I Baptize You with Water

As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals.”
—Luke 3:15-17; 21-22

Dear members of the North Carolina Synod,

The last existential ministerial crisis I experienced brought me to a wise colleague pastor 25 years ago, at the end of a seven-year pastoral ministry. I shared with my colleague the grief, uncertain future, and the ever-present struggle to discern God’s will, he smiled, looked at me, and said, “There is and always will be a place in God’s Kingdom for Alfredo.”

In the Gospel reading for Sunday, January 12, it is inspiring to read John the Baptist’s words, the greatest of the prophets in Jesus’ opinion. John the Baptist knew his place in God’s Kingdom, he wasn’t lured by people’s opinions and worldly standards of greatness rooted in power and recognition, rather, in humility, to people’s expectations, he answered: “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals.” It is in this context, I express my gratitude to you all, though it has been a short two-year journey together sharing ministry, it has been meaningful; in this context, I wanted to share the letter below:

NC Synod Council
Ms. Diana G. Haywood, Vice President
The Rev. Dr. Timothy Marcus Smith, Bishop

RE: Resignation

Dear Synod Council, Vice President Diana G. Haywood, and Bishop Timothy Marcus Smith,

In light of the transitions our synod is going through, including an oncoming bishop election, budget revision, and the coterminous nature of Assistants to the Bishop callings, and after prayerful consideration, I have decided to submit this letter of early resignation to my call as an Assistant to the Bishop for Leadership and Coordination of Pastoral Care for Rostered and Lay Ministers, effective January 31, 2025. Thank you for your support and commitment to further the ministry of our synod.

In conversation with our bishop, we have agreed upon the terms of this resignation and the public communication timeline to the synod at large, which will be made public via a Rostered Ministers Letter to be published on the synod website the first week of January 2025.

Thank you for your faithfulness,
In the Love of Christ,

The Rev. Dr. Alfredo M Oviedo
Assistant to the Bishop

Happy New Year!