Official Workbook report source text
Official Workbook source-navigation report record. No analysis has been added.
- Report number/id
- R21
- Report title
- R21 Atlantic District
- Workbook start page
- 105
- Workbook end page
- 106
- Source pages
- 105, 106
- Source status
- source_checked
- Committee
- Not available
R21 Atlantic District The Atlantic District’s geographical area encompasses the eastern half of the “Empire State,” New York. Over 20 million 2026 Convention Workbook 106 OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS several unique contexts including the greater Bay Area, an extreme- ly diverse population with over 7 million people. The central val- leys of California contain some of the world’s richest farmland and sizeable population centers. The coasts, foothills, and mountains boast majestic vistas, historic cities, and rich culture. Northern Ne- vada’s important population centers near Lake Tahoe are growing quickly. Foundational communities along I-80 and US 50, though of lesser population, offer stability and infrastructure to the working population there. The islands of Hawaii have 1.5 million residents and almost 10 million visitors yearly. The active military popula- tion in Hawaii numbers over 44,000 people. Opportunity abounds. Recognizing its long history and diverse population, the dis- trict met in convention May 15–17, 2025, under the theme Fruit- ful Branches, Pruned for Growth, based upon John 15:1–3. The convention reaffirmed the district’s strategic ministry plan with the overarching goals: • Increasing Connection and Collaboration • Expanding Leadership Development • Sparking Growing Ministries • Focusing upon Worker Wellness • Resourcing for Ministry In addition, the convention accepted the executive summary strengthening the ministry plan’s focus upon the engagement of all congregations’ opportunity to find their place in God’s mission. The convention affirmed the plan to offer greater participation for commissioned ministers at our district convention and urged sim- ilar practices for the Synod in convention. A stronger framework for support and supervision between the President’s Office with the regional vice-presidents and circuit visitors was recommended, and the road towards church worker sabbaticals was strengthened. No- table accomplishments this triennium include: A. Strengthening of Communications Our e-newsletter process received a significant upgrade for the purpose of effective and timely district connection. Regular plan- ning sessions were implemented. The Mission Table Podcast host- ed by Rev. Paul Ferguson was begun, striving to bring productive mission and ministry content to our congregations. B. Partnering for Productive Ministry • The Mission Training Center, a theological and missiological educational platform intended for lay leadership and operat- ed in partnership with the West Coast districts has strength- ened its enrollment under Rev. Jonathan Priest. Foundations of Lutheran Teaching, a curriculum in partnership with able Lutheran educators, offers sound LCMS foundation for non- called teachers in our Lutheran schools. • Training of new pastors continues in partnership with the Pacific Southwest (PSW) and Northwest districts and in relationship with the Post-Seminary Applied Learning and Support director. • CNH and PSW districts have partnered with the Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF)’s Real Estate Solutions to add an additional staff member, enabling greater sustainabil- ity combined with soul impact to our valuable ministry sites which may not be replaced if sold. • LINC Bay Area, under the leadership of Rev. Aaron Putnam, continues to be a valuable partner in ministry for the district, attention during this triennium (R12-01A, R12-03A, R12-04A). Issues including staffing, governance, funding models, and oppor - tunities for witness continue to be analyzed so that the proclamation “Christ is risen, indeed” may be shared with boldness and vigor with students and their families. C. Celebration With a dedicated staff, supportive praesidium and circuit vis- itors, and committed workers, the district has had many reasons to celebrate. The 62nd Regular Convention of the Atlantic District had the theme “In This Hope, We Were Saved” (Rom. 8:24). With the Lord’s work celebrated and a number of resolutions passed, the Atlantic District is committed to nurturing Christians and reaching out to others (R1-03A, R1-05A, R4-06, R6-02A, R6-04, R7-06B, R9-08A, R11-02A, R11-03A, R11-05). Servants of Christ were recognized as individual congregations and schools were celebrat - ed with “mission minutes” throughout the convention. During the convention, Unity Lutheran Church in Albany was received as a congregation, the result of a merger between two other congrega - tions in Albany. Amidst the many baptisms and confirmations in parishes, the ordinations and installations during this triennium have been answers to prayers as pastoral vacancies continue to be filled and navigated. Church worker wellness continues to be championed (R1-06A, R1-07, R11-01A). Pastors’ conferences with generous scholarships and Chrism masses at which pastors renewed their commitment to service fostered worker wellness. Retired workers were gathered, honored, and encouraged with multiple Veterans of the Cross lun- cheons. All-workers conferences and retreat opportunities were shared for professional church workers. The Witness in the Public Square gathering continues to be a grand celebration of the Lord’s amazing grace with the Church’s ongoing refrain “Christ is risen, indeed” as different people were honored for how they have shared the love of Jesus in public set- tings. It continues to be a magnificent time of communicating, ed- ucating, and celebrating Christ crucified and risen as the one true faith continues to be believed, taught, and confessed. Towards the conclusion of this triennium, the new district office space became fully functional. The meeting spaces for pastors’ con- ferences, the district board of directors, pastors’ wives’ retreats, and other educational opportunities have been a blessing, facilitating the gathering and encouraging of the faithful in their God-pleas- ing work. Having not had a permanent home for many years, the Lord’s children have cried aloud, “Christ is risen, indeed,” as new life has been communicated with these reimagined and renovated facilities. As a geographically central locus for educating the saints and celebrating the Lord’s goodness while remembering the past and posturing for the future, the chapel, library, meeting rooms, and offices underscore the ongoing commitment to vigorously make known the love of Christ by word and in deed with an evangelical, catholic, and reforming habitus to the praise and glory of God—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—as the proclamation resonates throughout and from the Atlantic District, “Christ is risen, indeed!” Dien Ashley Taylor, President