We Lift Our Eyes
to see God, our neighbor, and where God is calling us
OVERVIEW
  • Saturday, May 18, 2024 | 9am-4pm | at Grace Lutheran Church in Des Moines
  • Doors open for check in and hospitality time at 8am; plan to arrive for check in by 8:30am
  • Our theme is from Psalm 121:1-2 | I lift up my eyes to the hills - from where does my help come? My help comes form the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
  • We gather to worship, hear reports and synod updates, vote on upcoming budget, and to elect members to synod council, committees and the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
  • Cost is $70 for voting member - Elected Lay Persons from congregation and Rostered Ministers Under Call
  • Cost is $40 for Observers (voice, no vote) - Interns and some Rostered Ministers (some retired or on-leave)
  • Cost is $40 for Visitors (no voice nor vote) 
  • Retired Ministers have a choice to attend in any category
  • Find Lay Voting Allotment HERE
  • Online registration is open March 14 through April 15at 5pm
  • Congregations/Rostered Ministers received this email on February 15 with this handy dandy form to help get their voting members registered as a group online when registration opens in March
  • Registration is TWO STEPS. First, to register use the link below. Then...
  • PAYMENT IS A SEPARATE STEP:
  • Pay with check: Make check out to NWWA Synod, Assembly in the memo line, mail to our bank lock box: ELCA Region 1; PO Box 94432; Seattle, WA  98124-6732.
  • Pay with credit card: go here: lutheransnw.org/give - select Assembly from the dropdown, enter your payment amount and information, select "cover fees," and complete.  

REGISTER HERE

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VOTING MEMBERS SAVE THESE DATES (zoom links will be emailed and posted closer to events)
  • May 2, 7pm - Online Budget Hearing
  • May 6, 7pm - Online Resolutions Hearing
  • May 8, 7pm - Online Orientation Session
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
  • Ushers - we have enough!
  • Registration Helpers - need to arrive by 7:45am, stay until 11:30am
  • Members for the Elections Committee 
  • Members for the Reference & Counsel Committee
  • Reach out to Susan in the synod office if YOU would like to help!
AGENDA & RULES to guide our time together
NOMINATIONS & ELECTIONS
RESOLUTIONS 
  • Resolutions (and memorials) are one way to enable this church to address broad policy issues or issues important to God’s mission. 
  • Proposed resolutions are do to the synod office by April 15
  • Learn more about how to write and submit a resolution HERE
ASSEMBLY OFFERING
  • During our Assembly Worship, we will gather an offering.
  • We lift our eyes to see our neighbors in our world, local communities, and congregations.
  • Designated recipients are:
  • 30% - Lutheran Disaster Response - learn more here
  • 30% - Lutheran Community Services Northwest - learn more here
  • 40% - NWWA Synod Bishop's Caring Fund - supports local rostered leaders with scholarships and emergency aid
MINISTRY PARTNERS & SYNOD COMMITTEES
  • We hope to be able to highlight YOUR ministry area 
  • Given the space restrictions, we are not able to offer display tables this year. 
  • HOWEVER, you may produce a one-page document/flyer to place on a table in the narthex of the church - it will be a central hub for the day.
  • Additionally, you are invited to participate in any or all of the following ways:
  • Provide a written report that will be posted on this assembly webpage
  • Create a video message (30 seconds to 2 minutes max) - we will attempt to share all submitted videos during the assembly AND we will post them on the synod website after assembly & on our social media channels
  • Provide a swag/door prize item to be gifted to lucky drawing winners during the assembly
  • IF you would like to take advantage of any or all of the above options, please first communicate your request to Susan in the synod office by February 29 specifying which option(s) you wish to utilize. You may email her at susan@lutheransnw.org, or reach out by phone Monday-Thursday at 206-783-9292. She will reply to your request with a confirmation email and specific instructions/parameters for submitting materials. Please note, all materials you wish to include will be due to her no later than 4pm on Monday, April 15 at 12noon.

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Find minutes from previous assemblies HERE