2023 Northeastern Minnesota Synod Assembly

Deadlines and Fees

• Early Bird Registration for the Assembly is $160 on or before March 15. Late Registration after March 15 is $200. All attendees must complete the Synod Assembly registration form.

Lodging and Meals

• Register online with Cragun’s for Lodging and/or Meals at https://craguns.formstack.com/forms/elca23 - Deadline is March 31, 2023
• Cost for Lodging and Meals at Cragun’s is $239.46 for double-occupancy and $373.68 for single-occupancy. This is per person, for two nights, with three meals on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday. Triple and Quad occupancy rates and suite upgrades are also available.
• If you plan to commute to Cragun’s, there is a service charge of $10 per day in addition to the Assembly registration fee. Meals are available ala carte at the link above. Commuter rate of $128.75 for the weekend includes all four meals but does not include any applicable off-site lodging costs.
• Voting members age 18 and under must be housed according to the synod housing policy for youth. This policy will be available on the Synod website, along with other registration information.
• Friday Dinner Update – Cragun’s Resort Dining Room will be open Friday evening for dinner before the Assembly, serving a Burger Buffet for $24.69 per person. Signup using the Cragun’s link above.
• Special Requests - The Assembly registration and Cragun’s reservation forms include a question regarding special dietary and accommodation requests. For those with dietary requests, information about how to pick up these special request meals will be provided at registration check-in.

Changes/Alternates

• Please inform the Registrar of a change in voting members immediately. The 2023 Proposed Rules and Procedures state: “Voting members for each congregation shall be the same person for the three (3) business days of the Assembly. The vote is not transferable to an alternate or other person after the opening of the first plenary session Friday. An alternate not listed on the registration rolls must have a letter of authorization from their congregational officer or pastor in order to be registered as an official voting member.”

Financial Assistance

• Scholarships are available for: 1) those congregations in need of financial assistance, who would not otherwise be able to send voting members to the Assembly due to the financial burden; 2) retired rostered leaders to assist in meeting the expenses of attending the Assembly; and 3) congregations sending a youth voting member to attend the Synod Assembly. Submit written requests for Scholarships to the synod office, attention Pr. Rollie Bockbrader, no later than March 30th. Additional Scholarships may be available from your Conference. Contact your Conference Dean for more information.

Other Information

• On-site registration is Friday, April 28 from 2:00-7:30 pm in the Sports Centre near the dais. After 7:30 pm registration moves to the On-Site office in Room 458 near the Sports Centre.
• There is discussion of providing limited childcare during the assembly. There will be a Kid’s Zone with space for young children and their parents in the back of the Plenary Hall. To help us know how many to plan for, please include the names and ages of the children on the Synod Assembly registration form.
• An informational email with details about the Assembly and check-in will be sent out to all registered email addresses in the days and weeks prior to the Assembly.
• Non-Voting members will be able to view the Synod Assembly plenary sessions at the Synod website and on our Facebook page at Northeastern Minnesota Synod, ELCA
• Attendees are encouraged to bring refillable water bottles and travel coffee mugs. Iced water, regular and decaf coffee are available, with snacks available for purchase at the Camp Cafe.

Statement regarding COVID vaccinations for 2023 Synod Assembly

• We are the church together. And because we have been called to love our neighbor, we are requiring all in-person participants of the 2023 Synod Assembly (i.e., voting members, visitors, volunteers, contract staff and synod staff) to be up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations (fully vaccinated and all applicable boosters). Please remember this when electing or inviting voting members to the 2023 Synod Assembly. If unvaccinated voting members desire a free COVID-19 vaccine or booster, please check with your local county health office or the Minnesota Department Health website to find a location near you. Many local pharmacies and medical facilities are also sites for vaccinations. We will be following the most current CDC and Minnesota Department of Health recommendations for gathering in a large group at the Synod Assembly. This could include wearing masks. If you are not feeling well, please stay home. Thank you for your cooperation and honesty in following this request.

FAQs 

• How can I contact the organizer with any questions?
• Contact Registrar Anne Laechel at anne.laechel@gmail.com or 218-851-2214

• Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
• No, you do not need to bring your printed ticket.

• Is my registration fee or ticket transferrable?
• Yes. Please contact the Registrar to notify her of who will be attending in your place.

• Is it ok if the name on my ticket or registration doesn't match the person who attends?
• We pre-print your nametag, so to reduce delays at check-in, please contact the Registrar if the name of the person who was registered is different from the person who will be attending.

• I will be paying by check. How do I note that on my registration, and where do I mail the check to? 
• The default payment method is "Pay by Debit/Credit Card". To change, click on the words "Pay by Debit/Credit Card" under Payment information, and change to "Pay by Check". Checks should be mailed to the Synod office: NE MN Synod Office, ELCA, 1111 London Rd, Duluth MN 55802