Archived Synod Assembly

2025 Synod Assembly

The Southwestern Minnesota Synod Assembly was held online and in person on Friday, June 6-7, 2025.

The assembly grounded us in the promises of Jesus in John’s gospel, “…That my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” – John 15:11. Thanks be to God and to you for the joy of being “synod” together!

Full assembly gathered

Summary of Assembly Actions:

The Assembly elected:
Synod Council At-Large: Carly Haines
Synod Council At-Large: Ralph Flitter
Synod Council At-Large: Dolyn Deschepper
Synod Discipline Committee: Carol Kopel
Synod Discipline Committee: Jeff Hanson
Synod Consultation Committee: Rev. Janet Adams
Synod Consultation Committee: Rev. Levi Bollerud
Synod Consultation Committee: Rev. Mary Hovland

Ratified from Conference Assemblies:
Synod Council – Prairie Conference: Rev. Megan Eide
Synod Council – Prairie Conference: Seth Boerboom
Synod Council – Shetek Conference: Rev. Chad Duffy
Synod Council – Watonwan River Conference: Calvin Hanson
Synod Council – Watonwan River Conference: Rev. Amanda France

Assembly Action: Motion to approve the Budget for FY2027. Motion approved.

Assembly Action: Motion to approve 2026 SW MN Synod Compensation Guidelines. Motion approved.

Assembly Action: Resolution 25.01 Regarding Approval of the SW MN SYNOD securing a loan for up to $240,000,00 for the purpose of Synod Office Building Renovation. Motion approved. 

Summary Videos:

2024 Synod Assembly

The Southwestern Minnesota Synod Assembly was held June 7-8. The assembly gathered both online and onsite at Gustavus Adolphus College, St Peter. The theme of the Assembly was, “one body in Christ,” which was present throughout the weekend.

Romans 12:5 -“So we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.” NRSV.

Cross with Ribbons
IMG 7365

Thank you for gathering in the room and online, united by the Assembly theme, “One Body in Christ” (Romans 12:5). This Assembly once again represented a “first.” In 2020, an Assembly was cancelled for the first time due to COVID. The 2021 Assembly, which included the bishop election, was conducted entirely online. Assembly 2022 was cancelled due to lack of quorum and still-confusing masking guidelines. Last year, the Assembly finally met fully in person. And 2024 marked the first hybrid Assembly – ever! Thank you for being part of yet another “first.” As we walk together in life and in the church, “firsts” are our new normal. Thanks be to God and to you for the joy of being “synod” together. 

Click here to read Bishop Dee Pederson's post-assembly recap.

Assembly Actions

2024 Synod Assembly Minutes

Here is a summary of Assembly Actions: 

The Assembly elected: 
Synod Council At-Large: Rev. Katherine Rohloff 
Synod Council At-Large: Rev. Russell Britton   
Churchwide Voting Member At-Large: Rev. Janine Olson 
Churchwide Voting Member At-Large: Susan Ukaonu 
Churchwide Voting Member At-Large: Quentin Markfort 
Churchwide Voting Member At-Large: Rev. Chimezie Ukaonu 
Churchwide Voting Member At-Large: Rev. Bryant Kaden 

Ratified from Conference Assemblies: 
Synod Council Lakeland Conference: Deacon Brenda Handel-Johnson 
Synod Council Minnesota Valley Conference: Paul Engel  
Synod Council Scenic Valley Conference: Rev. Lowell Krogstad 
Click here to view the Churchwide Voting Members elected at conference assemblies. 
 

Assembly Action: Motion to approve the Budget for FY2026. Motion approved. 

Assembly Action:  Motion to approve 2025 SW MN Synod Compensation Guidelines. Motion approved. 

Rev. Adam Roberts withdrew his motion on Resolution 24.01 - Clarifying Question Regarding Homosexual Relationships.  

Assembly Action: Motion to approve Resolution 24.02 - Regarding Revisions to Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust. Motion failed.  

Assembly Action: Resolution 24.03 - Regarding Bylaw Changes to the Synod Constitution. Motion approved. 

Assembly Offering

As of June 18, the Synod Assembly offering totaled $10,866.39, and the World Hunger Assembly Offering is $4,216.85. Offerings are still coming in--we thank you for your generosity!

