Post-Assembly 2024 Recap & Actions Taken

What a Spirit-filled day it was on Saturday, June 1, as we gathered representatives and leaders from across the synod along with synod staff and synod council members to be church together! A big thank you to Lord of Life Lutheran Church for hosting and providing such a warm welcome to all who attended the assembly. 

Below are some reflections and updates from the 2024 Synod Assembly. Feel free to share this post with your fellow church members so we can continue to empower each other for God’s call in our lives and for such a time as this. 

Actions Taken by the Assembly

There were many resolutions heard and voted on by the assembly. You can read through each of the resolutions through the links below.  

• Afghan Aid Act – ADOPTED 
• Synod Assembly Lay Member Allocation – ADOPTED
• Peace in Gaza and Israel – Referred to Synod Council
• Non-Binary Exclusion – ADOPTED
• Lay Voting Member Election – ADOPTED
• Regarding Seasonal Membership – ADOPTED
• Constitution Amendment of Synod Seal – ADOPTED
• Thank You, Deacon Julie Stecker – ADOPTED
• Thank you, Rev. Lamar Bailey – ADOPTED
• Gratitude – ADOPTED 

Leadership Nominations

The below leaders were elected to positions on the Synod Council and Consultation Committee, as well as voting members for the upcoming 2025 Churchwide Assembly. Please share your thanks and praise for those willing to serve in these positions! 

Synod Council Members: all elected for a 2-year term (except Youth position)

• DC Conference – Rostered Member
  Rev. Judith VanOsdol

• Fairfax Conference – Lay Member
  Breeze L

• Maryland Conference
  Rashad Ya Ntima Esengo
  
  
• Montgomery Conference – Lay Member
  Ms. Anita K. Smallin

• Potomac Conference – Lay Member
  Mr. Patrick N. Anderson

• Virginia Conference – Rostered Member
  Rev. Dr. Hank J. Langknecht

At Large Members

• Youth (1 year term) – Nolan G 
• Young Adult – Vacant

Churchwide Assembly Voting Members

• Ms. Barbara A. Bilodeau 
• Rachad Ya Ntim Esengo 
• Breeze L.
• Rev. Dr. Elijah Mwitanti 
• Mr. Michael Philpy

Other Business

Transgender Inclusion Policy Adopted by Synod Council 

Synod Council Vice President, Jennifer Slagle Peck, shared that the synod council adopted a Transgender Inclusion Policy during their May 2024 meeting. This policy reinforces the Metro D.C. Synod commitment to not discriminate in any way on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. This policy was designed to create a safe and productive environment for all synod employees and for all persons who attend events hosted by the Metro D.C. Synod.

You can view this new policy here.

Inspiring Message from Dr. Marci Vandiver 

It was powerful to learn (or confirm) that justice-seeking is in our Lutheran DNA; it’s part of our history and contemporary story. If you were not in the room, give yourself the opportunity to listen to Dr. Vandiver. May you be inspired and empowered by how God has worked in and through Lutherans throughout history who were determined to respond to the demands of the Gospel.

View the keynote presentation from Dr. Vandiver here on the synod’s YouTube channel. 

Video Reports Available from Synod Staff 

Synod staff have provided video reports and reflections from the past year which you can review and share from the synod’s YouTube channel.

Worship Offering

This year’s worship offering was designated for Youth+Family Ministries. We did not pass a plate in order to save on time, but encourage you to give online if you would like at www.metrodcelca.org/give/ indicating Youth Ministry Fund in the “To” dropdown.