I have just returned from the Spring Conference of Bishops Meeting near Chicago - no, I didn't bring you anything...   Well, in a way I did.  I and my 64 colleagues and Bp. Hanson are bringing you a pastoral letter, written in the closing hours of our time together.   The letter summarizes our deliberation on the recently released Social Statement on Human Sexuality, as well as the Report and Recommendations of the Task Force with respect to the implications of the Statement on rostering issues in our church.  The full text of this letter may be found at http://tinyurl.com/54cu99 on the ELCA Web site.  I encourage you to read the letter, and to make it available in your congregation/ministry setting to help us as we continue to prepare for our Synod Assembly in May, and the Churchwide Assembly in August. 
 
The letter reads, in part:
 
"Our conversations in the Conference of Bishops have expressed the diversity of opinion that is common throughout this church. We give thanks for the unity binding us together in Christ, enabling us to listen carefully to one another, and joining us in a shared commitment to the mission of this church. We give witness to the creative possibilities of diverse perspectives within our baptismal unity. We have been led to new appreciation of our diversity, have been driven deeper into Scripture and Confessions, and have discovered new perspectives for life together as the Body of Christ."
 
And again:
 
"We prayerfully trust that God will guide this whole church in the coming months as we walk together in our deliberative processes. We know that our human decisions are often imperfect, but we are confident of God's persistent forgiveness. We are deeply committed to the unity of this church. Whatever decisions the assembly makes, we trust that God's Spirit will form the wisdom of God's faithful people gathered in deliberative assembly. We are prepared to stand together united in our continued service to the Church. May the Spirit align our efforts with God's gracious intent."
 
Please take the time to read the letter in its entirety (I know it's a bit long, but then what would you expect with 66 writers?) and continue to pray and deliberate on the Social Statement and Report and Recommendations.  And in all things, may God order our days and our deeds in God's peace as we walk together in our witness to the saving grace of Christ.
 
Peace,
 
Bp. Mark