Second Day of ELCA Churchwide Assembly 2025
Our second day at Churchwide Assembly began with a morning prayer service. This is only the second worship service of this assembly, but I am deeply moved by the power of the collective (singing) voice of this assembly and by the words chosen for prayers and liturgy. There is a palpable sense of joy in the good news of Christ as it is being proclaimed in and through these worship services. Our service concluded with a call to remember our baptism as worship assistants (quite playfully in some cases) sprinkled those of who were gathered with water while we sang our sending hymn.
Then came the first full day of business. Two lengthy plenary sessions saw us receive several reports and introduced us to the second of our ballots for the next Presiding Bishop of our Church. 77 names were produced by the first ballot; however, only 34 would go on to be voted by us this morning. Our vote this morning has produced a slate of 7 potential candidates from whom we will hear statements on Wednesday. The assembly also took its first actions on the 80+ memorials received from the various synods of our church during the past triennium. On recommendation of the Memorials Committee, many were adopted “en bloc” or as a group. The assembly also considered two of the six memorials which are to be handled separately.
This is my first Churchwide assembly and I am acutely aware that I am largely here by matter of circumstance (the will of the Holy Spirit if we want to take that perspective). Similar to my first attendance at Synod Assembly, I find myself in awe and consistent admiration for this expression of our Church. There are many things this expression of our Church is doing that are uplifting to one’s spirit, indeed - as our theme says - for the life of the world.
- Sierra Pacific Synod Representative Tyler Biscocho
Tuesday's worship service featured a powerful sermon by Bishop elect Imad Haddad of The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. The creative arts and worship were particularly evocative. Standing also in a real cola 900 people as they sing is very moving. You can almost feel their voices vibrating the space.
We also heard greetings from our ELCA institutions of higher learning. Wartburg shared about their innovation and growth, and inspired us all with their energy and clear love for what they are doing.
During lunch there are puppies available for holding and petting...thanks to the ELCA foundation. It is lovely to have some distraction from the very intense thinking, analyzing and listening that we are doing as voting members.
Overall, the total experience has been absolutely life-giving. It is very special to see and meet and understand just how diverse, unique and Global our church is.
- Sierra Pacific Synod Representative The Rev. Sara Pearson
