37th Northeastern PA Synod Assembly
Saturday June 8, 2024
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Atonement Lutheran Church
5 Wyomissing Blvd Wyomissing, PA 19610
Theme
“Hungry For Life Together In Christ”
2024 marks the 50th anniversary of ELCA World Hunger
We will be lifting up how we have joined together as Lutherans to address the root causes of hunger and poverty around the world through this ministry.
Isaiah 25:6-9; John 6:1-21
In our world today, people are experiencing hunger of all kinds. Jesus Christ gives his own life and very self for heavenly food. And he equips and call his church – that’s us! – to “feed [his] lambs” [John 21:15]. For 50 years, one of the most powerful ways God has worked through us is through ELCA World Hunger. At this Assembly we take the opportunity to celebrate and recommit to our hunger ministries across our congregations and synod. We also get to share ways we feed others and are fed, by being and acting as a Christ centered community who is GROWING YOUNG, GAINING STRENGTH, and GOING BEYOND DEATH TO LIFE. Jesus, the Bread of Life, is calling us to his feast and sending us out to share with neighbors, strangers, and even our enemies. And so, we are HEALING THE HURT, LOVING THE LAND, and ENGAGING THE STRANGER, as we hunger for justice and peace, for unity and strength, for mercy and grace: All of us, HUNGRY FOR LIFE TOGETHER IN CHRIST!
Tell us your Hunger Ministry Stories
We want to hear from you! Does your congregation support a food pantry, free community meals or something similar? Email pictures of your Hunger Ministries to hunger@nepsynod.org by June 1 to be included in the ELCA World Hunger display.
First Hybrid Synod Assembly
$130
For in-person and Zoom
Lunch will be provided for the in-person gathering
Voting members have the option to attend the assembly in person or virtually through Zoom
Voting will be done electronically, and you will need to bring a device (smart phone or tablet) to vote.
This is for both in person and Zoom voting members.
To ensure all voting members are well-informed for our assembly, we'll host Zoom training sessions, both live and recorded, two weeks before the event.
Each congregation is required* by their Congregational Constitution (C5.04.) and by our Synod Constitution (S7.21.) to send their clergy (active serving pastors and deacons), along with at least one lay member (if less than 175 baptized members) or two lay members (if 175 or more baptized members).
*If not able to attend, Rostered Ministers must submit excuse by May 10 to Rachael Dietz Rachael@nepsynod.org.
Schedule
7:30 AM Check-in opens
9:00 AM Worship
10:50 AM Plenary One
12:30 PM Lunch
2:00 PM Plenary Two
4:00 PM Closing worship
Parking
We're simplifying the parking process for your convenience. Stay tuned for updates. Please refer to the registration instructions to specify your parking preference.
Childcare Available
Please indicate your interest in childcare during initial registration. Subsequently, you will receive a request for additional information needed to ensure a high-quality experience for your children.
Unfortunately, due to ratio requirements, drop ins cannot be accepted.
What are the "Pre-Assembly Info Sessions?
These sessions are meant to train, inform, and prepare Voting Members for the work they will do in Assembly June 8th. For example: we will see video explaining the new 2025 Budget, followed by live discussion with our Treasurer. We will also share stories from our congregations on their hunger ministries. And we will discuss current initiatives such as “Licensed Lay Ministry” and “6261 Ministry Communities.” Voting Members who attend the live Zoom each evening will get to interact; and for those unable to attend, recordings of each session will be available to view at their convenience.
All Voting Members will be required to attend all three sessions; or, they need to watch them via the recordings before the full Synod Assembly begins on June 8th. This method is intended to maximize our time on June 8th. A full agenda of the Pre-Assembly Info Sessions and the Plenary Sessions on June 8th will be available following the Synod Council’s approval of the Assembly Program at their April 20th meeting.
Pre-Assembly Info Sessions
Session 1 of 3:
Tuesday May 28
6:30pm - 8:00pm
Session 2 of 3:
Thursday May 30
6:30pm - 8:00pm
Session 3 of 3:
Monday June 3
6:30pm - 8:00pm
Sessions will be recorded and available online for voting member who are unable to attend. All voting members will be asked to attend or view before the Saturday official sessions.
Consider Hosting or Joining a Watch Party
We understand not everyone will gather in person for this year's assembly, but that doesn't mean congregations cannot come together in fellowship to watch the Pre-Assembly Info Sessions or day of Assembly. Reach out to your neighboring congregations to celebrate and discuss the information together at your very own watch party!
Important Forms
Synod Assembly Speaker
Marie Anne Sliwinski
Marie Anne serves as the Senior Director for Building Resilient Communities (BRC) at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Ms. Sliwinski has 20 years of experience working in the non-profit sector, 14 of which are dedicated in international humanitarian and development programs. Ms. Sliwinski oversees BRC, which draws together the ministries of ELCA World Hunger, Lutheran Disaster Response, AMMPARO and the ELCA’s Social Ministry Organization to share knowledge, collaborate effectively, invest in new ideas and foster new opportunities for the ELCA, partners, companions and neighbors to strive together “for justice and peace in all the earth.” Marie Anne holds a master’s degree in international relations from the University of Chicago, and currently resides in the Chicago suburb with her husband and two children.
