Synod Authorized Worshipping Communities
New Ministries of the Upstate New York Synod.
Emerging Ministries
A SAWC is a Synod Authorized Worshiping Community: an emerging ministry community authorized by a synod and affirmed through the ELCA’s churchwide Christian Community and Leadership area as a way to explore a particular mission field before or alongside becoming a more formally organized congregation.
In ELCA language, SAWC/SAWC Exploration grants accompany “synodical initiatives to expand the reach of our church through the development of new congregations,” especially communities that reflect ELCA commitments to be evangelical, diverse, inclusive, ecumenical, and engaged in peace and justice.
A SAWC may be a new worshiping community, immigrant or ethnic-specific ministry, house church, campus/community ministry, or other adaptive model where people are gathering around Word, sacrament, faith formation, accompaniment, and public witness, but the ministry is still in a season of testing, learning, and development rather than full congregational organization.
To learn more or contact a Synod Authorized Worshipping Community, contact the Synod Office.
Appleseed
Mission Developer
Rev. Dana Smith
Location
Atonement Lutheran Church, Syracuse, NY
Appleseed is connected to Atonement’s community-facing ministry. The congregation has been involved in feeding and neighborhood care, including weekly meals/bags, daycare connections, and apartment/community support. The ministry is rooted in accompaniment, neighborhood presence, and practical care for people experiencing food insecurity or instability.
South Wedge Mission
Mission Developer
Rev. Eric Madsen (TP)
Location
Rochester, NY
South Wedge Mission is an urban, community-centered worshiping community/ministry site. It has had ELCA and Episcopal connections. The ministry has a history of creative worship, neighborhood engagement, and serving people who may not connect with traditional congregational life.
South Asian Lutheran
Mission Developer
Rev. Sohail Akhtar
Location
Buffalo / Tonawanda, NY
South Asian Lutheran serves South Asian immigrant and multicultural communities in the Buffalo/Tonawanda area. The ministry provides a Lutheran worshiping and community space with attention to cultural, linguistic, and relational needs. It is connected to immigrant accompaniment, community formation, and expanding Lutheran presence among South Asian communities.
Journey of Faith
Mission Developer
Todd Eames
Location
Binghamton, NY
Journey of Faith is a house-church style ministry. Its work is focused on smaller, relational faith formation and community-based worship rather than a traditional congregational model.