Find your Synod Assembly Materials by clicking on the tabs

to expand the sections and access the materials.

For information on Keynote Speakers, Assembly Offerings, Covid Guidance and more, look here:

General Assembly Info

  • ASSEMBLY LOCATION: 1 Carter St, Chattanooga, TN 37402 - Google Maps LINK here
  • Convention Center MAP
  • PLEASE BRING A DEVICE WITH INTERNET ACCESS so that you can access all Synod Assembly materials
    • Most computers / tablets / iOS devices will open PDF files automatically
    • To make PDFs open automatically wIth Android devices: Go to Settings. Go to Apps. Select the other PDF app, that always open up automatically. Scroll down to "Launch By Default" or "Open by default"
  • Things to do in Chattanooga - VisitChattanooga.com
  • Breakfast options:
    • The Marriott will be offering a breakfast buffet on the second floor in the Table South Restaurant from 6:30 am – 10:30 am, and
    • Breakfast items will also be available in the Marketplace (next to the registration desk) starting at 6:30 am.
  • Sign up for Synod Assembly Text Alerts!!!
    • Text SESYNOD ASSEMBLY to 404-737-9022, or scan the qr code below:

 

 

PRE-ASSEMBLY Workshops - Friday, June 3 - 9-11am

  • Meeting Room 3 - Evangelism Forum (Click to open in new window)
    • Participants will be able to visit different tables at their own pace to learn about Evangelism Resources in the Synod. There will be QR codes to access links to resources, complete surveys, and get additional information from Evangelism Websites. In addition, members of the Evangelism team will be on hand to answer questions, initiate conversations, and guide individuals to areas of specific interest.   Led by Ms. Laurie Tinc, Administrator of Mission and Ministry, Epiphany, Suwanee, GA; the Rev. Jennifer Roberts, Pastor, Resurrection, Newnan, GA; the Rev. Jay Bergstresser, Pastor, Christ the King, Peachtree Corners, GA; the Rev. Dan Forehand, Pastor for Evangelism, Communication, and Youth and Family Ministry, Faith, Knoxville, TN; Ms. Melissa Fuller-Sims, Assistant to the Bishop and Director for Evangelical Mission; and the Rev. Patti Axel, Assistant to the Bishop and Director of Evangelical Mission.
  • Meeting Room 19 - All Creation Sings: Resources and Ideas for Worship
    • This workshop will explore the new worship and song supplement to Evangelical Lutheran Worship. We will explore the priorities behind the development of this resource and sing together some of the liturgical music and assembly song.  Led by Deacon John Weit, ELCA Assistant to the Bishop, Executive for Worship, Chicago, IL.

Prayer Room / Labyrinth - Friday, June 3, 9am - Saturday, June 4, 6:30pm

  • Meeting Room H
    • The room will remain open to those who need a space for spiritual contemplation and prayer from Friday morning until Saturday night whenever the agenda is active. In addition, Assembly Chaplains are welcome to use the room to meet people for prayer. The spacious room has chairs for praying, an altar with a bowl for prayer requests, a Labyrinth with a basket for socks, and assorted battery-operated candles around the room.

