Pastor's Message

September 2025

God’s Beloved people,

Our ELCA met for its national assembly (like a big synod assembly or congregational meeting) in Phoenix, AZ July 28th—Aug 2nd.  This happens every 3 years and usually someplace hot in the summer time because we get good hotel rates.  Our own NWIM Synod bishop Meggan Manlove was there and here’s a bit of her summary of the happenings.

We elected Rev. Yehiel Curry as our new churchwide bishop.  Elizabeth Eaton is retiring.  And we elected Rev. CeCee Mills as our secretary.  Both are black ELCA pastors, so it’s a good new day of inclusive leadership for our church!

We elected ELCA Church Council members including the Rev. Dr. Barbara Rossing from Faith Lutheran, Leavenworth.

We adopted our newest Social Statement: Faith and Civic Life and we approved updates to the Human Sexuality Social Statement.

We adopted a Memorial that has us standing for the End of Occupation of Palestine.

We received the Common Statement on the Fillioque, which is that line in the Nicene Creed saying the “Spirit proceeds from the Father [and the Son].”  Now we can work more closely with our Orthodox brothers and sisters.  This had been a dividing point for a thousand years.

We adopted another Memorial on Indian Boarding School Remembrance.

AMMPARO (accompanying minor migrants) held a Candlelight Prayer Vigil for refugees and immigrants.

Every day was grounded in amazing worship services.  We were fed by sermons including from Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and Rev. Imad Mousa Dawood Hadad, new bishop of the ELCA in Jordan and the Holy Land and Rev. Wyvetta Bullock, ELCA executive for administration.

Professor Chad Rimmer from Lutheran Southern Seminary included this great Martin Luther quote in his presentation: 

“This life, therefore is not righteousness but growth in righteousness, not health but healing, not being but becoming, not rest but exercise; we are not yet what we shall be, but we are going toward it; the process is not yet finished, but it is going on; this is not the end, but it is the road; all does not yet gleam in glory, but all is being purified.”

I encourage you to view video clips from the assembly on the ELCA website, including ones introducing us to our new bishop, Rev. Yehiel Curry.  September is upon us with back to school and university, confirmation classes and Bible studies, a visit from 2 Lutheran brothers in Tanzania, and choir just around the corner.  (We’ll have a potluck and presentation on Sunday, September 28th).  Sunday worship continues without interruption at 10am: in person, on YouTube and on KXLE radio.

Carry on in the joy of Jesus my friends! 

 ~ Pastor Dennis