Important Dates
April 30, 2026: Final day of early bird pricing
May 1, 2026: Registration prices increase
May 14, 2026: Cancellation deadline
May 14, 2026 – Advance registration closes (including registrations with childcare)
2026 Registration Fees
- Voting Members/Non-voting members: $245 (early bird pricing – register by April 30)/$270 (standard pricing – register May 1 or later.
- Retired Rostered Ministers, Youth, Young Adults:$145 (early bird pricing – register by April 30)/$170 (standard pricing – register May 1 or later)
Things to Know Before You Register
How Are Voting Members Determined?
- All actively serving rostered ministers (pastors and deacons) are voting members at Synod Assembly. They do not count towards your lay voting member limits.
- Retired rostered ministers who wish to attend as a voting member must contact the synod office prior to registering. Retired Rostered Ministers do not register as a lay voting member of a congregation. Learn more by visiting the Retired Rostered Minister Voting Information tab below.
- The number of lay voting members your congregation elects depends on the number of baptized members reported on your 2024 congregational report form A. We encourage congregations to choose voting members who will represent a range of age, ethnicity, and gender whenever possible. Use our handy chart to see how many voting lay people your congregation can register for Synod Assembly. This page also includes some helpful FAQs about voting members.
- All congregations may elect at least two lay voting members to the Synod Assembly.
- Congregations having 750 to 1,249 baptized members may elect a third lay voting member. Thereafter an additional lay voting member may be added for each additional 500 baptized members of the congregation (e.g. at 1,250 members, 1,750 members, etc.).
- All congregations may add one voting member to the number allotted if that additional member is a youth or young adult (30 or younger when elected).
Registration
Important Dates
April 30, 2026: Final day of early bird pricing
May 1, 2026: Registration prices increase
May 14, 2026: Cancellation deadline
May 14, 2026 – Advance registration closes (including registrations with childcare)
2026 Registration Fees
- Voting Members/Non-voting members: $245 (early bird pricing – register by April 30)/$270 (standard pricing – register May 1 or later.
- Retired Rostered Ministers, Youth, Young Adults:$145 (early bird pricing – register by April 30)/$170 (standard pricing – register May 1 or later)
Walk-in registration ($170/$270) will be available beginning May 29. Meals are not guaranteed for walk-in registrations.
We respectfully request that all registrations (including walk-ins) be paid by May 29, 2026. If you need to make other arrangements, please contact us directly at 414.671.1212.
Childcare
Our childcare room is staffed by a paid and background-checked team of adults. Children must be pre-registered for childcare; we are unable to accommodate children that are not pre-registered. We hire providers based on the number and ages of registered children.
Childcare is available for children 6 weeks through five years old. If you have older children we’ll do our best to provide childcare for them. Please contact the office for details about childcare for older children at 414.671.1212.
Children will have Friday dinner and Saturday lunch in the childcare room. Parents should plan to send their own snacks, diapers, comfort items and shareable toys with their child.
Parents of registered children: Please take a few minutes to fill this form in before you arrive for assembly: Child care form. You will turn this form in to the child care providers.
IMPORTANT!! Our childcare providers have received background checks and they are compensated for their time. If you find you won’t need childcare after registering we would appreciate a phone call.
Retired Rostered Minister Voting Information
In accordance with the bylaw adopted at the 2022 assembly, the number of retired rostered ministers serving as voting members shall not exceed 15% of the retired roster. All other retired ministers rostered in this synod shall be advisory members to the Synod Assembly, with voice, but not vote. The number of retired rostered ministers that can serve as voting members this year is 22.
Retired rostered ministers serving under contract in transitional ministries are automatically granted voting privileges.
Retired rostered ministers who are NOT serving under contract in transitional ministries must contact Mary Romskog (414.671.1212) in the synod office by March 31, 2026 prior to registering. If there are more than 22 retired rostered ministers who express interest in serving as a voting member, we will conduct a vote, allowing you, as the retired rostered ministers, to decide who will be the voting members.
If we reach the limit of retired rostered ministers with voting privileges, additional retired rostered ministers are welcome to register as non-voting members and are allowed to speak on all matters before the assembly.
Simple Agenda
A more detailed agenda will be available closer to the Assembly.
