Introducing our special guests for the 2024 Synod Assembly

We are honored to welcome a distinguished lineup of special guests to the 2024 Synod Assembly, each bringing a wealth of experience and insight from their respective fields of ministry, education, and service.

As we gather under the theme “Embody the Word,” our guests' diverse backgrounds and profound commitments to faith, leadership, and community will inspire and challenge us to deepen our engagement with the world around us.

Featured
Colleen Windham-Hughes, PhD, MDiv
Colleen Windham-Hughes, PhD, MDiv

As the Associate Vice President for Mission and Identity at California Lutheran University, Dr. Colleen Windham-Hughes brings her profound expertise in integrating institutional values with community engagement. Her leadership roles extend across the ELCA's educational network, where she actively contributes to shaping the vocation of Lutheran higher education and supports innovative ministry through the Formation Co-Op. Dr. Windham-Hughes’s commitment to cultivating a space for everyone to offer and receive gifts underscores the theme of our assembly, “Embody the Word.”

Deacon John Weit
Deacon John Weit

Serving as the Executive for Worship at the ELCA, Deacon John Weit oversees the enrichment of worship practices across the church. His extensive experience as a musician and cantor, combined with his strategic leadership in worship planning for the ELCA, brings a depth of liturgical wisdom and musical insight to our assembly. Deacon Weit’s work ensures that worship remains a vibrant, integral part of our faith community’s life.

Rev. Dr. Toni Hawkins
Rev. Dr. Toni Hawkins

A dynamic leader and educator, Rev. Dr. Altonnette D. Hawkins, known affectionately as Dr. Toni, embodies a dual ministerial alignment with the UCC and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Her extensive expertise in pastoral counseling, conflict mediation, and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives makes her a pivotal figure in fostering understanding and transformation within and beyond the church walls. Dr. Hawkins’s guidance is a beacon for those navigating the complexities of faith and community leadership.

Chaplain, Capt Matthew W. Dobyns, USAF
Chaplain, Capt Matthew W. Dobyns, USAF

Chaplain Capt Matthew W. Dobyns serves with distinction as a Unit Chaplain in the Air Force, offering essential pastoral care and spiritual support to military personnel and their families. His commitment to mental and spiritual readiness, combined with his role in promoting resilience within the military community, exemplifies the ELCA’s dedication to service and ministry in all walks of life. Chaplain Dobyns’s experiences bring a unique perspective on faith’s role in fostering strength and hope in challenging times.

Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian Flatgard2024 Grand Canyon Synod AssemblyComment