Metropolitan New York Synod Announces Annual Assembly And Bishop's Election Process

NEW YORK, May 1, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Metropolitan New York Synod (MNYS), the regional expression of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), announces today details surrounding the upcoming Annual Synod Assembly and the electoral process for calling the organization's new Bishop, at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown, New York, May 16-18. Approximately 500+ pastors, deacons and elected voting members from each congregation will gather, elect a bishop and cast the vision for the Synod's strategic plan for the upcoming year, including major initiatives surrounding ecumenical efforts, inclusion of immigrants, and programming celebrating LGBTQIA+ congregants.

The Metropolitan New York Synod, with nearly 190 congregations, encompasses New York City, Long Island, and the counties of Westchester, Putnam, Orange, Rockland, Sullivan and Dutchess.  Currently, The Rev. Donald, J. McCoid, who serves as the Bishop, leads the organization. The focal point of the 2019 Assembly will be to elect his successor. 

"The election of the new Bishop is an extremely exciting time for our church," states Bishop Donald McCoid. "We have a great community of rostered pastors leading the faithful, supporting the missions of the church and continuing to shepherd our welcoming and highly inclusive programming. The new Bishop will set the tone for the upcoming term, enabling us to continue the good work done by the organization."

With the opening of the Synod Assembly, voting members will nominate an ELCA pastor for bishop during the initial ecclesiastical ballot. Upon the conclusion of the first day, seven nominees will move forward to the next round of voting. At the start of the second day of the Assembly, the seven nominees are provided with an opportunity to address the assembly, after which, three final candidates will be identified.  A series of questions developed by the Bishop's Election Committee will be presented to the final candidates in a Question and Answer period.  Voting members will be afforded a candid look at each candidate.  The voting process will continue until a new Bishop is elected at the close of the second day. The process is also fully detailed in the following video on the organization's website.

MNYS is a radically welcoming Synod which supports nearly 70,000 baptized members across 200 congregations and mission developments with a clergy roster of 350 pastors and deacons. The Synod champions diversity and tolerance, with strong multicultural and global missions, as well as unwavering advocacy for children, the LGBTQIA+ community and displaced immigrant families.  Members attend worship services weekly and are involved in their humanistic and inclusive ministries and programming including: 

• Environmental Stewardship Committee
• Anti-Racism Committee
• Commission for LGBTQIA+ Community
• Sanctuary Ministry
• Multicultural / Global Mission
• Hunger Committee
• Disaster Relief
• Domestic Violence Awareness Task Force
• Youth Ministry

During the assembly, voting members will also consider a resolution for consideration to the ELCA National Church Assembly in August, to declare itself as a "Sanctuary" Denomination, ready to seek justice and protection for refugees and undocumented people.

Following the conclusion of the Assembly, the Bishop-Elect will engage in a time of transition with The Rev. Donald, J. McCoid in preparation for assuming her/his responsibilities as the synod's bishop.  The formal rite of installation will take place on November 16^th in New York City.

About Metropolitan New York Synod:

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has three expressions: over 10,000 congregations, 65 regional synods, and the churchwide organization.The Metropolitan New York Synod is the regional expression of the ELCA and encompasses 190 parishes in all five boroughs of New York City, Long Island, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester Counties. The 190 parishes are greatly diverse, from rural outposts to inner-city storefront churches, with a good dose of suburban mid-sized congregations as well. Worship is conducted in over a dozen languages, including Spanish, Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin, Norwegian, German, Swahili, and American Sign Language. Progressive and highly inclusive, the Synod champions diversity and tolerance, with strong multicultural and global missions, as well as unwavering advocacy for children, the LGBTQIA+ community and displaced immigrants. Under the leadership of interim Bishop, The Reverend Donald McCoid, the Synod will be identifying a new Bishop in May of 2019, to be fully installed by Fall of 2019.

SOURCE Metropolitan New York Synod