2025 Assembly

In Portland

To learn more and volunteer to serve on one of the following committees, email Synod Assembly Planning Coordinator Rhonda Powell.

Anniversaries of Ordination Committee

Connects with Rostered Ministers Celebrating an Anniversary of 25 years or more. Receives and collates photos. Organizes content into 3 short slideshows or “videos” with music. Assembles and mails certificates to recipients. Three to four members. Orientation meeting will be held by January 13th.

Credentials Committee 

Chair serves at Assembly providing the credential report. Supports registration completion.  Must reference Rules of Assembly for different categories of participants. Three members. Orientation meeting will be held by February 17th.

Elections Committee

Receives information from the Nominations Committee and creates ballots. Organizes and guides the Assembly body through the voting process, and runs all elections and balloting during Assembly. Tallies and shares results with the body. Conducts above activities for all positions other than Synod Bishop. Six to seven members. Orientation meeting will be held by February 17th. 

Hospitality Committee

Arranges transportation, gifts, and honorariums for Keynote and ELCA churchwide representative. Arranges for sign language interpreter (if needed), childcare/babysitting service (age parameters, waivers, roster, etc.), and parish nurse/medical volunteer on call. Three to four members, plus two-three childcare providers. Providers can be members as well.  Orientation meeting will be held by January 13th.

Joy Committee  

This team creates organized, appropriate, playful spiritual pauses, activities, fun and levity.  Four to five members. Committee orientation meeting will be held by January 13th.

Nominations Committee

Connects with congregations/Synod Council/Deans/Bishop’s Office Staff to identify nominees for Consultation, Discipline, and Endowment Committees, Synod Council, and Pacific Lutheran University representatives, and Churchwide Council to fill positions as identified by the Synod VP. Collects nominations and bios in advance of Assembly and nominations from the floor. Will be managing nominations for positions other than Synod Bishop.  At least seven members, as per constitution. Team orientation meeting will be held by January 11th.

Partners and Sponsors Committee

Reaches out to potential display and sponsorship partners with key dates, tabling information and sponsorship opportunities. Acts as contact and resource at event for display/event set up and to ensure compliance with synod/hotel/legal display guidelines. Three to four members. Committee orientation meeting will be held by December 23rd. 

Presentation Committee

Responsible for running the presentation for the entire Assembly, including mics, slideshows, videos, etc.
Three to four members. Committee orientation meeting will be held by January 13th.

Reference and Counsel Committee

Reviews submitted Memorials and Resolutions and takes action on each based on established eligibility criteria.  Presents any submitted Memorials and/or Resolutions the committee voted to consider by 2/3 vote to the Assembly on behalf of Synod Council. Is prepared to receive any resolutions from the floor and assess whether they should be brought to the Assembly based on the established eligibility criteria. Members must be at least seven, according to the constitution. Committee orientation meeting will be held by January 13th.

Worship Committee

Design, plan and implement all aspects of prayers and worship at the Assembly following Synod Worship Guidelines. Five to six members suggested. Committee Orientation meeting will be held by February 10th.

Workshops Committee

Coordinates with staff to finalize content and schedule (as/if needed). Connects with identified presenters to acquire information (bio, how they will be paid, needed presentation supplies, and presentation materials and needs) in accordance with key dates and deadlines. Three to eight members,- depending on the workshops. Committee orientation meeting will be held by December 23rd.

Pictures from 2022 Assembly in Sunriver!

Our next in-person Assembly will be in Portland in 2025!

Type of Assembly Meetings was passed at our 2022 assembly

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