The assembly continued the process to elect a new Presiding Bishop, beginning with speeches from the seven remaining nominees. The nominees all appeared by Zoom, introducing themselves and casting their vision for the future of the ELCA and the office of Presiding Bishop. The assembly then cast the third ballot. Bishops Yehiel Curry, Kevin Strickland, and Tracie Bartholomew moved on to the fourth ballot. The three remaining nominees for Presiding Bishop engaged in a Q&A, reflecting on questions about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), relationships between lay and rostered leaders, and stewardship of the churchwide organization.
After the fourth ballot, Bishops Yehiel Curry and Kevin Strickland remained, and both answered a question about a piece of scripture that has impacted them and their ministry – Bishop Strickland reflected on John 20:18, Mary Magdalene’s encounter with the risen Christ, and Bishop Curry reflected on Jesus’ reading of the scroll of Isaiah in Luke 4. The assembly cast the fifth ballot and Bishop Yehiel Curry was elected as the 5th Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, celebrated by a joyous church.
Bishop Curry addressed the assembly saying “…I am what a return on your investment looks like” recounting his journey from lay-mission developer, to pastor, to bishop, and now Presiding Bishop. Presiding Bishop Curry will begin his 6-year term in three months.
Before lunch, the assembly gathered for worship and Eucharist. In his sermon, Bishop-elect Rev. Dr. Imad Haddad of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, preached on the story of the Good Samaritan. Bishop-elect Haddad recounted how he regularly traverses the very same road as the beaten man in the story, a road which is still dangerous today. Checkpoints, soldiers, and constant uncertainty about safety and security are a daily occurrence. Bishop-elect Haddad asked the assembly not to turn away from the neighbor in Palestine, not to abandon our Palestinian siblings to death and starvation, and to embrace the call to love the neighbor for the life of the world.
After lunch, Chad Rimmer, the Rector and Dean of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, led the assembly in a theological exploration of the theme “For the Life of the World.” Dr. Rimmer reflected on the relational nature of the Holy Spirit, the creative power and capacity of love, and how the anxiety of getting it wrong paralyzes us into doing nothing in the pursuit of justice. But, Dr. Rimmer reminded, the Lutheran commitment to justification by faith sets us free from that anxiety. We will fail, but the proclamation of grace and justification will transform our anxiety and free us to participate in the life of the world to come.
Following the election of Presiding Bishop-elect Yehiel Curry, Secretary Sue Rothmeyer gave her report, and the assembly began the process for electing a new Secretary. There were 640 legal ballots cast, with 104 candidates receiving votes. Matthew Riegel, bishop of the West Virginia-Western Maryland Synod, received the most votes (61). The assembly recognized Deacon Sue Rothmeyer for her six years of service, and her 30 years of work and ministry. Thank you, Secretary Rothmeyer!
After dinner, Bishop-elect Rev. Dr. Imad Haddad of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, addressed the assembly again. In his comments, he spoke to the suffering and ethnic cleansing taking place in Gaza, saying, “We resist by existing. Our Lutheran identity calls us to abide, in Jesus, and with our people, and bear fruits in our land.” He expressed his concern that the Christian presence in the Holy Land is near extinction, with many having been killed and others fleeing violence. Bishop-elect Haddad encouraged the assembly to stand up and speak boldly, saying:
“Our churches are part of the same vine. When you speak clearly about justice for Palestinians, that
is bearing fruit. When you hold your government accountable…that is bearing fruit. When the world dehumanizes Christian Palestinians and you stand up for Indigenous Christians…that is bearing fruit. We need your accompaniment more than ever. Listen to the voices of Christian Palestinians and then raise them in prayer and action.”
Bishop Eaton assured the assembly that the ELCA will continue to accompany and stand in solidarity with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land.
Bishop Susan Johnson, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, also addressed the assembly recommitting to the strong and mutual relationship between our two church bodies, and giving thanks for Bishop Elizabeth Eaton and her support as friend and colleague, saying “This is a very hard and lonely job, and there are very few people who can share those experiences. Bishop Eaton has been an incredible support to me and so to my church.” Bishop Johnson also named challenges facing the ELCIC, saying “Three of our synods will be out of funding in three years, the national church in maybe four. This is the Holy Spirit bringing us to our knees saying, ‘wake up, it is time to do something new.’ But God is not done with us.” Bishop Johnson prayed that Presiding Bishop-elect Yehiel Curry and Bishop-elect Larry Kochendorfer of the ELCIC will have the kind of close working relationship that she has enjoyed with Bishop Elizabeth Eaton.
The assembly continued to consider memorials, including an amended Stand for Palestinian Rights and End to Occupation of Palestine. There was passionate and thoughtful debate on this memorial beginning in the morning and concluding in the evening, including a number of additional amendments. The assembly passed the amended memorial committing to strong action in support of Palestinians.
Following the conclusion of the last plenary, many of the assembly voting members gathered at Peace Park near St. Mary’s Basilica for a candlelight vigil hosted by AMMPARO, showing support for just and humane policies affecting migrants in and outside the US.