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2023 Synod Assembly

The 36th annual Assembly of the Delaware-Maryland Synod, ELCA will meet Friday, June 9 through Saturday, June 10, 2023. Synod Assembly will take place in person at Grace Lutheran Church in Westminster, MD.

 

Download the summary of the 2023 Synod Assembly: Word document | PDF

Pre-Assembly Information

Synod Assembly Agenda

Friday, June 9

8 a.m.-6 p.m. Registration

9:45 a.m. Word and Sacrament with the Installation of Assistants to the Bishop & the Order for the Opening of the Assembly

10:45 a.m. Hospitality area open for coffee, water and a snack, provided by Lutheran Social Ministries of Maryland

11:00 a.m. Business Session No. 1

12:30 p.m. Lunch, pre-ordered; or Carroll Lutheran School (by reservation); or on your own

2:15 p.m. Business Session No. 2

4:00 p.m. Reception for Vice President John Auger

4.30pm Business Session No. 2, continued

5:45 p.m. Adjourn, Dinner on your own

Saturday, June 10

8:00 a.m. Saturday Morning 5k Walk/Run

8 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Registration desk open

8:30 a.m. Ten Foot Pole Podcast live recording session!

9:30 a.m. Business Session No. 3

11:45 a.m. Word and Sacrament with the Installation of Newly Elected Synod Council Vice President, Mission Team Leader, and the Order for the Closing of an Assembly

Registration

Registration for the 2023 Delaware-Maryland Synod Assembly is now closed. Voting members may register on-site beginning on Friday, June 9. Please consult the Synod Assembly 2023 Letter (available above) for the registration prices.

Displays, Exhibitions, and Vendors

Do you wish to register for a Display/Exhibitor/Vendor Table at Synod Assembly 2023? Please consult our synod’s policy and register using the links below! All requests must be received no later than May 5, 2022.

Register for a Display/Exhibition/Vendor Table Here!

Displays are free of charge and are for organizations which fall under our annual synod budget. Exhibits cost $50 and are for organizations who fall outside our synod budget, but with whom our synod partners. Vendor Tables cost $100 and are for those who will sell things at Assembly.

A few additional notes on Displays/Exhibitions/Vendor Tables:

  • All displays, exhibits and vendor tables are expected to be staffed during the Assembly
  • The displays, exhibits and vendor areas are closed during worship services.
  • All displays, exhibits and vendor tables must set up before the Assembly officially opens. Move-in/set-up time is scheduled for Thursday, June 8, 2023 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm.
  • The standard space allocation is a 6’ (length) x 30” (width) table.
  • The standard fee for exhibit space is $50 plus any additional costs charged by the venue for special needs.
  • The standard vendor fee is $100 plus any additional costs charged by the venue for special needs.
  • If you register for a display, exhibit or vendor table, that action indicates that you understand and agree to the terms of the policy statement.

Memorials and Resolutions

To submit a Memorial or Resolution for consideration at the 2023 DE-MD Synod Assembly, please use the link below. Memorials and Resolutions are due no later than 8 p.m. EST on Saturday, April 15th, 2023. If your submission does not meet this deadline, we cannot ensure that it will reach the floor of the assembly. Questions may be directed to Rev. Mark Parker, Chair of our Synod’s Reference and Counsel Committee (lsmparker@gmail.com) or Cindy VanVliet (cvanvliet@demdsynod.org).

Submit a Memorial or Resolution here!

Elections Information

At this year’s Synod Assembly, we will hold elections for our next Synod Council Vice President, members of our synod’s Consultation and Discipline Committees, and for a new Communications Team Leader. You can read more about these positions below. If you are nominated, please use the link below to submit a Biographical Information Form to include with your name in our Assembly Bulletin of Reports.

Submit Biographical Information here!

Synod Council Vice President: 4 year term, beginning July 1, 2023, to succeed retiring VP John Auger. Major roles: Chair of the Synod Council, ex-officio of the Mission Teams and Committees, chair of the bishop’s annual evaluation team, co-chair of the Synod Assembly, highest lay office in our synod.

Consultation Committee: 6 year term, beginning July 1, 2023. Major roles: Be available for appointment to a 3 person sub-committee when exigent circumstances of local difficulties arise in the congregations of our synod to listen, ask clarifying questions, and make recommendations for reconciliation and moving forward.

  • One lay person to be elected.
  • One ordained person to be elected.

Discipline Committee: 6 year term, beginning July 1, 2023 Major roles: Be available for appointment to a 3 person sub-committee when exigent circumstances investigate matters of discipline concerning a Minister of Word and Sacrament, a Minister of Word and Service, or a Congregation of the Synod. The committee hears evidence, reviews the Synod Office’s investigation, and makes a recommendation for disciplinary action.

  • One lay person to be elected.
  • One ordained person to be elected.

Team Leader for Communications: 4 year term, beginning July 1, 2023, to succeed retiring Team Leader Daniel Mambu. Synod Council proposes a sole nominee for an up or down vote.