Synod Assembly

*The Assembly will begin at 1 pm with service projects, a display fair, and possibly a couple workshops. All voting members will have the opportunity to hear from Bible Study Leader, Karoline Lewis, Marbury Anderson Chair in Biblical Preaching at Luther Seminary and Executive for Worship, ELCA, John Weit. Onsite attendance is limited and will be based on a first-come basis so please register early! There is unlimited space for attending online.

BEFORE registering online, please click here to view and download the registration information letter.  (*please note the updated time above.)

Register each voting member online by clicking here.

Take advantage of the early rate by registering prior to April 1, 2025.

Upon registering, voting members will have the option to choose between attending the Assembly onsite (at Gustavus), or online (Zoom). Whether you attend online or onsite, each voting member will need:

• their own personal email address that is read regularly, and
• a tablet/laptop/IPad or smartphone for voting purposes.

Voting members will first register for the Assembly itself. Then, in May, all those registered will be sent a link to register in Zoom. Every voting member will need to register in both places. For all voting members, Zoom Polling will be used for voting. For voting members attending online, this will also be the platform in which you will attend the Assembly.

We invite you to join us in sharing a gift through the 2025 Synod Assembly Offering.

This year the synod looks to raise $35,000 to invest in our joint work of passing on the faith.

No area excites or concerns congregations more than the engagement of children, youth, and young families. Ensuring that young people grow in and explore their faith is vital to our work together as the Southwestern Minnesota Synod.

The synod’s investment in the forming of faith includes:

• Our Synod Minister for Equipping Congregation Leaders, Rostered Ministers, Youth, & Families, Pr. Seyward Ask. Through her role she strengthens a network of those in Youth & Family ministry in congregations. She spent the first year in her role listening and learning the landscape of youth and family ministry and now prepares to bring congregational leaders around the synod together for encouragement and mutual learning.
• A junior high event that gathers together upwards of 600 youth to experience God’s love and see the exciting breadth of God’s church.
• A senior high event providing space for faith exploration
• A Lutheran Youth Organization where a board of elected adults and youth group works together to plan meaningful synod-wide youth events

Every congregation, large and small, rural and urban, can benefit from these investments.

Through the Synod Assembly Offering, the Southwestern Minnesota Synod seeks to raise $35,000 to underwrite these investments, ensuring that congregations throughout the synod continue to walk together as young people experience the God who has claimed them.

We’re inviting every congregation in the synod to join us with a gift. Some congregations will utilize endowment funds. Others will see it as part of their outreach ministries. Others will take up a special collection.

Gifts of all sizes will make this possible. 

You can bring your gift to the Assembly, mail it to the synod office (PO Box. 499, Redwood Falls, MN 56283. Please note the synod assembly offering in the memo), or give online.

We’re excited to walk with congregations as you work to pass on the faith. We’d love for you to join us.

Click here to download the offering letter.

The 2025 Southwestern Minnesota Assembly will be held June 6-7, 2025, at Gustavus Adolphus College. The Assembly begins at 1 pm with a couple service projects, display fair, and workshops, until around 5 pm. This is all in the planning stages. Saturday will begin with worship in Christ Chapel followed by the Assembly business sessions in Alumni Hall. The display area will be located just below Alumni Hall, same as last year, alongside the onsite check-in for all voting members.

• Display registration is open until May 15 or until space is filled.
• Each display includes an 8-foot table, 2 folding chairs, and table linens, if requested.
• Outlet access is limited and granted on a first-come basis. (please bring your own extension cord).

Click here for the online display registration. You will register and submit payment at time of registration. You may also register for campus housing, if you wish to stay onsite. 

2025 SYNOD ASSEMBLY DISPLAY RATE:

• No Charge - Synod Committees.
• $50 - Shared Ministries. (Ministries who are part of the synod budget).
• $75 - Mission Partners. (ELCA affiliated – is the ELCA logo prevalent on your website?)
• $100 - For-profit vendors. (everyone else)

*Meals may be purchased in the MarketPlace.

• Display personnel should check-in with Kristin Bakeberg onsite prior to setting up their display table.
• Registration for displays will start at 11 am on Friday.
• Any tables left vacant after 2 pm on Friday will be taken down.

ANNUAL REPORTS:

• If your organization does an annual report, please send it directly to Tammy Schacher no later than April 1. Actually, the sooner the better! Tammy.schacher@swmnelca.org. 

DEADLINE for submitting memorials/resolutions is April 7, 2025.

Click here to view and download the 2025 Guidelines for Memorials and Resolutions.

Submit resolutions by April 7, 2025, in order to be considered by the 2025 Synod Assembly:
By email: tammy.schacher@swmnelca.org
By mail: Southwestern Minnesota Synod
Attn: Tammy Schacher
PO Box 499
Redwood Falls, MN 56283

March 31, 2025 - Early registration closes

April 7, 2025 - Resolution deadline

May 2, 2025 - Shared ministry video and report deadline

May 15, 2025 - Display registration closes

May 20, 2025 - Assembly Orientation Zoom Webinar @ 7pm

May 22, 2025 - Budget Forum Zoom @ 7pm

May TBD           Resolutions Forum (if needed)

May 22, 2025 - Assembly registration closes

June 6-7, 2025 - Synod Assembly