Voting Members

You will be receiving emails with information to help you prepare for your role as a voting member. In the weeks leading up to the assembly, you will be invited to become familiar with the bulletin of reports and other preparation material by checking the assembly website at ELCA.org/churchwideassembly or the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly Guide once that app is available.

Registration will open April 2, 2025.

The ELCA Churchwide Assembly Guide (also known as 2025 Churchwide Assembly Guide, or CWA Guide for short) is a mobile app for tablets such as an iPad. The guide was commissioned by the churchwide organization as an eco-friendly alternative for accessing documents and resources for the 2025 Churchwide Assembly. It is available to anyone and will have up-to-date information that can be accessed before and during the assembly by using any iOS (Apple) or Android tablet with access to the internet. All attendees are asked to participate in orientation and CWA Guide training on Monday, July 28, 2025, at 1 p.m.

The 2025 Churchwide Assembly Guide will be made available in early summer 2025.

No, you do not need to purchase a tablet (e.g. iPad). When registration opens, you can choose to use an ELCA-issued iPad during the 2025 Churchwide Assembly. More information about using the CWA Guide will be forthcoming. Prior to the assembly, you can access the guide through a personal device.

Yes, you are allowed to bring family members with you. However, the ELCA does not pay for any costs incurred by family members. More information on making travel arrangements will be forthcoming, so you can book tickets for yourself and your family members on the same flight.

Voting members and advisory members will have their meals paid for by the ELCA during the Churchwide Assembly. Meals will be provided at the assembly site; in addition, an ELCA-issued meal card will be provided for any off-site meals you purchase. Information regarding the purchase of meals for guests will be included in your registration materials. Visitors will have the option to purchase meals in advance of the assembly.

Voting and advisory members can expense gratuities and hotel tips. If you are driving, you can be reimbursed at the current IRS rate for mileage, along with the cost of tolls and parking, up to the amount of the lowest available advance airfare. More detailed information about the allowed amount for reimbursement will be forthcoming. Original, itemized receipts are required for reimbursement.

Voting members and advisory members can purchase off-site meals with their ELCA-issued meal card.

The expense form is available here: elca.org/Resources/Financial#ExpenseReport.

After completing the online expense form with a signature and with all original, itemized receipts attached, please email the documents to cwaregistrar@elca.org. All expenses must be submitted for reimbursement within 30 days of the assembly and no later than Sept. 5, 2025. Forms submitted after Sept. 5 will not be processed.