Social Media team member Pastor Lauren Muratore has your daily digest here.
On the last day of our annual gathering in Ocean City, MD Bishop Wolfgang laid some Latin on the Assembly- ecclesia semper reformanda est: the church is always to be reforming. You’d think we wouldn’t need the reminder (being from a tradition that grew out of the Great Reformation and all), but we sure do. So, Synod Assembly 2015 was filled with encouragement, challenge, and hope for the future of our ever-reforming church.
There were two major business session highlights:
- The Assembly passed the 2016 Faith Spending Plan as proposed.
- Voting members unanimously supported our synod's proposal to raise $2.5 million for the ELCA's Always Being Made New Campaign. $2 million will go to the ELCA, and $500,000 will stay right here in our synod. To make your personal or congregational pledge to the campaign, you can visit our website.
Throughout the Assembly, voices of the reformation came from far and wide.
The Rev. Dr. John Nunes invited us to think creatively and imaginatively about how we do church. Amen.
The ELCA Glocal musicians led us with tempos and languages from around the globe, singing mission in lyrics like “God will delight when we are creators of justice, joy, compassion, and peace.” Amen.
Guests from the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland and our companion churches in Finland and Estonia embodied gospel by their presence, perspective, and partnership. Amen.
During closing worship Bishop Matti Repo of Finland drew us an image of the ocean- so vast and unknowable. He spoke to us about the wind that blows- so constant and unpredictable. He painted a picture of where we are- in a scary “what’s next?” time for the church. Amen.
And then Bishop Repo quoted St. Bridget, in the words of an ancient and modern plea, a prayer to the Spirit who guides us- “Show me the way and make me ready to follow it. It is dangerous to delay, yet perilous to go forward.” Amen.
It’s true- reformations don’t come easy. But as I reflect on all the truth that was spoken, and all of the work that was done this past weekend, I can’t help but feel like we’re walking together in Christ on a kind of epic adventure, for the sake of the world. Adventures bring uncertainty alongside opportunity. Adversity alongside overwhelming joy. When the Spirit of the living God invites us on an adventure we can expect only surprises. Well. Surprises and abundant life. Surprises and unconditional love. Surprises and a future full of promise.
So, church, we venture on, reforming as we are led. Fearing nothing. Hoping all things.
Singing:
Though I am small, my God, my all,
you work great things in me,
And your mercy will last from the depths of the past
to the end of the age to be.
Amen.