Karen Simpson, Trinity Lutheran, Joppa, Md., waits patiently to click the PowerPoint switch during a presentation, while Bishop Knoche heads for the iced tea.

It was Standing Room Only at St. John's Lutheran Church, Parkville, Md., for the second session of "Opening Windows, Opening Doors," the congregation council training event for the DE-MD Synod. Gracious hosts, lively presenters, and engaged participants combined to make this another winner!

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DeMdSynod > Bishop Jerry Knoche is always enthusiastic about Bible study and is especially so about his presentation on Ephesians 4: 7, 11-16.

DeMdSynod > Donna Kent, Immanuel Lutheran, Manchester, Md., visits with one congregation council group in the "Talking Together, Planning Ahead" segment before lunch.

DeMdSynod > Donna Kent, Immanuel Lutheran, Manchester, Md., welcomes participants to the first of five "Opening Windows, Opening Doors" events. Donna was the chief organizer for all five events.

DeMdSynod > Is he talking about Mykel's Rules of Order? No, Mykel Hitselburger, St. Paul Lutheran, Jefferson, Md., gives folks a fast-paced and frequently amusing refresher course in parliamentary procedure from Robert's Rules of Order.

DeMdSynod > Karen Simpson, Trinity Lutheran, Joppa, Md., waits patiently to click the PowerPoint switch during a presentation, while Bishop Knoche heads for the iced tea.

DeMdSynod > Linda Lovell, synod coordinator for communication, tells council members, "If you have a question, elca.org will answer it!"

DeMdSynod > One of the best aspects of the day was the time to simply gather around a cup of coffee and talk.

DeMdSynod > One of the day's main emphases was the role that God's Word plays in the work of a congregation council. Several times during the day, attendees used the personal Bibles they brought with them.

DeMdSynod > Pr. Bill Miller-Zurell, New Hope Lutheran, Columbia, Md., actually makes church constitutions interesting! Even Emcee Donna Kent, Immanuel Lutheran, Manchester, Md., is intrigued by his "what if" approach to the presentation.

Karen Simpson, Trinity Lutheran, Joppa, Md., waits patiently to click the PowerPoint switch during a presentation, while Bishop Knoche heads for the iced tea.