08/28/2014

August 2014 Note to the Synod from Bishop Dillahunt

Grace and peace be with you in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.

Amazing visit with Espirito Santo, Brazil, our Companion Synod.

Last week Pr. Bob Ward; Pr. Mick Althauser; Pr. Ed Williams; Ms. Mary Campbell, from the ELCA, and I spent time with Pr. Joanhinio and our brothers and sisters in Christ visiting congregations and ministries throughout the synod. Much of our time was spent seeing ministry in action and how the love of Jesus Christ is shared.  From the "Save our Skin" clinic which treats skin cancer to the Martin Luther house where people who are treated for skin cancer can stay so they do not have to leave their loved ones, to the recycling ministry, to the orphanages, to the sharing of music and worship, we saw first hand how the Lutheran Church in Espírito Santo ministers to their neighbors.  We were all graciously welcomed into people's homes and congregations. 

Currently, St. Jacob, Anna and St. Paul, Botkins have companion congregations in Espírito Santo and out of this trip, Pr. Bob Ward and First English, Columbus will become partners also.

Pr. Ward said this about the ministry he witnessed. “All the pastors in the Vitoria area are passionate about God’s mission. So passionate, in fact, that they’re willing to set aside whatever differences they might have, and yoke themselves together to all pull in the same direction for the same mission. They’re sharing their resources—including assets, people and money—for the common good, so that the Gospel becomes incarnate for the people of Espirito Santo.”

This was a tremendous opportunity for all of us to share in ministry, exchange ideas and strengthen the partnership.

Our last day and a half in Brazil was spent in Porte Alegre, Brazil where we visited with President Fredrick of the national church, IECLB.  We were the first synod of the ELCA to ever visit with them.  We talked about further partnerships and how we can share ideas and ministries.  We then were part of a discussion on sustainability and mission at the Lutheran Seminary in Porte Alegre and the Sustainability Institute as they began a seminar with Lutheran World Federation and the countries from around South and Central America.

Again, I want to thank St. Jacob, Anna for the generosity that made this inspiring visit possible. 

Please visit our synod Facebook page to see the faces and places we visited.

On the homefront. 

At Synod Assembly in June, I said there would be some staff changes coming this fall.  Beginning September 1, we say goodbye to Mr. Jerry Haun who has been a great help in the Candidacy process over these past years and thank him for his service to this synod and the larger church.

Since becoming bishop last September I have prayed how to best staff this synod for our work in the Gospel. As you know, we have an Assistant to the Bishop and a Director for Evangelical Mission, which is a position in the ELCA. As we look to the future, we will be adding a part-time Assistant to the Bishop for congregational and rostered leader care. This assistant will be named shortly with more details coming soon.   

Pr. Jeff Wick, Assistant to the Bishop, will oversee all call processes in congregations, rostered leaders mobility, candidacy and leadership development. Director for Evangelical Mission (DEM/ELCA), Pr. Ed Williams will oversee evangelism, stewardship/mission support, renewing congregations and new mission starts, vision and mission planning in all congregations, stewardship education and worship.

As you can see, all of us will relate to all of the synod, rather than one person being responsible for a particular geographic area of the synod.  Once our new part-time assistant is introduced to you, more details on how all of this will work and whom you contact for what ministry will become clearer. 

Just so you don't panic, Gary Pecuch remains as Youth and Family Ministry Director, Susan Barton-Nonno remains as Communications Director, Kim Uemura remains as Administrative Assistant to the Bishop and DEM, Gabrielle Hudecek remains as Administrative Assistant for Roster and Candidacy and Joy Hacker continues working with us in congregational and budget tracking. 

Look for an announcement very soon and more details on how all of this new way of ‘Being Church Together’ will unfold. Thanks for your patience and prayers. If you would like more information on Companion Synod partnership please contact the office.

Blessings,

Bishop Dillahunt