Workshop Session 1 - Friday, June 3 - 4:45-6:00pm

  • Meeting Room 2 - Tell Your Story!
    • Want to practice sharing your story? Pastor Mardy Ringer will video record faith stories to preserve and share how God's love has impacted our lives. Please stop by to add your story to our collection.  Led by the Rev. Mardy Ringer, Pastor, St. Mark, East Point, GA.
  • Meeting Room 7 - Heavenly Mana: Giving Your Offering From Heaven
    • We love our church! We have served our church in a variety of ways. We are proud of what our church does for our members and community. We support our church thru our regular and special offerings. We want our church to go on serving long after we are gone. We are confident leaders will "rise up" from members to pick up the mantle. But we are not sure if, financially speaking, our church will make it. What if we could continue to support our church with our offering once we are in heaven and all our expenses are paid? The ELCA Foundation can assist you in "giving your offering from heaven." Yes, YOU CAN DO THIS! You can continue to financially support your congregation and other services and ministries as part of your legacy beyond your time on God's Earth. This workshop will show you how. The mission of the ELCA Foundation is to strengthen, support, and sustain the three expressions of the ELCA.  Led by the Rev. Ana L. Lugo, Gift Planner, ELCA Foundation.
  • Meeting Room 8 - Border Ministry is Evangelism 
    • The recent Border Immersion Experience Travelers will share their transformative experience at the Mexico-USA border and how our care for and ministry with our neighbors, no matter where they are from, is sharing Good News. Led by the Rev. Patti Axel, Assistant to the Bishop and Director of Evangelical Mission; Ms. Kim Boettner, member, Shepherd of the Hills, Birmingham, TN; the Rev. Justin Eller, Assistant to the Bishop for Latino Ministry Strategy and Associate Pastor, Amazing Grace, Lawrenceville, GA; the Rev. Dr. Morgan Gordy, Assistant to the Bishop for Disaster Ministry; the Rev. Carolyn Hayford, Pastor, Shepherd of the Hills, Birmingham, AL, and Conference Dean, and the Rev. Robin Lovett- Owen, Pastor, Christ, Nashville, TN.
  • Meeting Room 10 - Appreciative Inquiry: A Process for Healthy and Effective Change

    • Appreciative Inquiry is a process that draws on a congregation's history and current strengths to help it discern areas of needed change and ways of implementing change effectively to move into God's future. Come experience what Appreciative Inquiry can do for your congregation. Led by the Rev. Ruth Hamilton, Interim Pastor, Good Shepherd, Woodstock, GA; Mr. John Bost, Council Vice President, Good Shepherd, Woodstock, GA; and Mr. Bill Alderfer, member, Good Shepherd, Woodstock, GA.

  • Meeting Room 11 - Seeing God in Our Midst

    • Our lives are a diverse landscape of mountaintop moments and valleys and everything in between. At every point, God is with us. Come and discover what God has been up to in your life and your neighbor's life.  Led by the Southeastern Synod Lutheran Youth Organization (SESLYO).

  • Meeting Room 12 - Evangelism through Small Groups

    • One of the best ways we can share the Good News with our neighbors is by sharing ourselves. Limited-duration small groups based around hobbies and interests help church members grow closer to one another and give a wonderful opportunity to extend our fellowship to faith-seeking neighbors and friends.  Led by the Rev. Jay Bergstresser, Senior Pastor, Christ the King, Peachtree Corners, GA.

  • Meeting Room E - Resolutions and Memorials
    • Review the resolutions and memorials for consideration by the 2022 Southeastern Synod Assembly.  Led by the Reference and Counsel Committee

