Nebraska Synod ELCA

By Rev. Megan Morrow, Assistant to the Bishop

A long time ago I was sitting by Lake Superior on a cloudy, very windy day. Waves were crashing into the shore, and it looked like it could storm. But riding the updraft of the wind, floating as though it was peacefully standing still with wings outstretched, was a seagull. How did it do that?! It’s an image and question that has stuck with me throughout my life.

It’s been an especially helpful image in ministry when things seem to be blowing around, moving, and shaking, while waves of change crash, and it’s not bright and sunny so the way ahead isn’t very clear. It’s helpful to remember that seagull calmly letting the wind do the heavy lifting.

We’ve been reminded a lot in the last few years that change is one of the only constants in life! The word “pivot” doesn’t just refer to irrigation! We’ve had to constantly pivot, adapt, and be flexible through so many changes as people, leaders, and congregations. However, God is more constant than change! The Spirit might blow and lead us to changes, but it will also lead us through them. God is faithful and Christ is with us! Immanuel means “God with us!” God, who is as close to us as our own breath, will do the heavy lifting.

What will that look like for your congregation and your ministry through the staffing changes in the Nebraska Synod over the next weeks and months? May the Spirit remind you of that calm seagull in the blustery wind and how God will do the heavy lifting.

As you learned in last week’s e-news, several of us on the Synod staff will be ending our time over the next months: Bishop Maas, Diane Harpster and Pr. Carol Mapa wrap up on August 31; Lisa Kramme and I leave at times in mid to late September; Pr. Jon Mapa and Pr. Juliet Focken finish later in the fall. Bishop-elect Scott Johnson will shadow Bishop Maas in late August and begin his term on September 1.

Throughout the transition, the Nebraska Synod staff in the Synod office will continue to answer your phone calls and e-mails to get you to the resource people you need whether it’s a question about a call process, how to sign up for an Emmaus class, or which Assistant to the Bishop relates to your congregation. They will know who to direct you to for Faith Formation, PMA, Leadership and Stewardship resources, questions about LYON, Middle School Gathering and next year’s Journey for youth. They will know who to connect you with regarding clergy roster questions, constitution update questions, and how to set up an appointment or a visit to your congregation with Bishop-elect Johnson.

We are all grateful to be the Church together with you as leaders and congregations and ministries! It is a privilege to serve with you across the Nebraska Synod! May we be the Church together with and for each other, extending grace, patience and helping hands even in this time of change involving so many transition pieces! As Luther reminds us, the Spirit is always reforming and renewing the Church – change is a constant. But remember the seagull riding the wind – God is more constant than change! God is with us and will do the heavy lifting, leading us through!

• Synod Office contact information: 402-896-5311, office@nebraskasynod.org
• Make sure your congregational leaders are signed up to receive the synod’s e-news. Sign up to receive them on the website at nebraskasynod.org.
• Check the synod’s website for your Cluster Dean who can also provide information and assistance.