2026 Conference Assemblies
Conference Assemblies will be held on the morning of Saturday, Feb. 14. We will begin with worship, then break out for conference meetings. Conference business will include nominations for bishop, with each of the six conferences nominating up to three candidates. (Additional nominations may take place at Synod Assembly, May 15-16 at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi.)
Some conferences may have additional business, such as elections for Synod Council or committees. Persons may also bring resolutions for discussion to their Conference Assembly. Resolutions, if passed by the conference, come before the Synod Assembly in May for consideration. (Congregation councils may also pass resolutions for consideration at the Synod Assembly.) Resolutions must be received in the synod office by March 27, 2026, for consideration at the 2026 Synod Assembly. Click here for recommendations on writing an effective resolution.
Who Can Vote?
All active rostered members of the synod (pastors and deacons) may vote. (Those who are retired or on leave from call have voice but not vote. Please note that retirees may NOT serve as lay voting members.)
Each congregation elects lay voting members to both Conference Assemblies and Synod Assembly (usually at the congregation’s annual meeting). Congregations can send twice as many voting members to Conference Assemblies as Synod Assembly. The number of voting members is determined by the number of baptized members in a congregation. Click here for the Voting Member Allocations for the 2026 Conference Assemblies.
Registration
There is no charge to attend Conference Assemblies. When possible, we ask for congregations to register their delegation all at one time. That helps us more easily confirm you have not exceeded your number of voters. You will need just their names and email addresses for the registration form. Questions about registration? Call the synod office at 651-224-4313 or email admin@spas-elca.org.
