Synod Assembly 2024

Information for Voting Members

June 7-8, 2024 Assembly | First Lutheran Church, Onalaska, WI

June 9 Worship @ 10:00 AM | Riverside Park, La Crosse WI

Introducing the 2024 Theme

Rooted in God’s Love- this is the second half our 2-year theme on the Synod’s mission statement to “Cultivate Life-Giving Relationships Rooted in God’s Love.”

Ephesians 3:17 is the guiding verse for the Assembly with Friday worship unpacking scripture around it in Ephesians 3:14-21 (NRSV). Sunday worship will delve into the Parable of the Sower in the gospel of Mark 4:1-9 (First Nations).

Synod Assembly Schedule

Assembly Documents

In an effort to save paper, all materials will be provided for digital download. You may print all the documents or choose to view them on a phone or other digital device during the Assembly.

Downloadable Files Coming Soon - May 2024

  • 2024 Assembly Report Book

  • 2024 Treasurer’s Report

  • 2024 Assembly Workshop Descriptions

  • 2023 Synod Assembly Minutes

  • 2025 Proposed Mission Support Budget

  • 2025 Proposed Minimum Guidelines Compensation for Rostered Leaders

  • Memorials Proposed - Submit to Bishop by end of Day May 7, 2024

Overnight Accommodations

The synod is not arranging for overnight accommodations. If congregations or individuals would like to stay overnight you will find a list of hotels in Onalaska/La Crosse below along with their distance from First Lutheran Church.

Reservations and payment for hotel accommodations are to be handled individually. The list below is simply for your information, we have not verified availability nor do we endorse any hotel directly.

Assembly Offering Opportunities

There are several ways that you as an individual or congregation can participate in an offering during Synod Assembly that support and spotlight a variety of synod ministries.

  • Friday’s Offering Envelope goes to Synod Mission Support

  • Saturday’s Offering Envelope goes to a Synod Ministry of Choice:

    • LuMin-La Crosse

    • “Water is Life” ELCA World Hunger Project

    • Companion Synod Relationships

    • Synod Seminarian Endowment

    • ELCA Youth Gathering Service Project Supplies

  • Sunday’s Offering Envelope is voted on by the Assembly on Saturday

  • NEW Socks and Underwear will be collected on Sunday during worship to be distributed to local clothing closets and the Warming Center.

  • Synod Assembly will spotlight the hunger committee’s year+ challenge for congregations to bring awareness to Water Projects through ELCA World Hunger

Childcare Details

  • Friday, June 7: Childcare is available with advanced registration starting at 6:30 pm through the 7:00 pm Worship Service. This service is available for ages 3 through 5th grade. Children are also welcome to participate in this child-friendly worship service.

  • Saturday, June 8: Childcare is available with advanced registration and will be located on site for ages 3 through 5th grade. Lunch and snacks will be provided for all children.

  • Sunday, June 9 at Riverside Park: Child-friendly worship service and picnic (kids can eat first).

Assembly Choir

Schedule:

  •  Friday June 7 @ 5:00PM Rehearsal at First Lutheran Church in Onalaska

  • Sunday, June 9 @ 8:00 AM Rehearsal at Riverside Park in La Crosse (Inclement Weather Location: First Lutheran Church in Onalaska)

  • Sunday June 9 @ 10:00 AM Anthem Presentation during Worship Service

 Choral Piece:

Details:

Deb Welander will be the choral director and the choir accompanist will be Julie Gappa on piano and Nancy Pilmonas on tenor sax.

Assembly Workshops

Assembly Workshops will take place Saturday, June 8th

2:15 pm and 3:30 pm

Workshops are available for the public & assembly voting members.

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 worship, conversation, learning and engaging workshops concerning a variety of ministry interests.

Synod World Hunger Focus

The La Crosse Area Synod Hunger Team invites all congregations to support the 2023-2024 “Water is Life” project by bringing stories, pictures and decorated 2-gal buckets to Synod Assembly to…

  • Bring awareness of the importance of water on the world’s food supply and global efforts to end hunger.

  • Show how ELCA World Hunger is working to encourage, support, and sustain safe water supplies.

  • Raise money to support ELCA’s water projects including simple wells, irrigation systems, latrines, and water filters.

 Synod Assembly Milestones to be Recognized

  • New Rostered Leaders to the synod since the last synod assembly include:

    The Rev. Pat Kempf to Our Savior’s & Skogdalen, Westby, Wi

    The Rev. Paul Drees to LuMin

    The Rev. Ruus Kudee to Christ Luthearn, Arcadia, Wi

  • Coming Soon

  • Coming Soon

  • The Rev. Steve Fossum

    The Rev. Kenneth Melby

At the opening of Synod Assembly on Friday at First Lutheran Church 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 2024 summer ministry.

Rostered Leaders Celebrating Milestone Anniversaries in 2024

  • Pastor Paul Drees

    5 Years

  • Pastor Alyssa Weaver

    5 Years

  • Pastor Tara Shilts

    5 Years

  • Bishop Felix Malpica

    10 Years

  • Pastor Joe Iverson

    10 Years

  • Pastor Anna Sorenson

    15 Years

  • Pastor Dawn Lindberg

    15 Years

  • Pastor Hillary Burns-Kite

    15 Years

  • Pastor Jean Schmidt

    15 Years

Resources for Worship: Sunday, June 9, 2024

  • Order of Service (Leaders Guide)

  • Prayers

  • Children’s Bulletin

  • Children’s Message

Prayer 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.