by Pastor Michele Fischer
The third session of the South Carolina Synod assembly was jam-packed, with the third and fourth ballots for bishop, and stories of wonderful ministries around the synod. Between these reports we heard from our Keynote speaker, Chad Rimmer; our ELCA representative, John Waite; the bishop’s report; the vice president’s report; and the report from the Director of Evangelical Mission.
The afternoon began with reports from a few of our campus ministers, Pastor Norbert Hahn (Campus at Winthrop Ecumenical Campus Ministry); Pastor Jesse Canniff -Kuhn (USC); and our newest campus pastor, Megan Boatwright (Clemson). Pastor Megan reminded the assembly that campus pastors do not know the religious affiliations of the students, and that they rely on local parishes to connect students to campus ministry. A form is available at https://scsynod.com/lcm/ .
Reformation Lutheran Church in Columbia has started a new ministry, Safe Space Dinner. This program offers meals on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays for primarily unhoused LGBQTIA+ young persons between the ages of 14 and 23. They offer rides to Reformation from some of the homeless shelters. In addition to providing a safe place and a hot meal, they have helped connect many of the youth with social and health services.
Kåre Burke spoke about the synod’s Children, Family and Youth Ministry programs. She spoke about the retreats and programs, including Camp Hugg, a program that connects synod youth with teens and young adults with developmental delays for a week at Camp Kinard. Kåre reminded the synod of the need for unused zoo passes for Camp Hugg’s annual field trip to the zoo.
In addition to the continuing bishop’s election process, the assembly voted to approve the 2027-2028 spending plan approved by the synod council and the synod compensation guidelines.
