We each make thousands of decisions daily that impact, not just ourselves, but our families, congregations, and communities. It can be hard to hear God’s whisper guiding us to faithful decisions and holy outcomes amid the noise of the world. St. Ignatius of Loyola gifted us with EXAMEN, a method of reflection that invites God's presence in our daily lives and discernment.
In the coming year, between this Assembly and the next, our synod will experience many changes and our leaders will be entrusted to follow God’s will in making decisions… not the least of which will be the 2025 election of a new Bishop. This Assembly will teach the method of Examen so that we may build new skills, engage in sacred practice, and set out for the year ahead with confidence and clarity. Together, we will learn how to transform discernment from a merely theoretical concept to a lived reality that can profoundly shape our shared future.
Registration is Open Through Saturday, May 25
You may qualify for a discount code if you meet any of the following circumstances.
These codes provide free registration ($95 value); meals and lodging will be priced at the standard rate.
Retired Minister not currently serving a congregation: retired
Ministers on leave from call: onleave
Ministers on disability leave: disability
Seminarians: student
FRIDAY, JUNE 14: 9:30 AM - SATURDAY, JUNE 15: 12:30 PM
In Person at PennWest California (Formerly Cal-U)
250 University Ave, California, PA 15419
Directions PennWest California Convocation Center >>
Voting members from your congregation have an important responsibility on behalf of all the members of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This assembly is the highest legislative authority of our synod; they will be making decisions that impact 143 congregations covering 10 counties in southwest PA.
Registration base fee is $95 per voting member.
Meal Plan: $30
Double Occupancy Room: $40
Single Occupancy Room: $60
Voting members are required to have a smartphone or tablet to download the Vevox app as your voting device.
Who can register? See the Lay Voter Formula & Letter from the Secretary >> to determine how many voting members your congregation may send.
For help with registration, contact the Registrar: Pastor Eric Damon, registration@swpasynod.org
New This Year:
Invite your congregation to participate in the Assembly offering. Each year our collected offering supports a ministry special to the heart of our synod; we encourage congregations to take a special offering to send along with its voting members.
2024 Offering Designation: Leaders from the Malagasy Lutheran Church in Madagascar will be visiting the United States to encourage the connections between companion synods. This includes our own companion synod from Tulear, Madagascar! All money collected in the synod assembly offering will be used to offset travel expenses for their long journey to be with us.
Forums are Back! Our assembly will dedicate time for additional learning on topics relevant to congregation leaders. Do you have a topic that you would like to present? Please fill out this form to submit a proposal.
In-person guests are welcome. All guests joining us on site MUST register. There is no fee to attend as a guest, but meal plans and lodging will be at the same rate as voting members.
Speakers
ELCA Representative
Deacon MaryAnn Schwabe
ELCA Executive, Synod Relations
In addition to her role in Synod Relations, Deacon Schwabe is also the ELCA’s Natural Systems Coordinator. She previous served as an assistant to the bishop in the Northeastern Ohio Synod, as well as in congregations with a focus in church music, religious education, and family ministry.
Chaplain
Pastor Caroline Mendis
Celebrating 50 Years of Ordained Ministry
Pastor Mendis is the longest serving ordained woman in our synod’s history and the first to reach a 50th anniversary of ministry. Ordained on June 9, 1974, Pastor Mendis served in the Upstate New York Synod before joining us in Southwestern Pennsylvania in 1989.
Conference Caucus Meetings & Memorials
Pre-meeting business will prepare voting members prior to attending the assembly. Caucus meetings are also where memorials—action items that address broad policy issues in the synod or churchwide organization—are sent on to be adopted by the Synod Assembly and then passed on to the Churchwide Assembly if applicable. Memorials must be submitted before the start of your conference's caucus meeting. Submit a Memorial >>
Conference 1
Wednesday, May 29: 7 PM
In-Person at New Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church, Freedom
Conference 3
Sunday, May 19: 2:30 PM
In-Person/Hybrid at First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Leechburg
Conference 4
Wednesday, May 22: 7 PM
In-Person at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, Delmont
Conference 5
Thursday, May 23: 7 PM
In-Person at Lutheran Church of Our Savior, Irwin
Conference 6
Wednesday, May 29: 7 PM
In-Person at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, McMurray