Official notice: 2019 convention information

GENERAL INFORMATION

Voting and advisory delegates and representatives are reminded that the 67th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) will be held at the Tampa Convention Center in downtown Tampa, Fla., July 20–25, 2019. The Opening Divine Service with Holy Communion will begin at 7:30 p.m. (with pre-service music at 7 p.m.) on Saturday, July 20, in the Central and East Halls, located on the third floor of the Tampa Convention Center. Following Matins on Sunday morning at 8 a.m., the first official business session of the convention will begin at 8:55 a.m. in the Central and East Halls.

HOUSING

All registered delegates and representatives should have received housing and travel information by this time. If this is not the case, the district office or the entity represented should be notified. If a delegate is unable to serve, the district secretary should be informed immediately so an alternate delegate can be properly registered through the Secretary of Synod.

ON-SITE REGISTRATION

Delegates and representatives should register on-site for the convention as soon as possible. Registration will take place in the Tampa Convention Center lobby located on the second floor and will be open at the following times:

Friday, July 19, 1 p.m.–4 p.m.

Saturday, July 20, 8 a.m.–7:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 21, 7 a.m.–6 p.m.

Monday–Wednesday, July 22–24, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.

Thursday, July 25, 8 a.m.–noon

Visitors to the convention are welcome and not required to register. Members of the working press are asked to register with the Communications Office, Room 16.

DELEGATE ORIENTATION

An orientation session is scheduled for 1:30–3 p.m., Saturday, July 20, in the Central and East Halls, located on the third floor of the Tampa Convention Center. All voting delegates, advisory delegates and advisory representatives should attend this orientation to review instructions and information about participating in convention business and activities.

TODAY’S BUSINESS OFFICE AND ON-SITE SUBMISSIONS FOR PUBLICATION

Any materials for publication in a daily edition of Today’s Business (Room 15) should be submitted by 3:30 p.m. on the day before the item could appear in print. All submitters must return by 6:30 p.m. to approve what they have submitted before it can be printed for the next edition. Personal notices are not published in Today’s Business. The Today’s Business office will be open the following times:

Saturday, July 20, 9 a.m.–6:45 p.m.

Sunday, July 21 through Wednesday, July 24, 7:30 a.m.–6:45 p.m.

Thursday, July 25, 7:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.

PRAYER AT THE CONVENTION

A prayer chapel, located in Room 18 on the first floor of the Tampa Convention Center, will be open beginning the afternoon of Saturday, July 20. A box will be located in the chapel to receive prayer requests. Prayer requests can be sent to Chaplain William Weedon via email at chaplain@lcms.org. Please indicate on your prayer request whether it is a private or public concern. We will lift the private concerns to the throne of grace privately in the prayer chapel.

Due to the volume of prayer requests received, we cannot promise each public prayer will be offered during public worship, but the chaplain will lift each concern in private prayer. Chaplain Weedon will be present throughout the convention and will personally offer prayer with anyone who desires it. Note that the prayer chapel is closed during the lunch break each day, when it will be used for private confession and absolution.

PRIVATE CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

Anyone desiring to receive private absolution may do so during the convention. The prayer chapel, located in Room 18 on the first floor of the Tampa Convention Center, will be closed to public use during the lunch break each day (from Sunday through Wednesday) and used for private confession and absolution. When the door is open, you may simply enter, and the pastor will guide you through the service; when the door is closed, please wait outside the chapel until it is opened again. A closed door during the lunch hour indicates the room is occupied and being used for private confession and absolution.

CONVENTION NATIONAL OFFERING

Contributions intended for the National Offering will be received during the opening service, Saturday, July 20. Delegates who have congregational or individual National Offering gifts are encouraged to submit them during this service. National Offering gifts can also be delivered to the Synod’s display in the exhibit hall; however, the opening service is the preferred and more secure option.

INTERNET ACCESS

The Tampa Convention Center has complimentary Wi-Fi in the Rotunda Area on the first floor by the Bay Bistro as well as the Sail Pavilion (outdoor bar/eatery). The complimentary service is best suited for light use with a speed of about 512 Kbps (upload & download). Service is available for purchase starting at $12.95 per day/device in other locations of the facility. For additional information, please visit tampagov.net/tcc/amenities or call customer service at 888-446-6911.

For more information, visit the convention website at lcms.org/convention.

Posted May 31, 2019