Tuesday, May 26 (pre-Assembly)
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6:30 pm – Assembly Orientation via zoom
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7:30 pm – Budget Hearing via zoom
Wednesday, May 27 (pre-Assembly)
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6:30 pm – Resolutions Hearing via zoom
Friday, May 29 (Assembly, Day 1)
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2:00 pm – Registration opens
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4:00 pm – Plenary 1
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5:15 pm – Dinner and Keynote with Tia Richardson
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7:00 pm – Worship
Saturday, May 30 (Assembly, Day 2)
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7:30 am – Registration opens
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8:30 am – Plenary 2
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10:00 am – Break
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12pm – Lunch
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1:15 pm – Plenary 3
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2:15 pm – Break
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4:00 pm – Sending
Information for Voting Members
Please check this page for updated information that will assist you as you prepare to attend Synod Assembly.
Here are a few tips to get started:
Materials and information will be shared directly with voting members at the email address you provide when you register. This includes information for voting during assembly.
If your email address changes or you are not receiving information starting in May, please contact us immediately.
Synod Assembly work includes being informed about the resolutions, rules, constitutional amendments, elected positions and more that will be presented.
We strongly encourage you to take the time to read through the information and be prepared for discussion and voting during assembly.
Learn more by visiting the Resources to prepare for Assembly section below.
Worship and Offering
Coming Soon
Dinner Tickets and Keynote Speaker
Coming Soon
Resources to Prepare for Assembly
Detailed Agenda
A detailed agenda will be made available in the coming months.
Assembly Rules
The Greater Milwaukee Synod Council recommends to the Synod Assembly the following Rules and Procedures for 2026. These will be formalized by the assembly at the first plenary session, but will be followed prior to that action.
Nomination and Open Positions
Open positions for nominations are listed below. Use this fillable pdf or our online form to submit a nomination form.
Please note: Gender non-binary or gender non-conforming people can be nominated to serve in any roles designated for gendered representation.
Discipline Committee
The role of the discipline committee is spelled out in detail in chapter 20 of the ELCA’s constitution, focusing on working to resolve conflicts within the synod and in congregations. The term of service is six years and members may not be elected to consecutive terms.
- At Large, Lay Male (full term 9/1/2026 – 8/31/2032)
- At Large, Lay Female (full term 9/1/2026 – 8/31/2032)
- At Large, Rostered Minister (full term 9/1/2026 – 8/31/2032)
- At Large, Rostered Minister (full term 9/1/2026 – 8/31/2032)
Resolutions
Reports
Coming Soon
Transportation, Meals, and Facility Information
Brookfield Conference Center
The Brookfield Conference Center, 325 S Moorland Rd, Brookfield, WI 53005, is the location of our annual assembly in 2025. This conference facility is located just off 1-94 near Brookfield Square Mall. Ample parking is available right outside the venue.
Public Transportation
Public transportation is available from Milwaukee. Learn more about the bus route and transfers here.
Additional Information
Dress in Layers: Conference facilities can vary greatly in temperature and you will be more comfortable if you dress in layers.
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi will be available during the assembly. You will find log-in information on each table and in your conference materials.
Friday Dinner: You will find a dinner ticket tucked in the middle of the name badge holder that notes your dinner choice. Place your meal ticket on the table in front of after the conclusion of Plenary 1. If you shared information about an allergy or dietary restriction that requires a special meal, you will have a red colored ticket. Be sure to confirm with the server that you are receiving the correct meal.
Saturday Meals: more information soon.
Restrooms: The primary set of restrooms is located past the display tables on the west end of the building. An all-gender restroom is available on the east end of the building. There is also a private space for nursing mothers.
Childcare: Our childcare room is staffed by a paid and background-checked team of adults. Children must be pre-registered for childcare; we are unable to accommodate children that are not pre-registered. We hire providers based on the number and ages of registered children. Children will have Friday dinner and Saturday lunch in the childcare room. Parents should plan to send their own snacks, diapers, comfort items, and shareable toys with their child.
Electronic Devices: You are encouraged and welcome to bring your electronic devices along to access documents needed for the assembly. Please do not bring extension cords with you. We will have a charging station near the back of the room if you need to charge your device. Extension cords are a tripping hazard and will be removed.
