2025 Synod Assembly: Connect the Dots
The Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA) Synod Assembly is the annual gathering of the synod’s congregations, pastors, and leaders to worship, conduct business, and discern the church’s mission together. It serves as the primary decision-making body of the synod, where rostered ministers (pastors and deacons) and elected lay voting members from congregations come together to conduct the official business of the synod. Voting members consider resolutions, elect leaders, hear ministry updates, and engage in learning opportunities. The assembly also encourages fellowship and collaboration among congregations, strengthening the shared work of the church in the region.
Registration opens: Tuesday April 1
Registration closes: Wednesday April 30
Where & When?
DATES:
Friday, May 30 - Saturday, May 31, 2025
LOCATION:
Christ Hamilton United Lutheran Church
419 Bossardsville Rd
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
HYBRID:
Voting members have the option to attend the assembly in person or virtually through Zoom
ACCESSIBILITY:
We will seek to make any many aspects of this Assembly meeting as accessible as possible, including closed captioning, and access to sessions and displays.
Registration Details
Key Dates:
Registration Opens: April 1
Registration Closes: April 30
Pricing Voting Members:
Assembly Voting Members (Lay & Rostered): $200
- In-person registration includes two meals.
- Online registration includes the cost of technical support to make the online attendance possible.
- Each voting member will register for either in-person or online attendance.
- Voting will be done online and require each voting member to have access to a mobile device.
- Hotel accommodations are not included in rate.
Visitors are Free
In person visitors are asked to register, which will include the option to purchase meals.
NOTE:
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 and congregations must submit excuse by April 30 to Laurie Christman
Hotel Room Block
Hotel Rooms:
Desired hotel reservations are the responsibility of the attendees/congregation and need to be made independently of assembly registration. We had discounted rate room blocks at these two hotels. As previously announced, those blocks expired on April 30. The Baymont may still honor the discounted rate if they have rooms available. Call the hotel directly.
116 Turtle Walk Lane Bartonsville, PA 18321
570-476-1500
Group code: NEPSYNOD25
700 Commerce Blvd Stroudsburg PA 18360
570-369-1400
Group name: NEPA Synod ELCA
Questions
Who do you contact with specific questions?
Registration - Laurie Christman
Nominations - Pastor Rachael Dietz
Resolutions - Pastor Brandon Heavner
General assembly questions—Pastor Lauren Applegate
Most of the costs related to the Synod Assembly are for expenses that we would incur whether the assembly were in-person only, virtual only, or hybrid and are therefore shared equally among all assembly registrants. There are a few expenses that apply only to on-site attendees and a few expenses that are specific to our ability to offer the virtual attendance option. In 2024, it cost twice as much to make virtual assembly attendance available as it did for us to provide lunch for on-site registrants.
We're excited to offer the flexibility of both in-person and online participation, but attendees will need to choose one option for the entire assembly. We've structured the assembly so that no matter what ONE way you’ve chosen to attend, either in person or virtually, we can ensure you a seamless and well-organized event. This approach helps us manage registration, provide consistent access to resources, and create the best experience for all attendees.
Assembly Documents
Information & Documents for Assembly Participants:
Physical copies of the Assembly documents, including the agenda and bulletin of reports, will not be provided at the event. If you prefer a hard copy, please print it out and bring it with you.
NEPA SYNOD COUNCIL STATEMENT
The Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod Council met in special session on Saturday, May 24. They wish to share a statement summarizing their actions at the meeting and going forward. This statement is being made available to the voting members of the 2025 Synod Assembly, as an addendum to the Report of the Synod Council, in the Bulletin of Reports. This statement is also being posted to the Synod Assembly webpage on the NEPS website, which is available to the general public. It is not a confidential document and the NEPA Synod Council encourages anyone to read and share it. Questions for Synod Council or Synod Staff can be directed to this email address: info@nepsynod.org.
Tech Support
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.
Email the helpdesk with voting or zoom questions.
