Synod Assembly 2025

The Nebraska Synod will be gathering in assembly this year in Kearney, Nebraska under the theme of “Imagine! Imagine? Imagine…” Imagine with us.

Imagine! Together as Christ’s church, we are called to follow the Spirit, and to imagine what God might be up to and inviting. This year, we will hear the stories of our companion synod partners from the Northern Diocese of Tanzania and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Argentina and Uruguay. We’ll hear how they are imagining and be invited to dream and wonder.

Imagine? Through workshops and service-learning opportunities and experiences we will explore how we can imagine things in our own ministry settings. What do you imagine for your own setting? What can you imagine taking back home? What might God be inviting you to wonder and imagine?

Imagine… The work of imagination continues and is not something meant to just be a couple days of focus at synod assembly. Instead, through closing worship together we’ll be sent forth as one Nebraska Synod to imagine. There is still more to imagine, and more to do. Imagine what God might be up to and inviting you to be a part of next…

Early Bird: February 4 – March 11
Cost: $140
Regular: March 12 – May 1
Cost: $250

We are so excited to offer the early bird Synod Assembly 2025 registration fee at a deeply discounted rate! This amazing offer is made possible through generous grants given by our ministry partners. Thank you to the congregations and ministry leaders who made this possible!

Please use Baptized Membership for 2024 to determine the number of voting members you may send to Synod Assembly.

Hotel Accommodations:
Comfort Inn: $135.95 (308-236-3400)
LaQuinta: $135.95 (308-237-4400)
Fairfield: $149.95 (308-236-4200)

Keynote Speakers:

Rev. Dr. Fredrick Shoo

Bishop of Tanzania

Biography: Fredrick Onaeli Shoo (Bishop Shoo), born in April 30^th 1951 is serving as the Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania and the Bishop of the ELCT Northern Diocese situated in the northern part of Tanzania. Before that he served as the Assistant to the Bishop ELCT ND for ten years and the Principal at the Lutheran Bible and Theological School for eight years. Bishop Shoo was born at the slope of the highest mountain in Africa, called Kilimanjaro in a small village of Nkweshoo in Kilimanjaro Region. Bishop Shoo is married to beautiful lady Janeth, blessed with three daughters namely: Elizabeth, Debora and Ruth. He is easily accustomed with different cultures and environments, and speaks fluently four languages, German being one of them which he learned when he was doing his Doctorate studies in German.

Pastora Mariela Alejandra Pereyra

Presidenta of Argentina / Uruguay

Biography: Mariela Pereyra was born in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. She has served as an ordained pastor for 23 years and was elected President of the IELU during its most recent Assembly in April 2024. She pursued her theological studies at ISEDET, a now-closed ecumenical seminary with a long-standing tradition. Over the years, she has had the privilege of working as a pastor in Misiones, in the northern region of Argentina, where she welcomed many visiting groups from the Nebraska Synod. In addition, Mariela is currently a member of the Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches. She has a special calling in peacebuilding, gender justice, and faith-related eco-theological issues. She is married to Clovis Eloi Kurtz, who is also a pastor, and they are the parents of three children: Ingrid, Augusto, and André.

Alison Richard

Program Director, Companion Engagement, Churchwide Representative
Biography: Coming Soon!

Rev. Scott Alan Johnson

Bishop, Nebraska ELCA

Biography: The Rev. Scott Alan Johnson was born and raised on a family farm near Wakefield, NE. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Classics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Master of Divinity degree from Luther Seminary. Prior to being elected bishop of the Nebraska Synod in 2022, he served as pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in Barrett, MN, as campus pastor of the University Lutheran Center at Iowa State University in Ames, IA, as pastor of St. Petri Lutheran Church in Story City, IA, and as Director of Campus Ministries at Midland University in Fremont, NE. Scott and his wife Kristin are the proud parents of two daughters, and they live in Fremont, NE.

Featuring accomplished Jazz Musician, Jon Ailabouni along with other talented performers!

Jon Ailabouni: Palestinian-American trumpeter, composer, and educator Jon Ailabouni (he/his) is a sought-after musician based in La Crosse, WI. With a background steeped in Western European classical and Black American jazz traditions, Jon’s creative work focuses on instrumental composition and improvisation that uses deeply felt stories as a focal point for expression. Ailabouni’s improvisation as a soloist has been described as “sharp and resourceful” (AllAboutJazz.com). His 2023 album, You Are Not Alone, featuring his original compositions, was released on SkyDeck Music and has been performed at the Iowa City Jazz Festival Main Stage and Cappella Performing Arts Center in La Crosse, WI.