Workshop Session 2 - Saturday, June 4 - 11:00am-12:15pm

  • Meeting Room 2 - Tell Your Story!
    • Want to practice sharing your story? Pastor Mardy Ringer will video record faith stories to preserve and share how God's love has impacted our lives. Please stop by to add your story to our collection.  Led by the Rev. Mardy Ringer, Pastor, St. Mark, East Point, GA.
  • Meeting Room 3 - Reserved for the Choir, Liturgical Dancers, and Worship Musicians
  • Meeting Room 7 - Youth and Young Adults UNMUTE - Listening Session
    • Two core commitments of a thriving youth and young adult ministry are "empathy" and "centering young voices." How can we best express these commitments? By holding a listening post! We have youth and young adults willing and ready to UNMUTE themselves to answer questions asked by our moderator, Pr. Michael Jannett. We listen to understand while our youth and young adults do the talking.  (This workshop is based on research and activities shared by the Fuller Youth Institute as a part of their Growing Young resources - https://fulleryouthinstitute.org/growingyoung.)  Led by the Rev. Michael Jannett, Assistant to the Bishop for Formation and Communication
  • Meeting Room 8 - Congregational Engagement
    • How can my congregation engage the community around it in a meaningful way? What gifts does my congregation have that would be of interest to my neighbors? Where do we start as a congregation to reach out to people without a church home? In this workshop, learn about new ways your worship community could engage the people right outside your doors. Learn from real-world experience with engagement ideas that worked and others that did not.  Led by the Rev. Matt Henning, Pastor, Community of Grace, Grayson, GA.
  • Meeting Room 9 - What to Do 101
    • This workshop will discuss the dos and don'ts of entering into legal agreements to protect the congregation. In addition, we will examine congregational responsibilities regarding benefit packages and Portico resources to support the administration of the congregation. Last, we will review the importance of updating your constitution and why that is also a way to protect and support your ministry.  Led by Mr. George O'Donnell, member, Synod Council and Resurrection, Marietta, GA; the Rev. Jill Henning, Assistant to the Bishop for Leadership and Administration; Mr. Charles Bridgers, member, Redeemer, Atlanta, GA; and Ms. Barbara Debski, Regional Representative for Portico Benefit Services.
  • Meeting Room 10 - Witnessing the Spirit's Work in Guatemala
    • In Guatemala, the Lutheran Church was born amid their country's 36-year Civil War as church leaders walked with those experiencing extreme violence and oppression. Pastor President of Iglesia Luterana Agustina de Guatemala (ILAG), Karen Castillo, will share what she has seen and experienced as the Holy Spirit guided the church in those times of strife up to the present. It is an inspiring witness to God's work in our time. Pr. Karen Castillo will join the workshop by video link from Guatemala and will also have time for questions and conversation. This workshop is an excellent opportunity for you to connect with a dear friend of our Synod and a strong leader in the Lutheran Church in Central America. We are blessed to call Pr. Karen Castillo and ILAG global church companions of the Southeastern Synod. Learn more about how your congregation can become involved at www.elca-ses.org/ILAG.  Led by the Rev. Karen Castillo, President, Iglesia Luterana Agustina de Guatemala (ILAG), the Rev. Stephen Friedrich, Pastor, Peace, Knoxville, TN, and members of the Southeastern Synod Guatemala Team.
  • Meeting Room 11 - The Southeastern Synod's Spouses Group
    • The Southeastern Synod Spouses Group is an informal gathering of spouses or significant others of current or soon-to-be rostered ministers (Pastors & Deacons). We will spend time getting to know one another and sharing our experiences and concerns. Contact information is shared to stay in touch with one another for encouragement and support during the year.  Led by Ms. Kelly Jannett, member, Rock of Ages, Stone Mountain, GA.
  • Meeting Room 19 - All Creation Sings: Resources and Ideas for Worship
    • This workshop will explore the new worship and song supplement to Evangelical Lutheran Worship. We will explore the priorities behind the development of this resource and sing together some of the liturgical music and assembly song.  Led by Deacon John Weit, ELCA Assistant to the Bishop, Executive for Worship, Chicago, IL.
  • Meeting Room E - Disaster Ministry IS Evangelism
    • Come and learn how disaster response is living out our call to bear the Good News in word and deed! We will hear stories and look at ways congregations and individuals can share the love of Christ in times of disaster. Gathering in small groups, we will explore where we have seen Christ while serving and being served. Each participant will receive resources to bring back to their congregation to help in making Christ known through disaster ministry in their community.   Led by Mr. John Boettner, past Chair of the Disaster Ministry Committee; the Rev. Dr. Stacey Parvin, Chair of the Disaster Ministry Committee; and the Rev. Dr. Morgan Gordy, Assistant to the Bishop for Disaster Ministry.

Mental Health - Lunch & Learn, Saturday, June 4 - 12:30-1:15pm

  • Meeting Room 12 - Mental Health - Lunch & Learn
    • Grab your lunch and join us for a lunch and learn about mental health, facilitated by our Mental Health Task Force. Learn how to start a conversation in your congregation about mental health. You will be given information and resources and a survey to help us along.  Led by Mr. Adam Renner, chair person of the Mental Health Task Force

Search✖