Synod Assembly
Posted on May 05, 2026 by Pastor Jealaine Marple
It’s hard to believe that we are coming up on a year together! Last year, my first event as your pastor was to attend Synod Assembly with Joyce Benedict and Renee Loya. It was one of the most Holy Spirit filled events I had been to in quite some time, and I was so proud to have been a part of the election of our now-bishop, Rev. Dr. Donna Simon.
The work of a Synod Assembly is hard and holy. Conversations around bylaws, budgets, and the minutiae of the church can be taxing. But they are always worth it.
This year’s Synod Assembly will look a little different because it will be held online. The date is Saturday, June 6 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The folks over at Holy Cross have agreed to host a communal site for people to gather and be together even while it is online.
At our Annual Meeting, all of you agreed that Council could nominate and elect our representatives to attend Synod Assembly. While it is preferred that we have two people of differing genders, exceptions can be made (as they were last year). If you are interested, the “fee” to attend has already been taken into consideration, and all we’re asking for is your time and willingness to represent Salem.
Before Synod Assembly happens, there will be opportunities to attend online Zoom sessions to learn about the budget, upcoming resolutions, and anything else that may come before the assembly that you’d like a little more time to flesh out or ask questions about. I have found these pre-assembly sessions to be very helpful for my understanding of what was going on during the actual assembly.
Soon, you may be approached by myself or a Council member to see if you’re interested or willing to represent Salem during the next Synod Assembly. I simply ask that you be open to the movement of the Holy Spirit and be willing to entertain this opportunity. Synod Assembly is an annual event that affirms why I love the church and love serving the church. It reminds me of all of the work the church does outside the four walls. On top of that, we get to “fellowship” with people from all over Kansas and Missouri — even online. I’d love for you to join me at Synod Assembly this year. If you’re interested, don’t hesitate to reach out. Salem is allowed to have two voting members, and I’d love for you to be one of them!
Peace and joy,
Pastor J