Assembly Highlights:
OFFERING
$4,595
Assembly offering was donated to the ELCA World Hunger
ATTENDANCE
In Person Voting Members: 249
Zoom Voting Members: 100
Visitors: 18
Staff Non-Voting Members: 4
Synod Council Elected at Synod Assembly
The Rev. Brian Beissel, Dr. Helen H. Davis, Mr. Richard DeLuca, Mr. Stephen Hikes, Mr. Travis Reichelt, The Rev. Dr. Jan Remer-Osborn, Ms. Seraphina Ware
Synod Council Elected at Mission District Assemblies
Marie Jucknik (Pocono), The Rev. Cindy White (Hazleton/Lehighton), Christopher Williams (Northern Lehigh Valley)
Synod Treasurer
Dr. Donald Boyer
Recordings of the Assembly
Assembly Pop-up Choir
You're welcome to connect with the Assembly Pop-up Choir as we sing "God Is Our Refuge And Strength" by Allen Pote. (SATB edition.) Rehearsal will take place in-person on Friday, May 30, 5:45-6:30pm, to prepare for Worship at 7:00 PM. Hard copies of the music will be available on Friday, May 30.
Please try to learn the music ahead of time: Check your Church's music library, email Bob Riday, or purchase an e-print version can be from JW Pepper.
"so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.”
Romans 12:5 (NRSV)
Theme: "Connect the Dots"
In the heart of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the ELCA, a transformative journey is unfolding. Three distinct lanes—Growing Young, Gaining Strength, and Going Beyond Death to Life—are weaving together a vibrant tapestry of faith, community, and purpose. These lanes invite us to "connect the dots," embracing God’s vision for a church that thrives in unity and diversity.
As we travel these lanes, the intersections – the dots on the map – become sacred spaces where God’s grace is revealed. By connecting the dots, we create a mosaic of hope, reflecting the love of Christ to the world. Together, we journey forward, inspired and united, trusting that God’s Spirit is leading us to a future filled with promise.
Connecting the dots in this journey of faith means embracing three directions: to love like Jesus, where our hearts overflow with compassion and selflessness; to heal like Jesus, offering hope and restoration to the broken; and to engage like Jesus, stepping boldly into the world to build relationships and share God’s truth. Together, these paths lead us to live out God’s purpose in a transformative way.
Assembly Agenda
FRIDAY, MAY 30
12:30pm–2:00pm: Check in/Ministry Partner Displays at the Connection Place
2:00pm–5:00pm: Plenary 1
5:00pm–6:30pm: Dinner
5:45pm–6:30pm: Choir Rehearsal
7:00pm–8:30pm: Worship with Deacon Ordination
SATURDAY, MAY 31
9:00am–12:00pm: Plenary 2
12:00pm–1:30pm: Lunch
1:30pm–4:00pm: Plenary 3
4:00pm–4:30pm: Sending Worship and Installations, Closing of Assembly
ACCESSIBILITY:
We will seek to make any many aspects of this Assembly meeting as accessible as possible, including closed captioning, and access to sessions and displays.
Synod Assembly 2025 will include opportunities for us to celebrate and give thanks to God for the ministry of Deacons, past and present.
On Friday, May 30, 2025, at 7:00 pm, our festival worship will include the Rite of Ordination for Deacons. This rite is one of the ways the Assembly, on behalf of the whole Synod, supports our commitment to the authority and gift of deacons as Ministers of Word and Service.
In addition, the Affirmation of Call will be offered for those who have previously been consecrated or commissioned as deacons, deaconesses, diaconal ministers, or associates in ministry within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America or its predecessor church bodies. Since the 2016 Churchwide Assembly, these ministers have been unified in a single roster as Ministers of Word and Service. Following the 2019 Churchwide Assembly, deacons are now ordained to this ministry. After the worship service, a dessert reception will be served for all who will be attending the assembly in person to enjoy.
Festival worship will be livestreamed and available to watch live or afterward on the synod's YouTube channel: youtube.com/@NEPASynod
If you or your community would like to participate in sponsoring this reception as a way to join in honoring the work of deacons, please consider making a financial contribution through the link below or by mailing a check to the synod office made out to "Northeastern PA Synod" with the memo "Deacon Reception".
