“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.”  (I Corinthians 12:27)

I will be in Chicago this week for the Fall 2024 Conference of Bishops meeting. The Conference of Bishops is composed of sixty-five Synodical bishops from across the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, and ELCA Secretary Sue Rothmeyer. When we are together, we are a true representation of the Body of Christ. Many diverse members, with many spiritual gifts. And our diversity is growing.

At this meeting we will be welcoming eight of our newly elected bishops:

• Bishop-elect Megan Johnston-Aelabouni of the Rocky Mountain Synod
• Bishop-elect Timothy Oslovich of the Alaska Synod
• Bishop-elect Jen Nagle of the Minneapolis Synod
• Bishop-elect Bryan Penman of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod
• Bishop-elect Nathan Pipho of the New England Synod
• Bishop-elect Martin Halom of the Northwest Wisconsin Synod
• Bishop-elect Davila Vivian of the Caribbean Synod
• Bishop-elect Tim Graham of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod

I was honored to be present for Rev. Tim Graham’s election as the Bishop of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod and look forward to his Installation on Saturday, October 12 at Christ the Savior Lutheran Church in Fishers, Indiana.

We have a full meeting. A Few of the Items on our Fall 2024 Agenda include:

• Multiple Opportunities to Worship and Learn Together
• The Growing Use of Synod Authorized Ministers across the ELCA
• First Hearing of the Civil Life and Faith Social Statement
• Learning about Updates at Portico
• 2 Sessions with the Commission for a Renewed Lutheran Church
• Lots of other Reports and Hearings

We have a free evening on Friday, and many of the bishops will be enjoying a Chicago River Architecture Boat Tour.