Agenda

On May 30, we will begin at 8:00 am with check-in at Trinity, Lansdale. We will end by about 8:00 pm that day and gather again on May 31 at 8:00 am with worship scheduled to begin by 9:00 am. We will end by 3:30 pm on May 31. We look forward to seeing you as we Ponder Anew together.

2025 Proposed  Synod Assembly Agenda

Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod
Proposed Program for the
Thirty-seventh Annual Meeting of the Assembly 

 May 30-31, 2025  

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church
1000 W Main Steet, Lansdale, PA 19446

 

FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2025 

8:15 a.m. Check-in opens. (Pre-registered members only.  No on-site registration.) 

8:15 a.m. Morning Refreshments available in Hyson Hall  

 8:45 a.m. Orientation to Assembly Proceedings (optional) in Sanctuary. The Rev. Joseph Klinger, Parliamentarian   

9:30 a.m. Morning Prayer 

Order for the Opening of Assembly  

10:15 a.m. Welcome and Introductions – Bishop Bryan J. Penman 

10:30 a.m. Report of the Registrar – Ms. Cynta Outterbridge   

10:35 a.m. Report of the Secretary – The Rev. Karl Richard
     Presentation of the Program
     Rules of Procedure
     Reception of Reports  

11:00 a.m. ELCA Churchwide Representative – Keynote Address – Mr. Iain Chester, Executive Director, Innovation, ELCA 

11:25 a.m. Report of the Nominating Committee – Ms. Emily Valentine, Chairperson  

11:50 a.m. Prayer & Ponder Anew Spiritual Practices  – Deacon Tammy Devine, Principal for Devine Coaching 

 12:00 p.m. Lunch / Workshops (Refer to your nametag for your seating.) 

      Group A: Lunch 12:05 p.m. to 12:55 p.m.
     Workshop (Devine): 1:10 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

Group B: Workshop (Chester): 12:05 p.m. to 12:55 p.m.
     Lunch 1:10 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

 2:10 p.m. Spotlights – Block One  

 2:50 p.m. First Report of Reference and Counsel – The Rev. Jennifer Casey, Chairperson 

3:25 p.m. Report of the Treasurer – Ms. Janet Huber Neff 

Presentation of the Audit of 2024 – (Fiscal Year ending 1/31/25) 

Report of the Finance Committee – Ms. Pia Graham, Chairperson 

Presentation of the Budget for 2026 – (Fiscal Year ending 1/31/2027)  

3:45 p.m. First Report of the Committee on General Elections and Balloting – The Rev. Ray Miller, Chairperson
     (Balloting for all Positions Except Synod Vice President) 

4:05 p.m. Second Report of the Committee on Reference and Counsel – The Rev. Jennifer Casey, Chairperson 

Spotlight Block Two (if no R&C time is needed) 

4:25 p.m. Recognition of Congregational Anniversaries (in increments of 25 years) 

4:40 p.m. Prayer & Ponder Anew Spiritual Practices   – Deacon Tammy Devine, Principal for Devine Coaching 

4:50 p.m. Dinner / Visit Mission Center (Refer to your name tag for seating.) 

     Dinner Seating A: 4:50 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.
     Dinner Seating B: 5:55 p.m. to 6:50 p.m. 

 7:00 p.m. Bishop’s Address by Bishop Bryan J. Penman 

 7:45 p.m. Prayer & Ponder Anew Spiritual Practices  – Deacon Tammy Devine 

Adjournment of Friday Session 

  

SATURDAY, MAY 31, 2025 

8:00 a.m. Check-in Opens  

8:00 a.m. Refreshments are available in the Upper Fellowship Hall.   

8:30 a.m. Choir Rehearsal  

9:00 a.m. Service of Holy Communion – Bishop Bryan J. Penman, Preaching  

 10:15 a.m. Third Report of the Committee on Reference and Counsel – The Rev. Jennifer Casey, Chairperson 

 Spotlight Block Three (if no R&C time needed)  

 10:35 a.m. Report of SEPA Synod Vice President – Ms. Tracey A. Beasley 

 10:55 a.m. Vice Presidential Candidate Presentations (3 Minutes Each) 

 11:15 a.m. Break  

 11:25 a.m. Second Report of the Committee on General Elections and Balloting – The Rev. Ray Miller, Chairperson
     (Balloting for Synod Vice President) 

11:35 a.m. Recognition of Anniversary Celebrants – Individuals  

11:50 a.m. Prayer – Ponder Anew Spiritual Practices  – Deacon Tammy Devine, Principal for Devine Coaching 

 12:05 p.m. Lunch / Workshops. Refer to your name tag for seating. 

      Group A: Workshop (Chester): 12:10 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
      Lunch 1:15 p.m. to 2:05 p.m. 

 Group B:  Lunch 12:10 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
      Workshop (Devine): 1:15 p.m. to 2:05 p.m. 

 2:15 p.m. Third Report of the Committee on General Elections and Balloting – The Rev. Ray Miller, Chairperson 
     (runoffs – all positions – if needed) 

Spotlight Block Four (if no runoffs are needed) 

2:25 p.m. Ponder Anew Resources for Congregations in Transition – Pastor Karen Sease & TMDT 

 2:45 p.m. Introduction of Candidates for Rostered Ministry – Ms. Lisa Pressley, Candidacy Committee Chair &  The Rev. Erika Wesch, Assistant to the Bishop for Formation 

 2:55 p.m. Fourth Report of the Committee on General Elections and Balloting – The Rev. Ray Miller, Chairperson
     (Elected Candidates Announced)  

3:05 p.m. Unfinished Business  

Recognition of Outgoing Synod Council Members  

Affirmation of Christian Vocation 

Installations & Sendoffs 

• Prayers for Churchwide Members 

• Installation of New Synod Council Members & Vice President / Reinstallation of Current Members 

• Installation of New Synod Staff 

 3:35 p.m. Report of the Registrar – Ms. Cynta Outterbridge 

 Order for Closing 

 Important! Please be aware times are approximate and may run ahead or behind schedule.
Keep this in mind as far as being present for nominations, voting etc. 

 

 

 

 

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