Online Synod Assembly 2021

The Virginia Synod Council recently met and has set the format and time for the 2021 Virginia Synod Assembly. After consultation with the ELCA, other synods in our region, rostered and lay leaders, Synod Council has decided to hold an online Synod Assembly for 2021. The Assembly will take place on Saturday, June 12, 2021. The Synod office will be sharing additional information in the future regarding the process for online attendance and the precise schedule for the day.

Quick Links

Use the Button Below to Submit a Nomination Form

Use the Button Below for the Assembly App

Use Button Below to View Voting Instructions.

The 2021 Virginia Synod Assembly theme comes from, We have boldness and confident access to God by way of Christ’s faithfulness. (Ephesians 3.12 NET) God is bold – gifting us each with grace and making us servants of the gospel. 

For 2021, the Assembly will be held online.  All voting members will be given log-in information and instructions on how to participate.  Visitors to the Assembly are able to participate through the Live Stream on the Synod’s Youtube channel or at the Watch the 2021 Virginia Synod Assembly page. 

This year’s Assembly will include: 

  • Worship
  • Keynote presentation by Dr. Mary J. Streufert (Director, ELCA Women for Justice)
  • Elections for: 
    • Synod Council
    • Committee on Discipline 
    • Churchwide Assembly Voting Members
  • Adoption of 
    • the Ministry Spending Plan
    • the Audit
    • Compensation Guidelines
  • Updates to our Constitution
     

We will gather together to experience and express what it means to be the church.  Together as the Body of Christ, we care for the necessary business items, participate in and experience worship, and build up the Body of Christ. 

We have boldness and confident access to God by way of Christ’s faithfulness. (Ephesians 3.12 NET)

God is bold – speaking creation into being. God is bold – delivering God’s people from bondage into freedom. God is bold – speaking judgment and hope through the prophets. God is bold – being born of Mary to be God with us.

Jesus is bold – saving God’s people. Jesus is bold – showing us plainly and clearly God’s immeasurable love. Jesus is bold – encouraging us to take courage! Jesus is bold – in him we have peace. Jesus is bold – in him we live in the abiding presence of God. Jesus is bold – showering the needy with compassion and mercy. Jesus is bold – proclaiming good news to the poor and setting free those who are oppressed.

God is bold – gifting us each with grace and making us servants of the gospel. God is bold – calling us:

  • To love God and love our neighbor (Matthew 22.34-40)
  • To speak the message of the gospel with great courage (Acts 4.29)
  • To make known the wisdom of God (Ephesians 3.10)
  • To let our lights so shine that others see in us the unfathomable riches of Christ (Matthew 5.16; Ephesians 3.8)
  • To proclaim the kingdom of God and teach about the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 28.31)
  • To hold unwaveringly to the hope we confess (Hebrews 10.23)

At the 2021 Synod Assembly, we will hold several elections for the following:  

  • Synod Council
  • Committee on Discipline 
  • 2022 Churchwide Assembly 

To view the terms and expectations for the positions we will hold elections on refer to the roles to be elected for the 2021 assembly. 

To nominate yourself or someone else for any of the positions submit this Nomination Form

Information Sessions for the Online 2021 Synod Assembly

All voting members are encouraged to attend Pre-Assembly meetings to help you prepare for the Assembly. Each meeting will be offered multiple times, so pick the meeting time that works best for you. Meeting topics will include:
  • Constitution Updates: Learn about the proposed Synod Constitution updates and ask your questions
    • Monday, May 24 at 4 pm
    • Thursday, May 27 at 7 pm
  • Overview of the new Compensation Guidelines: Learn about the proposed Synod Compensation Guideline updates and ask your questions
    • Wednesday, June 2 at 3 PM
    • Thursday, June 3 at 7 PM
  • General Information and Voting Process: Get to know the online format, platforms, and voting procedures
    • Sunday, June 6 at 4 pm
    • Tuesday, June 8 at 7 pm
    • Wednesday, June 9 at 1 pm
  • Tips for Congregations Participation as a Group from One Location:
    • To be announced
The meetings will be recorded and made available for later viewing. Attendance or review of these videos is highly encouraged to facilitate a smooth Assembly.

Check the Synod’s Weekly Update for news or reminders regarding the assembly.  You can sign up to receive the weekly update directly to your email here.

Registration will allow you access to the online platform used for the 2021 Synod Assembly. 

Special notes for registration:

  • EVERY voting member must register with a unique email address. You will need to be able to access this email address during the assembly for voting.
  • To register you must provide a credit/debit card to pay the registration fee.
  • Each congregation will need to complete a lay voting credential form. 
  • Registration will close on June 2, 2021
  • Instruction on registration payment through PayPal

Costs are as follows:

  • Early bird registration (through April 19, 2021) for voting members (Rostered/Lay) is $50.
  • Standard registration (through May 12, 2021) for voting members (Rostered/Lay) is $65. 
  • Late registration (through June 2, 2021) for voting members (Rostered/Lay) is $75.
  • Visitors do not register and may view the sessions via the live stream to the Virginia Synod YouTube Channel.
  • Additional discounts are available for retired and On Leave from Call Rostered Ministers

Assembly Forms:

Like many congregations, the Virginia Synod Council has recently reviewed our Synod Constitution and has proposed several updates that will remove outdated language or better reflect the manner in which the Synod currently functions. Bylaw changes to the Virginia Synod Constitution require a six-month written notice to be sent to all Virginia Synod congregations. The Virginia Synod Council approved these updates to the Virginia Synod Constitution, Bylaws, and Resolutions at its September 26, 2020 and December 3, 2020 meeting. All of these proposed updates will be part of our 2021 Synod Assembly Business.

To read the proposed changes:

Weekly Updates