| The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is divided into 65 synods. St Matthew’s is part of the Metro DC Synod. Each synod is led by a bishop. Each bishop is elected by their synod at their Synod Assembly. The Metro DC Synod’s bishop is Bishop Leila Ortiz, who was elected into the office in 2019 for a six-year term. Synods work together as part of the ELCA and they work individually as synods for the work of the people and congregations within their geographical area. The synods lift up each other’s work and ideas and they are called to hold each other accountable for the positive and faithful work of the church as a whole. The next Synod Assembly of the Metro DC Synod is June 10 -11, 2022. Pastor Kirsten and three delegates from our congregation—Gaye DeCesare, Mark Victorson, and Gretchen Wilcox—will attend the Assembly. Thank you for giving your time and representing St Matthew’s as we discuss the work of the church as a whole. Currently, there is a Synod in our church that has gathered much attention these last months, the Sierra Pacific Synod. Many around the country have been following the situation in Sierra Pacific Synod, and you may have seen something on social media recently. The situation is complex; but, most simply and directly put, the attention is around the dismissal of a Latiné pastor which resulted in a Latiné worshiping community being left without a home, without support, and without a pastor. The timing and the way it was handled by their Bishop has been strongly questioned and largely condemned as racism at work. There have been calls for the resignation of the Bishop of the Sierra Pacific Synod both from within the synod and beyond. The Sierra Pacific is a synod in crisis. We are called to pray for them even as we are called to hold each synod and all leaders accountable for their work and actions. We are called to look out for our siblings in Christ. For more information read the listening team’s report and assessment of the situation. The listening team was requested by Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and sought to create a comprehensive analysis of the situation. There are many more resources and accounts of this situation that can be shared. If you have questions or would like to discuss this situation more, please reach out to Pastor Kirsten. NEWS since June 2:The Washington Post picked up the story on June 3, 2022. On Monday, June 6, the Presiding Bishop wrote on social media: “The Conference of Bishops (COB) met Sunday evening; Bishop Megan Rohrer chose not to attend. I shared that I am initiating the discipline process immediately, including suspension of Bishop Rohrer, based on additional information that has come to light. The COB strongly affirmed this decision. This process will take time, and I will provide updates as appropriate. I ask for your continued prayers for this church.” Later that day, the Vice-President of the Sierra Pacific Synod Council wrote this account of the events around Bishop Rohrer’s resignation. I invite you to continue to keep the Sierra Pacific Synod, and especially all those directly affected, in your prayers. This situation is unsettling on many levels. As I have said before, if you would like to discuss it, please reach out to me. Praying our way forward, Pastor Kirsten |
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