Minneapolis Area Synod Voting Members, this page contains resources you’ll need in preparing for Churchwide Assembly. 

Important Dates

  • April 2 – Registration Opens

  • May 18 – CWA Youth, Young Adult, and Parent Info Meeting via Zoom – 7:00 p.m. CST (will be recorded)

  • May 29 – MAS Voting Member Gathering – more info coming soon

  • May 31 – Deadline to book travel and complete registration 

  • June 26 (2:00 and 7:00 p.m.) – CWA Guide Overview Webinar

  • July 8 – Hotel confirmations sent out

  • July 8 – CWA Bulletin of Reports posted

  • July (Date TBD) -Region 3 CWA Preparation Zoom Meeting

  • Week prior to CWA – Online CWA hearings held on key legislative topics 

  • July 28 – Assembly Begins

  • August 2 – Assembly Concludes

Welcome

The ELCA Churchwide Assembly, the primary decision-making body of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is a process of communal spiritual discernment. When the ELCA Churchwide Assembly convenes, its voting members meet with confidence in God’s grace around word and water, wine and bread, to carry on their work on behalf of the entire church. Over the course of the assembly, voting members: 

  • Hear reports and review the work of churchwide officers, leaders and units
  • Receive and consider proposals from synod assemblies
  • Elect officers, board members and other leaders as specified by the constitution or bylaws
  • Establish ELCA churchwide policy
  • Worship together
  • Adopt a budget
  • Conduct other business related to the ELCA churchwide organization

In the videos below, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and ELCA Vice President Imran Siddiqui welcome you to the Churchwide Assembly.

Important Reminders

  • If you haven’t already, you must create an ELCA Community Account. This is how you will register for the Assembly and where you can find all of the past emails sent out by Churchwide. Here are instructions on how to do this: Minneapolis Area Synod, ELCA – Preparing for Registration.pdf – All Documents 

  • In order to board domestic flights after May 2, 2025, you will need one of the following options:  

    Obtaining a REAL ID in MN can take a bit of time, so if you don’t already have one, start the process now! You can find more information here. 

  • You must have your travel plans set before you register, as you will be asked for this information during the registration process. As a voting member, your travel costs will be paid for by the ELCA. Voting members can book travel arrangements through the travel app Deem, and will receive a one-time link with the proper credentials in your registration email.  Visitors can book their travel through Deem at: elca-dt.deem.com, using the credentials provided on the Travel Logistics page. 

  • As a voting member, your hotel room will be paid for by the ELCA. When you register, you will have the option to enter the name of someone you would like to share a hotel room with. If you do not enter another name, you will be randomly assigned to a roommate. Those who want a private room will be charged one-half of the room rate plus tax, per night, which is $84.99, tax included. You will have the option of selecting a single room during registration. 

  • Watch for an email to set up your Ramp Pre-Paid Visa Card. This card can be used for things like meals while traveling to and from the assembly, breakfasts while at the assembly, or “Synod Night” dinner. See PowerPoint from the registration orientation for more details on what the card cannot be used for. 

Helpful Links

Contact

If you have questions or are looking for more information, please email Jessie Goeke at j.goeke@mpls-synod.org  

The churchwide office intends to communicate with voting members and other participants electronically. Please notify Jessie Goeke and the assembly registrar (CWARegistrar@elca.org) immediately if you change your email address.