To Amend Bylaw 3.1.6.2 to Allow Pastoral Circuit Meetings and Teacher Groups to Submit Overtures

Official Workbook overture source text

9-37 
To Amend Bylaw 3.1.6.2 to Allow Pastoral Circuit 
Meetings and Teacher Groups  
to Submit Overtures 
WHEREAS, The Synod  specifies that c ongregations are 
encouraged to submit ideas, suggestions or overtures to their circuit 
forum (Bylaw 5.3.1); and c ongregations, boards of d irectors, 
professional church worker conferences, educator/teacher 
conferences, as well as c ircuit forums, may forward overtures for 
the consideration of the Synod convention; and 
WHEREAS, Circuit forums and p rofessional church worker 
conferences are not designed for  deliberation of complex and 
potentially divisive issues; and circuit forums and congregations are 
not wise settings for revealing serious issues in the Synod or 
districts; and 
WHEREAS, In the past, pastoral circuits and teacher groups were 
allowed to  submit overtures, and t hey had both the time and 
structure for extensive study and debate leading to wise proposals; 
Therefore be it 
Resolved, That the  Synod again allow p astoral circuits and 
educator/teacher groups to submit  overtures to the Synod and 
districts; and be it further 
Resolved, That Bylaw 3.1.6.2 be amended as follows: 
PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING 
Overtures 
3.1.6.2 Overtures to a convention of the Synod may be submitted 
only by a member congregation of the Synod, a convention or board 
of directors of a district, an official district conference of ordained 
and/or commissioned ministers, the faculty of an educational 
institution of the Synod, the Board of Directors of the Synod, a board 
or commission of the Synod listed in Bylaws 3.2.2, 3.2.2.1, 3.2.3, 
and 3.2.3.1, a committee established by a prior convention, district 
pastoral circuits and educator/teacher groups, or a forum of a circuit. 
…  
Circuit 3 (Baltimore East) 
Southeastern District 
Ov.