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For the Life of the World was the theme of the ELCA Churchwide Assembly, held July 28-August 2 in Phoenix, AZ. This theme is rooted in the Nicene Creed (this year celebrating its 1,700th anniversary) and in Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s reminder that, “The church is the church only when it exists for others.”  The theme felt especially timely in today’s environment where hateful words and actions continue to demean neighbors, sow division, and target the most vulnerable. While it was not done perfectly, and while there is always more work to do, I left Phoenix trusting that we have a shared commitment to walk in the way of Jesus: speaking truth in love, protecting the dignity of every person, and bearing public witness to God whose way is marked by justice, mercy, and peace for all people. In short: to live and move and act for the life of the world.

Here are a few highlights of what occurred during the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly. Please click on the links or go to www.elca.org if you would like more information. (Note: several links below are preliminary copies and have not been not copyedited or finalized. We will share them as they become available.)

Actions

  • We elected Bishop Yehiel Curry as the new Presiding Bishop. (read more)
  • We elected Pastor CeCee Mills as the new ELCA Secretary. (read more)
  • We adopted our newest Social Statement: Faith and Civic Life. (read more)
  • We approved updates to the Human Sexuality Social Statement. (read more)
  • We heard the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church’s final report along with the ELCA Church Council’s response to the report (read more)
  • We adopted the Churchwide Memorial Toward Ending the Occupation of Palestine. (This memorial came about in part due to the Memorial we passed during the Northwest Washington Synod Assembly – read more)
  • We adopted a Memorial on Indian Boarding School Remembrance (read more)
  • We received the Common Statement on the Filioque (this is regarding the Nicene Creed – read more)
  • We made Constitution revisions that I encourage you all to read as they become available. I am especially grateful for the new revisions concerning on-leave-from-call for Rostered Ministers.
  • We thanked Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and Secretary Sue Rothmeyer for their ministry and service.

Worship, Education, and Social Opportunities

  • We worshiped every day in a variety of ways, we prayed before every significant vote, and we had a chaplain available. It is always a highlight to join in singing with over 1000 Lutherans!
  • We participated in a Powwow that was moving and educational. Bishop Eaton received a blanket representing thanksgiving for her advocacy with the indigenous peoples of this country.
  • AMMPARO held a Candlelight Prayer Vigil to pray and advocate for refugees and immigrants. It was heartening to see elected officials and interfaith leaders present at this as well as ELCA voting members.
  • Our synod joined voting members and guests from the Southwestern Texas Synod (our domestic companion synod) for a wonderful dinner and conversation.
  • Dr. Chad Rimmer, Rector and Dean of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary of Lenoir-Rhyne University, led a beautiful reflection on the Nicene Creed for today.

I am thankful for the nine voting members from the NWWA Synod who attended and gave of their time and attention at the Churchwide Assembly. Additionally, many others from our synod went as observers, resource people, advisors, volunteers, and more.

In my reflection of this assembly, I continue to hear Martin Luther’s words (as quoted by Rev. Dr Chad Rimmer in his keynote). As Dr. Rimmer stated:

Luther knew justification as a process of becoming. … Luther writes, “This life, therefore, is not righteousness but growth in righteousness, not health but healing, not being but becoming…we are not yet what we shall be, but we are growing toward it; the process is not yet finished, but it is going on; this is not the end, but it is the road; all does not yet gleam with glory, but all is being purified.” Defense and Explanation of All the Articles

May it be so. For the Life of the World.

Bishop Shelley Bryan Wee | bishop@lutheransnw.org