Synod Assembly 2024
Jesus names us “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world,” and compares the kingdom of heaven or reign of God to “leaven” (Matthew 5:13–16; 13:33).
At the 2024 Synod Assembly, the North/West Lower Michigan Synod will celebrate ways our congregations are ”salt of the earth,” “light of the world,” and “leaven” of the kingdom in ways large and small as we prayerfully participate in Jesus’s own work of reconciling the world to God’s very self.
The 2024 Synod Assembly will be held virtually via Zoom on May 11, 2024. Due to its virtual nature, this year’s Synod Assembly will be primarily business focused. Therefore, only voting members will be able to register for and participate in the Zoom meeting. All non-voting members and visitors are invited to watch the Synod Assembly via livestream on YouTube.
In the coming months, updates and resources will continue to be posted on this page. If you have additional questions, please email assembly@mittensynod.org.
Robert’s Rules of Order
ELCA Synod Assemblies and Churchwide Assemblies use parliamentary procedure to conduct business. A synopsis of Robert’s Rules of Order is provided for reference. Learn More.
Registration
Registration is now open! Given the nature of this year’s Synod Assembly, only voting members will be able to register. All non-voting members and visitors are invited to watch the Synod Assembly via livestream on YouTube. Registration forms must be completed online and submitted by April 8, 2024. There will be no late registration.
Given the technological nature of this Synod Assembly, voting members should be comfortable using computers, mobile devices, and/or tablets, learning and using applications, and accessing information from websites. Additionally, each voting member will need their own email address and voting device (smartphone or tablet). They will also need access to a computer to participate in the Zoom meeting. It is recommended that voting members use a computer to host the Zoom meeting and use a smartphone or tablet as their voting device.
When completing the registration form, make sure to complete the country code field of the address section. For addresses in the United States, the country code is US. If you are registering multiple people who want to attend pre-assembly sessions on different dates, you will need to complete their registrations separately. If you have issues completing the form using Google Chrome, please try accessing it in a different internet browser (Safari, Microsoft Edge, Firefox, etc.). If you have issues completing the form on a mobile device, please try completing it on a computer.
Check-in for the 2024 Synod Assembly will be from 8:00-9:00am ET on May 11. Synod Assembly will begin at 9:00am ET and is planned to conclude no later than 4:00pm ET. A full agenda will be available in the Assembly Book.
Pre-Assembly Sessions
We will be offering Pre-Assembly Discussion Sessions and Technology Orientations via Zoom in advance of Synod Assembly. Registration for these sessions is included in the Synod Assembly Registration Form. When registering, voting members should select the sessions they are interested in attending.
The optional Pre-Assembly Discussion Sessions will be focused on Resolutions and Memorials and the Budget and Compensation Guidelines. We strongly encourage voting members to attend!
- Pre-Assembly Discussion on Resolutions and Memorials: April 30, 6:00-8:00pm ET.
- Pre-Assembly Discussion on Budget and Compensation Guidelines: May 2, 6:00-8:00pm ET.
Zoom links for Pre-Assembly Discussion Sessions will be emailed to those registered on Friday, April 26, 2024. If you do not receive the email, please contact assembly@mittensynod.org.
All voting members are required to attend a one-hour Technology Orientation. These sessions will provide an overview of Zoom basics along with training on the voting process in advance of Synod Assembly. Voting members must attend an orientation in order to receive their voting credentials.
- Technology Orientations – May 7, 8, 9: 6:00-7:00pm ET.
Zoom links for Technology Orientations will be emailed to those registered on Friday, May 3, 2024. If you do not receive the email, miss your session, or need to change your session date, please contact assembly@mittensynod.org.
Nominations
The Nominating committee is seeking nominations for six Synod Council Positions and seven Churchwide Assembly Voting Members.
Position Information and Bio Form:
- Full Nomination Slate
- Synod Council Duties and Responsibilities
- Churchwide Assembly Voting Member Duties and Responsibilities
- Blank Bio Form
All completed bio forms must have been submitted by March 22, 2024.
Resolutions and Memorials
To be considered for the 2024 Synod Assembly, all proposed resolutions and memorials must have been submitted by March 22, 2024.
Assembly Book
The “Assembly Book” will again be a series of pdf documents published on the Synod website. All materials for the Assembly Book must have been submitted by March 22, 2024.
The Assembly Book will be available here on April 21, 2024.
