2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly Gathers: For the LIfe of the World

The 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly will take place July 28–August 2 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. This important gathering is the primary decision-making body of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and is rooted in communal spiritual discernment. Grounded in worship around word and water, wine and bread, voting members come together to:

• Hear reports and review the work of churchwide leaders and ministries

• Consider proposals from synods

• Elect officers and leaders including Presiding Bishop and Secretary of the ELCA

• Set policy and adopt a budget for the ELCA

• Worship together as one church

• Conduct additional business on behalf of the entire ELCA

There are several ways that you can engage in the work of the churchwide assembly:

Watch the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly Live!

Tune into the livestream to follow the work of the Churchwide Assembly in Phoenix. Visit elca.org/churchwideassembly for details and livestream access. Please note: all official schedules are posted in Pacific Standard Time (PST). Below is a quick reference to key events in Central Standard Time (CST):

Monday, July 28

• 5:00 pm – Holy Communion

• 8:30 pm – Opening Plenary

Tuesday, July 29

• 11:00 am – Morning Prayer

• 12:15 pm & 4:00 pm – Plenaries

Wednesday, July 30

• 11:00 am & 4:00 pm – Plenaries

• 1:00 pm – Holy Communion

• 9:00 pm – Plenary

Thursday, July 31

• 9:00 am – Morning Prayer

• 12:30 pm & 4:00 pm – Plenaries

• 7:00 pm – Evening Prayer

Friday, August 2

• 11:00 am – Holy Communion

• 1:00 pm – Closing Plenary

Stay Tuned Through Social Media

Pastor Matt Olson of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Plover will help us all stay connected to our members who are sent from the ECSW via social media. In addition, Living Lutheran and ELCA social media will provide regular updates and access to the livestream for those who would like to follow along.

Pray!

Let us pray. God of love, as your Church gathers in Phoenix to carry out the work you have called us to do, we lift our prayers to you.

We give thanks for the voting members from the East Central Synod of Wisconsin: Bishop Anne Edison-Albright, Laurie Sturzenegger, Sarah Bauer, Paul Jerks, Randy Johnson, Bob Wiederhoeft, Adam Clifford, Shirley Paulson, Breanna Drossart, Pastor Ben Williams, Pastor Matt Olson, Pastor Kim Swenson, Jeanne Jerks, and Pastor Justin Smoot, who travels with his daughter, Lillian Smoot—our youngest voting member. Bless them in their listening, speaking, and serving.

We pray for our domestic companion synod, for Bishop Meghan Johnston Aelabouni, and for all of the voting members of the Rocky Mountain Synod. We give thanks for the leadership of Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, Secretary Deacon Sue Rothmeyer, and the outgoing members of the churchwide council. Grant them rest and renewal in the seasons ahead. We lift up Vice President Imran Siddiqui and the churchwide council, including Kerry Fehrman of our synod, newly elected to serve as treasurer. Strengthen and guide them, that they may lead us with wisdom and care.

We pray for the wellbeing and safe travels of all who gather. We pray for those who serve and volunteer behind the scenes, may they be sustained by your joy. Grant clarity in discernment, boldness in decision-making, and courage to meet this moment in our shared life together. Raise up trauma-informed leaders who embody your compassion and care. And in all things, unite us in your Spirit, as one body in Christ, rooted in love and trust - that we may be your Church, for the life of the world.

In the name of Christ, we pray.