Synod Assembly 2025

The 2025 North/West Lower Michigan Synod Assembly will be held in-person on May 18-20, 2025 at the Comfort Inn & Suites in Mt. Pleasant, MI under the theme “Living a Life Worthy of Our Calling.”

As part of the order for the Opening of a Synod Assembly, we say: “Live a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, making every effort to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.” These words are taken from Ephesians:


“I, therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to live in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace: there is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:1-6).

The calling of a bishop—or renewing the call of a bishop—at the 2025 Synod Assembly affords the Synod the opportunity to once again renew our conviction that none other than God through Christ Jesus calls us not merely to a specific activity or occupation but to a life lived entirely in God’s grace. We also renew our commitment to live a life worthy of this calling. Both our conviction and our commitment come as God’s gift and are grounded in God’s grace.

Under the theme “Living a Life Worthy of Our Calling,” voting members and visitors at the 2025 Synod Assembly will consider three aspects of God’s gracious gift of life lived entirely in God’s grace: (1) called by God, (2) united in Christ, and (3) given to one another by the Spirit. Learn more about the 2025 Synod Assembly theme.

In the coming months, updates and resources will continue to be posted on this website. Additional questions should be emailed to assembly@mittensynod.org.

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

January 15:  Deadline for Greetings, Display Tables, Workshops, and Choir Interest Forms

February 15: Synod Assembly Registration Opens; Additional information posted on website

Electing Voting Members

Guidance on rostered voting members and the election of lay voting members for the 2025 Synod Assembly is available. Learn More.

Parliamentary Procedure & Agenda

ELCA Synod Assemblies and Churchwide Assemblies use parliamentary procedure to conduct business. A synopsis of Robert’s Rules of Order is provided for reference. Learn more.

A tentative public agenda is available to help voting members and visitors understand the format of the 2025 Synod Assembly. This agenda is subject to change. Learn more.

Registration

Registration for the 2025 Synod Assembly will open on February 15, 2025. A link to the registration form will be available here on that date.

Synod Council has approved the following registration fees:

  • Early-Bird Registration (February 15 – March 17)
    • Voting Members and Visitors: $200
    • Retired Rostered Ministers / Rostered Ministers on Disability: $150
  • Regular Registration (March 18 – April 23)
    • Voting Members and Visitors: $225
    • Retired Rostered Ministers / Rostered Ministers on Disability: $165

Hotel Reservations

Voting members and visitors must make hotel reservations directly with the Comfort Inn & Suites. Hotel reservations will open on February 15, 2025. A link and additional contact information will be available here on this date.   

  • Standard Hotel Room (per night – excludes taxes, etc.): $111

Pre-Assembly Discussion Sessions

Prior to the 2025 Synod Assembly, there will be optional discussion sessions held via Zoom. Registration for these sessions will be included on the Synod Assembly Registration Form. All are encouraged to attend!

  • May 13, 6-8pm: Pre-Assembly Discussion on Resolutions/Memorials
  • May 14, 6-8pm: Pre-Assembly Discussion on Budget/Compensation Guidelines
  • May 15, 6-8pm: Pre-Assembly Discussion on Parliamentary Procedure/Voting/Bishop Election Process

Workshops

Workshops are tentatively scheduled on Monday, May 19 from 4:45-5:45pm at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mt. Pleasant. There is space for eight workshops. Voting members and visitors attending Synod Assembly will have the option of registering for one workshop when completing the Synod Assembly Registration Form.

Those interested in hosting a workshop must complete the Workshop Interest Form by January 15, 2025. Completing the form does not guarantee a workshop. Those selected will be notified the week of January 27.

For security and capacity considerations, those hosting a workshop will need to register for the 2025 Synod Assembly as a voting member or visitor.

Complete the Workshop Interest Form.

Greetings

In the current agenda, there is space for up to nine greetings. Representatives of ELCA Ministries or Synod committees or budget support areas are eligible to apply to greet the Synod Assembly. Greetings can be in-person or video but must be 5 minutes or less. Due to potential changes to the Synod Assembly Agenda, we cannot guarantee a specific time for a greeting.

Those interested in a greeting must complete the Greeting Interest Form by January 15, 2025. Completing the form does not guarantee a greeting space. Those selected will be notified the week of January 27.

For security and capacity considerations, those giving an in-person greeting will need to register for the 2025 Synod Assembly as a voting member or visitor.

Complete the Greeting Interest Form.

Display Tables

There is space for up to 15 display tables. All display tables must be related to ELCA Ministries or Synod committees or budget support areas. Display tables must be set up after 2pm on Sunday, May 18, and must be removed by 12pm on Tuesday, May 20.

Display tables are available for a $55 rental fee (includes one table and one electric outlet) or $40 (includes one table and no electric outlet). Tables come with two chairs and skirting; however, you are required to furnish or rent any special equipment that you will need. 

Those interested in hosting a display table must complete the Display Table Interest Form by January 15, 2025. Due to limited space, submitting an application does not guarantee a display table. Preference will be given to display tables that are in some way interactive. If selected, you will be notified the week of January 27.

For security and capacity considerations, those hosting and/or staffing a display table will need to register for the 2025 Synod Assembly as a voting member or visitor.

Complete the Display Table Interest Form.

Synod Assembly Choir

If there is enough interest, voting members and visitors can be part of the Synod Assembly Choir. If you would like to join the choir, please complete the Synod Assembly Choir Interest Form by January 15, 2025.

Due to limited space at the Comfort Inn & Suites, the Synod Assembly Choir may need to rehearse at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mt. Pleasant. For security and capacity considerations, those participating in the choir will need to register for the 2025 Synod Assembly as a voting member or visitor.

Complete the Synod Assembly Choir Interest Form.

Bishop Election

The business of the 2025 Synod Assembly will include a bishop election. Synod Council is responsible for organizing and facilitating bishop elections within applicable Synod Assemblies. At their March 2024 meeting, Synod Council determined the 2025 bishop election will be conducted by ecclesiastical ballot without a “potential nominee” process in advance of the synod assembly – consistent with the process used in 2019 (as well as in 2007, 2001, 1995, and 1989). Learn more about the Bishop Election Process.

General Elections

Information on General Elections, including the nomination slate and bio forms, will be available on February 15, 2025.

Resolutions and Memorials

Information on submitting a resolution or memorial for consideration at the 2025 Synod Assembly will be available on February 15, 2025.

Assembly Book

The “Assembly Book” will again be a series of pdf documents that will be posted on this website prior to the Synod Assembly. Information on submitting materials to be included in the Assembly Book will be available on February 15, 2025.

2025 Synod Assembly Scavenger Hunt

Voting members and visitors will be able to participate in a digital scavenger hunt during Synod Assembly! Similar to one at the 2024 ELCA Youth Gathering, voting members and visitors will have a new way to connect with each other and engage with aspects of the Synod Assembly. More information will be available in February!