Romans 12:5 – The Voice:

We, too -the many – are different parts that form one body in the Anointed One [Christ].  Each one of us is joined with one another, and we become together what we could not be alone. – The Voice Translation

Strong Connections . . . for God is with us.

. . . and we become together what we could not be alone. The emphasis for this year’s Synod Assembly is the command that God gives to the Virginia Synod to be strong. We discover strength together by focusing on our ministries, on the peoples that serve, and on how ministries grow stronger through our partnership in the Gospel.

Our God is a God of relationships:

• Genesis 2 tells the story of God’s creation and care for humanity, given life through God’s very breath.
• Genesis 11 begins the story of God’s covenant relationship with Abraham and Sarah and their descendants.
• Exodus 3 begins the journey of Moses and a dynamic relationship with God’s people, the children of Israel.
• Luke 1 relates the story of Elizabeth and Mary whose strong family ties provided encouragement for each other as both were chosen to bear sons. One son would offer a message of the coming Savior, and the other Son would be the Savior.
• Acts 2 reminds us of the Holy Spirit’ coming upon those disciples who were gathered in the upper room together, each one speaking in a different language, but with one message, the Good News of Jesus Christ.

All Virginia Lutherans are partners in the sharing of the Gospel, with our unique distinctiveness. As we work toward our common goal of sharing with others how to love our God and how to love others, the Holy Spirit multiplies what we are able to do.

As we trust in the Lord as the source of our strength, let us pray that God will:

“Bind us together, Lord, Bind us together
With cords that cannot be broken.
Bind us together, Lord, Bind us together
Bind us together in Love” – Bob Gillman

Strong Connections . . . for God is with us.  . . . and we become together what we could not be alone.

In preparation for the 2024 Virginia Synod Assembly which will take place on Saturday, April 27 from 9 AM until 1 PM on Zoom, the Virginia Synod Office of the Bishop will offer pre-assembly gatherings online to help you prepare for the assembly. Anyone is invited to participate, and each gathering will be recorded and shared following the event. There is no cost to attend.

You can find links for the Pre-Assembly meetings, registration, recordings from prior meetings, and resources at: https://vasynod.org/2024-pre-assembly-meetings/

The Voting Membership of the Assembly includes the following:

• All Rostered Ministers under call on the roster of this synod (including non-congregational calls)
• Congregational Lay Voting Members
• Lay Officers of the Synod
• Lay Members of Synod Council
• At-Large Lay Members Appointed by Synod Council
• If the Constitutionally Required 60% Lay Voting Member and 40% Rostered Voting Member requirement can be satisfied,
  • Retired Rostered Ministers
  • Rostered Ministers On Leave from Call
  • Rostered Ministers on Disability Leave

Please note that every congregation is entitled to at least two (2) lay voting members, typically of different genders.

Congregations are strongly encouraged to elect, where possible, qualified persons who would express the inclusiveness of the church. EARLY election and certification of voting members are highly desirable so that Assembly committees can be formed in a timely manner with proper representation from the conferences.

Additional Lay Voting Members: Larger congregations are entitled to additional lay voting members on the following basis of baptized members (as of December 31, 2023). For each additional 200 baptized members or portion thereof over 400, the congregation should elect an additional lay voting member.

• 400 = 2 voting members
• 401-600 = 3 voting members
• 601-800 = 4 voting members
• 801-1000 = 5 voting members
• 1001-1200 = 6 voting members

Download Determining Voting Members at the Synod Assembly: Congregational Lay Voting Members 2024

Elected by the Virginia Synod Assembly 2024 to Positions of Leadership (Updated after Assembly)

The 2024 Virginia Synod Assembly will be electing the following positions:

• 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly (July 28-August 2, 2025 at Phoenix, Arizona)
  • Lay Voting Members: Five
    • One Man
    • One Woman
    • One person of any gender
    • One young adult (person of any gender; 30 or younger)
    • One person of color and/or whose primary language is other than English (person of any gender)
  • Rostered Ministers (Pastor or Deacon): Three
    • One man
    • One young adult (person of any gender; 30 or younger)
    • One person of color and/or whose primary language is other than English (person of any gender)
• ELCA Church Council
  • Lay Members – Two
    • Woman, person of color and/or whose primary language is other than English, young adult (at the time of the assembly between 18-30 yrs)
• Synod Council Members
  • Youth: One
    • Any Conference Partnership, Currently in 10-12 grade
  • Class of 2025: One
    • Lay Member, Appalachia Partnership, Any Gender
  • Class of 2027: Two
    • Lay Member, Blue Ridge Partnership, Any Gender
    • Rostered Minister, Appalachia Partnership, Woman
• Consultation Committee
  • Lay Members: Two
    • One Man
    • One Woman

Download the complete list of Roles to be Elected for responsibilities and term information. 

The list below contains links to Assembly forms and includes the due dates for the forms.

• Registration Form (Per the constitution closes on April 17, 2024)
• Lay Voting Credential Form (Per the constitution closes on April 17, 2024)
• Nomination Form (For those Nominated from the Floor)
• Resolution and Memorial Form (Per the constitution closed on March 28, 2024)
• Appointed At-Large Voting Member Request Form (per the constitution closes on April 17, 2024)
• Digital Ministry Display Form (Due by March 28, 2024)
• Request to be Excused Form (Under Call Rostered Ministers Only)

Two resolutions have been proposed for the 2024 Virginia Synod Assembly. The resolutions can be found on pages D1-D7 in the Bulletin of Reports and the Report of the Committee of Reference and Council can be found on pages S7-S9 in the Supplement to the Bulletin of Reports.

• 2024 Virginia Synod Assembly Bulletin of Reports
• Supplement to the Bulletin of Reports