|
Keynote Speakers
|
Rev. Emily Harkins
Rev. Emily Harkins is a nationally recognized speaker, pastor, and leader with a passion for Jesus, justice, and radical love. As the founding developer and pastor of The Dwelling, a vibrant and growing community of faith in downtown Winston-Salem, N.C., she works daily to reclaim the identity of brokenness and recast it as beautiful, beloved, and holy. Originally from Colorado, Emily is a proud graduate of Wartburg College (2008) with degrees in history education and history, as well as a certificate in leadership. In 2020, she earned her Master of Divinity from Wartburg Theological Seminary, with a concentration in mission development. Now a Southern transplant, she has fully embraced southern charm, the word “y’all,” and the rhythm of life in her Winston-Salem community. To learn more about Rev. Harkins and her ministry, click here. |
|
Rev. Louise Johnson
Pastor Louise N. Johnson became Executive for Vision in early 2024 after serving three years as Assistant to the Presiding Bishop and Executive for Administration of the ELCA. Previously, she was a director at LEAD, a leadership development nonprofit, and served as the fourteenth president of Wartburg Theological Seminary, leading the school to record-breaking fundraising and enrollment. She has also held leadership roles at Wartburg and the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia and served congregations as a pastor and youth ministry leader. A native of Akron, Ohio, Pastor Johnson earned her undergraduate degree from Wittenberg University and a Master of Divinity from Wartburg Seminary. She also holds a Certificate in Leadership and Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She continues to teach, speak, and consult on leadership in church settings. |
Churchwide Rep
|
Pr. Kevin Jacobson, Director of Global Personnel
Pastor Kevin Jacobson earned a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Viterbo University in 1978 and began his career teaching in Wisconsin. His passion for service led him to the Peace Corps in Liberia, where he was inspired by Lutheran missionaries to pursue theological studies and ordination in the ELCA. His global ministry included serving as an ELCA missionary in Papua New Guinea, first at Balob Teachers College and later as chair of the Religious Education program at the University of Papua New Guinea. From 1997 to 2007, he was Director for Global Mission Education in the ELCA’s Global Mission unit, championing the accompaniment model and deepening congregational engagement in mission. In 2007, he became a congregational pastor with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Suriname, focusing on leadership development. He later served as Assistant Director for Outreach at Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service before returning to the ELCA Global Mission unit in 2017. He now serves as Director for Global Personnel, continuing his lifelong commitment to mission and leadership development. |
Agenda
- 1 - 9 PM - First-Call Theological Education (Cypress 5)
- 1 - 5 PM - Sacristy (Palms G) / Chapel (Palms E) open for setup
- 1 - 5 PM - Synod Council Meeting (Cypress 2)
- 2 - 8 PM - Connection Cafe available for setup (Magnolia A-B)
- 8 AM - Registration Opens
- 8 AM - Music Rehearsal & Sound Check (Palms Ballroom)
- 9 - 11:30 AM - First-Call Theological Education-FCTE (Cypress 5)
- 10 - 10:30 AM - Worship Rehearsal & Sound Check
- 10 AM - 5 PM - Service Project Collection
- 11 AM - Connection Café Opens (Magnolia Ball Room)
- 11 AM - Procession/Lectors Rehearsal (Palms Ballroom)
- 11 AM - Chapel Opens (Palms E)
- 11 - 11:30 AM - New Member Orientation (Cypress 1)
- Noon - Communion Assistants Rehearsal
1 - 6 PM - Plenary Meeting #1
- Opening Eucharist
- Opening of Assembly
- Welcome
- Credentials Report
- Nominations Report / Practice Vote
- Keynote Address
- ELCA Churchwide Report
- Report of the VP
- Vote on General Election Ballot #1
- Announcements & Adjournment
- 5:30 - 7 PM - Hotel's Reception
- 7:30 PM - Bishop’s Desert Reception to honor the seminarians and newly ordained ministers. (Open to all)
- 8 - 10 PM - Youth voting members gather in hospitality space for snacks/discussion/games
- 8:30 AM - Registration Opens | Information Desk Opens | Connection Café Opens
9 AM - NOON - Plenary Meeting #2
- Opening Prayer
- Credentials Report
- Vote on General Ballot #2
- Keynote Presentation
- Vote on General Ballot #3
- Congregation Anniversaries
- Recognition of Ordination Anniversaries
- Announcements
- Adjournment
- 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM - Lunch Break on your own (hotel or nearby restaurants)
- 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM - Youth voting members gather for lunch
1:30 - 2:30 PM - Workshops Session A
3 - 4 PM - Workshops Session B
4:15 - 6 PM - Plenary Meeting #3
- Opening of Plenary
- Credentials Report
- Vote on General Ballot #4
- Keynote Presentation
- Reference and Counsel Report
- Vote on General Ballot #5
- Vote on General Ballot #6
- Announcements
- Adjournment
- 5:30 - 7 PM - Hotel's Reception
- 6:30 PM - Rehearsal for Saturday Eucharist
- 7:30 PM - Evening Prayer - Just Love Team (Palms Ballroom)
- 8 - 10 PM - Youth voting gather by pool for snacks/swim/games
8:30 AM - 12 PM - Plenary Meeting #4
End of 2025 Florida-Bahamas Synod Assembly
AMEN! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
1:00 PM - Synod Council Meeting Post-Assembly (Cypress 2)
- Opening of Plenary
- Credentials Report
- Vote on General Ballot #7
- Treasurer's Report
- Vote on Budget Resolution
- Recognition of Youth Voting Members
- Report on Service Project
- Report of the Bishop
- Adjournment
- 10:30 AM - Closing Eucharist with installations and closing of Assembly
End of 2025 Florida-Bahamas Synod Assembly
AMEN! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
1:00 PM - Synod Council Meeting Post-Assembly (Cypress 2)
