“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22-23

 
 
 
 

 Saturday, May 17 @ 9:30 AM - 1 PM

Online Only through Zoom

-AND-

Thursday, June 12 @ 6 PM - Saturday, June 14 @ 12:30 PM

In-Person Only at
La Roche University: 9000 Babcock Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15237

Directions to La Roche University >>

 

Sign Up to Volunteer!
Volunteers who are not voting members of the assembly are needed in a variety of roles, including assisting in the bishop election process. Sign Up Here >>

Lead an Educational Forum!
The assembly will have time set aside for forums on Friday, June 13. If you are interested in hosting a forum in two hour-long spots, please fill out the information in this form by May 15. If you have any questions about the forums before you apply, please contact Pastor Brian Bennett rev.bbennett@gmail.com.

 
 

Voting members from your congregation have an important responsibility on behalf of all the members of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This assembly is the highest legislative authority of our synod; they will be making decisions that impact 143 congregations covering 10 counties in southwest PA.

Registration

  • Registration will be open March 1 - May 1.

  • Who can register? See the Lay Voter Formula & Letter from the Secretary >> to determine how many voting members your congregation may send.

  • Voting members are required to have a smartphone or tablet to use Vevox as your voting device.

  • Registration Fee: $100

  • IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT LODGING:
    Due to the limited availability of nearby hotel rooms because of the US Open, we are offering double-occupancy rooms only to ensure we can accommodate everyone who requires lodging within La Roche University’s housing capacity. Lodging Fee: $90

New this year

  • Youth Convocation is back! Youth Convo supports and empowers youth voting members of Synod Assembly (confirmed youth through 12th grade.) Youth Convo orients youth to assembly by helping them to understand how the church works and their role as a voting member, while providing safe and affirming space to question, explore their faith, and their role in the church.

  • 2025 Offering Designation: The Levi Fund is a new synod fund created in honor of Bishop Kurt Kusserow’s tenure as our synod’s bishop. In Numbers, the Lord told Moses, “Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest so that they may assist him.” It was a demonstration that leaders do not work alone. And so by underwriting the salaries of critical synod staff positions, the goal of the Levi Fund is to ensure that our next bishop is able to have the necessary support to fulfill the duties of the office.

  • Volunteer Opportunities: New in the registration form, there will be a number of options where you can provide help to the assembly. From worship lectors to registration helpers to minutes takers, there is an opportunity to put your strengths to use for the good of all attending.

  • In-person guests are welcome. All guests joining us on site MUST register. In-person guest fees for registration and/or housing will be at the same rate as voting members. Online guests may view the assembly live on the synod’s facebook page.

 
 

Elections

Our synod will elect a new bishop at this year’s synod assembly. For information about the election process or how our synod is preparing to discern, see the Bishop Election Page >>

Yet the bishop election is not the only business happening at our assembly, nor the only election that will shape our future together. As our theme suggests—“Changing & Unchanging: Great is Your Faithfulness”—there is a constancy to the work of the church that takes places in the midst of change, and God is faithful through it all. The synod council will still direct the vision of our synod, and committees will still work toward their particular charge. Please consider whether you may be called to leadership at this time as well.

Nominations Due by April April 25

  • Synod Council At Large

    • 2 laypersons

    • 1 Rostered Leader

  • Synod Council At Large Youth Representative

  • Committee on Discipline

    • 2 Laypersons

    • 2 Rostered Leaders

(NOTE: This form is not a nomination for the position of bishop. For more information on bishop nominations see the Bishop Election Page >>)

Synod Council Conference Representatives

(Will be nominated at respective conference caucus meetings.)

  • Conference 1: Layperson

  • Conference 2: Rostered Leader

  • Conference 3: Layperson

  • Conference 4: Rostered Leader

  • Conference 5: Layperson

  • Conference 5: Rostered Leader

  • Conference 6: Rostered Leader

 
 

Churchwide Representative

Deacon Sue E. Rothmeyer
Secretary of the ELCA

 

Assembly Chaplain

Pastor Blair Morgan
Retired Director for Evangelical Mission

 
 
 

Pre-Assembly Caucus Meetings

Pre-meeting business will prepare voting members prior to attending the assembly. Caucus meetings are also where memorials—action items that address broad policy issues in the synod or churchwide organization—are sent on to be adopted by the Synod Assembly and then passed on to the Churchwide Assembly if applicable. Memorials must be submitted before the start of your conference's caucus meeting. Submit a Memorial >>

Conference 1
Wednesday, May 7 @ 7-9 PM

New Hope Lutheran Church
200 2nd Ave, Freedom, PA 15042

Conference 2
Wednesday, April 30 @ 7-9 PM

St. Peter's Lutheran Church
202 Van Buren St, Evans City, PA 16033

Conference 3
Sunday, May 4 @ 4:30-6:30 PM

Online via Zoom >>
Passcode: caucus3

 

Conference 4
Wednesday, April 30 @ 7-9 PM

Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church
301 E Pittsburgh St, Delmont, PA 15626

Conference 5
NO CAUCUS MEETING
Read this letter for more information >>

Conference 5 voting members may attend another caucus for assembly information.

Conference 6
Thursday, May 1 @ 7-9 PM

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
105 Gateshead Dr, McMurray, PA 15317

 
 

Important Information for Voting Members

Agenda

Subject to Change

Saturday, May 17
Online Only via Zoom

  • 8:30 AM - Zoom Opens

  • 9 AM - Vevox Voting Tutorial

  • 9:30 AM - Plenary One

    • First Ballot for Bishop

    • Budget Presentation

    • Bishop’s Report

    • Synod Council Officer Reports

Thursday, June 12
In-Person at La Roche University

  • 6 PM - Opening Worship

  • 7:40 PM - Plenary Two

    • Nominations Report

    • Second Ballot for Bishop

    • Memorials Committee

Friday, June 14

  • 9 AM - Plenary Three

    • Speeches: Top Seven Bishop Candidates

    • Third Ballot for Bishop

  • 11 AM - Forums & Lunch

  • 2 PM - Worship

  • 3:50 PM Plenary Four

    • Celebrating Ordination Anniversaries

    • Q&A with Top Three Bishop Candidates

    • Fourth Ballot for Bishop

    • Budget

  • 5 PM - Dinner

  • 6:30 PM - Plenary Five

    • Fifth Ballot for Bishop

    • Reference & Counsel

    • Synod Council Recommendations

    • General Elections

Saturday, June 14

  • 9 AM - Plenary Six

    • Memorials

    • Synod Council Recommendations

    • Resolutions

  • 11 AM - Closing Worship