Answering Jesus’ Call to Spiritual Friendship:
A Year of Sacred Encounter

“I do not call you servants…but I have called you friends.” John 15:15

This 2023 Assembly, we will embark on a journey of practicing Jesus’ way of Spiritual Friendship together. We will focus on Sacred Encounter: engaging God, self, neighbor and the biosphere, not as object to control or profit from, but as Life, full of dignity and worthy of reverence, love and wonder. This is our first step toward becoming communion in our communities and strengthening this wild web of relationship for the sake of the life of God’s beloved world.

Register here!

This assembly will be online after Type of Assembly Meetings was passed at our 2022 assembly.

Rules of Assembly

2023 Oregon Synod Assembly Rules of Organization and Procedure

Voting Members

Each synod congregation elects voting members and additional voting members. Congregations can have up to 8 lay voting members in the following categories:

Regular voting members: Up to 2
Additional voting members:
- Up to 2 people who identify LGBTQIA+
- Up to 2 members who are people of color and/or whose first language isn’t English
- Up to 2 youth or young adult voting members

2023 Guide to Voting members

Nominations

Nominations for individuals to serve on committees, Synod Council, and the endowment board are open until April 1. You can check out a list of this year’s openings and eligibility requirements here: Positions for Election at 2023 Assembly

Know someone at your church or ministry who would be excited to share their skills, heart, and time to help our synod thrive? Nominate them using this form.

Memorials and Resolutions

Action items to be presented to the Synod Assembly are one way this church addresses broad policy issues or important issues for God’s mission in the world. Learn how to draft and submit a memorial or resolution or check out the ELCA office of the secretary page.

What is Synod Assembly?

The Synod Assembly—made up of voting members from all synod congregations—is the governing body of the Oregon Synod. Through a democratic voting process the Synod Assembly establishes synod ministry priorities, approves the synod budget, and elects members to synod positions. This annual gathering of clergy and lay people represents the synod’s highest legislative authority.

The Assembly

receives information and reports
elects nominees to leadership positions in the church
reaches decisions on matters brought before the Assembly
votes on proposed memorials and resolutions
sets priorities for the synod’s ministry
equips and educates those who attend to interpret the mission of the synod in local ministry settings
celebrates the community that is the Oregon Synod through development of relationships and worship