A few weeks ago, I wrote to ask for your prayers for our synod's ministry, particularly with regard to congregations that are considering severing their relationship with the Sierra Pacific Synod and the ELCA.  A brief update:

 

There are now three SPS congregations which have had second votes on this question, and have decided to leave the ELCA --

 

    Grace, Redway

    Concordia, Kingsburg

    Sierra, Auberry

 

Consultations are continuing with congregations that are moving towards a second vote in the near future --

 

    Shepherd of the Valley, Galt (April 18)

    St. John's, Los Banos (April 18)

    Life, Richmond (April 11)

    Chinese, San Francisco (April 11)

    Gloria Dei, San Jose (March 21)

    Emanuel, Lodi (June 13)

 

Two congregations have had votes which did not receive the 2/3 majority required to move forward with the process -- St. Stephen's, El Dorado Hills, and Mt. Zion, Yreka.

 

I want to commend the leadership of these congregations as we have moved through the consultation process.  Our conversations have been reflective of the grace and peace of Christ.  They have been respectful, honest, prayerful discussions about the mission God has given us to reveal Christ through our words and deeds and ministries to the communities we serve.  I ask you to continue to remember these congregations and their members and leaders and pastors in prayer.  It is my hope that the gift of our interdependent ministries will be a persuasive factor in their decisions -- your prayers and encouragement can be helpful evidence of that.

 

On another note -- I am just returning from the Spring Conference of Bishops meeting.  On the ELCA website, there is a news release about an important recommendation that was made by the Conference with regard to the reception of 17 Extraordinary Lutheran Ministry pastors onto the roster of the ELCA.  Several of these ELM pastors serve ministries in our synod.  I look forward to the ELCA Church Council's endorsement of our recommendations for what I believe is an appropriate affirmation of the decisions made at last year's Churchwide Assembly.  More on this will follow in the coming weeks -- but for now, I ask for your prayers for the ELCA Church Council as they meet in April, for these 17 pastors and the ministries they serve, and for the peace and reconciling love of Christ to be evident as we move forward in ministry together.

 

God's peace,

 

Bp. Mark