At our last synod council meeting, we were blessed with a visit from Judith Roberts, with ELCA Racial Justice Ministries. She led our gathering in a discussion on race, let us know where the ELCA is at in terms of diversity, and where our Future Church is headed.

We have our work to do. Many in attendance admitted that their congregation does not authentically reflect the diversity of their neighborhood. Council members commented that we all have a part to play in making this a reality—churchwide, synod, congregation leaders, and worshippers.

The Office of the Bishop and the synod council remain committed to expanding our synod’s rich diversity. We thank all who participated in our open conversations on race this year. We continue to develop new ways of reflecting the people of our synod. Pastor Jacqui Pagel is working on Simon’s Project (contact her if you are interested in this work).

This February, as part of Black History Month, I invite you to enter a spirit of curiosity and explore the many resources available. Chances are you are already learning from your preferred news and entertainment sources.

We’ve created a Black History month page, gcsynod.org/black-history-month, where we are compiling events and news. That page also contains an archive of our blog posts relating to racial justice, which as a whole is a review of our church’s response to a year of turmoil in America.

Judith Roberts recommends these ELCA resources in particular: Strategy Towards Authentic Diversity; Declaration to People of African Descent; Repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery; Day of Remembrance for the Emanuel 9; One Body, Many Members (parts 1, 2, and 3); and Troubling the Waters for the Healing of the Church.

Finally, this month I ask you consider what our church is missing when all the members of God’s world are not represented in our church. We are not whole when our church becomes a wall to our neighbor.

We are created in God’s image, and to see the pageant of humanity around the globe is a way to glimpse God. Open your eyes to the body of Christ moving in the neighborhoods of your church and home. Greet your neighbor in the spirit of Christ’s love, and let the Holy Spirit lead from there.

Grateful for who you are and the unique gifts you bring to our church,

The Rev. Deborah K. Hutterer
Bishop
Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA