Synod Assembly

Click here to register!

Registration Information for Voting Assembly Participants

The following persons are eligible to serve as voting members of the assembly:

• Pastors on the roster of the Southwestern Minnesota Synod who are under call.
• Deacons on the roster of the Southwestern Minnesota Synod who are under call.
• Two retired pastors elected by their peers to represent the retired pastors on the roster of the SW MN Synod.
• Lay members of the Synod Council.
• Lay voting members from congregations of the synod.
• Lay conference chairpersons who are not congregational voting members.
• Retired pastors on the synod roster serving as interim pastors in congregations of the synod during the Synod Assembly.
• Retired or on-leave-from-call Deacons elected by their congregation as voting members.
• Persons serving in a Synodically Authorized Ministry (more than half time) in congregations of the synod during the Synod Assembly.

Congregation Size*		Voting Member #	Gender
0 – 174		1 or 2	If only one registers, either a male or a female.
			If two register, it must be one male and one female.
175 – 500		2	1 male, 1 female
501 – 1,000		3	1 male, 1 female + 1 either male or female
1,001 – 1,500		4	2 male, 2 female
1,501 – 2,000		5	2 male, 2 female + 1 either male or female
2,001 – 2,500		6	3 male, 3 female
2,501 – 3,000		7	3 male, 3 female + 1 either male or female
3,001 – 3,500		8	4 male, 4 female

*Numbers represent BAPTIZED membership.
More than 3,500 baptized members, add one voting member for every additional 500 baptized members.

Registration Information for Non-Voting Assembly Participants

Advisory members of the assembly have voice but not vote during business sessions. Such persons must register and pay the appropriate fee, which entitles them to all activities and meals. Those wanting the materials printed for them should add $25 to the registration fee. Persons who may register as advisory members include: ELCA churchwide staff, representatives of synodical shared ministries, retired rostered persons (with the exception of the two retired pastors elected to vote), and rostered persons not currently under call. Advisory members may attend all days of the assembly.

Visitors for the assembly have neither voice nor vote during business sessions. Any interested members of congregations of the synod may register as visitors and pay the appropriate fee, which entitles them to all the activities and meals.  Visitors must sit in a separate designated area during the business session.

If you have questions about the 2019 Synod Assembly, please call Tammy Sather in the Synod Office at 507.627.9041 or email her at tammy.sather@swmnelca.org.

Registration Procedures and Costs

Registration is online only. Please go to www.swmnelca.org  to register the pastor(s), deacon(s), and the elected lay voting members from your congregation. Please register each person attending the assembly prior to Friday, May 17, to take advantage of the early bird rate.

	BY 5.17.19	AFTER
Voting Member	$180.00 (facilities/meals)*	$230.00 (facilities/meals)*
Advisory/Visitor	$ 95.00 (facilities/meals)*	$145.00 (facilities/meals)*

* If printed materials are requested, $25 will be added to the registration fee.

Refund Policy:

• Cancellations by June 3:  100% Refund
• Cancellations after June 3 or Non-Attendance without Cancellation:  No Refund

Housing Information

Many Synod Assembly voting members will commute to the assembly in Redwood Falls. Others will want to stay in a nearby hotel or campsite. Redwood Falls is a beautiful city and there is a lot going on in the area that weekend! If you are interested in staying in the greater Redwood Falls area, here is some valuable information:

1. Rooms have been reserved at various hotels around the area; however, the synod does not promote, recommend, or endorse any of them. It is the responsibility of the congregation/individual to determine an acceptable place to stay.
2. The Synod Assembly registration fee does not include housing. This is completely separate. Congregations/individuals can decide if they want to book rooms at 2 or 4 people per room.
3. Availability of rooms is a first-come/first-serve basis. Make your reservations now if you plan to stay in the area. There are many big events happening in the Redwood Falls area that weekend.
4. All rooms are held for June 6-7, 2019; however, you do not have to stay both nights.
5. When you call to make reservations, please reference the SW MN Synod Assembly.
6. All hotel rooms have a release date. Therefore, make your reservations early!

Hotel	Contact Info	Price	Amenities	Release Date
Quality Inn Redwood Falls	507.644.4444 www.choicehotels.com	$69/night	Free WiFi, continental breakfast	May 15, 2019
Redwood Lodge Redwood Falls	507.644.5700 www.redwoodlodge.com	$79/night	Fitness center, hot tub, sauna, free breakfast	May 27, 2019
Jackpot Junction Hotel	1.800.WIN-CASH	$105/night	Pool, arcade, fitness center	May 15, 2019
Ramsey Park Campground	507.644.2333 Redwoodareacommunitycenter.com	$24/Camper $15/Tent	Electric & water hookups, showers & restrooms	Could not hold Reserve ASAP
Gilfillan Campground	507.249.2210 Redwoodhistoricalsociety.com	$25/Camper $10/Tent	Electric & water hookups, showers & restrooms	Could not hold Reserve ASAP

Click here for the Display Request Form
If you would like to have a display at the assembly, you must complete the online display form. The online form will be posted on Feb. 15.

-Click here to download the 2019 Display Letter.

Because we feel our displays play a vital role in our Synod Assemblies, we ask you to adhere to our policies if you choose to request a display. Our Synod Assembly Planning Team may refuse any display request that doesn’t support our synod’s mission.

*All displays will be set up Friday, June 7 before 10 a.m. The RACC will be open for you to set up on Thursday, June 6 until 8 p.m. and again on Friday morning at 8 a.m. This is also to give you more exposure as this is when our 650 voting members will be registering. Additionally, our large service projects will begin Friday morning.

*All displays must be taken down no sooner than Saturday, June 8 at 2 p.m. without prior authorization.

*All displays will be staffed at all times throughout the assembly.

Early bird Display rate:	After May 17:
Waived for Synod Boards/Committees/Teams	$25   Synod Boards/Committees/Teams
$15   Shared Ministries	$40   Shared Ministries
$25   Mission Partners	$50    Mission Partners
$75   Other	$100   Other

Each display includes an 8-foot table, folding chair, and a tablecloth.

Meals are not provided free of charge for people who bring a display. Meals are included with the registration fee for all who register as voting members, advisory or visitors for the Synod Assembly. If you wish to add meals, there is an additional cost of $30. This will include three meals: Friday lunch and dinner and Saturday lunch in addition to all the items offered during breaks.

Please be sure to call or email Maggie Berggren in our office if you have any questions. Her email address is maggie.berggren@swmnelca.org.  The early bird rate ends May 17. All requests must be in by May 31.

Nominations Questions?
Contact Tammy Sather, Assembly Coordinator
Phone: 507-627-9041
Email: tammy.sather@swmnelca.org

Online Bio Data Form