Complete Story
06/19/2018
Note to the synod: the voice of the Church
Grace and peace be with you in the name of the Risen Jesus Christ.
My dear family of faith in Southern Ohio,
Over this weekend the words to a hymn kept coming to mind, "God of Grace and God of Glory” (ELW 705) specifically, verses 2 and 3 and the pointed words of the refrain: “Grant us wisdom, grant us courage for the living of these days, lest we miss your kingdom’s goal.”
Just over two weeks ago we gathered in assembly under the theme, ‘Being Church Together…Building up the Body of Christ: What does the Lord Require of You?’ We did the business of the Synod and Church, we were in worship together, we heard a powerful keynote from Pastor Jerome Taylor that moved some to action, we heard about the mission and vision of this territory and we passed a resolution speaking against the separation of children from their families. It is increasingly important that the Church’s voice be heard.
Earlier this month, I shared with you that I joined Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and ecumenical and inter-religious partners in a statement addressing concerns over immigration policies and the separation of children from their families. At the assembly, over 200 people voted for and passed a resolution calling the Synod to action…“Therefore be it resolved that this Assembly urge the congregations of the Southern Ohio Synod to appeal to their congressional representatives expressing concern regarding the injustice of separating children from their families seeking refugee status in the United States of America.”
There are many who are hurting in the world from, hunger, abuse, invisibility, racial injustices, poverty, killings, mental health issues, anxiety, and the pain and suffering goes on. As Church, we are Jesus’ presence now. We share and invite others into God’s love and grace. We trust that God is in the middle of the messes and we believe, as the Gospel for this Sunday assures us, even in the storms of life Jesus is there, calming the storms that rage.
Please continue to pray.
Please continue to be the voice of the Church.
Please continue to be part of sharing, inviting and claiming Jesus’ love.
In Christ,
Bishop Suzanne Darcy Dillahunt
PS. If you or your congregation would like resources regarding the issue of immigration and the separation of families, please visit the links below:
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (https://www.lirs.org/).
Article in a recent Living Lutheran: https://www.livinglutheran.
AMMPARO’s ELCA page: https://www.elca.org/ammparo
Blog post from ELCA Advocacy: http://blogs.elca.org/
How to contact your Federal representatives:
House of Representatives: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
Senate: https://www.senate.gov/reference/common/faq/How_to_correspond_senators.htm
