Synod Assembly 2026

2026 Assembly Highlights

April 17-18, 2026

Sergeant Bluff, Iowa

Friday evening: Sergeant Bluff Community Center

Assembly Worship 5:00 pm. Presiding Minister Bishop Scott Dalen, Assisting Minister PrJessie Fritz-Rapsch, Preaching Pr Melissa Pickering
Bishop Scott Dalen opened Assembly at 7:15 pm
The Credentials and Elections Committee reported registrations of 184 voters and 29 visitors for a total of 213 attendees
Presentation of finance report and budget
Keynote Speaker: Dr Laurie Jungling, ELCA Program Director for Theological Ethics, former Bishop of Montana Synod – spoke both Friday and Saturday

Saturday morning: Sergeant Bluff Community Center

The Credentials and Elections Committee reported registrations of 192 voters and 30 visitors for a total of 222 attendees
ELCA Churchwide report – Pr Norma Malfatti, Senior Director for Director for Evangelical Mission Relationships
Pr Chip Borgstadt, Synod Staff, presented Candidacy report.
Recognition of 4 church anniversaries and 22 ordination anniversaries
Elected 14 persons to Synod Council and synod committee positions*.
Passed resolutions*:
- #1 2025 Compensation and Care Guidelines
- #2 Adopt the 2024 Revised Budget and the 2025 Proposed Budget
- #3 Approval of Constitutional Updates
Grants and endowments were announced
Assembly offering totaled $12,006.98 75% for the Western Iowa focus on hunger, specifically the Pig Project and local food pantries and 25% for Western Iowa Synod Fund for Leaders.
Bishop Scott Dalen led the closing and installation of newly elected Synod council and committees.