Who We Are

The Delaware - Maryland Synod is a group of 183 congregations that work together to share more effectively the Good News of Jesus Christ with their communities, welcoming all to share in the fellowship of God's people. Its purpose is to provide services to the congregations and more than 90,000 baptized members on its territory, providing resources, encouraging them in all facets of ministry, and advocating at the state and local levels for justice for all people. In addition, the synod supports numerous other ministries on its territory.

The synod is one of 65 such geographical subdivisions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a large mainline Protestant denomination in the United States. It serves ELCA members in all of Delaware and all of Maryland except the Washington, DC, suburbs and Garrett County.

What is a synod?

The word synod means "walking together." Our 186 churches and more than,90,000 baptized members are walking together with Christ to serve our families, our communities and our world. Learn about our synod goals through our mission and vision statements.

What is the synod's history?

The Delaware-Maryland Synod came into being on January 1, 1988, at the same time that its parent denomination, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, was created from the merger of three Lutheran bodies. Read more about the synod's history in a "work in progress."

We are Lutherans.

Lutherans have a proud history and grace-filled present.

We are part of the ELCA.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is a thriving mainline Protestant denomination in the United States. We are one of 65 ELCA synods (or geographical subdivisions) throughout the U.S. and the Caribbean.

Numbers?

Statistics don't always tell the whole story of the synod's ministry-but they can certainly offer something to think about. Check out the summary of statistics from 2003 (the latest year for which they're available) to discover trends in ministry and membership among synod congregations.

Geography

Our synod covers all of Delaware and most of central Maryland. Check out our map to see how our synod is divided into groups of churches called conferences. Click on a conference name to see a list of churches in that area and to link to churches with web sites.

Bishop and Staff

Meet our bishop and staff, all of whom are linked electronically to serve our churches.

Synod Council

Meet our Synod Council officers and members, as well as the many other volunteer leaders who are key parts of the synod’s ministry.

Auxiliaries

Several auxiliaries serve specific groups of synod members.

• The Synodical Women's Organization (SWO) of Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is an active group with chapters in most of the synod's congregations.

• The synod Fellowship of Lutheran Young People sponsors numerous events throughout the year for middle and senior high school students, encourages youth in leadership roles, and takes part in the churchwide Lutheran Youth Organization