2019 SYNOD ASSEMBLY
June 7-8, 2019
Redwood Area Community Center (RACC), Redwood Falls, MN

This is my command-be strong and courageous!
Do not be afraid or discouraged.
For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
- Joshua 1:9
Assembly Highlights!
Our ELCA representative, Rev. Brenda Smith, Program Director, ELCA Faith and Book of Faith, will challenge us to dig deeper into our faith as we go through our everyday life.

Our Bible study leader, Deanna Thompson, professor of Religion at Hamline University, will cover topics ranging from Martin Luther and feminism, scriptural interpretation, cancer and faith, and being the church in the digital age.

The assembly will kick off with service projects and learning opportunities!
- Rolling bandages for Global Health Ministries with WELCA
- Learn to build a Faith Chest with LMM
- Visitation kits
- Food Packing
- Hunger Issues in SW Minnesota Workshop
- Workshop from our keynote speaker, Rev. Brenda Smith
- Workshop from our Bible study leader, Deanna Thompson

Watch for more information on service projects and workshop descriptions.
Important Dates
Assembly Display Request 
 Now Open
Assembly Registration Opens
 Now Open
Assembly Resolution Deadline
 April 8
Last Day of Early Assembly Registration
 May 17
Assembly Display Request Closes
 May 17

The Pre-Assembly Reports and Proposals to the Congregations book will be available for download here, on our website and via our Guidebook to rostered persons and lay voting members who are registered for the assembly the week of May 6 or thereafter for late registrants. If you would like this information printed out and sent to you, please check the additional printed materials box upon registration and we will do that for an additional charge of $25. Thank you.

We encourage taking advantage of the early bird registration fee. Registering by May 17 not only means that you pay a considerably lower registration rate, but it also assures that your voting members will have ample time to review the Pre-Assembly Reports and Proposals to the Congregations. These reports and resolutions will form the basis for discussion and decisions at the assembly.
Registration Information
Synod Assembly registration is open. The registration is posted on the Synod Assembly webpage - swmnelca.org/synod-assembly and is only available online.

How can our congregation save money?
There are two ways your congregation can save significant monies. First, when you register your voting members prior to  May 17,  you save $50 per registration.  Registrations received after May 17 will be charged the regular rate. Additionally, if you register a lay young adult under the age of 35, you will receive $50 off his/her registration.
Display Information 
The display request form is now open! If you would like to have a display at the assembly, you must complete the online display request form by clicking here.

The RACC offers more space for displays. This is a great opportunity for vendors  who share and support our work of the church.

The SW MN Synod Assembly encourages openness and freedom of expressing varying ideas that relate to the purpose and mission of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America as set forth in the constitution and bylaws of the SW MN Synod.

Guidelines to secure display space are as follows:
  1.  Priority display space is available to all synod boards, committees, task forces, agencies of the ELCA based on the number of spaces available on a policy of first serve/paid request.
  2.  Other religious agencies that support the work of the ELCA and ecumenical agencies are accepted next if space is available.
  3.  Third priority will be given to for-profit displays. However, no commercial displays or for-profit booths are permitted without approval from the Synod Assembly Planning Committee. Additionally, all items that are sold must have prior approval from the Synod Assembly Planning Committee.
  4.  A display that does not relate to the mission and purpose of the synod or is considered offensive will be removed. The decision of the Synod Assembly Planning Chair and Bishop will be final.
  5.  The SW MN Synod and the Redwood Area Community Center will not be responsible for loss, theft, or damage to display items. All shipping costs related to a display are the responsibility of the display host.

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175 East Bridge St. PO Box 499
 507-637-3904