Unlocking a New Ministry Model
April 8, 2026 | News
“Empowering lay leaders is a way to unlock ministry and giftedness that is often overlooked.”
This past November, Bishop Emily received a surprise gift at her installation: a crozier, commissioned by the NC Synod Council. Thanks be to God for the extraordinary contribution of Holy Trinity, Raleigh, member Larry Hilbert, who handcrafted the crozier just for this occasion, entirely with traditional woodworking tools. 
All the crozier’s wood colors are natural (with the exception of the green-stained European sycamore) and represent a world of color:
Additional thanks go to all who contributed in Bishop Emily’s honor to Lutheran Disaster Response, which totalled $2,622.