Great Plains Mission District Organizational Convocation, June 2, 2012

The Organizational Convocation of the Great Plains Mission District of the NALC, which includes churches in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Nebraska, was held at St. Matthew's Evangelical, Riverside, MO, on Saturday, June 2, 2012 to officially form the Great Plains Mission District.  Leading the proceedings were the NALC General Secretary, Mark Chavez, our provisional dean, Rev. Russell Saltzman, and the provisional dean for Nebraska, Rev. Cathi Braasch.

Represented at the meeting were:  Freemount Lutheran, Lindsborg, KS; Evangelical Lutheran, Mankato, KS; Trinity Lutheran, Ava, MO; First Lutheran, Rock Port, MO; St. John's Lutheran, Westboro, MO; St. Matthew's Evangelical, Riverside, MO; Faith Lutheran at St. Peder's-Nysted, Dannebrog, NE; Trinity Lutheran, Gothenberg, NE; Paxton New Life Lutheran, Paxton; NE; Peace Lutheran, Edmond, OK; potential affiliate congregation Oromo (Ethiopian) Evangelical Christian Church of KCMO; and LCMC congregation Hope Lutheran, Kansas City, MO.

The Great Plains Mission District Charter was adopted and other business was transacted.  Rev. Saltzman was elected Dean of our Mission District.  The Executive Council was elected, including clergy Rev. Keith Falk (Peace Lutheran, Edmond, OK), Rev. Jeff Cottingham (Trinity Lutheran, Gothenberg, NE), and Rev. Bud Elliott (St. Matthew's, Riverside, MO), and lay persons Kirke Kickingbird (Peace Lutheran, Edmond, OK), Joyce Hisel (St. Matthew's, Riverside, MO) and Jill Schroeder (Paxton New Life Lutheran, Paxton, NE).

Following a wonderful meal, cooked and served by St. Matthew's members, Rev. Chavez installed the Executive Council and gave a wonderful message, and Holy communion was served by Rev. Braasch and Rev. Saltzman.

First row: Joyce Hisel, Kirke Kickingbird, Rev. Russ Saltzman, Rev. Mark Chavez, Rev. Bud Elliott, and Jill Schroeder.  Back row Rev.  Jeff Cottingham (Rev. Keith Falk is not pictured).

"..all in one accord..."

Registering and getting acquainted

listening and learning

Installation of the Dean and Executive Council

Lunch and fellowship

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Special Service of Installation January 8, 2012

On Sunday, January 8, 2012, the church was full as the Rev. Mark Chavez, NALC General Secretary, formally installed Pastor Bud Elliott as a pastor of the North American Lutheran Church and welcomed St. Matthew's Evangelical as a member congregation of the NALC.  Also representing the NALC at this service was the Rev. Russell Saltzman, the Provisional Dean for Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and Oklahoma.

The other NALC churches in Kansas and Missouri sent greetings, which were read by Pastor Elliott.  Those churches include Freemount Lutheran Church of Lindsborg, KS: Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mankato, KS; Trinity Lutheran Church of Ava, MO; First Lutheran Church of Rock Port, MO; and St. John's Lutheran Church of Westboro, MO.  Riverside Mayor Kathy Rose spoke about St. Matthew's place in the history of Riverside.  A number of our Micronesian members and their friends delighted us with two songs in their native tongue.

The members of St. Matthew's Evangelical are excited and happy to be a part of the North American Lutheran Church!

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The church was full for this very special service.

Riverside Mayor, Kathy Rose, spoke about St. Matthew's history

Rev. Mark Chavez brought the message.

Rev. Chavez installed our pastor as an NALC pastor

Rev. Russ Saltzman, Rev. Bud Elliott, Rev. Mark Chavez

President of Consistory Steve DiObilda, Rev. Chavez, Rev. Elliott

Some music by St. Matthew's Micronesian members and friends!