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03/08/2013

Bishop Holloway Retirement Notice

Dear Southern Ohio Synod Council and Members and Friends of the Southern Ohio Synod:

It was with great joy and a sense of adventure that I accepted the call as Bishop of this wonderful synod. Although there have been some challenges, my personal sense of joy in my service has not only been characterized by submission and obedience to God, but also by gratitude to God for giving us to one another as partners in the Gospel. These 17 years as Bishop are part of God’s gracious claim on me.

Together we have accomplished so much: establishing and receiving new congregations, the founding of the Leadership Institute, the Institute for Mission, Congregational Renewal Program, relocating our Synod Offices, the establishment of the Advancing God’s Mission Foundation, Faith Trek, and the Youth, Young Adult and Family Ministries Program.

It is with this joy-filled gratitude, touched by a sense of sadness, that I tender my notice of retirement as Bishop, effective August 31, 2013. This decision has not come easily, but it is necessary.

I am dealing with a temporary unresolved medical issue, which, I am told, will be resolved. In the meantime, the mission and ministry of the synod cannot be put on hold as I wait to fully recover. This is a crucial time in the life of our partnership and mission (revision of our synod Mission Strategy, ELCA Restructuring, US economic recovery, et cetera). Having had a 3 month sabbatical leave, adding onto it an undetermined time for additional restorative leave is not fair to the synod.

Therefore, I concluded the best thing to do is to carry out only my essential tasks until a new bishop is elected and installed. Timing of this notice is important because the synod also deserves some adequate time for discernment. I look forward to again offering myself to the church for future service without reserve or hesitation. I am confident that I will be fully restored, but for now, the synod and I need more certainty, and God’s mission deserves all the vigor and excellence we can offer. I have discussed this with my family and Presiding Bishop Hanson. If I have not recovered, or if my condition worsens, I will remain in retirement and continue to make disciples as best I can, as a lay person.

I love you, one and all. I thank you for the call to the Office of Bishop entrusted to me. I will do everything possible to assure that the new bishop has the benefit of a strong and joyful transition into office and a strong partner in me.

I will continue to keep you in my prayers, knowing that you will do the same for me.

Yours in Christ,

Cal

Callon W. Holloway Jr., Bishop
Southern Ohio Synod
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

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