The deadline for Voting Members to register is Friday, May 7.
Voting Members can register here
Registration is open for VOTING MEMBERS of the 2021 SWCA Synod Assembly. Each voting member must use their own email address to register. This is necessary for the credentialing of voting members. It is the responsibility of congregations and congregational offices to make sure that their voting members receive technological support during the assembly, if needed.
Voting members serve on behalf of all the people of the Southwest California Synod. To be a voting member is to be entrusted by your congregation to make decisions for the well-being of our synod and the whole church. Information will be made available as soon as possible about participating in this virtual event and about LUMI, the voting platform that will be utilized at the 2021 SWCA Synod Assembly.
Voting members of the Synod Assembly consist of:
-All ELCA Rostered Ministers under call in our synod (pastors and deacons)
-Lay congregation members who have been elected by their congregation (congregations should make every effort to include both male and female lay members) as designated in your congregation's invoice
-Each congregation is entitled and encouraged to register an additional confirmed Youth (under 18) or Young Adult (18 – 30) voting member as part of their congregational representation – PLEASE NOTE THAT FOR THE 2021 ASSEMBLY THERE WILL BE NO ADDITIONAL FEE FOR THE REGISTRATION OF AN ADDITIONAL YOUTH OR YOUNG ADULT VOTING MEMBER
-Synod Council members and Synod Officers
-Ecumenical partners serving as a called pastor to a SWCA Synod congregation
All voting members must have:
1) an email address that is not shared by any other voting member for assembly and voting platform access during the assembly;
2) access to an internet-connected device (desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet or mobile) that is not shared by any other voting member for assembly and voting platform access during the assembly; and
3) access to an adequate internet/wifi connection during the course of the assembly.
2021 SWCA Synod Assembly Fees
The Congregational Registration fee for one called Rostered Minister and two lay voting members for the 2021 Synod Assembly is $395.
If a congregation paid the early bird registration fee for the 2020 Assembly, a refund for the difference will be issued. The congregation also has the option of donating the difference to assist underfunded congregations with assembly costs. If your congregation has not prepaid the registration fee, an invoice will be issued for the amount due.
-Additional Rostered Minister Under Call (clergy or deacon) – $50
-Additional Lay Voting Member (congregations are informed if the size of their membership entitles them to an additional lay voting member or members) – $50
-Additional confirmed Youth or Young Adult Voting Member: each congregation is entitled and encouraged to register an additional Youth (under 18) or Young Adult (18 – 30) voting member as part of their congregation's representation – NO ADDITIONAL REGISTRATION FEE
-Rostered Minister under Synodical or Special Call - $50
-Synod Council Member - NO FEE
Bishop's Election
The 2021 Committee for a Bishop’s Election calls upon members and congregations of this synod to prayerfully consider qualified candidates for this position and Call, and additionally for qualified candidates to discern if they may be Called to this position of stewardship, guidance, and leadership.
The Southwest California Synod Constitution and the latest edition of the ELCA’s Guidelines for Synod Bishop Elections provide instructions for conducting this process.
Candidates for Bishop must be ordained pastors of the ELCA. Those who are pre-nominated, either by others or by themselves, will be asked to complete a biographical information form that has been prepared by the Committee. Any member of a congregation of this Synod may submit to the Synod office the name of any person they wish to pre-nominate as a candidate for bishop. Any member of a congregation of this Synod may submit to the Synod office the name of any person they wish to pre-nominate as a candidate for bishop by using this form. Pre-nominations are open now through March 26, 2021. Biographical information and consent forms will then be sent to those pre-nominated. The Biographical Information Form is also available for those self-nominating (please download and email, once complete, to shenderson@socalsynod.org). Read more about the Bishop's Election here.
Nomination Form
Biographical Information Form
Synod Self-Assessment
The Southwest California Synod began its transition period in July 2020 with the creation of a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) review of its practices, activities and mutual ministries with and among the conferences, congregations and congregants. This assessment of the Synod’s capacity, its ability to provide guidance, direction and assistance provides for a greater appreciation of the challenges that lie ahead for any incoming Bishop and Synod Council.
The results are linked below. The Conferences of the SWCA Synod are in the process of producing their supplemental SWOT reports, which will be added to the linked page as they are completed.
Synod-Wide Review and Self Assessment Summary
Synod-Wide Review and Self Assessment
Synod-Wide Review and Self Assessment & Summary (PDF)
Conference SWOT Reports