Connect the Dots T-shirts!
A portion of every sale goes to the
2025 Northeastern Pa Synod Assembly Offering
Pre-Orders only - not for sale at Synod Assembly
"According to the Continuing Resolutions and Other Resolutions of Ongoing Impact of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA, Chapter 3, #13 states: 'A special offering to benefit the ELCA's World Hunger Appeal shall be received at the annual Synod Assembly.'”
Nearly 1-in-10 people – 733 million – in our world are hungry. As members of the ELCA, we are called to respond. We are a church that rolls up our sleeves and gets to work.
Working with and through our congregations, in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands Lutheran churches overseas and other partners, ELCA World Hunger is uniquely positioned to reach communities in need. From health clinics to microloans, water wells to animal husbandry, community meals to advocacy, your gifts to ELCA World Hunger make it possible for the ELCA to respond, supporting sustainable solutions that get at the root causes of hunger and poverty.
By participating in this special offering, we honor our synod’s ongoing commitment to support the ELCA’s World Hunger Appeal. Together, we join in the ELCA’s mission to address hunger and poverty in sustainable, life-changing ways. Your generosity helps ensure that communities around the world have access to the resources they need to thrive.
Presenters & Special Guests
Jen Bradbury
Fuller Youth Institute
Pastor Tom Scornavacchi
Common Ground Recovery Community
Pastor Tim Brown
ELCA Director for Congregational Stewardship
Bishop Tobias Bilz
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Saxony
Rev. Dr. Norma Cook Everist
Preacher For Festival Worship
Abiding Hope
Musical Guests
Pre-Assembly Info Sessions
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. 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 encouraged to attend all sessions; or, they need to watch them via the recordings before the full Synod Assembly begins on May 30th. This method is intended to maximize our time at the Assembly
Session Dates
Session 1 of 2:
Thursday May 22
6:30pm - 8:00pm
Session 2 of 2:
Tuesday May 27
6:30pm - 8:00pm
Elections
Nominations need to be in by Friday, May 16.
Persons nominated from the floor for Synod positions must submit a biographical form online by 7:00 PM on Friday May 30.
Assembly Nominations:
SYNOD TREASURER
According to the NEPA Constitution, the treasurer may be a clergyperson or a lay person, elected to a four year term. They are one of the four officers of the synod: Bishop, VP, Secretary, and Treasurer. The treasurer attends all finance committee meetings and works with the Director of Operations to ensure faithful stewarding of synodical resources.
S8.42.a. The treasurer shall provide and be accountable for: management of the monies and accounts of this synod, its deeds, mortgages, contracts, evidences of claims and revenues, and trust funds, holding the same at all times subject to the order of this synod.
SYNOD COUNCIL
Electing: Clergy (deacon or pastor), Male of Color/Primary Language other than English (lay or clergy), Female of Color/Primary Language other than English (lay or clergy), Female Youth (2 year term), Male Youth (2 year term), Lay Female, Lay Male
- Purpose of Position: To serve as a member of the board of directors of the NEPA Synod
- Term of office: 3 years, 2 years for youth, or completion of a term; may be reelected once.
- Responsibilities and Duties: As outlined in Synod Constitution particularly Chapter 10
- Time Required: 4-6 meetings per year plus special meetings as needed & time serving on a
related Synod Council Committee: locations vary throughout the Synod and may include a videoconferencing platform like Zoom; Saturdays from 9:00 am- 12 noon
Resolutions and Memorials
Resolutions are a powerful way for congregations and leaders to shape the mission and ministry of our synod. They can spark meaningful conversations, influence policies, and guide the church’s work in new directions. If you have an idea for change or an issue you believe the church should address, click the button below to learn more about submitting a resolution.
Deadline to submit resolutions is May 16
Resolution Submissions:
No resolutions or memorials have been submitted by the May 16 deadline.
Deadline for resolutions or memorials to be considered by the assembly must be submitted by 7:00 PM Friday May 30 to info@nepsynod.org, or in person to Rev. Brandon Heavner.
