Synod Assembly Recap
Posted on Jun 10, 2025 by Pastor Jealaine Marple
Over the first weekend in June, Joyce Benedict, Renee Loya, and I attended the annual Synod Assembly for our Central States Synod. The main order of business was to elect a new synod bishop. After five rounds of voting, those gathered (more than 300, the majority being lay members from all over Kansas and Missouri) elected Rev. Dr. Donna Simon. But this was more than an election — it was a question and answer of a calling. The synod issued a call and through prayer, discernment, discussion, song, and worship, we, as an assembly, all answered in affirmation of Rev. Simon's gifts and she humbly accepted the call.
It's hard to capture the Holy Spirit in words. She really is a feeling — like the wind on your skin or through your hair. I cannot fully describe the sensation, but I felt Her blowing all weekend. In full disclosure, Rev. Simon and I are dear friends, and I knew going in that if she were called as our next bishop that she would do a great job. But there were other candidates worthy of my/our time, attention, and prayer. After the top 5 and then the top 3 gave short speeches, the Holy Spirit made Herself known. There's no other way to describe it other than I felt it in my bones — in my soul. I knew then that our synod would be in good hands no matter who was called, and I also knew God was up to something amazing and I was being called to just observe and pay attention.
The weekend was also filled with amazing worship, great fellowship, and other (but not less important) business of discussing the synod budget and affirming resolutions. We were blessed to be joined by bishops from the Arkansas-Oklahoma Synod, Nebraska Synod, and Southwest Texas Synod, as well as our Presiding Bishop, Rev. Elizabeth Eaton.
I am sure that Joyce and Renee also have similar stories to share, as we all experience the Holy Spirit in different ways. It was a wonderful way to kick off Pentecost weekend. I preached on Pentecost that the Spirit often calls us to simply pay attention. We don't always have to understand or even describe what She is up to, but simply pay attention. I invite us all to continue to pay attention. Additionally, keep Rev. Simon in your prayers as she transitions from one call into another. God is up to something in the Central States Synod and we are witnesses to this amazing work!
In Christ,
Pastor J