Synod Ministries Video Submissions
Synod ministries, synod tables, and synod committees are welcome to submit a short video to be considered for the Synod Assembly. Each group may submit one video that is one-two minutes in length. Videos should feature the work of the ministry, table, or committee. Given the business focus and time considerations of this year’s Synod Assembly, submitted videos are not guaranteed to be shown during Assembly. All videos will be released via social media after Synod Assembly. To be considered, all videos must be submitted by April 3, 2024. Submit Video.
Salt, Light, and Leaven Video Submissions
In order to celebrate and share the ways our congregations are “salt of the earth,” “light of the world,” and “leaven” of the kingdom, congregations or groups of congregations are invited to produce and submit a video showcasing one way they are salt, light, and leaven. Four videos will be shown during the 2024 Synod Assembly. Congregations who submit a video will receive a $100 donation to their ministry and congregations whose videos are selected to be shown at the 2024 Synod Assembly will receive a $500 donation to their ministry
All congregations in our synod are invited to submit a video for consideration. There is a limit of one video per congregation. The goal of the video is to provide an experience of the congregation’s ministry rather than a report about it. Think of the video as a “virtual tour” of an aspect of the congregation and ministry. This might be an annual event, such as providing backpacks to school kids, or an on-going ministry such as a food pantry. Preference will be given to ministries that in some way include sharing the story of Jesus. Videos must be 8-10 minutes in length. All videos must be submitted by April 3, 2024 for review.
Selected congregations will be notified on April 17, 2024. Videos from congregations who are not selected will be shared on the Synod’s social media after the conclusion of the 2024 Synod Assembly. As this opportunity is for congregations, Synod task forces, tables, and ministries are not eligible. Congregations should review the submission guidelines carefully and contact assembly@mittensynod.org with any questions.
Video Submission Guidelines
- Congregations must be located in the North/West Lower Michigan Synod. Synod task forces/tables/ministries are not eligible for this opportunity.
- There is a limit of one video per congregation.
- Videos must focus on one area or ministry that shows how the congregation or group of congregations is salt, light, and leaven. Preference will be given to ministries that include sharing the story of Jesus.
- Congregations must produce and submit their own videos. The Synod Staff is not available to assist with video production.
- Videos must be 8-10 minutes in length.
- All videos must be submitted by April 3, 2024. Submit Video.
Offering for Synod Assembly
As the 2024 Synod Assembly is a one-day, business-only, virtual event with no worship service, and therefore no designated offering. At congregations’s request, we offer a few giving suggestions for those who desire to make a contribution in lieu of the traditional Synod Assembly offering:
- Living Stones Initiative – The recently renewed Living Stone initiatives for the period of 2023-2025continues to provide a way for those committed to, and appreciative of, synodical ministry to give directly to the synod. Learn more.
- Synod Disaster Relief Fund – This fund is instrumental in providing assistance to those affected by natural disasters both in our synod and across the country.
Ways to Give
- Make checks payable to North/West Lower Michigan Synod and indicate your designation/s on the memo line and/or on an enclosure. Mail checks to P.O. Box 517 Dewitt, MI 48820
- Make a contribution online. Select the desired fund from the dropdown menu.
We extend heartfelt thanks to congregations and individuals who have already contributed to these ministries, many of whom continue to do so on a monthly basis. Your faithful generosity is crucial to the ministry we do together to make a difference in the lives of others for the sake of Christ.
Voting
We will again be using Vevox to vote during Synod Assembly. Written and video Vevox guides are provided below. Each voting member will need their own voting device (smartphone, tablet, or laptop).
Registered voting members who attend a Technology Orientation will receive an email with their voting credentials during the week of May 6. If you do not receive an email by 12pm on Friday, May 10, please email assembly@mittensynod.org.
Voting Member and Technology Guides
- Voting Member Check-In Process
- How to be Recognized to Speak
- Zoom Basics
- How to Vote Using Vevox
- Zoom and Vevox Video Guide
Gathering Sites
Grace Lutheran Church in Lansing invites voting members participating in the 2024 Synod Assembly to join them at their church on May 11. They will provide coffee and sweets in the morning, lunch, and snacks and beverages in the afternoon.
Trinity Lutheran Church in Grand Rapids invites voting members participating in the 2024 Synod Assembly to join them at their church on May 11. They will provide refreshments.
Please contact these congregations directly if you have any questions about attending.