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 Calling, we are reminded of the ELCA’s vision to create a world in which God’s love and grace in Christ make a difference for all people and creation. The global and synodical work that we do together brings the ELCA’s vision to life through word, service, and love. Through our shared ministries, we are reminded how we live out our calls to discipleship daily. As the North Carolina Synod, we have provided time and talent through leadership for many churchwide agencies and committees.

Thanks were offered for our Mission Support as Deacon Schwabe noted that the North Carolina Synod’s $1,864,000, which was shared with the ELCA, has allowed for new ways of being church together. This funding has helped to form new startups, missionaries, companion synod relationships, rostered ministers, ecumenical relationships, social statements, worship resources, racial justice & advocacy resources, databases, workshops & trainings, and gatherings.

Through work with ELCA Hunger for over fifty years, we have helped to provide food for families in 62 countries, including the United States. The $363,684 that the NC Synod has given to ELCA World Hunger has helped people like Miriam. Living in Malawi, she has a fuel-efficient stove that saves resources, improves air quality, and helps to start a small business to provide for her family.

In partnership with Lutheran Disaster Response, we continue to walk alongside Miriam’s community that was hit by a cyclone in 2019. Our synod has provided $334,841 to Lutheran Disaster Response, which has helped communities in 55 countries, including the United States, supporting people impacted by wildfires, hurricanes, and more.

Sharing about proposed social statements, we learned that churchwide committees are hard at work discussing matters of faith and civic life. The proposed social statement “Faith and Civic Life: Seeking the Well-Being of All” will be considered at this July’s ELCA Churchwide Assembly. This social statement aims to address religious liberty, Christian vocation, extreme polarization, Christian Nationalism, and law & gospel in relationship to society. This statement proves that ELCA is church for the sake of the world.

At the ELCA Churchwide Assembly (CWA) this summer, the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church will also share its recommendations regarding the organizational structure, the purpose, and the expressions of the ELCA to determine how we can move forward in future ministry. During the July 28- August 02 CWA, the theme “For the Life of the World”, centered around the Nicene Creed, proclaims the life-giving truth of the triune God in Christ Jesus for the world to come. While addressing social statements and recommendations, the assembly will also elect a new presiding bishop and churchwide secretary.

Other great resources are being provided by the ELCA as well. Living Lutheran, the ELCA magazine, is now back in print publication with a subscription fee. Advocacy, Social Justice, and Worship resources are available for congregations and individuals on the ELCA’s website.

Deacon Schwabe also thanked Bishop Smith for his ministry as he had led us faithfully alongside the other 64 synods within the ELCA, helping the NC Synod to be a generous people of faith that shares God’s love at home and throughout the world.

Deacon Schwabe’s report ended with a final video from Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton. Bishop Eaton shared that while her ministry with ELCA churchwide is ending, God’s work does not end. She shared her hometown and congregational ministries with us, discussing how death leads to new life. Although congregational closures and changes are difficult, the Gospel message continues no matter the decade, people, or buildings. Throughout seasonal changes, throughout death, throughout new life, God leads us on a journey and works in, through, and with us so that the Gospel will be preached and heard within the world.

Thanks be to God for the North Carolina Synod’s important contributions to our churchwide ministries!