This is the week—July 28–August 2 for the 2025 Churchwide Assembly gathering in Phoenix, Arizona. A faithful group of twelve from our Rocky Mountain Synod are joining 845 voting members of the ELCA in Phoenix, AZ, for the Churchwide Assembly—“For the Life of the World.” Rooted in worship and prayer, the assembly will:

  • Elect a new Presiding Bishop and Secretary
  • Consider a new social statement on Civic Life and Faith, plus editorial changes to the Social Statement, Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust
  • Examine proposed Churchwide budgets for the next three years
  • Receive the report and recommendations from the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church
  • Discuss and vote on memorials from synod assemblies—like the Rocky Mountain Synod’s memorial, Stand up for Human Rights, an End to the Occupation of Palestine, and Recognition of Palestinian Statehood, passed by our Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly in May 2025 in Albuquerque, NM.

Assembly Schedule & Links

  • View the Public Schedule to watch live this week. *Please note that livestreamed events are highlighted in yellow and purple.
  • For candidate info, agenda details, and a livestream of the event, visit elca.org/cwa.
  • For a concise overview of each day, visit the Living Lutheran Magazine

RMS Churchwide Voting Members & Links

Follow the following 12 RMS Voting Members and their reflections of the week on the RMS social media channels. 

CWA Voting Member Bios

  • Bishop Meghan Johnston Aelabouni
  • Emmy Baylis
  • Deacon Sarah Bjornebo
  • Pastor Katie Chullino
  • Terry Cole
  • Celia Davis
  • Vicky Daub
  • Ray Ferry
  • Marissa Seuc Hester
  • Ken Maldonado
  • Pastor Joel Pancoast
  • Erik Stone