ELCA CHURCHWIDE ASSEMBLY- IN THE ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENS…

I was elected to represent the Southeastern Iowa Synod at the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly July 28-August 1. I was representative as a lay (non-rostered) female in a group of diverse folks from our synod: pastors, staff, volunteers, council members, youth. We travelled in singles and pairs to gather in Phoenix, Arizona for a week of work as the highest legislative body in our denomination. (Yes, it was hot, especially since I had so recently returned from a trip to Alaska!). Most of our time was spent with the gathered body to worship, pray and debate the way we show up as church in the world. We heard reports from various committees, and were greeted by ecumenical and interfaith leaders. We prayed a lot. For our Assembly, for the world, for the leaders of our Church, for our congregations, for each other. 

---

​One of the things that most impressed me during the Assembly was the young people in the room. High school students and young adults made up 16% of the room, and they were vocal about their hope and vision for the ELCA. They stood at the microphone, following Robert’s Rules of Order and speaking with clear purpose, and shared their arguments for or against some decision put before the Assembly. They were brave enough to ask questions when they weren’t sure they were understood, not afraid of being shamed or scorned for not knowing better. This experience affirmed my call to ministry with young people. They have a passion and a drive to strive for justice and peace in all the Earth. Not every kid has this as their priority, and that is ok, but it seems the ones who do are finding a home in our church. That gives me hope in a world that can sometimes seem hopeless.
 
It was also good to be with the other voting members of our synod. I have always believed strongly what is says in Matthew 18:20 that “wherever two or more are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” We became a church among the greater church, a caring community that shared the week together in meals and prayers, snacks and Play-Doh, caffeine and tears. When our Bishop Amy Current was ranked in the top 7 for the election of our new Presiding Bishop, we gathered around her to pray. We sighed in relief when Bishop Yehiel Curry was elected as our next Presiding Bishop. Not only because that meant we got to keep Bishop Amy, but also because the Spirit was at work in the process of election and we elected leaders for such a time as this.  
 
I was excited to attend the Churchwide Assembly not because I am a nerd for Robert’s Rules like so many in the room confessed to being, but because I wanted to be a part of the church gathered to make these decisions. To be in the room with these people at this time in the life of the ELCA. So often Churchwide can feel distant and out of touch with life down here on the ground. It has been my experience at this Assembly and at the ELCA Youth Gathering that the experience of church at the Churchwide level elevates the work I do every day. It shows me what is growing from the seeds that I have planted in my years of ministry. It connects me to the global church in ways that would not otherwise be possible. All three expressions of our church (congregations, synods and churchwide) have work to do in God’s kingdom. I come home from this experience energized and ready to do the work where I am planted, knowing I am not alone and that the work we do together makes a difference and glorifies God. 
 
Peace,
Ellen Rothweiler
Minister for Learning Ministries