We are excited to announce the keynote speaker for our 2026 South Carolina Synod Assembly! The Rev. Dr. Chad Rimmer will bring us a keynote address on Friday, June 12, 2026.
The Rev. Dr. Chad Rimmer joined Lenoir-Rhyne as rector and dean of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS) in April 2023. In this role, Rimmer serves as the lead academic and church administrator for LTSS and works to further develop the seminary to an exemplary status within the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.
Rimmer is rostered in the ELCA North Carolina Synod, which is the land and peoples that formed him. In the U.S., he has been an adjunct lecturer at Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary, the United Lutheran Seminary and served congregations in York, Pennsylvania and Copenhagen, Denmark. His vocation as a teaching theologian led him on a global, ecumenical path of theological education in Scotland, France and Senegal with people of diverse contexts, cultures and bio-regions across the Lutheran communion. Most recently, Rimmer served as program executive for theology and practice at the Lutheran World Federation Department of Theology, Mission and Justice in Geneva, Switzerland. This role included teaching across the seven regions of the Global Network for Theological Education and Formation.
His research interests include the intersection of theology and natural sciences, social ethics, climate justice and aesthetics. At LTSS, Rimmer teaches in the areas of eco-theology and ethics, constructive theology, liturgy and worship.
He is the author of many books and journal articles, including co-author of “Contemporary ecotheology, climate justice and environmental stewardship in world religions” (Ecothee volume 6, Orthodox Academy of Crete Publications), “Religion, Sustainability and Education pedagogy, perspectives, and praxis towards ecological sustainability,” “We Believe in the Holy Spirit, Global Perspectives on Lutheran Identities” (Evangelische Verlagsanstalt Leipzig/Lutheran World Federation) and “Greening the children of God ‐ Thomas Traherne and nature’s role in the ecological formation of children” (Pickwick Publications, reprinted in 2021 by Lutterworth Press).
Rimmer is the parent of two humans and one dog, Lucy. Away from seminary, he is likely backpacking in the mountains, playing guitar, climbing a tree, growing, cooking or running. You are welcome to come hike, jam, climb, till, eat or run… if you can keep up.
Assembly Reminders
The upcoming Assembly will be held June 11-13, 2026 in Columbia. Our daily meetings will be held at Brookland Banquet and Conference Center. We will host fellowship events and lodging at Marriott Columbia. The drive between these 2 venues is 2.6 miles. There is ample parking at both locations.
Registration will be through Eventbrite again this year. Payment is required for completing one’s registration. You do not need to register if you intend to watch online. Registration will open on March 2 and close May 1. Please make note of these dates to ensure your registration is completed on time.
Early Bird Registration Window: March 2 – April 2, 2026. Cost per person is $175.
Standard Registration Begins: April 3, 2026. Cost per person increases to $225.
Registration Closes (Final Deadline): May 1, 2026. There will not be an opportunity to register late or onsite.
If you have any questions regarding registration, please contact Wendy Davidson, Assembly Manager at wendy@scsynod.com.
Watch for more news about the 2026 Assembly in the weeks ahead!
