2023 Synod Assembly

Report of the Synod Assembly

The Assembly of the East Central Synod of Wisconsin of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America gathered on May 20, 2023 at First English Lutheran Church in downtown Appleton. This one day assembly featured singing accompanied by organ, warm hospitality, and the first time our assembly was held in a congregation of this synod. The assembly saw a nearly 20% increase in attendance with 276 voting members (187 lay persons, 77 rostered ministers, and 12 retired rostered ministers), 11 ministry partner tables, and 22 visitors to the assembly.

The theme, “To Hear the Word of God and Share in the Lord’s Supper” centered us as we heard from the Churchwide Representative, the Rev. Keith Fry, and from leaders of our regional ecumenical partners: The Most Reverend David L. Ricken, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay; The Reverend M. Park Hunter, North East District Superintendent of the Wisconsin Conference of The United Methodist Church; The Right Reverend Matthew A. Gunter, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Fond du Lac; and The Reverend David Colby, Transitional General Presbyter for the Winnebago Presbytery, who was unable to be with us in person but sent us greetings. 

Business of the Assembly included: 

  • Approval of 2024 Compensation Guidelines

  • Adoption of the 2024 Budget

  • Ratification of our Synod Constitution

  • Adoption of Revised Endowment Protocols

  • Election of synod council members: The Rev. Peter Mannoja, The Rev. Paul Andrew Johnson, The Rev. Crystal Lee; Consultation Committee members: Pam Pfaff and Connie Eisch; Committee on Discipline: Paula VanderGrinten and David Leder

  • The passing of three resolutions: Resolution to Encourage Land Acknowledgements, Educate Members to Become Hunger Advocates, and Action to End Racism

Next year’s synod assembly will gather under the theme of our next baptismal promise, “To Proclaim the Good News of God in Christ through Word and Deed” at the Best Western Premier Waterfront Hotel & Convention Center in Oshkosh, May 17th and 18th, 2024.