Synod Assembly 2023

Information for Voting Members

Cultivating Live-Giving Relationships

Friday, June 9 - Sunday, June 11

Synod Assembly 2023 will take place in the La Crosse Area using a different featured location for each day of Assembly.

Friday, June 9 — Afternoon Service Projects & Evening opening of the assembly and worship 

Saturday, June 10 – Morning Business Meeting and Keynote & Afternoon Educational Workshops

Sunday, June 11 – Morning Synod-wide Worship in the Park & Picnic

What is Synod Assembly and what do Voting Members do? 

Synod Assembly is the governing body of the synod. During assembly, voting members will conduct the business of the synod, including reviewing and approving a synod-budget, electing synod council members and other elected members of the synod committees and groups, considering resolutions and memorials for assembly action, and receiving the reports of the Bishop and other leaders and partners of the synod.

You will engage in mission reflection and celebrate the relationship and support we have together as members of the ELCA in the La Crosse Area Synod. It is a time to be gathered together as church beyond our individual congregations and celebrate that gift of being one in Christ. There will also be time for service activities, worship, and engaging workshops concerning a variety of ministry interests.

Synod Assembly Weekend Venues

  • Friday, June 9, 2023

    12:00 pm Resolutions & Memorials Due

    1:00-3:00 pm - Elementary School Grounds Work Service project at Evergreen Elementary School in Holmen (Pre-registration requested)

    1:30 pm Synod Executive Meeting

    2:00 pm Synod Council Meeting

    4:30-6:00 pm Drop-in Service Projects start at Holmen Lutheran

    5:00 pm Registration Opens/Choir Rehearsal

    6:00 pm Opening of Assembly/ Plenary Session 1

    6:45 pm Break/Meet Prayer Partner

    7:00 pm Worship

  • Saturday, June 10, 2023

    7:00 am Registration Opens/Pick Up Binder

    8:00 am Plenary Session 2

    -Orientation for Voting Members

    -Reports

    -Elections

    -Resolutions

    11:45 am Lunch (Boxed Lunches)

    12:30 pm Plenary Session 3

    -Keynote Speaker

    2:15 pm Workshop Session 1

    3:30 pm Workshop Session 2

    4:45 pm Gathering & Report of Elections

    6:00 pm Close Assembly

  • Sunday, June 11, 2023

    9:00 am Choir Practice

    10:00 am Synod-wide Worship

    11:15 am Picnic

Childcare Details

Friday, June 9 at Holmen Lutheran: the church nursery will be staffed during the 7 pm Worship Service

Saturday, June 10 at the La Crosse Center: Childcare is available with advanced registration and will be located in the ballroom across from the Assembly meeting space. Boxed lunches will be provided for all children.

Sunday, June 11 at Riverside Park: Child-friendly worship service and picnic (kids can eat first)

ASSEMBLY DOCUMENTS


ASSEMBLY OFFERING

Service Project Opportunities

Cultivate Life-Giving Relationship right from the start at Synod Assembly by participating in one or more service projects available in the Holmen, WI area Friday afternoon.

 

Hours
1:00-3:00 pm Pre-Registered Outdoor Project
4:30-6:00 pm Drop-In Projects Available

Assembly Workshops will take place Saturday, June 10th

Location: La Crosse Center 2:15 pm and 3:30 pm

Workshops are available for the public & assembly voting members.

 Synod Assembly Milestones to be Recognized

At the opening of Synod Assembly on Friday at Holmen Lutheran, we will recognize and celebrate milestones in the ministry lives of Rostered Leaders and Congregations. On Sunday, during worship at Riverside Park we will commission, blessed and send out the Sugar Creek Summer Staff for their 2023 summer ministry.

Synod World Hunger Focus

As we become more aware of the precious resource of water, we invite you into this focus for the next year in our synod. 

Watch the Updates for resources, videos, slideshows, and the roll out of our next “hands on” project, which will be a water bucket for each congregation to decorate and then use as they wish in their churches – to receive noisy offerings, to  auction off to raise funds, to promote water awareness….the possibilities are many! 

More information will be shared at Caucus Meetings in April.

Prayers in Preparation for Assembly Prayer

For the power of the Holy Spirit to be breathed among us and into us in our life together in this synod, in order to cultivate life-giving relationships.

Almighty God, shown fully to us in your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, we give you thanks that by your Holy Spirit you sustain the church. By the Spirit’s power you call, gather, enlighten, and sanctify the whole church. We continue to pray for your healing power in our weary world, in so many situations of violence, natural disaster, illness and death. Guide us into the ways that we can be your hands and feet and heart to bring healing, hope, and restoration and to cultivate life-giving relationships wherever possible, in order to find abundant life together.

As the Holy Spirit continues to work among us and in us, we pray for the strengthening of our communities of faith, as we navigate new challenges and possibilities. We pray for vision and creativity as we strive to be together as brothers and sisters in Christ in worship and prayer, conversation and learning, service and generosity. Be with our synod staff and all pastors and leaders in congregations, and all who gather as your church everywhere. Make us one in you. In our risen Lord Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Hotel Suggestions

Resources for Worship

Sunday, June 11, 2023

Resources coming soon…

  • Order of Service (Leaders Guide)

  • Prayers

  • Children’s Bulletin

  • Children’s Message

Cultivating

Life-Giving Relationships