Synod Assembly
Friday, May 16, 1pm-8pm and Saturday, May 17, 9am-4pm

GENERAL INFO

  • This will be a two-day event at the Edward D Hansen Conference Center in Everett. 
  • Friday: 1pm-8pm and Saturday 9am-4pm
  • We gather under the theme WOVEN INTO GOD'S STORY, Gal 3:26-29.
  • We will gather as a synod for worship, hear reports from our synod and churchwide leaders, hold elections, discuss resolutions, celebrate ministry anniversaries, share in conversation around our theme of being woven into God's story, and a few fun surprises. 
  • Additionally, we will be identifying a person to serve as bishop for the next 6 years. For more information on the bishop call process, see this page on our website.
  • A note from your synod council: next year - 2026 - will be a Gathering Year instead of an assembly year. However, we have a few items of business to attend to. So, in addition to the May 2025 dates, Assembly Voting Members will be asked to return for a brief special online meeting in May of 2026. This limited-agenda meeting will include the election of synod vice president and synod secretary. Please keep these additional dates in mind as you seek out potential voting members from your ministry site. Thank you!
  • Each congregation / worshiping community is to review the Lay Voting Allotment Chart in the download section below - and make plans now to elect lay voting members to attend the assembly. 

Registration closed on April 1st 

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PRE- ASSEMBLY ONLINE MEETINGS FOR VOTING MEMBERS

  • Thursday, May 1, 7pm – Online Orientation Session - Orientation Zoom
  • Sunday, May 4, 3pm – Online Bishop Nominee Forum for Voting Members Only - look for a separate email with registration link on Monday, April 28
  • Monday, May 5, 7pm – Online Budget Hearing - Budget Zoom
  • Wednesday, May 7pm – Online Resolutions Hearing - Resolutions Zoom
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GENERAL ELECTION - Synod Council and Committee Nominations/Elections

  • We will be electing persons to serve on the Synod Council, the Committee on Discipline, and the Consultation Committee. The Synod Nominating Committee has identified at least one person for each open role. Find the brief biographical information for those nominated HERE. (Voting members now have until April 28 to nominate additional persons from the floor - electronically. See your assembly get ready emails for form link.)

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RESOLUTIONS

  • Resolutions were due April 1st. 
  • The Reference & Counsel Committee is now reviewing and evaluating all resolutions in accordance with the Standing Rules. You will receive confirmation from the committee that they have received your resolution – and whether it has been approved to go to the assembly, or if there are changes needed.
  • We hope to make the resolutions available for review by voting members by May 1st.
  • We will be hosting an online resolutions hearing on Wed, May 7 at 7pm to provide resolution authors an opportunity to discuss the resolutions with assembly voting members ahead of the assembly.  

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WORSHIP & OFFERING DESIGNEES

WORSHIP - Worship will be a bit different this year. Elements of our traditional worship service will be found woven throughout our time together. It will be a continuous worship that unfolds across the entire two days of the synod assembly, trusting that every moment and every person is sacred. Worship is the "work of the people," so we hold reverence for every prayer, conversation, shared meal, resolution, budget, and vote as acts of faithfulness and love. We are all woven into God’s story. Together, we will be co-creating holy space in every breath of our time together.

OFFERING AT ASSEMBLY - Thank you in advance for being generous with your gifts – perhaps even taking up an offering in your congregation prior to assembly. The offering gathered at assembly worship services will be divided equally among these ministries:

  • Lutheran Disaster Response
  • Bishop's Caring Fund - supports health and well-being of rostered leaders and candidates
  • The Synod's LiVE Project - lay ministry formation 
  • Synod Emerging & Strategic Ministries 

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MEETING MATERIALS - will be posted as available

  • Should you have any questions in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact the Synod Office 206-783-9292 or Susan@lutheransnw.org.

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Committee and Ministry Partner Reports - coming soon

  • Camp Lutherwood
  • ELCA Foundation
  • Global Refuge
  • Godly Play
  • Living Water 
  • Lutheran Campus Ministry at UW
  • Lutheran Community Services Northwest
  • Lutheran Counseling Network
  • Mission Investment Fund
  • Mission to Seafarers
  • Pacific Lutheran University
  • Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary
  • Portico
  • Synod Personnel Committee
  • Synod Team Russia
  • and more!

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Find minutes from previous assemblies HERE

 

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