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The 38th Northeastern Minnesota Synod Assembly began on Saturday, May 3rd at Breezy Point Resort. Afternoon workshops were open to all in the synod, and participants had the option to choose from the following topics: Immigration, Welcome and Reconciling, The Blanket Exercise, Indian 101, Indigenous Theology, a Poverty Simulation and the Demography of our part of Minnesota.
The plenary sessions opened that evening under the theme “Living in Christ’s Embrace: Echoing Shalom.” Opening worship used the hymn from which our theme was taken: “Light Dawns on a Weary World.” We recognized that our congregations are called to be the love of God in the world: We are bearers of “Shalom.” Light dawns, love grows and hope blooms in a weary world as we walk together as the synod, showing the love of God and love of neighbor.
After the quorum report, which included 245 voting members present (5 Ministers of Word and Service, 64 Ministers of Word and Sacrament, 4 retired rostered leaders, 159 lay members, 8 Synod Authorized Ministers and 5 Synod Council members), the assembly voted to approve the proposed agenda, rules and procedures, and the 2024 Synod Assembly minutes. The 2026 Spending Plan was presented by Synod Treasurer Theresa Jacobson on behalf of the Synod Council. Pastor Rollie Bockbrader was present to answer questions. Questions included the staff salary, first call/candidacy line items, and Lutheran Campus Ministries.
The Compensation Guidelines for 2026 were presented by Deacon Susan Williams on behalf of the Compensation Guidelines Committee. There were no questions. Nominations for conference positions were ratified. An uncontested ballot for Synod Council at large/young adult was passed.
Pastor Jeff Davis presented an introduction and history of the Reconciling in Christ (RIC) process in our synod, which began 8 years ago with the formation of a Welcoming and Reconciling Team. Over the past 2 years, this team hosted 19 (+2 more this weekend) events throughout the synod to educate and share more about how to welcome our LGBTQIA+ siblings and what it might mean to become RIC. Five congregations in our synod are already RIC, and 5 more are in the process. If the synod becomes RIC, that status does not speak for all congregations in the synod.
Pastor Sarah Stadler presented the Report of the Hunger, Justice and Rural Life Committee, who reported $194,027 raised in our synod this past year, and presented the Holy Cow Award to St. Paul’s Lutheran in Hackensack. Our synod’s Bike Against Hunger, Bike for Justice Ride is on Sat, August 2nd. Learn more by visiting the Hunger and Justice page on the synod website.
Time together on Sunday, May 4th began with worship using John 13:34-35: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.” Bishop Amy preached and presided. Our plenary time continued with Table Conversations led by the Welcome and Reconciling Team, with a learning time about graceful conversation and time to share stories with each other of welcome and unwelcome in our congregations.
ELCA representative Vance Blackfox presented a report from the ELCA Churchwide Organization, and thanked the Northeastern Minnesota Synod for our contributions to Churchwide Ministry:
- NE MN synod representative on ELCA Church Council, Loren Solberg
- $395,000 in Mission Support from the NE MN Synod for many ministries, including leadership support
- $194,027 given to ELCA World Hunger from NE MN Synod
- $69,642 for Lutheran Disaster Response from the NE MN Synod
He highlighted other ministries which include:
The 2025 Assembly will be held in Phoenix, Arizona this summer under the theme “For the life of the world” and voting members will elect a new Presiding Bishop as well as a new ELCA Secretary. The new social statement will be addressed, as well as an update to the Human 2009 sexuality statement. Other changes to the social statement will be considered at the 2028 Churchwide Assembly.
Living Lutheran has returned to print! Other resources in the area of Advocacy are also available on the social statement, including a study guide, curriculum and more. A video greeting from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton was shared. Bishop Amy, on behalf of the synod, presented Vance with a gift, honoring his heritage and his work of ministry in the church: A blanket entitled “Shared Spirits.”
Pastor Catherine Teide gave an update on Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota, which served 91,000 people in the state this year. Bethany House in Duluth and the Center for Changing Lives serves children and youth. She shared that this year the Lifetime of Service award will be presented to Pastor Art Dale, and the Servant of Christ award will be presented to ecumenical partner Peace United Church of Christ in Duluth for hosting the “Another Door Shelter.”
Jeanine Bruesewitz shared the report from the NE MN Synod’s WELCA. Their next convention will be at Zion in Grand Rapids, and they will gather under the theme “Living Water.” They are working on many mission projects, including clean water fundraising efforts and the Bike/Walk for Hunger this summer.
Bishop Amy Odgren’s report to the assembly included a review of her past five years as synod bishop, including a strategic plan and creation of values and mission statement, changeover in several synod staff positions, companion synod partner accompaniment, and her participation on the ELCA’s Declaration on the Doctrine of Discovery team. God has given us what we need to be advocates for justice and peace so that all can be reconciled. We are called to practice resurrection and be instruments of peace/shalom, bring hope amid despair, and wholeness where there is brokenness.
The bishop’s report included new synod initiatives: Luther Seminary’s international students needing grocery assistance, Pray Without Ceasing weekly community prayer (Sundays at 5pm or anytime!) and our new 2025/2026 synod theme: Sparking Hope! Bishop Amy Odgren thanked the synod staff for their service: Pastor Rollie Bockbrader, Deacon Susan Williams, Brother Matt Cobb, Pastor Taryn Montgomery, Monica Bruning, Pastor Liz Davis and Joy Hensel. Anniversaries of Ordination and Congregations were announced, as well as a memorial for those rostered leaders who have passed away this year, and the Holy Closure of Bethlehem in Wright.
The compensation guidelines were presented by the synod council, seconded, and passed unanimously. A “holy disruption” for a Walk for World Hunger was included in the announcements, and the Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of our synod shared updates and led the table grace: Camp Onomia, Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry and Luther Crest.
Some celebrations of the assembly included: People’s choice award for favorite quilt: “A trip to Japan” by Patricia Johnson from Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd; and the Emmaus Fund total: Over $35,000!
The Report of the Reference, Counsel and Memorial Committee included 2 Resolutions to the Synod and 3 Memorials to the Churchwide Assembly:
- 25-1B Resolution: Welcoming All to be Reconciling in Christ; ballots cast 224, yes 215, no 9, resolution passed.
- 25-2A Resolution: Language in Public Discourse on Palestine-Israel; ballots cast 220, yes 209, no 11; resolution passed.
- 25-3A Memorial to Churchwide Assembly: Language in Public Discourse on Palestine-Israel; ballots cast: 214, yes 206, no 8; The memorial will be passed on the Churchwide Assembly.
- 25-4A Memorial to Churchwide Assembly: In Support of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women 214 yes 214, 0 no. The memorial will be passed on the Churchwide Assembly.
- 25-5A Memorial to Churchwide Assembly: In Support of National Day of Remembrance for Indian Boarding Schools; ballots cast 214, yes 213, no 1. The memorial will be passed on the Churchwide Assembly.
An amendment to the Synod Spending Plan was presented to increase the Lutheran Campus Ministry line item from $24,000 to $40,000. Speakers for and against rose for discussion, the amendment failed, and the spending plan passed.
Mark your calendars: Next year’s NE MN Synod Assembly will again be at Breezy Point Resort near Pequot Lakes on April 24-26, 2026.
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