A Note from Bishop Suzanne Darcy Dillahunt
Back to NewsDear Southern Ohio Synod Rostered Ministers & Congregations,
Grace and peace to you in the name of our risen Savior, Jesus Christ.
Many of you have been following the events that have occurred in the Sierra Pacific Synod since December 12, 2021; for some of you this may be brand new information. We have included links to some of the more recently released documents.
On Friday, May 27th, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton issued a report, detailing her response to the the Listening Panel Report (included below).
On Saturday, May 28th, the Asociación de Ministerios Latinos de la ELCA, Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries, and European Descent Lutheran Association for Racial Justice (EDLARJ) issued a statement in response. On this same day, the ELCA Listening Team issued this statement.
On Wednesday, June 1st, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton issued a statement regarding why the entire Listening Panel report was not released. In that statement, the entirety of the Listening Panel report was released, which contains a more detailed background of the events of the past 6 months.
The Conference of Bishops met Sunday evening; Bishop Megan Rohrer chose not to attend. The Presiding Bishop shared with us that she is initiating the discipline process immediately, including suspension of Bishop Rohrer, based on additional information that has come to light. The COB strongly affirmed her decision to do this. This process will take time, and Bishop Eaton will provide updates as appropriate. We remain committed to praying for this church.
God of Grace, forgiveness and reconciliation:
We pray for the whole church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Southern Ohio Synod, its congregations, universities (Capital University & Wittenberg University), seminary (Trinity Lutheran Seminary), Synod Authorized Worshipping Communities, Cultivate and Collaborative ministries, developing, redeveloping ministries, institutions.
We pray for our oneness in Jesus Christ as we witness in all ministries in this mission territory.
Neighbors, communities and the world cry out in pain and hurt over divisions, racism, biases.
Where there is error, direct it;
hurt, heal it;
need, provide for it;
wrong, reform it;
right, strengthen it.
May we see your face in each other as we live out our baptismal calling.
We pray in the name of Jesus, the risen Savior for the sake of the World.
Amen.
In Christ,
Bishop Dillahunt