Synod 2025 Agenda Materials Available
Some agenda materials for Synod 2025 are now available online at crcna.org/SynodResources and on the Synod 2025 webpage, where you can also sign up to receive Synod News.
The print version of the Agenda will be mailed to delegates as soon as it is ready. In the meantime, the digital version is being posted as materials become available, with new content being added regularly.
Already available as part of this year’s materials are reports from CRCNA agencies, institutions, and ministries; reports from the denominationally affiliated educational institutions; and reports from synod’s three standing committees: the Candidacy Committee, the Historical Committee, and the Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Committee.
Also posted are the reports of three groups appointed to report to synod this year: the Assisted Suicide Task Force, the Virtual Church Task Force, and the Team to Clarify Distinctions in Synodical Ponouncements, Decisions, Reports, Positions, and Advice.
What is not yet available are the COD report and its appendices, as well as overtures and communications to Synod 2025 from classes, congregations, or individual members. Overtures and communications were due by March 15 and will be added online as soon as they are processed.
“It looks like Synod 2025 will be a fruitful time with several important topics on the agenda” said Joel Vande Werken, director of ecclesiastical governance. “The standing and study committees have done good work, and I look forward to hearing delegates discuss their reports. There is also great content and much to celebrate in the reports coming from our various ministries.”
The virtual convening session of Synod 2025 will take place May 28 at 7 p.m. (EDT). It will be livecast to the CRCNA’s YouTube page at YouTube.com/crcna.
“As usual lately, prayer will be essential to synod and its deliberations,” said Vande Werken. “In our preparations for synod each year we attempt to live into the directions of Synod 2019 to make prayer ‘a more intentional feature of synod's work sessions’ (Acts of Synod 2019, p. 803). We have worked hard to create moments when intentional pauses for prayer can happen. We are also asking all CRCNA members to join us in prayer.”
Members wishing to answer this call can sign up to pray during synod and/or to participate in 40 days of prayer before the meeting begins.
Synod 2025 will begin its in-person sessions on Friday, June 13, at 8:15 a.m. in the gymnasium on the campus of Redeemer University in Ancaster, Ont.
First CRC of Chatham, Ont. will serve as the convening church of Synod 2025. A community-wide Synodical Service of Prayer and Praise will be held Sunday, June 15, 2025, at 5 p.m. in the auditorium at Redeemer University. All are welcome.
For news before and during synod, subscribe to Synod News and the CRC News weekly email (which will include links to Banner stories). Or follow the CRCNA on Facebook or on X (#crcsynod). Also visit crcna.org/synod regularly during synod to access the schedule, advisory committee reports, stories, photos, webcast links, and recordings of synod’s deliberations.
