The day began with morning prayer and a powerful sermon by Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie from the National Council of Churches – reminding the assembly that “…prayer is not what we whisper at night when we go to bed, but prayer is what we risk when we rise in the morning.”

Bishop Eaton presented her final Report of the Presiding Bishop, beginning by reminding the assembly of the four platforms that have guided her ministry: we are church, we are Lutheran, we are church together, and we are church for the sake of the world.

  • We are church: Bishop Eaton reminded the assembly that we exist for the proclamation of the Gospel, that our first and foremost job is the proclamation of the word and the administration of the sacraments, and that we are freed in Christ to love and serve the neighbor. “I am concerned that our church is not always clear about that. If we cannot name the name, and put ourselves under the power and protection of Jesus, than we should just go out of business as the church. Jesus has become wallpaper for a lot of us. We need to make sure that we are grounded in scripture and prayer, because then we can start to live that prayer.”
  • We are Lutheran: Bishop Eaton urged the assembly to engage and embody the Lutheran witness to the Gospel, and to embody the priesthood of all baptized. She encouraged every voting member to read their small catechism. Bishop Eaton spoke against the sin of Christian Nationalism, saying “You do not need to be a US citizen to be a Christian.”
  • We are church together: Bishop Eaton lifted up the Common Statement on the Filioque as an incredible example of the Spirit’s ability to build bridges and heal divides. She reminded the assembly that the creeds of this church unite us across the world and across time, and that we must take them seriously and engage them regularly.
  • We are church for the sake of the world: Bishop Eaton lifted up the work of World Hunger and Lutheran World Disaster and announced work towards an upcoming “season of jubilee” focusing on reparations and support for economic development, leadership training, and support for schools, in communities that have often lived on the margins of the ELCA.

Bishop Eaton also called on the assembly and the whole church to support Presiding Bishop-elect Yehiel Curry, saying “The Holy Spirit has raised up this new shepherd for our church – but this is not his alone to do. We should be praying for Bishop Curry and his family every day. He has been called to draw us together, to do this work together, and to call on this whole church to get busy.”

Secretary Rothmeyer and Vice President Siddiqi presented Bishop Eaton with the Servus Dei award for her years of faithful ministry to this church. Presiding Bishop of the ELCA and the assembly expressed their deep gratitude in an extended standing ovation. Thank you, Bishop Elizabeth Eaton!

The assembly cast the second ballot for Secretary of the ELCA, with the top seven candidates moving on to the third ballot on Friday morning. (Second Ballot Results)

We had the opportunity to recognize our ecumenical and interfaith partners hearing from Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism, who lamented the passage of Stand for Palestinian Rights and End to Occupation of Palestine, which he feared would make his communities less safe. Rabbi Jacobs affirmed Reform Judaism’s commitment to a two-state solution, and a commitment to a lasting peace, but had hoped to hear more in support of the people of Israel. And, he encouraged the assembly to lean into the commitments already in place between our two traditions.

The assembly also heard from leaders from the Islamic Society of North America, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, National Council of Churches, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the Lutheran World Federation, and more.

Following the recognition and addresses by ecumenical and interreligious partners, the assembly considered the adoption of the Common Statement on the Filioque, a significant contribution towards the unity of the Eastern and Western churches.

Presiding Bishop-elect Yehiel Curry presented the report of the Conference of Bishops. He reminded the assembly that when the Conference of Bishops comes together, every congregation and ministry in the ELCA is represented. He outlined the varied task forces, committees, and boards that bishops of the ELCA serve on, saying “…the ministry of the Conference of the Bishops is a ministry for and on behalf of the church”.

In the afternoon, an extended debate about proposed constitutional amendments put the assembly’s parliamentary skills (and patience) to the test, but ultimately without significant conclusion. Discussion will resume on Friday.

After the final plenary session, the Minneapolis Area Synod voting members and guests gathered at St. Mary’s Basilica for dinner and conversation. St. Mary’s Basilica is a historical fixture in Phoenix, built in 1881 and staffed by Franciscan Friars for most of its history. Jose Reyes, the Facilitator of Operations and Catechesis at the Archdiocese, was a gracious host and gave the MAS team a great tour of the beautiful church.