NC Synod Vice President Diana Haywood said goodbye on the final day of the synod assembly. Well, at least goodbye to the position she has held for close to two decades as vice president, a role that has made her both familiar to and beloved by everyone in the synod.

She has guided the proceedings of quarterly synod council meetings, NC Synod Gatherings, and NC Synod Assemblies with grace, poise, and skill beside two bishops (now bishop emeriti): first Bishop Leonard Bolick and then Bishop Tim Smith. She has steered the synod’s African Descent Strategy Team that opened the door to opportunities for Lutherans of African descent to fully participate in the work of the synod and create an inclusive church that is welcoming to all.

As she reflected on this year’s Assembly, Diana spoke of both beginnings and endings. On endings, she called this assembly “the end of her call.” Yet she reminded everyone that this assembly is also the beginning of a new era for synod leaders. She spoke of the blessing her tenure has been, the welcoming and love of the people of the synod, and the gifts that abound in congregations around the synod.

In opening worship, Bishop Tim reminded us to “pursue a Jesus world, full of less certainty, more doubt, and more faith. Being an inclusive church is hard work,” and that we need to “call a thing a thing.” Some of what Diana called things were about the “awesome things happening around the synod. We recognized a Navy chaplain for his outstanding service. We welcomed a new congregation, Emmaus, Charlotte. We were blessed by the presence and message of Pastor Tita Valeriano, ELCA Director of Asian and Pacific Islander Ministries, who led Bible Study on Friday morning, and Deacon MaryAnn Schwabe, who skillfully guided the assembly through the election process.

“We were part of a call committee of more than 500 people, and we voted to elect new leaders for this synod. We are in great hands, and exciting times are ahead. Tell everyone that Cameron McCall is the new NC Synod Vice President, and that Jill Nelson is the new NC Synod Secretary. We are in great hands. Tell everyone that we elected Bishop Emily Hartner. We are in great hands.”

During the assembly, Diana summarized, we were reminded that we are all church together, and that congregations, the synod, and the ELCA agencies and institutions depend on each other. We are church together, and church for the sake of the world.

Soon-to-be-former Vice President Haywood expressed her gratitude to the synod staff, calling them “the absolute best.” She spoke repeatedly of the people of the North Carolina Synod, and the “support, love, and encouragement you have shown me. I have served with and called on so many of you, and I have been amazed at how often you have said yes when I have called on you to share your gifts with the synod.”

“I am so proud to have been your NC Synod VP. Words cannot express how truly honored I have been, and how much I have been prayed for and supported in this synod. Also, the North Carolina Synod knows how to throw a party. One was thrown this weekend!”

In closing, Diana reflected on the words of a favorite hymn, that she says she “carries in her heart:”

Lead me, guide me, along the way.
For if you lead me, I cannot stray.
Lord, let me walk each day with thee.
Lead me, oh Lord, lead me.

As her final prayer for the people of the North Carolina Synod, she referred to the opening sermon: “ I pray that amid our differences, and our righteous therefores, that we may be rooted in Christ, our Because, and thus hold up rather than break down and that we find unity in diversity.”

Looking back over all that took place this weekend, her final words to the assembly were the same as they have been for many years. They express her love for the people of this synod and the work we do together: “North Carolina is the place to be!”

We give thanks to God for the gift that is Diana Haywood. Her tireless service as vice president has been a blessing to this synod, and we will be forever grateful.