Synod Assembly 2026

Repairers of the Breach: Justice for All of God’s Creation

Saturday, June 6: Assembly @ Stoney Creek Hotel, Onalaska

Sunday, June 7: Synod-wide Worship @ Riverside Park, La Crosse

Synod Assembly Table of Contents

Online registration is now closed. If you still need to register, please contact the Synod Office.

Called to be Repairers of the Breach

Join us for a powerful exploration of faith and justice! This year’s Assembly features three keynote speakers leading focused Bible studies on Justice. As laypeople, they will share personal testimonials on how they live out the call of Isaiah 58 through their daily vocations.

We are also honored to welcome Pastor Joanne Richmond from Our Savior’s Lutheran in La Crosse as our guest preacher for Saturday worship.

Reflect on our Theme Scripture Passage
Speaker Biographies

Voting Member Documents

In an effort to save paper, most Assembly materials will be provided via digital download exclusively. You are encouraged to view these on your phone or tablet during the event, or you may print them out in advance if desired. However, please wait until the file is labeled as “FINAL.”

What will be provided in print: To ensure smooth proceedings, we will provide paper copies of the following at the Assembly:

  • Official Agenda

  • Ballots

  • Proposed Budget

For all other documents: If you prefer to have physical copies of reports or supplemental materials, please print them at your convenience.

Pro Tip: Before printing, check that the file is marked "FINAL." Please avoid printing any items labeled "DRAFT" to ensure you have the most current information.

Agenda

Reports & Guidelines

Financial Documents

Resolutions

Elections Information

Assembly Offering

Mark Your Calendar

Assembly Voting Member Important Dates:

  • Monday, June 1, 2026, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

  • Friday, June 5, 2026, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

    • Pre-Assembly Youth Orientation Dinner @ Pizza Ranch

  • Saturday, June 6, 2026, 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM

    • Synod Assembly @ Stoney Creek Hotel in Onalaska, WI

  • Sunday, June 7, 2026, 10:00 AM

    • Synod-wide Worship @ Riverside Park in La Crosse, WI

    • Picnic following at 11:15 AM

GET TO KNOW NOMINEES

  • North Conference Clergy

    • Rev. Sharilyn Wendt

    South Conference Clergy

    • Rev. Michele Engh

    West Conference Clergy

    North Conference Lay Person

    Lay Persons At-Large (Elect 3)

    • Indiana Hauser

  • Clergy At-Large

    • Rev. Jason Stanton

    Lay Person At-Large (Elect 2)

    • Katherine Schauberger

  • South Conference Lay Person

    • Shelly Mading

    East Conference Lay Person

    West Conference Lay Person

    • Michelle Logan

    Lay Person At-Large

    • Katherine Schauberger

  • LYLE = Lutheran Youth Leading Evangelism Team

    North Conference Lay Person

    • Dr. Jake Sorenson

    South Conference Clergy

    • Rev. Hillary Burns-Kite

    South Conference Lay Person

    • Julie Fraser

    East Conference Lay Person

    West Conference Clergy

    • Rev. Steve Meyer

    West Conference Lay Person

    • Laura Cunliffe

  • North Conference Lay Person

    South Conference Lay Person

    • Shelly Mading

    West Conference Lay Person

    • Maddie Sweeney

    Lay Person At-Large

  • Synod Council Secretary & Officer

    • Rev. Jon Schmidt

    • Leslie Peterson

    North Conference Lay Female

    • Nancy Solberg

    South Conference Lay Female

    • Linda Dahl

    • Linzi Gronning

    South Conference Lay Male

    Young Adult Lay Person

    • Maddie Sweeney

    Youth Lay Person

    • Carson Severson

Nomination Details

Partner Ministries Featured at Synod Assembly

Rostered Leaders Celebrating a Milestone Anniversary in 2026

  • The Rev. Michele Engh

    5 Years

  • The Rev. Paul Sannerud

    5 Years

  • The Rev. Dione Stepanek

    10 Years

  • The Rev. Christopher Rajkumar

    15 Years

  • The Rev. Karyn Bodenschatz

    20 Years

  • The Rev. Ralph Kuespert

    20 Years

  • The Rev. Mark Carr

    25 Years

  • The Rev. Peter Beckstrand

    35 Years

  • The Rev. Joanne Richmond

    40 Years

  • The Rev. Jonathan Schmidt

    40 Years

  • The Rev. Neal Solomonson

    40 Years

  • The Rev. Jim Arends

    45 Years

  • The Rev.

  • The Rev. Bob Thacker

    45 Years

  • The Rev. Mark Solyst

    50 Years

  • The Rev. Glenn Borreson

    55 Years

  • The Rev. David Guetzke

    65 Years

Gather at the Riverside Bandstand

Come join us for an open-air community gathering by the water. Whether you’re part of the assembly or just passing through the park, everyone is welcome to join in.

    • A Message for the Community: Bishop Felix Malpica will share a message centered on Isaiah 58, focusing on our shared role as "repairers of the breach."

