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Grateful!
Thanks to author Adrienne Maree Brown's writings, I think about gratitude more as a spiritual practice than a feeling. But last Saturday, it was definitely the feeling of gratitude that I experienced as I was overwhelmed by all of you and by all of the time, passion, creativity, skill, and energy poured out into the installation celebration.
Almost 600 of us gathered at Saint Matthew Lutheran Church in Walnut Creek. It was beautiful and inspirational, provocative and challenging, prayerful and deeply spirit-filled.
A heartfelt thanks to Pr. Rustin Comer and the team and people at Saint Matthew for hosting the Synod in your beautiful church! (This, on a Saturday when you were already fully booked with thousands of your neighbors who came to the church early in the morning for your annual Santa's Craft Workshop event and Photos with Santa. Really impressive.)
Thanks to the artistry and vision of Sam LaDue and her team, this already beautiful sanctuary was transformed into an extraordinary space for the Installation with paintings, lighting, banners, candles, font, aisle runner, etc. Thank you, Sam! Amazing!
Thanks to the musical talent and direction of Martin Morley, the selection of music, cantors, vocalists, jazz instrumentalists, organist, choirs, singing bowls, flutist, all flowed together seamlessly to lead, support, and encourage our liturgical action and prayer together.
Thanks to each of you and your financial support, more youth will be able to attend the Gathering in New Orleans this summer because of your generous gifts totaling over $7,000.
So, so many of your offered talent and spiritual gifts throughout the liturgy by leading, splashing water, evoking, proclaiming, interpreting, chanting, assisting, invoking, processing, blessing, distributing, encouraging, and provoking.
I was energized and intrigued by the diversity of languages spoken throughout the service. My spirit was strengthened by Pr. Martin Sauter (St. Finian's, Dublin), who sang the Irish blessing at the end of the liturgy. I was moved by the provoking presence of our preacher, Bishop Karen Oliveto.
Bishop Karen joined LGBT current and former Lutheran bishops, notably the Rev. Kevin Strickland, the Rev. Brenda Bos, and the Rev. Guy Erwin. I am privileged and delighted to serve with Bp. Kevin and Bp. Brenda as part of the current Conference of Bishops.
Special thanks also to visiting Bishop colleagues and other dignitaries — from our Synod in the past, other Synods in the ELCA, and partner churches and interfaith communities. I was encouraged by the unifying presence of our former Bishops, Claire, Dave, and Lyle. (Bp. Mark also would have been present but for a previously scheduled important family gathering).
Thanks to the Episcopal bishops who gifted the Synod with a new crozier and to Bishop Medardo Gomez and the Rev. Christian Chavarria, who crafted another one of Salvadoran wood for our use. These are stunning symbols of our unity in Christ and an important show of support and affirmation for the relationships we each have with one another.
I was surrounded by so many friends and family: Phyllis and Ruth, Greg, Amalia, Erik, Jeff, Kurt, and Jayne, and so many others. I was blessed by the love and presence of beloved Pepe, my parents, siblings, cousins, and many others from my family.
There are many photos online from the event. Our photographer, Brian Troutwine, offers some additional ones here. Thank you, Brian.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without the leadership and coordination of our Installation co-chairs, the Rev. Janet Katari and the Rev. Crystal Larson Stewart; the Liturgy co-chairs, the Rev. Sara Schultz and the Rev. Clare McElaney; the Reception lead, the Rev. Dianne Wendt, and all of their leaders and teams!
Please hold them in your hearts. So many people made this event happen. Here's the list of most of our key organizers without whom the Installation would not have been possible:
Installation Team Leads: the Rev. Janet Katari and the Rev. Crystal Larsen Steward
Liturgy Team Leads: the Rev. Sara Schultz and the Rev. Clare McElaney
Art and Environment Lead: Sam LaDue
Music Director: Martin Morley
Reception Lead: the Rev. Dianne Wendt
Bishops Lead: Christine Sinnott
Ecumenical and Interfaith Dignitaries Leads: the Rev. John Kuehner and the Rev. Ben Colahan
Bulletin: Gretchen Raugh
Spanish Interpretation: the Rev. Susan Birkelow
Sacristan: the Rev. Katy Grindberg
Bread Baker: Greg Brorby
Saint Matthew's Team Leads: the Rev. Rustin Comer and Diane Fairbanks
Tech Team: Tom Aragon and Tom Hoegel
Communications: Mandi Slagle
Counters: Debbie Cook and Scott Taylor
Photographer: Brian Troutwine
Playlist: Bennett Falk
Ushers: members of the Synod Council
Greeters and Guiding: members of WELCA
Simon Wong, Scott Taylor, Debbie Cook, Melanie Gordon, and all the Synod staff, council, and leaders. As well as those who donated to help underwrite the weekend's expenses.
My heart overflows with gratitude for each of you and our ministry in this Synod. As we move forward from this day, let us commit to making gratitude for our common work together a central spiritual practice in our life with one another. May this practice sustain our work together on the road to Emmaus. May our grateful hearts burn within us as we encounter Christ Emmanuel within us, in one another, and in the strangers we meet together on the road.
+Jeff
Bishop, Sierra Pacific Synod
Evangelical Lutheran in America
bishopjeff@spselca.org
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