The Synod Assembly offering is an important component of our budgeted support and, received with other gifts, allows us to support a number of ministries in Southwestern Minnesota.  High priorities among these right now are Lutheran Campus Ministry, Luther Seminary, Shalom Hill Farm, and Continuous Growth Pathway. In this time especially, we are grateful for the way these partners train, prepare, support, and renew current and future lay and rostered ministers. How can you be a part? Congregations are encouraged to send a gift of $1 per baptized member.

Please make checks payable to: Southwestern Minnesota Synod, and mail to PO Box 499, Redwood Falls, MN 56283 or click here to give online.

Thank you for your prayers and your generosity that allow us as a synod to support ministries like these. 

PreAssembly Book

Links will be live once the materials become available.

Click here to download the Pre-Assembly Book as one document:

  • Welcome
  • Synod Assembly Prep
  • Agenda
  • General Information
  • Assembly Speakers
  • Rules of Procedure
  • Table of Parliamentary Terms
  • Resolutions and Background Information
  • Proposed Budget 
  • Celebrations & Recognitions
  • Roster Report
  • Let's Do Lunch - Assembly Workshops
  • Report Of The Presiding Bishop
  • Synod Reports
  • We Remember

Separate Documents from the Pre-Assembly Book: 
Agenda
Bishop Dee Pederson's Synod Assembly Report
Proposed Compensation Guidelines
Report of the Synod Nominating Committee
Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2026
Narrative Budget
Background Information on Resolutions 24.01 and 24.02 - Brief Overview: Reconsideration of Social Statement
Resolution 24.01 - Clarifying Question Regarding Homosexual Relationships (Updated 5.30.24 with recommendation from Resolutions Committee)
Resolution 24.02 - Regarding Revisions to Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust (Updated 5.30.24 with recommendation from Resolutions Committee)
Resolution 24.03 - Regarding Bylaw Changes to the Synod Constitution
Gustavus Adolphus College Maps

Synod Reports:
Gifts of Grace: Toward Financial Wellbeing
Synod Council Vice President Report
Synod Council Treasurer's Report:
-Budget Planning - Operating Fund Guiding Principles
-Mission Support from Congregation at Year-End
-Operating Fund Net Assets at Year-End
-Budget Comparison Summary & Change
-Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2026

Shared Ministries / Mission Partners Reports:
1517 Media (formerly Augsburg Fortress Press)
ELCA Federal Create Union
ELCA Foundation
ELCA Region 3 Archives Report
ELCA Report of The Presiding Bishop (English)
ELCA Report of The Presiding Bishop (Spanish) 
Global Refuge
Global Refuge - Forged in Faith Bulletin Insert (English)
Global Refuge - Forged in Faith Bulletin Insert (Spanish)
Luther College
Luther Crest Bible Camp
Mission Investment Fund
Portico Benefit Services
Seafarers International House
Wartburg College

Assembly Hearings

What is an Assembly Hearing? At the hearings, committee leaders educate voting members on the important documents which require an Assembly vote. Most importantly, the hearings are a time for leaders to listen to the concerns of voting members, create dialogue, and answer questions. All Assembly hearings will be on Zoom. Voting members received an email invitation to attend the hearings the first week of May. Please contact the synod office if you are a registered voting member and did NOT receive this email, please contact Kristin Bakeberg at [email protected]. 

COMPENSATION GUIDELINES: Monday, May 13 at 7:00 pm.
The Compensation Guidelines are an important tool in determining the salary and benefits of rostered leaders, lay staff, pulpit supply, and providing other important information.


RESOLUTION HEARING: Tuesday, May 14 at 7:00 pm.
Resolutions are requests from synods to the ELCA Church Council or units of the churchwide organization. They may originate from synod councils or synod assemblies and have a narrow focus.


BUDGET HEARING: Monday, May 20 at 7:00 pm.
The Synod Treasurer, Bob Haines, will address the 2026 proposed budget. Bob, and other members of the committee, will listen to voting member feedback, answer questions, and define proposed changes.


ASSEMBLY ORIENTATION/VOTING PRACTICE: Tuesday, May 21 at 7:00 pm.
Attending the Assembly orientation will ensure voting members know what to bring, where to go, and how to vote. Whether you are attending online or onsite, the orientation will better prepare you for the Assembly. Bring your questions! 

 

 

Synod Assembly Coordinator

Tamara Schacher
Admin. Assistant to Bishop Dee Pederson
[email protected]
507.627.9041 (Direct Line) 507.430.2367 (Cell)

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