    • Support for Summer Staff: We’re gathering to cheer on and kick off the summer for the Sugar Creek Bible Camp team.

    • Blessing the Bishop: Join us as we offer a special blessing to Bishop Felix Malpica and his family as they prepare to head into a period of sabbatical rest and renewal.

    • The Bread & Cup: This is a communion service, and all are welcome to participate in this shared meal.

    • Seating: Bench seating is available. You are also welcome to bring a lawn chair or picnic blanket.

    • Stay Cool: It’s a sunny spot! We recommend wearing a hat and/or sunglasses to keep the sun off your face.

    • Bathrooms Available: Located behind the bandshell

    • Parking & Arrival: Spaces near the bandstand are limited and tend to fill up quickly. We recommend carpooling with friends if possible. You may want to arrive early to snag a closer spot, or be prepared for a short, scenic walk through the park to reach us.

    • Location: Riverside Park Bandstand100 State St, La Crosse, WI 54601

  • Stick around after the service for a community meal and conversation!

    • The Meal: Enjoy a picnic lunch catered by Pogy’s.

    • Cost: The meal is free for everyone. If you would like to support the work of the La Crosse Area Synod, a free-will offering will be collected on-site.

    • Families First: To make things a little easier for parents, we invite those attending with children to hop to the front of the line.

    • Zero Waste: We’re making sure nothing goes to waste! All extra food will be donated to WINN (What I Need Now) to be shared with our neighbors in the community.

    • Seating: Please note that tables and chairs are not available for lunch. We'll be enjoying our meal together on the park benches or on picnic blankets. Feel free to bring your own blanket!

  • Anyone can join the choir!

    Rehearsal Schedule:

    • Fri. June 5 @ 6:30 PM @ English Lutheran Church in La Crosse

    • Sun. June 7 @ 9:00 am @ Riverside Park

    • Click here for music.

  • Details Coming Soon

    • Donation Drive: We are collecting new socks and underwear to be distributed to local clothing closets. Please consider bringing a pair to contribute!

    • WINN (What I Need Now): Meet the team from WINN, tour their van, and learn how they serve our neighbors. They will also be ensuring that any leftover food from our meal is distributed to those in need.

  • We are looking forward to being outdoors, but in case of rain, our alternate location is:

    Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 4141 Mormon Coulee Rd, La Crosse, WI 54601

    How to check: If we decide to move the gathering due to weather, a notification will be posted on the Synod website in advance. Please check there before heading out if the forecast looks uncertain!

 

Location: Riverside Park Bandstand

100 State St, La Crosse, WI 54601

Voting Members

Voting members are usually elected at a congregation’s annual meeting and gather at Synod Assembly to make decisions about the synod’s governance, mission and finances. They may elect members of Synod Council or other committees, as well as voting members for Churchwide Assembly. Voting members have voice and vote, which means they are able to vote as well as address the assembly during proceedings. Voting members can either be a rostered minister or a lay voter.

  • Rostered ministers are pastors (also known as Ministers of Word & Sacrament) and deacons (also known as Ministers of Word & Service) who are currently called to/within the La Crosse Area Synod. This includes both ministers who serve a congregation, are retired and those who work in specialized ministry. It does not include interns or seminary students).

  • Lay Voters are voters who are not pastors or deacons. This number is based on the congregation’s baptized membership. The voter allocation chart tells you how many voting members your congregation can send to Synod Assembly. Click Here to access the chart. Lay voting members must be members of the church, not simply attendees or employees. Persons who have been ordained may not be counted as Lay Voters. This includes retired pastors who are members of a congregation.

  • Advisors have voice but not vote. They are allowed to address the assembly during proceedings, but may not cast a vote. These include: lay synod staff, lay members of synod assembly committees, representatives of synod partners in ministry, representatives from ELCA synodical and churchwide offices.

  • Guests are not voting members. They do not have vote or voice.

What is Synod Assembly?

Synod Assembly is an annual gathering of elected congregation voting members, leaders, pastors/staff, and volunteers from all 72 congregations in the La Crosse Area. It is a time where we intentionally walk together, to cultivate life-giving relationships rooted in God's love through times of worship, prayer, learning, conversation, offering, meals, service and highlighting our interdependent ministry relationship as we support mission partners, carry out synodical and churchwide initiatives, work to end hunger, respond to disaster and emergency needs, and heed the call to be a church engaged in all the world.

Prayer for the Journey Toward Assembly

"Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in."

(Isaiah 58:12)

Gracious God,

You are the Source of all life and the Architect of Justice. As we prepare to gather as a synod community, open our eyes to the breaches in our world—the places where your creation is fractured and your children are weary.

Root us in your vision of Justice for All of Creation. Transform us from bystanders into builders, and from dreamers into repairers. May our time together be more than a meeting; let it be a holy commitment to mend what is broken, to tend to the earth, and to restore the streets where we live, work, and worship. Ground us in your steadfast love as we seek to build foundations that will sustain generations to come.

Amen.