SYNOD ASSEMBLY 2026

SYNOD ASSEMBLY 2026

To strive for Justice
And Peace in all the Earth

June 4-6, 2026

Oshkosh Marriott Waterfront Hotel & Convention Center

Our upcoming Synod Assembly will be a particularly meaningful and historic gathering as it includes the election of a bishop through the ecclesiastical ballot process.

This Spirit-led process invites prayerful discernment and faithful participation from all voting members as together we listen for God’s guidance in calling our bishop for the next six years. In addition to this important election, the assembly will feature worship, learning, and time for connection and celebration—an opportunity to experience the life of our church in action. Join us as we gather in community, guided by faith and open to the movement of the Holy Spirit.

Resolutions for 2026 Synod Assembly

We invite you to submit resolutions for the 2026 Synod Assembly! Resolutions can be submitted by a congregation, a committee, or a group of at least 10 synod members. Please ensure your resolution follows the specified format and is submitted to ecsw@ecsw.org by March 15th, 2026.

For detailed directions and formatting guidelines, please refer to the Resolution Directions and Format document. Interested in submitting a resolution, read our Guidelines for Resolutions Handbook for more info.

Voting member Information

The 2026 Synod Assembly of the East Central Synod of Wisconsin of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will be held Saturday, June 4–6, 2026, at the Oshkosh Marriott Waterfront Hotel & Convention Center (2 N Main St, Oshkosh, WI 54901). Every congregation is encouraged to participate by electing laypersons as voting members.

Voting Membership Summary:

  • Rostered Ministers: All rostered ministers under call on the synod's roster are voting members.

  • Lay Members: The Synod Assembly's voting membership must be at least 60% laypersons. Each congregation is entitled to a minimum of two lay voting members.

  • Additional Voting Members: TEEM Candidates and Synod Authorized Ministers actively serving in ministry positions are granted lay voting privileges.

  • Lay Voter Formula (Adopted 2/21/2022 for the 2026 Assembly):

Baptized Membership

1-1000

1001-1500

1501-2000

2001-2500

2501-3000

3001-3500

3501-4000

Number of Voting Members

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Congregations with more than 1000 members are allowed one additional voting member for every 500 additional members.

Read Full Letter (PDF)
2026 Congregational Voting Members List (PDF)

2026 Positions on Committees

Synod Council (3 years)

  • Green Bay Conference - Rostered Minister

  • Oshkosh Conference - Rostered Minister

  • Shawano Conference  - Rostered Minister

Committee on Discipline (6 years)

  • Oshkosh Conference - Lay Person

  • Wisconsin River Valley - Rostered Minister

Consultation Committee (6 years)

  • Green Bay Conference - Lay Person

  • Tomorrow River Conference - Rostered Minister

Please submit minimally two names per position.  The deadline for name submissions is March 1, 2026. Submissions can be sent to ecsw@ecsw.org.