The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is meeting in its Churchwide Assembly this week. They are using iPads to distribute all materials, for making amendments, and other functions:
Because iPads are the preferred device, the ELCA will provide voting members with one for use at the Churchwide Assembly at no cost, although voting members may bring their own tablets. In deciding whether to use your own tablet, please consider the following specifications and information about compatibility:
iPads with iOS versions v5.0 and above are required.
Android tablets with OS version v3.0 and above are required – document annotation features will not be available as part of the Android version. You will still be able to view all documents that are published, but you will not have the annotation capabilities. If you already have an annotation application installed on your Android tablet, you may use it in conjunction with the Guidebook.
If you choose to bring your own tablet, we will not be able to upgrade or provide other support for your device unless it is specific to the use of the Guidebook application.
Voting members will need to sign a user agreement when registering onsite at the assembly accepting responsibility for the device while in their possession for the duration of the assembly
.
As part of the commitment of this church to care for creation, and as the result of the success of the pilot program at the 2011 Churchwide Assembly, voting members will access information and documentation with an electronic binder.
Features of the e-binder:
• All documents previously included in the paper version of the binder will be included in the application.
• Documents have the ability to be annotated. (iPad version only)
• The current version of documents will be available and clearly distinguishable from the
original and earlier updates.
• New document versions will be pushed to the application, or they can be manually
downloaded.
o Documentsthathavebeendownloadedtoyourdevicewillbeavailableforyourreview
whether or not you are connected to Wi-Fi.
• Documents can be searched for key words or a particular subject or phrase.
Follow the Churchwide Assembly on Twitter #ELCACWA
Church assembly news here.
The first ballot for Presiding Bishop has been cast August 12. From Facebook:
The first ballot is a nominating ballot (called an ecclesiastical ballot). One can put any rostered clergyperson’s name forth. Tomorrow everybody willing to let their name continue will be on the second ballot. Then, of no one is elected, they will whittle the list down from there.