2024 was the year of the Circuit Convocation. According to the LCMS Handbook, a convocation is a larger gathering of members from circuit congregations during a year in which there is no national or district convention. Sometime during the year, each circuit was to have an event that brings people together—church workers and laity—from all the circuit congregations for a time of encouragement, worship, training, and mission strategy. To encourage circuits to plan a great event, the District partnered with Church Extension Fund to provide up to $5,000 to each circuit for its convocation (circuits could work together and combine grants). The grants were directed to convocations that focus clearly on mission outreach.
The result was exceptional. President Davis remarks, “We were very excited about congregations having circuit convocations with tons of participation. [It was a] great success across the District to be able to focus on mission work and bringing Convocations back into being.” Jim Saalfeld, Church Extension Fund’s CEO, added: “Overall we were very pleased. Success was outstanding. Over 6,000 people participated all over the District. Great turnout.”
All but four circuits of the District participated. Twenty-four Convocations took place in 2024 (some were multi-part) and one in January 2025; one more is scheduled for March 2025.
Of the detailed reports submitted so far, ten mentioned the positive response of participants regarding getting together with other circuit churches. Here are some of the comments:
“It was incredibly encouraging for many to know that they are not alone and to be able to worship with other Lutherans from all over the state of Michigan” (Circuits 3 & 4, Timberline and Gladwin).
“Relationships were built between Circuit church members that will help with future collaborative mission endeavors… One of our Circuit goals is to begin connecting members from our churches who live in geographically similar areas. We believe that collaboration will lead to identifying new opportunities for meeting tangible needs in local communities” (Circuit 12, Flint South).
“The Circuit Churches enjoyed coming together so much that an Ascension Service for the entire Circuit has been scheduled” (Circuit 14, Port Huron).
“The convocation made Monroe and the surrounding villages and towns feel smaller and more connected. This makes the possibility of local mission and service events more likely and feasible, with involvement from multiple congregations” (Circuit 24, Monroe).
“It was a unifying and rallying activity” (Circuit 28, Milan).
“It inspired the area churches as they saw they were not alone. Together, the Lord can work much good through us” (Circuit 32, Traverse City).
“People and families enjoyed the gathering and we were encouraged to plan more events with a unifying mission purpose. They enjoyed worshipping and singing together as well as a good motivational speaker. A follow-up gathering of leaders and pastors has already happened brainstorming and exploring joint mission projects that area churches might participate in together” (Circuit 38 & 39, Muskegon and Holland).
Twelve of the events included serving in the form of ingatherings for entities such as the Luke Clinic, Franklin Avenue Mission, the WAVE Project, and the Greater Lansing Food Bank; service projects such as planting 600 new trees at a local trail; or raising funds for a childcare in Kenya, a new Italian Lutheran hymnal, and a seminarian endowment fund. One event blessed a congregation in North Carolina suffering from Hurricane Helene. One convocation (Circuit 30, Jackson) was entirely based on a service project to bless CUAA students, faculty, and staff.
Eight of the events centered on celebration: joint worship services, Oktoberfests, family outings (Lugnuts game; rollerskating), festivals (including a hymn fest and a mission fest with representatives from MOST, LAMP, and others), or a combination thereof.
Eighteen events were centered around a theme and brought in one or more speakers. Nine of these dealt with current issues in society; the other nine focused on mission, spiritual disciplines, and leadership forums.
After reviewing all the submitted information, the District and CEF together chose two winners: 1) Circuits 15 & 16 (Macomb North & Macomb Northwest), with their “One Hope Worship & Community Gathering” (largest convocation) and Circuits 38 & 39 (Muskegon & Holland), with their “Joining Jesus” event (most creative convocation). The winners will receive a $5,000 award “to carry on that work and to continue to invest as a circuit in mission outreach in their communities,” says President Davis.
Congratulations to the winners and to all circuits that participated!
Photos submitted by the circuits, unless otherwise noted
