Please visit our Synod Assembly Archives page for video recordings and final documents related to the 35th Annual Synod Assembly.

Wifi Access Information
Network: 2022MCSASSEMBLY
Password: METRO (all caps, case-sensitive)

Workshop Breakout Rooms
See here.

Physical Space: The assembly space does not require the use of steps for attendees.

Restrooms: All restrooms are fully accessible. Restrooms designated for “women” and “men” are also equipped with individual/private stalls, and a family/gender-neutral restroom is also available.

Parking: Ample disability parking is available, including space for wheelchair ramps.

Assembly Materials: In order to be good stewards of creation, as well as the synod’s resources, all assembly materials will be distributed electronically. All materials will be posted under the “Resource Library” tab on this page as they become available. Internet access is available throughout the event space (wifi information will be shared on-site). Attendees are encouraged to bring their computers, tablets, and/or smartphones to access these materials, or else print them in advance on your own.

Registration is now closed. Please call the synod office at 773.248.0021 if you have any questions or concerns.

The livestream of the assembly has ended. A recording may now be accessed on the synod YouTube channel.

Agenda

Workshop Descriptions

Blanket Exercise

Book of Reports (including Bishop’s Report)

Rules and Procedures

Please visit our Synod Assembly Archives page for final versions of all resolutions and memorials as adopted by the assembly.

Pre-assembly hearings were previously hosted by the Reference and Counsel Committee, and the recordings may be accessed below.

Tuesday, May 24, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
“Care for Black, Indigenous, Persons of Color Leaders (BIPOC) and Congregations During Times of Alleged Misconduct and Discipline”
Written by: Latinx Strategy Team of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod
Download here.
Recording here.

Tuesday, May 31, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
“A Memorial to Uphold the Dignity of the Office of Ministry”
Written by: Northeast Conference of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod
Download here.
Recording here.

Thursday, June 2, 7:00 – 8:00 p.m.
“Resolution on Support for the First Amendment Right to Boycott”
Written by: Working Group on the Middle East of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod
Download here.
Recording here.

“A Memorial to Restructure the Governance of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America”
Written by: The Rev. Erin Coleman Branchaud, et al.
Download here.
No hearing scheduled. This resolution has been received and recommended for adoption by the Committee on Reference and Counsel.

Consistent with †S18.13. and †S18.21. of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod Constitution, notice has been given that the 2022 Assembly of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod will consider amendments to the Metropolitan Chicago Synod Constitution and Bylaws, as recommended by the Metropolitan Chicago Synod Council. A copy of the proposed constitution with amendments has been included in the 2022 Book of Reports and is also available here. An explanation of recommended amendments is also included in the 2022 Book of Reports and is available here.

A hearing on the recommended amendments was held via Zoom on Wednesday, June 1 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Access the recording here.

The hearing is open to all, whether you are attending assembly as a voting member or not, and will be conducted following Robert’s Rules of Order. A brief overview of the amendments will be provided, followed by a period of questions and answers. The remainder of the hearing will alternate between those present who would like to speak for or against any particular amendment. Should you have questions or comments and be unable to attend the hearing, you may send your comments for review by the Synod Constitution Working Group to Secretary Erin Clausen.

The Metropolitan Chicago Synod’s Nominating Committee is currently looking for assistance as we seek to raise up leaders from across our synod.

The primary position we need nominees for is Lay Male nominees for the ELCA Church Council. We do also have some vacancies on the Synod Council, Consultation Committee, and Discipline Committee of the synod that we will accept nominations for consideration relative to our representational principles.

We are asking you to contemplate and pray about who you think would be effective and called to the positions listed below. If you think of someone, approach them, talk to them about why you want to nominate them, and ask if they would be willing. If they are willing, give them the nomination form and have them follow the instructions for nomination.

We ask you to keep in mind that we are a diverse synod and we want our leadership to reflect that in age, ethnicity, and those whose primary language is other than English.

Please submit names of prospective nominees as soon as possible, but before May 30, 2022.

Nominations are closed.

Please note:

• Those nominated must be active members of congregations of the Metropolitan Chicago Synod.
• As always, we seek a diversity of candidates.
• Before suggesting a person, ask whether the person is willing to serve if elected.
• The Nominating Committee is not required to place in nomination the name of any person suggested.
• In light of the level of responsibility and influence of the positions, no one may serve on more than one standing committee of the synod.

The 2022 Metropolitan Chicago Synod Assembly will select two individuals in the “Lay Man” category for consideration to the Church Council. These two names will then be forwarded to the 2022 Churchwide Assembly where voting members will vote on and elect people to the Church Council. Please note that the Metropolitan Chicago Synod Assembly will not be electing the individual to the Church Council. The Churchwide Assembly will elect.

Constitutional Considerations for members of the Church Council:

14.31. The voting members of the Church Council shall consist of the four churchwide officers, the chair of the Conference of Bishops, and at least 33 and not more than 45 other persons elected by the Churchwide Assembly.

14.32. With the exception of youth members, Church Council members shall be elected by the Churchwide Assembly to one six-year term and shall not be eligible for consecutive re-election. Youth members of the Church Council shall be elected by the Churchwide Assembly to one three-year term.

19.02. The members of the Church Council shall be elected by the Churchwide Assembly. In preparation for the Churchwide Assembly, the Church Council shall determine how this church’s commitment to inclusive representation will affect the next election to the Church Council. For 33 of the council members, the Nominating Committee shall invite each eligible synod to submit suggested nominees and shall then nominate persons who fulfill the categories assigned by the Church Council. With respect to the other nominees, the Church Council shall review its size and composition and take into consideration the experience and expertise of existing members and synodical nominees as well as the needs of the council in seeking to fulfill its duties and responsibilities. Based upon this analysis, the Church Council shall instruct the Nominating Committee to provide nominations in specific categories for the remaining positions up to 12. Excluding the churchwide officers and the chair of the Conference of Bishops, there shall not be more than two members of the Church Council from a synod. The Church Council shall have at least two members from each region. The terms of office of persons elected to regular terms on the Church Council by the Churchwide Assembly shall begin at the conclusion of the Churchwide Assembly at which such persons were elected. If there is no Churchwide Assembly in the year when terms are scheduled to conclude, they end on August 31.

19.04. Unless otherwise specified in the Constitution, Bylaws, and Continuing Resolutions, elections shall be for one six-year term, without consecutive re-election, and with approximately one-half of the members of the Church Council and of each board or advisory committee elected each triennium.

19.21.A13. The Nominating Committee shall strive to ensure that at least 10 percent of the voting membership of the Church Council shall be youth or young adults. Youth members shall be younger than 18 at the time of their election, and young adults shall be older than 18 and younger than 30 years of age at the time of their election.

In-person attendees are invited to sign up to attend a workshop and RSVP for dinner at assembly.

Workshops
Following assembly business in the morning, an array of workshops will be offered in the afternoon. Workshop descriptions are available here. Advance registration for workshops is now closed. As space allows, workshops will be available on a first-come, first-served basis on Saturday. An announcement will also be shared during assembly.

Workshop Breakout Rooms
See here.

Dinner
The Metropolitan Chicago Synod cordially invites you for an evening of fellowship and dinner on Saturday, June 4th, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. Dinner is sponsored by Advocate Aurora Healthcare. Registration for dinner is now closed.