We are pleased to announce that Dr. Lois Malcolm will be the keynote speaker for our 2025 Synod Assembly on May 16-17 at St. Andrew’s, Mahtomedi. As one of the leading theologians on a Lutheran understanding of the Holy Spirit and evangelism, Dr. Malcolm will help us explore what it means for each of us to be a witness to life in Christ.
Dr. Malcolm is The Olin and Amanda Fjelstad Reigstad Chair of Systematic Theology at Luther Seminary, where she has taught since 1994. She grew up in the Philippines as the daughter of missionaries. Before becoming a theologian, she received an M.A. in Applied Linguistics from the University of Minnesota and taught linguistics and English as a second language courses in the U. S. and overseas. Her Ph.D. is from the University of Chicago.
Dr. Malcolm is the author of several books, including Holy Spirit: Creative Power in Our Lives (Fortress, 2009); God, an edited volume for The Westminster Collection of Sources of Christian Theology (Westminster John Knox Press, 2012), and two forthcoming books: A Theological Commentary on Second Corinthians for the Belief series (Westminster John Knox); and Sophia Cries Out in the Street: Wisdom in Christian Theology (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press).
An important note about the 2025 Synod Assembly: The business of the assembly begins on Friday, May 16, at 7 p.m. and will include elections and deliberations on resolutions and memorials, as well as a presentation by the ELCA churchwide representative. The assembly reconvenes on Saturday, May 17, at 8:30 a.m. for more business, festive worship and Dr. Malcolm’s keynote address. A mission fair featuring work groups, ministry partners and affiliated organizations is open to all on Friday from 5-7 p.m. Synod Assembly registration will open in early March.
