News from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America June 6, 1996 Title: INVESTIGATION INTO SYNOD FINANCES The New England Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is investigating "the handling and history of the synod's finances," and a formal audit failed to verify "certain restricted funds" of the synod. Bradford E. Cook, the synod's counsel, referred the discovery to the Connecticut State's Attorney. Bishop Robert L. Isaksen said, "Investments in an entity known as First Cheshire Investment Associates of Cheshire, Conn., and certain checks written on synod accounts to individuals or entities which are unknown or are inappropriate for receipt of such funds have apparently made funds and accounts impossible to verify and balance." The amount of questionable checks and investments appears to exceed $740,000. "Restricted funds" do not involve the regular operating funds of the synod or its contributions to church hunger programs. The ELCA's New England Synod is 77,340 Lutherans in 195 congregations throughout Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. The synod has an annual budget of about $1.8 million. At the recommendation of a synod task force, the synod treasurer's office was moved from Cheshire, Conn., to the synod's main office in Worcester, Mass., after the completion of George A. Patrick's 13 years as treasurer. The synod will elect a new treasurer at its annual assembly June 6-8 in Sturbridge, Mass. In a May 28 letter to New England Lutherans, Isaksen said, "Our primary responsibility is to protect all the resources entrusted to this church, including its money. We recognize the high public trust our members have placed in us, and we are committed to keeping and honoring that trust." He promised to keep clergy and congregations informed of results of the ongoing investigation. [ELCA News and Information: 8765 W. Higgins Road, Chicago, IL 60631; phone 312/380-2963]