• Many locations were considered. Finding a facility that can accommodate the space needs for a Bishop’s election is not easy. Split Rock not only meets those needs, but is significantly less expensive than the few other venues that would meet this criteria.

• Split Rock Resort’s location is very close to the geographic center of our Synod. The furthest congregation location is about two hours away, with most being within 90 minutes, and many about one hour. The property itself is easy to navigate and commuter friendly.

• Hotel room rates were established that are already inclusive of fees and calculated as PA sales tax exempt. Four varieties of rooms are available that can provide individual beds for multiple people, beds in different rooms, and even rooms that have a kitchenette or full kitchen. See the chart at the bottom for more details.

• Group meals will be offered at Split Rock beginning with Wednesday dinner through Saturday lunch. The combined total of all these meals helps us to meet savings benchmarks related to our food and beverage totals. Attendees will be able to select specific meals, at cost, as part of the Assembly registration. (Ie. One person could select to participate in every offered meal, and another could select only Friday lunch.)

• A realistic, but tight assembly budget resulting in a registration fee that is as low as possible.

• We are working on finding sponsors for aspects of the Assembly, such as a meal, that could lower the attendee expense for congregations.

• Consider sharing rooms. None of the offered room styles has fewer than two independent beds.

• Upgrade individual rooms to Studio WITH Kitchenette. The additional expense is $29 per room, but you could prepare some meals in the room and save $213 per person if no group meals are selected.

• Upgrade one or more rooms to One Bedroom. These rooms have a KITCHEN. The additional expense is $75 per room, but you could save $213 per person if no group meals are selected. Also, a One Bedroom room could be used for two or more people. The two single Murphy beds are in the main part of the room, but there is a door between that space and the room with the King bed.

• Upgrade to one TWO BEDROOM for your three voting members. This room style has all the features of the One Bedroom with an added additional room with its own bathroom and two twin beds. Each person would have their own bed and space for sleeping.

• Commute.

• Consider bringing box lunch or more along to save meal expense.

As a part of its business on October 18, 2025, the Synod Council discussed concerns that were expressed regarding holding the 2026 Synod Assembly as a solely in-person meeting at Split Rock.

Click here to view statement.

This year’s Synod Assembly voting will be conducted using paper ballots, which means additional volunteers will be needed to help distribute, collect, and count the ballots.

We need a dedicated group of counters to tally the election results, particularly for the first and second ballots. It is best if counters are not voting members at the assembly. Also, we may need a group of “ushers” willing to distribute ballots and other assembly material throughout the assembly. Ushers can be voting members of the assembly. If you are willing to serve as either a counter or an usher, or if you have any questions about this election process, please contact Rev. Michael Scholtes, Bishop Election Committee chair.

Please contact: Co-coordinators for “Imagination Station”, Gail Colahan and Alicia Wood

Display staffing times:

• Thursday, June 4 from 3:30 to 5:30pm (during assembly registration)
• Friday, June 5 from 12 to 1:30 pm (during assembly lunch break)
• Saturday, June 6 from 12 to 1:30 pm (during assembly lunch break)