It is with the mixed feelings of excitement and trepidation that I write to you, now, as your bishop. Thank you for placing your trust in me as I seek to serve you—and this synod—as faithfully as I can.

As you read this, my family and I—husband Ian and son Oliver (9)—are on a vacation that we have had planned for almost a year, so while I am officially your bishop, my first real day in the office will be Monday, August 18. I have asked Pastor Phil Tonnesen, assistant to the bishop, to serve as interim bishop until that time. August 18 is also the day my synodical email account (ehartner@nclutheran.org) goes live, and when my office phone (704-680-9555) will be activated—in short, that’s the day I “hit the ground running.”

I’ve received a number of questions in conversation with folks that I thought might be worth addressing here:

1. Will you be moving to Salisbury? No, we do not anticipate moving to Salisbury. We live in Huntersville, which is only about a 35-minute commute to the synod office, and we’re trying to minimize the disruptions for Oliver, including a change in school.
2. Where will you attend church? Well, all across the synod! As for membership, we don’t know yet. I’m letting Ian and Oliver guide that decision since, up until this point, they’ve had to attend where I’ve been pastor.
3. What about staffing? The three Assistants to the Bishop (Pastor Phil Tonnesen, Pastor CeCee Mills,* and Pastor Cassie Overcash) had calls that were coterminous with Bishop Tim’s. As a way to honor their sense of call, the synod council has issued six-month term calls to each of them. These term calls give us six months to work together, learn from each other, and discern what’s best for the future. Six months also sets a deadline by which we will reevaluate. We will be hiring a new Director for Evangelical Mission. Stay tuned for that job posting, happening soon.
4. How overwhelmed are you? I’m actually not feeling that overwhelmed (!)…yet. The Bishop’s Transition Team and the New Bishop’s Formation Event (“Baby Bishops School”) have been incredibly helpful, and Bishop Tim has been generous with his time and wisdom to help make the transition as smooth as possible.
5. What are you most excited about? So much! I’m mostly excited about seeing what ministry is happening across the synod. Though I’ve been involved in synodical and churchwide work for some time now, I haven’t been in many congregations outside of the Charlotte area.
6. Tell us about your family. My husband of 16 years, Ian, is a data engineer for a small data company based in Cornelius. Originally from south Jersey, he is an avid Philadelphia Phillies fan. Our son, Oliver, will be entering the fourth grade this fall and loves all things sports, but mostly soccer (he’s a goalie!). He also—pray for us—just started taking drum lessons. I grew up in Newton, at Beth Eden Lutheran Church, where my parents are still members. My brother and his family live in Conover.

Again, I am so excited to move into this new role and to be engaged in ministry with you. I also want to hear from you. Please reach out with questions and concerns, dreams and visions. As I said at assembly: I love you, I love Jesus, and I really do have much hope for the church.

*Editor’s note: Bishop Emily wrote this reflection prior to the 2025 ELCA Churchwide Assembly, where Pastor CeCee Mills was elected to be the next secretary of the ELCA. That call for Pastor CeCee begins November 1. Stay tuned to synod communications in the weeks to come for additional synod staffing news.