voting members and visitors travel as far as 4-6 hours.
- We also have used a Travel Equalization Expense to share the burden of transportation costs with those who come from long distances.
- 2012 Assembly is at the Buena Vista Palace, across the street from Downtown Disney
- 2013 Assembly (Bishop’s election) is at the Wyndham, Orlando
- Customs can be changed: your congregation or conference may introduce resolutions at the Synod Assembly – from shortening or lengthening the time, selecting the place and/or focusing the agenda.
- The Assembly belongs to us all; we all contribute to its success – for the sake of God’s mission in our communities.
