Report of the 2026 Synod Assembly
The 2026 Synod Assembly of the East Central Synod of Wisconsin of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America gathered June 4-6th at the Oshkosh Waterfront Convention Center in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. In attendance, 268 voting members registered for the assembly, 66% of whom were lay and 34% were pastors and deacons. There were 14 ministry partner tables and 36 visitors to the assembly.
Gathered under one of the promises made in baptism, the Assembly theme was, “To Strive for Justice and Peace in All the Earth.” The Rev. Dr. Meghan Johnston Aelabouni, Bishop of our domestic companion synod, The Rocky Mountain Synod, shared several keynotes reflecting on the theme as well as a compelling sermon at opening eucharist. Reflecting on the question of the eunuch to Philip in Acts 8, “Here is water. What is to prevent me from being baptized?” Bishop Meghan helped the assembly reflect on the question, “I am baptized. What is to prevent me from striving for justice and peace on all the earth?”
Spirited worship accompanied the business of the assembly under the leadership of Synod Worship Coordinator Dr. Kartika Putri. An assembly choir sang the anthem, “Justice and Joy” and several smaller ensembles accompanied two eucharist worship services, evening prayer, a healing liturgy, and two morning prayer services. Worship was enhanced by a colorful backdrop borrowed from the ELCA featuring the work of Chinese Christian artist, He Qi and the quilting of Nigerian women living with HIV, previously made for an ELCA Global Mission Event.
Visiting bishops enriched our worship life. Bishop Paul Erickson of the Greater Milwaukee Synod and Bishop Katherine Finnegan of the Northern Great Lakes Synod Preached; and Bishop Martin Halom of the Northwestern Wisconsin Synod shared prayers and accompanied opening eucharist by playing trumpet. Their prayers and presence were especially meaningful during this assembly where Bishop Anne Edison-Albright was reelected to a second six year term by the assembly. Deacon John Weit, Executive for Worship at the ELCA, was our churchwide representative and presided over the bishop election. A press release from the ELCA details the election.
In her address to the assembly following the election, Bishop Anne reflected on one of the charges to the newly ordained and shared, “We don’t give illusory hope. We have hope in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And that is a hope that doesn’t deny death or all of the things in this world that are death dealing. It is hope that knows the reality of death and abides and perseveres anyway. This is a challenging time to be the church. Thank you for being the church. Our voice is needed. People need to hear the gospel and experience the gospel, too.”
Other business of the Assembly included:
Approval of 2027 Compensation Guidelines
Adoption of the spending plan for Fiscal Year 2028
Election of Synod Council Secretary: The Rev. Bryan Schmidt
Election of Synod Council: Lydia Fite, The Rev. Crystal Lee, The Rev. Stacy Malzhan, and The Rev. Peter Mannoja
No names were pre-identified for Discipline or Consultation Committee Members and those positions will be appointed by Synod Council
The passing of four resolutions:
Resolution to Work for Civic Life (Link forthcoming)
Resolution for Mindful, Ethical and Just Employment of Lay Professional Staff
Resolution to Educate Members to be Hunger Advocates and to Support ELCA World Hunger and LOPPW
In addition to the business of the assembly, conferences gathered together to share in a practice of asset mapping around what is held in common and what is unique between congregations. T-shirts in conference colors provided a sense of unity and camaraderie. An offering was collected for the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center and for the Bishop’s Resource Fund. A service project engaged voting members in letter writing. Recipients included residents in nursing homes and to representatives about issues important to members.
Next year’s one day synod assembly will gather at Saint Andrew Lutheran Church in Wausau, Wisconsin on Saturday, June 5th.
Follow this link for a brief version of this report for your ministry’s newsletter or bulletin.
