Bishop Candea and Bishop’s Associate Dave Whetter will be retiring August 31, 2025 at the completion of Bishop Candea's term.  A new bishop for the synod will be elected at the synod assembly,  June 5-7, 2025.  The churchwide assembly will be held in Phoenix, AZ July 29-August 2, 2025. We will be electing a new presiding bishop and a new secretary, hear the report from the Commission for the Renewed Lutheran Church, and approve constitutional changes to support a revamped candidacy process. The political culture has challenged the ways we live out our call to “speak publicly to the world in solidarity with the poor and oppressed, advocating dignity, justice and equity for all people.” In these times of transition and change, the Spirit invites us into her wisdom to discern where God is calling us and to be renewed for the journey ahead.

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So we will gather as conferences for these conversations to:

• Hear from Bishop Candea and Rev. Whetter their perspectives regarding the “state of the synod” and ELCA.

• Have conversations with one another regarding where we see the Spirit at work in our own ministries as well as across the synod, in particular the gifts and leadership needed in the next bishop.

• Share a meal together

• Worship together as we renew our ordination vows and covenants to serve as SAMs and PMAs. 

Conference Gatherings will be held from 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. on the following dates and locations.