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 won’t be made until August. Click here to put your requests in now.
• We offer all the prayers for both Bishop Tim and Bishop-elect Emily. Big transitions are coming their way!
• Several of you asked about cards for both people. Please send those to the synod office at 1988 Lutheran Synod Dr., Salisbury, 28144.
• Prayers for Emily’s husband, Ian, and their son, Oliver, as her new call begins later this summer.
• Prayers for Holy Trinity, Charlotte, as they say goodbye to their beloved pastor.
• Prayers of gratitude for all those who were part of the call process for our new bishop.
• Prayers for the synod staff as they recover from the assembly. It’s wonderful to be together, but it’s also exhausting. They are such a gift to this church, and I was reminded of that again as I spent time with them. I’d missed them!
• Bishop-elect Emily’s installation will be on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Christ, Charlotte, at 2 p.m. Mark your calendar and plan to join the celebration. All are invited!