FRIDAY, JUNE 12 @ 10 AM — SATURDAY, JUNE 13 @ 12:30 pm

PennWest California: 250 University Ave, California, PA 15419 Directions to PennWest California >>

Jesus reminds us in Matthew 5 that faith is meant to be shared and lived openly. Our witness is offered so others may find hope and see God’s love at work.

This year’s theme invites us to notice and celebrate the many ways God’s presence is already shining through our communities. In acts of care, justice, welcome, and creativity, vibrant faith takes shape in everyday ministry.

As we gather, may we be encouraged by one another’s witness and renewed in our calling to reflect God’s grace together.

Note: You do not need a Facebook login to watch the livestream. Our Facebook page is public and can be viewed in any browser.

Helpful Information & Forms

• Amendments Form

• Assembly Guide

• Assembly EMT: Pastor Jono Adams 412-817-6704

• Committee Interest Form

• En Bloc Removal Form

• Forum Descriptions & Locations

  • Slides: Mission Lab

• How Change Happens: Memorials and Resolutions

• Motions Form

• Nominee Biography Form

• Online Offering Plate

• Packing List

• Parking Passes to Print

  • Lot 4 (Anyone)

  • Lot 19 (Staying Overnight)

• Parliamentary Procedure Cheat Sheet

• T-Shirt Donations

  • Request Additional Sizing

• Wi-Fi Instructions for PennWest Network

Agenda

FRIDAY, JUNE 12

8:30 AM: Registration Opens

10:00 AM: Plenary 1

• Report of Registration and Attendance

• Report of Nominations Committee

• Budget Presentation

• Report of the Vice President

• Report of the Secretary

• Report of Treasurer

12:00 PM: Lunch

1:15 PM: Plenary 2

• Bishop’s Report

• ELCA Representative: Pastor Norma Malfatti

• Report of Memorials Committee

• First Ballot

4:00 PM: First Forum

5:00 PM: Second forum

6:00 PM: Deadline to Submit:

• Amendments to Budget Proposal

• En Bloc Removal from Secretary’s Report

6:10 PM: Dinner

7:40 PM: Worship

9:15 PM: Announcements & Adjourn for Evening

SATURDAY, JUNE 13

7:30 AM: Breakfast

8:45 AM: Morning Prayer

9:30 AM: Plenary 3

• Celebration of Ordination Anniversaries

• Second Ballot

• Budget Discussion

• Synod Council Recommendations

• Report of Women of the ELCA

• Report of Reference and Counsel

• Report of Resolutions Committee

12:30 PM: Closing of Assembly

Bulletin of Reports

Synod Council

• Report of the Synod Council

  • Appendix A: General Constitution Changes

  • Appendix B: Proposed Bylaw Changes and Continuing Resolutions Pertaining to Conferences

  • Appendix C: Implementing Resolutions for the SWPA Synod Conference Restructuring

    • Proposed Adjustments to Implementing Resolutions

  • Appendix D: Proposed Conference Map

  • Appendix E: Proposed Congregations Listed by Conference

• Proposed 2027 Budget

• Minimum Compensation Guidelines: Pastors

• Minimum Compensation Guidelines: Deacons

• Minimum Compensation Guidelines: Interims

Memorials

• In Support of Affordable Health Care to Sustain Congregational Ministry

Nominations

Reference & Counsel

• Report A

• Report B

Conferences

• Conference 1

• Conference 2

• Conference 3

• Conference 4

• Conference 6

Ministry Partners

• Bethesda Lutheran Services

• Camp Agape

• Candidacy Region 8

• ELCA Credit Union

• ELCA Foundation

• Glade Run Lutheran Services

• Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in PA

• Lutheran Campus Ministry of Greater Pittsburgh

• Lutheran SeniorLife

• Lutheran Service Society

• Lutherlyn Camp

• Mission Investment Fund

• Portico Benefits Services

• SWPA Women of the ELCA

• Tri-Synod Archives

• United Lutheran Seminary

Officers and Staff

• Bishop

• Vice President

• Secretary

  • Appendix A

  • Appendix B

  • Appendix C

  • Necrology

• Treasurer

  • Audit Report

  • Financial Statements & Supplementary Information

• Assistant to the Bishop

• Director for Evangelical Mission & Assistant to the Bishop

Committees

• Care & Leadership of Congregations

• Care & Leadership of Rostered Ministers

• Church in Society

• Church Throughout the World

• Constitution & Bylaws

• Ecumenical Affairs

• History & Archives

• Mission Endowment Fund Board

CHURCHWIDE REPRESENTATIVE

Pastor Norma Malfatti serves as the Senior Director for Director for Evangelical Mission Relationships in the Christian Community and Leadership Home Area of the ELCA’s churchwide organization.

In this role, she accompanies and equips the nearly 75 Directors for Evangelical Mission (DEMs) across the United States and Caribbean. Leaning into her passions for evangelism and sharing God’s love for all people, Pastor Norma serves alongside the New Ministry Development and Evangelism Team as they equip both DEMs and rostered and lay leaders across the ELCA to be more effective and confident evangelists, as well as serving on the Churchwide organization’s Synod Engagement Team.  

Offering Designation

AMMPARO is the ELCA's strategy for Accompanying Migrants with Protection, Advocacy, Representation and Opportunities. It comes from Psalm 46:1 ‘God is our refuge and strength.’ In Spanish, ‘Dios es nuestro amparo y fortaleza.’ It is a holistic, whole church commitment by the ELCA to accompany vulnerable migrants and all who are forcibly displaced. It began after witnessing children and families forced to flee chronic violence, poverty, and environmental displacement in Central America, but is now the ELCA’s global migration strategy.

We commit to upholding basic human rights and safety as we seek to address the drivers of migration and forcible displacement. We work toward just and humane policies affecting migrants in the U.S. and beyond. We engage the entire church body, congregations, synods and members together with ELCA companions, affiliates, and partners to accompany and advocate for our neighbors.

As siblings in Christ, we are called to bear witness to the humanity of all God’s children. Join us in making a difference in the lives of vulnerable people. Learn more at: elca.org/ammparo

For those staying overnight at Assembly, it’s important to know that PennWest does not provide bedding or towels and you must pack your own.