March 18, 2025 in News
Ponder Anew
March 17, 2025
The Feast of St. Patrick
March is here, and for many, that means college basketball. But I know that for most of you, this season brings a different kind of March Madness—the busyness of Lent. And at the synod office, our version of March Madness is the flurry of preparations for our annual Synod Assembly in May.
By now, most congregations have elected their voting members, and registration is officially open! Be sure to register in the next two weeks to take advantage of early bird rates, which end on March 28.
Synod Assembly – Ponder Anew
This year, we will gather under the theme “Ponder Anew”, inspired by a verse from Praise to the Lord, the Almighty: “Ponder anew what the Almighty can do, if with his love he befriends you.”
Throughout our time together, we will explore how God is calling us to renew our faith, embrace transformation, and reimagine the ways we engage in ministry. We are a synod that welcomes change, and this assembly will equip us with skills to think differently about sharing the gospel with new generations.
New Location, New Dates, New Vision
This year, we are also stepping into something new—a different location and a new set of dates. This year we will gather May 30 and 31 at Trinity Lutheran, Lansdale. Moving to the end of May also brings us closer to the end of the academic year and opens the door for a potential future assembly model that builds deeper relationships through immersive, community-focused gatherings perhaps on a college campus.
As we think about future assemblies, I would like us to be more intentional about where and how we gather. Over the next few years, I hope to introduce a rotational model for our assemblies—meeting in suburban settings, on college campuses for multi-day residential gatherings, and in urban locations. This approach will help us reflect the diverse realities of our synod while fostering stronger connections among us. We are in the early stages of this vision, but I believe it will allow us to be more inclusive, adaptable, and engaged with our mission.
Doing the Work of the Church
Our assembly is not just about gathering—it’s about doing the important work of the church. In addition to passing our mission spending plan (budget), we will elect new leaders at both the synod and national levels.
One of the most significant elections this year is for Synod Vice President, as Ms. Tracey Beasley concludes her term. Though we would love for her to continue, she has reached the end of her eligible service, and we are deeply grateful for her decade of faithful leadership. The Vice President is the highest-ranking lay leader of our synod, and this election will be a crucial moment in shaping our future.
We will also hear updates from across the wider church, learning about the vital work being done by partner organizations and the ELCA as a whole.
Engaging Beyond the Assembly Hall
Even if you are not a voting member or rostered leader, you can still be part of the assembly. We will livestream key moments, and recordings will be available afterward. And, of course, everyone is welcome to join us for worship on Saturday morning—a time for the whole synod to come together in praise and prayer.
Celebrating What God is Doing
This assembly will also be a time of celebration—lifting up stories of how God is working among us and calling us to new ways of being church. We are excited to introduce our new Ponder Anew Resources, designed to help congregations in leadership transitions focus on vitality, explore new pathways forward, and center their future on mission.
I know that change can be difficult, but if we are to lead by example, we must be willing to model the flexibility and openness we ask of others. By trying new ways of gathering and embracing fresh opportunities, we can live into what it truly means to be the people of God in this time and place.
I look forward to seeing many of in a few months at Synod Assembly and walking with all of you through this season of renewal.
Peace,
+Bryan
The Rev. Bryan J. Penman
Bishop, Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA.
