General Synod eNews No.21
31 January 2023

Dear delegates and alternates

We apologise if you receive this eNews twice. In the interests of ensuring it is received by all delegates and alternates, we are sending it to both your LCA email address and your personal email address.

Since we are very close to Convention now, there is a lot of material for you to read in this eNews. We suggest that you print it and keep it with you as to make your way to Convention. All eNews is also available for your reference on the General Synod website at Delegate Updates & News.

Confirmation of attendance via CVENT has closed

The deadline for confirming your attendance at Convention via the CVENT online system has passed. Thank you to the vast majority of you who have confirmed your attendance. We are now contacting unconfirmed delegates and alternates by telephone. 

Finding your way to Convention

Our Victorian planning team have provided a handy reference document to help you find your way from the airport to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC). We suggest that you print it and keep it handy as you travel. It is available for download at Delegates > In Melbourne. When you arrive at the MCEC, simply follow the signs to our LCA Convention. If you need assistance finding your way to the MCEC, please call their helpline: 03 9235 8000.

We'll be sending another eNews to you later this week with more details about finding your way to and from Convention, around the MCEC itself, and where to eat locally. Keep an eye out for that.

Registration and gathering worship

The registration desk will be open from 4.30pm on Thursday, 9 February 2023. Note that an evening meal will not be served, so you should factor this into your plans. We will however provide supper after the gathering service.

Please aim to arrive at the MCEC in plenty of time to register and to attend the gathering worship service at 7.00pm. You will also be able to register up until 10.00pm on Thursday and from 7.15am to 9.30am on Friday – but note the important information below.

IMPORTANT: registration cutoff time

In order for the Synod chair to accurately declare the quorum and number of registered delegates, the cutoff for registration (without an apology for lateness) is 9.50am Friday 10 February. If you already know you will not be able to register by that time, or if you are delayed in travelling to Synod, you must register an apology for lateness before the cutoff time with the Secretary of the Church at this number 0427 842 200. Note that, even if you have registered an apology for lateness, all registrations close at 1.30pm sharp on Friday.

If you arrive between 9.50am and 1.30pm on Friday (with an apology for lateness) you will be allowed into the delegate area at the commencement of the next session. If you are not physically present and registered by 1.30pm on Friday (with or without an apology for lateness) you will not be allowed into any of the Synod sessions. You may, however, watch the proceedings from the visitor area.

Addendum to Book of Reports

You should have received your physical copy of your Addendum to the Book of Reports.

Please make these corrections in your hard-copy Addendum:

• Page 17, change Agenda 2.1.11 to 1.2.13.2
• Page 19, change Agenda 2.1.12 to 1.2.13.3
• Page 19, change Agenda 2.1.13 to 1.2.13.4

Both books are also available for reading or downloading on the General Synod website Business > Agenda 2023. Please bring both your Book of Reports and the Addendum to the 2023 in-person sessions.

'Town halls' on ordination

In response to the nature of the questions raised by delegates during the 'town halls' and contained in the Q&A as a reference for delegates and other LCANZ members, the General Church Board referred supplementary questions to the Standing Committee on Constitutions (SCoC) for advice. The advice from the SCoC and a clarification on the provision of the legal advice is provided for delegates as supplementary information. This document can be found at the top of the Business page Business > Agenda 2023.

Convention dinner

If you have booked and paid to attend the Convention dinner on the Saturday night, please plan to be there at 6.45pm for a 7.00pm start. There will be a drinks package from 6.45pm to 8.45pm. Our guest speaker will be Pastor James Winderlich, Principal of Australian Lutheran College.

Closing worship

The closing worship service commences at 9.30am (AEDT) on Sunday, 12 February 2023. Once inside the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), simply follow the Synod signs to the worship area. Synod volunteers will be available to direct you. The MCEC doors open at 9.00am, and you should be seated by the starting time of 9.30am. Please let your parish members know that the service will be livestreamed from the MCEC. The link will be found on the General Synod website at Worship and Prayer. 

Synod offering

The Synod offering will support the Finke River Mission songbook project (full details here). Your parish or congregation can donate to the Synod offering via the LLL (details below) or, if they prefer to put their offering on the plate during worship, they can send a cheque (payable to: LCA Synod) or cash with you to Synod.

LLL account details for your treasurer:
Click here to do it directly to the LLL LCA Synod account, or use the details below.
Name of account: LCA Synod
BSB: 704942
Account number: 100698743

Keeping in touch

We are looking forward to welcoming you to the in-person sessions of the 20th Convention of General Synod. Please continue to check your inbox and keep an eye on the Convention website. In addition, we will send you urgent and/or important updates or reminders to your mobile phone.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns or questions.

Sincerely in Christ
Dr Nigel Long
Secretary of the Church