A Letter of Gratitude

Dear Siblings in Christ,

My heart is full.

As I reflect on our SWPA Synod celebration on Saturday, October 18, words cannot begin to express my gratitude for you all. I am honored to serve as your Bishop in the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod. And I am so grateful for the incredible group of people who came together to make the installation worship a meaningful, joy-filled and delicious celebration!

Thank you to the congregation at Berkeley Hills Lutheran Church who hosted our synod, and their pastor, Rev. Heather Lubold who served as chair of the installation worship team.

I am so grateful for all who designed and accomplished a wonderful liturgy: Pastor Heather Lubold, Berkeley Hills Music Director, Pam Scott, the many who devoted their voices to the choir, numerous instrumentalists and members of St. Andrew who gifted us with the plowshare prayer.

Thank you to all who provided such wonderful hospitality! Especially Holly Schmitt who set a fabulous welcome to our out-of-town guests Friday evening at Acrospire Brewing – a local brewery owned and operated by Lutherans! Thank you to Deacon Amy Santoriello who coordinated the Saturday reception; and to the many who baked wonderful cookies and donated time to set up and clean up after our time together. The ministry of hospitality is something our synod does so very well.

Thank you to so many who worked behind the scenes for bringing so many details together! To Dennis Lane and Tom Hough who made sure that amplification and video was perfect so many could join by livestream and recording! To Rev. Erin Jones who gathered and coordinated our ecumenical and interreligious guests with information sheets about our Lutheran liturgy and the importance of this installation liturgy. To Rev. Bob Schafer, Fiona Lubold and Janice Jeletic who worked to capture spirit filled moments on film – from the set to the cameos – these moments will remind us of this great day in years to come.

Thank you to all who joined in our celebration with watch parties! I have been delighted to see photographs of your gatherings, and I look forward to hearing stories of your gatherings and how you shared worship and fellowship together across the synod. Please keep sharing your photos and stories with us at the synod office so we can share them with others!

Thank you to my ministry colleagues here in Southwestern PA and in neighboring synods who took the time to gather on Saturday – vesting, processing, singing in the choir, connecting with colleagues, meeting new colleagues, and sharing gifts in worship. Especially Pastor Jess Felici who designed a truly inspired ‘build a bishop’ comic book which has become the envy of every newly installed bishop I have spoken with!

Thank you to the members of our synod council and conference of Deans who served in worship, welcomed people to the church building, provided transportation and directions to visitors, answered questions, offered advice and continue to lead our synod in meetings and in our public gatherings with care, hope and compassion.

Thank you to my Bishop colleagues in Region 8 and beyond who traveled to be a part of the rite of the laying on of hands. To Bishop Ketlin Solak from the Pittsburgh Diocese of the Episcopal Church for putting this date on her calendar long before she knew who she would be accompanying in this rite. To our full communion partners and ecumenical guests who joined us in this celebration, affirming our ties as church together in Southwestern Pennsylvania and to our inter-religious guests who joined us, affirming our ties as people of faith who seek the health of our communities.

Thank you to Presiding Bishop Curry – who enters each space with grace, compassion and humor – demonstrating obvious care to the flock that is now in his care as bishop of the ELCA. And to Deacon John Weit, the ELCA executive for worship who has been accompanying our new presiding bishop to these many installations around the country – offering gentle guidance and care for all who enter into these new relationships as churchwide and synod.

Thank you to our Bishops Emeriti Kurt Kusserow and Don McCoid who set such a standard of excellence, grace and care in their leadership of this synod. The support and encouragement you have given so generously has been a gift. Your presence on Saturday affirmed our ministry as a synod in the past, present and into the future. We are truly on the road together as we listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit calling us to do and be church for the world.

Thank you to the many, many people who worked in and around this event and who work day in and day out in our synod showing the love of Jesus to your congregations and communities: We are church together, walking the way of Christ, seeking renew the connections that may have become a bit overgrown over time, as our Presiding Bishop reminded us in his sermon that day.  I am grateful for you and the love you show others. Thank you.

In this season where we can be tempted to strengthen barriers and harden our hearts, may you too see the light of Christ in one another – and give thanks for family who are friends and friends who are family.

In Christ,

Bishop Melissa L. Stoller