Originally published in the 2025 Synod Assembly Notebook
Dear Friends in Christ,
We are gathering as a synod under the theme Wellsprings of God’s Love. What does that mean precisely? A congregation is a Wellspring of God’s love when the good news of God’s love and grace is preached and heard, and the sacraments are celebrated faithfully. We may forget how rare and radical that is! Further, we hear this message and feast on the Lord’s Supper with people from various walks of life. We do not agree on all things, but we come together to pray Lord have mercy, to pray for the needs of our community and the world, to hear the good news proclaimed. We are honest, as individuals and entire communities, about both our sinfulness and that we remain beloved children of God. And then we all come to the table and feast on bread and wine, receiving life and mercy. Whenever the synod staff and council speak of our many ministry sites as Wellsprings of God’s Love, this is what we are naming. A Wellspring of God’s Love, has some of the following:
Love
Welcome
Generosity
Compassion
Openness
Curiosity
Forgiveness
Partnerships
Large congregations, small congregations partnering with another denomination, a bit more urban, a bit more rural, in the shadow of the Cascades, Tetons, or Selkirks, along the banks of the Wenatchee, Spokane, Snake, Boise, Salmon, or one of many creeks, amidst fields of wheat, soy beans, fruit trees, vineyards, corn, or more wheat, I am grateful you are already a Wellspring of God’s Love.
Synod Vice President Lisa Therell did a wonderful job in her report, updating you on so much that has happened in the synod, so I am going to spend this report mostly looking ahead. I cannot say what will ensure that so many ministries will continue to be Wellsprings of God’s Love. I believe first it will mean being faithful to the gospel we proclaim. Of course, I celebrate when that same gospel leads to ministries that help actual bodies, when the Communion table extends to free meals or food pantries or ministries of welcome and belonging to those on the margins of society. Ours is a faith concerned about what happens after one dies AND about lived faith here and now. Further, in our context, the notion that Christians care about poverty, housing, inclusivity, and those on the margins is not always the norm and our witness through various mutual aid ministries points powerfully to the love of Jesus Christ. At the same time, the one thing we have that most other nonprofits do not have is the gospel itself. We will always need ministries that faithfully preach the gospel and celebrate the sacraments, the means of God’s grace.
Second, it will mean continuing to equip lay people in all our ministries. One of the fun surprises of being bishop is the number of opportunities I am given to nominate or send people to be part of online or in-person learning opportunities. I continue to believe that the best leaders (lay people, deacons, and pastors) are those who remain curious and integrate their learning into ministry. We have created a few cohorts of our own in the synod and I hope these continue to grow. These include our partnership with the Montana Synod’s Lay Ministry Associate Program, monthly church council check-in, monthly transitional leaders gathering, Consultation Committee meeting online to learn Bowen Family Systems Theory, and periodic study groups online. None of these are programs for simply having more programs. They ensure that we are inviting people from our communities to the table of Holy Communion, the soup supper table, and so many other tables. These opportunities are meant to help you tend to the Wellspring of God’s Love in your unique contexts.
Third, as I look ahead to the next few years, collaboration of all kinds will continue to be key. Ministries of all sizes will need to be in relationship with others, including nonprofits, neighbors, and other churches. I have prioritized and enjoyed nurturing ecumenical relationships for their intrinsic value but also because I hope they will bear fruit. I love hearing how you all are fostering ecumenism locally. Part of ecumenism is listening deeply and learning from our siblings, in Bible and book studies, during service opportunities, and even during Holy Communion liturgies. Another part of ecumenism is being bold about the gifts our Lutheran tradition and theology bring to the table. A wellspring is connected to other creeks and streams and aquifers and each of the Wellsprings in our synod our connected to Jesus Christ, the source of all living water.
Fourth, how we gather as a synod will be important. At our fall 2024 synod council meeting we decided on a new rotation of assemblies and regional gatherings, having learned and experienced so much together. Next spring we will have an in-person assembly, details still being worked out as I write this. In 2027 and 2028 we will have regional gatherings and a business assembly online during which we will hold elections, vote on our budget/mission spending plan, and vote on resolutions. I assume these online business assemblies will feel and look much like our special online assembly in 2024. Then in 2029 (bishop’s election year) we will be back in person. So, two years online with regional gatherings, one year in person, then the rotation starts again. This is what our siblings in the Oregon Synod have done for some time. It may seem like this is closing off connections, but our motivation is to make our gatherings, our tables, more affordable, more accessible, and ultimately more welcoming.
Also related to how we gather are our clusters. When the Eastern WA-ID Synod was formed during the inception of the ELCA in 1988, we had 114 congregations. We currently have 80 congregations plus our specialized ministries (campus ministries, outdoor ministries….). We are not ready to change our constitution yet, regarding clusters, but will be practicing with some new clusters. Immanuel, Moses Lake will be part of North Central. The rest of Big Bend along with the Mount Spokane will join Spokane Westward for one large cluster. Spokane Valley and North Idaho clusters will practice being together. Palouse and Tsceminicum will continue together, as they have for several years. Assuming we vote as an Assembly to welcome Christ the King, Milton-Freewater to the synod, and it is approved at Churchwide Assembly this summer, Christ the King will join the Lower Columbia Basin Cluster. Nothing will change with South Central, Treasure Valley, or Upper Snake River Clusters.
Finally, we as a synod have a new ministry to nourish in Cultivating Justice, a Synod Authorized Outreach Ministry, in Wenatchee. I wonder what other new ministries might we start together as congregations, entire clusters, or a synod? What is the Holy Spirit calling us to next? Who is alone, neglected, outcast? Who do we not yet see around the table? Who do we perceive as enemy, who we know Jesus has called us to love? If Jesus traversed our synod, where would he show up specifically? Where is there need for a new Wellspring of God’s love?
I want to include here some thank yous. First, thanks to the amazing team I work with each week: Executive Assistant Cathy Steiner, Assistant to the Bishop Phil Misner, and DEM Liv Larson Andrews. We each bring different gifts and life experiences to this synod ministry and the whole synod is better for it. Cathy will be on sabbatical June and July and we are grateful to announce that former synod staffer and longtime volunteer registrar Diana Abken will be stepping in and providing office support. Thanks also to our contracted staff Lin Carlson who manages the website and produces our e-newsletter. Thank you to Vice President Lisa Therrell for her leadership, wisdom, love for the synod, and partnership and thanks to the entire synod council. Thanks to everyone who serves on one of the long-standing or brand-new committees or teams in our synod.
In closing, on Transfiguration Sunday, many of us sang You Lord, are Both Lamb and Shepherd from All Creation Sings. The tune has long been a favorite of mine; tune and lyrics together continue to haunt me in that holy way a hymn can. I leave you with the final verse, a prayer of thanksgiving for the one who loves us and who we praise:
Worthy is our earthly Jesus!
Worthy is our cosmic Christ!
Worthy your defeat and vict'ry;
worthy still your peace and strife.
You, the everlasting instant;
you, who are our death and life.
-Bishop Meggan Manlove