The Churchwide Assembly of the ELCA will begin Monday, July 28, at the Phoenix Convention Center. Gathering to make decisions about the work of the church will be 845 members drawn from the 65 ELCA synods, including ours (Grand Canyon). The theme this year is “For the Life of the World.”
Two key action items at the assembly are election of the ELCA’s presiding bishop and secretary. The Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, the first female presiding bishop of the ELCA, was elected in 2013 and re-elected to a second term in 2019. She will retire at the end of her current term. Deacon Sue Rothmeyer, elected secretary in 2019, also will retire at the end of her current term.
The Esperanza congregation is encouraged to watch the Churchwide Assembly, which will conclude on Saturday, Aug. 2. A schedule of events and a live video of the sessions will be accessible at elca.org/CWA