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Contents Synod Assembly in Review Churchwide Reports Churchwide Representative: Jodi Slattery Message from Presiding Bishop Eaton Proceedings of the Synod Assembly

Synod Assembly in Review

Following opening devotions offered by The Rev. Karen Erskine Valentine, Director of Camp Luther, Synod Assembly convened at 10:15 a.m. on Saturday, 1 June 2024, at the Mon County 4-H Center in Mylan Park, a few miles from Morgantown, WV. Beautiful weather allowed the Synod Assembly to transact business in the show ring, a 15,000 sq. ft. pavilion open on three sides. This is the second time we've been able to meet al fresco, and it could not have been more lovely. (Photo above by Mary Sanders)

Early action in the assembly included a motion from the floor to amend the agenda proposal to include special orders of five minutes each for agents of the Lutheran Campus Ministry at WVU, Community Lutheran Partners, Camp Luther, the ELCA Foundation, and the National Lutheran Association for Scouting to address the assembly. This the assembly approved.

No floor nominations were offered during the report of the Nominating Committee.

The report of the bishop, because of various special orders was broken into multiple parts. In the first segment he acknowledged the ordination anniversaries of several pastors and several congregational anniversaries, two being quartoseptcentennial. He also invited questions related to the written report that he had submitted prior to the assembly. During the afternoon meeting, he resumed his report, exploring issues related to the availability of clergy and the ability of the congregations to afford clergy. He then laid out several models that he considered possible paths forward. He concluded his time by inviting the assembly to break into small groups of their choosing around the models proposed. Following the breakout, a member of one group reported that the conversation had opened the door to a possible collaboration that would help her congregation. This second part of the bishop's report is being proofed.

At the minutes/tech table, Abi Spray Hull attempts to ignore the antics of Chap. Ben Erzkus and Pr. Matt Holbert.(selfie by Matt Holbert)

Jodi Slattery, as the Churchwide Representative, brought greetings from and reported for the Churchwide Organization (see below).

The budget for FY2025-2026 of was adopted.

Twelve were elected to seats on Synod Council, Discipline Committee, and Consultation Committee. Four were elected to Churchwide Assembly. Two were nominated for Church Council of the ELCA. Click here for full election results.

Several bylaws were amended. Click here for a collation of amendments.

Synod Assembly adjourned sine die at 3:27 p.m. The assembly mass followed with Chap. Courtney Erzkus presiding at the table and Bishop Riegel preaching on Genesis 1 and the Holy Trinity, taking inspiration from Luther's Lectures on Genesis. By order of the Synod Assembly, the assembly worship offering of $1,027 will be split equally between the Lutheran Campus Ministry at WVU, Camp Luther, and Community Lutheran Partners.

Community Lutheran Partners held a soup fundraiser during the 90-minute lunch adjournment.

Churchwide Reports

Churchwide Representative: Jodi Slattery

Ms. Jodi L. Slattery, Executive for Governance in the ELCA, served as our representative from the Churchwide Organization. In her role as Executive for Governance, she works directly with Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton in preparing the agendas for the ELCA Church Council and Churchwide Assembly. She also provides staff services for the Church Council, the Churchwide Assembly, the Executive Committee, and the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church. Previously, Ms. Slattery served as the Director for Grassroots Advocacy and Communication in the ELCA Washington Office. Prior to her time in Washington, D.C., she served as the Communications Director at Southeastern Iowa Synod, Iowa City, Iowa.

Message from Presiding Bishop Eaton

Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton provided a video message: God’s love in these times | 2024 ELCA Synod Assembly video.

Proceedings of the Assembly

The Proceedings of the Synod Assembly will take some time to assemble, proof, edit, and publish. We will announce here when they are finalized. In the meantime, you can click the proceedings link at right and access the Pre-Assembly Bulletin of Reports as it is being converted in to the Proceedings of the Synod Assembly.