Dear friends, I am writing this reflection from Minneapolis, having just attended the installation of our new ELCA Presiding Bishop, the Rev. Yehiel Curry. I hope that some of you were able to watch the service online. If you missed it, I encourage you to watch it here. It was quite an impressive service, filled with the joyful proclamation of the Gospel, moving music, and the witness of the Church to the way God calls us to serve. Though this service marked the specific call of Presiding Bishop Curry, the preacher, the Rev. Dr. Kevin Vandiver, extended that call to all of us. Preaching on Luke 4 and the moment Jesus gets pushed to the edge of a cliff after preaching his first sermon, Dr. Vandiver reminded us all that the cliff, or the threat of being pushed off of it, does not negate God’s call to any single one of us, clergy and lay alike. The world can feel divisive and dangerous, and we can still be called to proclaim the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

God’s call to God’s people is often marked by moments of transition. If God weren’t calling us to new ventures, there would be no transition; everything would stay the same. Clearly, that is not what’s happening right now. At the ELCA churchwide level, we have a new presiding bishop, secretary (our own Pastor CeCee!), and approximately half of the church council.

And at the synodical level, we have just as much transition—a new bishop, vice president, secretary, and a good portion of the synod council.

And, as you might expect, we have had some transitions on our synod staff.

Pastor CeCee’s departure for the ELCA Secretary position left a position to be filled. I am pleased to announce that the NC Synod Council has called Deacon Wendy Roberts to fill that role. No stranger, Deacon Wendy was already on synod staff, overseeing candidacy, advanced lay ministry, and our Lilly Endowment Inc. project for children’s ministry. Moving into the role of assistant to the bishop, she will now oversee candidacy, advanced lay ministry, and the call process. She comes with 14 years of experience in various roles and settings and will be a great gift to our call process.

Pastor CeCee was also doing the interim work of the director for evangelical mission (DEM). With her departure, we have contracted with the Rev. Dr. Wolfgang Herz-Lane to do the interim DEM work on a half-time basis. We are, however, conducting final interviews with candidates for the DEM position and hope to fill that role by December 1.

I truly believe that times of transition reveal the truth that God continues to call us and that the Holy Spirit continues to stir us lest we become stagnant. Transition is often a sign of renewal. I am grateful for that sense of renewal, both for me personally and for this church.

Please reach out if you have any specific questions regarding the synod office, and rest assured that, as God abides with us, we at the synod office also seek to abide with you.