Deacon Tammy Jones West, chair of the NC Synod Bishop’s Transition Team, offers these important notes on this time of transition: Bishop Tim is still the bishop until August 1. Bishop-elect Emily doesn’t start until then. It’s important to leave well, and goodbyes matter. If you’d like to invite her to anything, know that decisions […]
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In July 2019, in recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the ordination of women, the bishops of Region 9 developed the “Region 9 Bishops’ Relational Agreement for boundaries, candidacy, and call process.” The introductory paragraph of that document states: Committed to always reforming for the health of leaders, vitality of congregations, and the flourishing of
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“God is calling through the whisper of the Spirit’s deepest sighs,…” (GTG 410) God, through those gathered in assembly and under the Holy Spirit’s guidance, has called by the same process a congregation uses to call a pastor, a new bishop for the NC Synod. Each round of voting opened with prayer offered by Deacon
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Walking Together As you may already know, synod means “walking together.” And that’s exactly what we did at the Koury Convention Center last week—not just from one hotel tower to the other, but across roster and geography. Pastors and deacons. SAMs and certified lay preachers. Voting members and guests. From Andrews to Elizabeth City, from
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Forty-four years ago, John Connolly left his home in Gastonia to enlist in the U.S. Navy. After completing his enlistment as a Petty Officer First Class, he took a break from service to be an electrical engineer. After extended discernment, God convinced him to attend seminary and re-don the uniform as a Navy Chaplain Candidate.
Navy Chaplain Connolly Honored by the ELCA Read More »
“In reflection on what Emmaus has been the last seven years, I’m a preacher so allow me to share two parables,” said the Rev. Dr. Shanitria Cuthbertson from the stage of the 2025 North Carolina Synod Assembly. On Saturday, May 31, the faith community Emmaus, previously a mission development, officially joined the NC Synod and
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After ten years of faithful leadership, the Rev. Dr. Timothy Smith decided to retire as bishop of the North Carolina Synod this summer and begin a new chapter of life and ministry. With his departure, the NC Synod Assembly had the good and holy work of electing a new bishop during our assembly in Greensboro,
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Deacon MaryAnn Schwabe opened the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Churchwide Report with greetings on behalf of ELCA Presiding Bishop Eaton and ELCA Secretary Sue Rothmeyer. Deacon Schwabe, as the ELCA’s Executive for Synod Relations, bridges and links synods, bishops, and the ELCA churchwide offices together. Using our synod assembly theme of God is
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You know how the right tune with just the right lyrics can move you? That feeling is a gift straight from God. Throughout the 2025 NC Synod Assembly, we tapped into just such a gift. Our theme, God is Calling, came from the 8th chapter of Romans and the hymn “God is Calling Through the
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God is calling through the whisper of the Spirit’s deepest sighs, through the thrill of sudden beauties that can catch us by surprise. Flash of lightning, crash of thunder; hush of stillness, rush of wonder: God is calling—can you hear? God is calling—can you hear? These are the words that anchored, not only Opening Worship
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