Thursday

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson presents the report of the presiding bishop.

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson presents the report of the presiding bishop.

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson presents the report of the presiding bishop.

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson presents the report of the presiding bishop.

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson presents the report of the presiding bishop.

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson presents the report of the presiding bishop.

ELCA New Jersey Synod Bishop Riley and Bishop-elect Tracie L. Bartholomew in foreground, per instruction to the assembly from Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson, talk about one person whose witness has had a strong influence on their faith life and one person to whom they are now witnessing.

Southeastern Iowa Synod voting members turn to each other upon the instruction of Bishop Hanson who asked voting members to turn to someone and talk about one person whose witness has had a strong influence on their faith life and one person to whom they are now witnessing.

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson presents the report of the presiding bishop.

Voting members from the South Dakota Synod. Synod communicator Kevin Stillson (in green), voting member Carla Borchardt and Bishop David Zellmer.

Voting members participate in the morning plenary.

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson presents the report of the presiding bishop.

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson presents the report of the presiding bishop.

The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, presiding bishop, is joined by his wife Ione.

Carlos E. Peña, vice president of the ELCA, asks the Assembly to join in a liturgy of thanksgiving for Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson’s ministry in the life of this church. Mrs. Ione Hanson stands by Presiding Bishop Hanson’s side.

Carlos E. Peña, vice president of the ELCA, asks the Assembly to join in a liturgy of thanksgiving for Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson’s ministry in the life of this church. Mrs. Ione Hanson stands by Presiding Bishop Hanson’s side.

Carlos E. Peña, vice president of the ELCA, asks the Assembly to join in a liturgy of thanksgiving for Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson’s ministry in the life of this church. Mrs. Ione Hanson stands by Presiding Bishop Hanson’s side.

Carlos E. Peña, vice president of the ELCA, asks the Assembly to join in a liturgy of thanksgiving for Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson’s ministry in the life of this church. Mrs. Ione Hanson stands by Presiding Bishop Hanson’s side.

Carlos E. Peña, vice president of the ELCA, embraces Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson while Mrs. Ione Hanson looks on.

Carlos E. Peña, vice president of the ELCA, embraces Mrs. Ione Hanson while Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson looks on.

Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson and his wife, Mrs. Ione Hanson, listen to the applause and appreciation of the Assembly.

Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson and his wife, Mrs. Ione Hanson, listen to the applause and appreciation of the Assembly.

Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson and his wife, Mrs. Ione Hanson, listen to the applause and appreciation of the Assembly.

Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson and his wife, Mrs. Ione Hanson, listen to the applause and appreciation of the Assembly.

Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson and his wife, Mrs. Ione Hanson, listen to the applause and appreciation of the Assembly.

Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson and his wife, Mrs. Ione Hanson, are joined by their daughter and granddaughter.

Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson and his wife, Mrs. Ione Hanson, listen to the applause and appreciation of the Assembly.

Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson and his wife, Mrs. Ione Hanson, are joined by their daughter and granddaughter.

David Swartling, secretary of the ELCA, holds the Servus Dei Medal.

David Swartling, secretary of the ELCA, holds the Servus Dei Medal.

Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson and his wife, Mrs. Ione Hanson, are joined by their daughter and granddaughter.

Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson receives the Servus Dei Medal. This medal honors officers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America at the completion of their terms and continues a tradition that was begun in our predecessor church bodies. Mrs. Ione Hanson stands by his side.

Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson receives the Servus Dei Medal. This medal honors officers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America at the completion of their terms and continues a tradition that was begun in our predecessor church bodies.

Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson receives the Servus Dei Medal. This medal honors officers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America at the completion of their terms and continues a tradition that was begun in our predecessor church bodies. Mrs. Ione Hanson stands by his side.

Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson receives the Servus Dei Medal. This medal honors officers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America at the completion of their terms and continues a tradition that was begun in our predecessor church bodies. Mrs. Ione Hanson stands by his side.

Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson receives the Servus Dei Medal. This medal honors officers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America at the completion of their terms and continues a tradition that was begun in our predecessor church bodies.

Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson receives the Servus Dei Medal. This medal honors officers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America at the completion of their terms and continues a tradition that was begun in our predecessor church bodies.

Mrs. Ione Hanson smiles while listening to the presentation of the Servus Dei Medal.

Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson receives the Servus Dei Medal. This medal honors officers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America at the completion of their terms and continues a tradition that was begun in our predecessor church bodies. Mrs. Ione Hanson stands by his side.

Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson receives the Servus Dei Medal. This medal honors officers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America at the completion of their terms and continues a tradition that was begun in our predecessor church bodies. Mrs. Ione Hanson stands by his side.

Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson speaks after receiving the Servus Dei Medal. Mrs. Ione Hanson stands with their daughter and granddaughter.

Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson speaks after receiving the Servus Dei Medal. Mrs. Ione Hanson stands with their daughter and granddaughter.

Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson and his wife, Mrs. Ione Hanson, listen to the applause and appreciation of the Assembly.

Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson and his wife, Mrs. Ione Hanson, listen to the applause and appreciation of the Assembly while their daughter looks on.

The Rev. George Cruz-Martinez serves as presiding minister during Thursday’s worship.

A procession begins morning worship.

The processional cross is brought into the worship space.

Singers perform during worship.