From the 2013 Churchwide Assembly in Pittsburgh

Dear Partners in Ministry:

I came to the Churchwide Assembly with an e-letter drafted to send to you today, following the actions earlier this week on revisions to Portico Benefits. We knew these would be important changes for congregations and other ministries, with a high degree of time-sensitive information and decisions required quickly. So most of what I have written in the first section has been drafted for some time and ready to go out.

But the past two days have brought developments far more unexpected--the election of a new presiding bishop. So, following the section below, I'll share some observations about what has transpired. But don't ignore the original reason for this email--the Portico changes! Sponsoring employers and plan members will need to understand these changes in order to participate in the online enrollment process this fall.

Time-sensitive: Changes approved in Portico Benefits for plan members

You are all no doubt aware of the large-scale changes set in motion by the Federal Affordable Health Care Act. This will affect the benefits provided by congregations and other ministries that cover their employees through Portico.

This week the ELCA church council approved the revisions to the plans presented by Portico. Voting members of the assembly were informed of these changes on Tuesday. The gist of the change is to move from one uniform plan to a menu of four plans that closely mirror the four levels of coverage mandated in the federal design and presented in state exchanges. The ELCA church council also included the recommendation that the plan identified as Gold+ be commended as the preferred option because of its similarity to the Portico coverage currently in place. Our synod's salary and compensation guidelines will also include this recommendation because it is consistent with Portico and the ELCA church council's support for Gold+.

While I will not describe the particulars, I want to alert you both to the changes and point you to the information each sponsoring employer and plan member will need as they make decisions in the coming weeks. So here is the information I think is vital for you to attend to immediately:

• Information will come to you directly from Portico in the next few days about what these changes mean, description of coverage options, and deadlines and dates for you to follow.
• You should place this item on your congregation council agenda for the September meeting so that health care options for staff can be considered. It would be important for those who carry responsibility for these decisions to be as knowledgeable as possible before bringing information to your council.
• September 14. We have arranged for a Saturday morning workshop to be led by Portico staff for plan members and congregational leaders. I strongly encourage you to identify several from your congregational leadership who will attend this workshop! Two days later, September 16, Portico opens its Employer Link for a four-week period during which the selection of a 2014 plan can be made.
• The actual enrollment period is November 1-22, so your attention to these matters immediately is crucial. It is how we care for those who serve us as staff in our ministries.

The election for presiding bishop

Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson, who served our synod as synod bishop from 1995 until his election as presiding bishop 12 years ago, indicated last year that he would be available to serve a third term. Such a re-election was highly anticipated. But at the end of the balloting, Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, Northeastern Ohio Synod, had been elected. What happened? Many are trying to get handles on all the dynamics, so what I offer here are my own observations, some history, and the comments of others.

The assembly theme, perhaps not coincidentally, is "Always Being Made New." I think there is a palpable restlessness, even eagerness, among the voting members for the life of the church to become renewed. The first (nominating) ballot surprised the assembly when Bishop Hanson received just under 50 percent, very different from six years earlier, when he had received nearly 75 percent on the first ballot. At this year's assembly, no galvanizing or dividing issues claimed the attention of voting members, and no sentiment to oust the incumbent prevailed. Bishop Hanson enjoys enormous respect for his gifts and his work. But I believe his long tenure came up against a restlessness for things in this church to become new and re-invigorated, for the future to be different from the past, for a new chapter to unfold in our life together.

Which brings me to Bishop Elizabeth Eaton. When I asked our voting delegation for their comments, one observed that "of those before us, she most came across as something new!" That may sound superficial, but it reflected the substance of Bishop Eaton's comments and the candor and liveliness of her presentation. She serves as member of the Conference of Bishops executive committee (Bishop Crist is the chair), a reflection of the high regard she carries among her peers. I don't know if there will be video segments posted on the ELCA website, but if you find them, I suggest you catch some of that, so you, too, can sense the spirit she brings.

What continues to puzzle me a bit is the combination of a strong movement for change, resulting in the election of new leadership, accompanied by a strong and positive sentiment for Bishop Hanson. Bishop Eaton's first comment upon election was to thank Bishop Hanson "for his courageous leadership in the most tumultuous 12 years of the ELCA's life." The assembly rose with prolonged applause, repeated a few minutes later as Bishop Hanson came forward to make his own gracious comments.

It became clear as the candidates addressed the assembly several times that Bishop Eaton was connecting with voting members. She spoke directly to the experience of our church in the years since the 2009 decisions. She observed the tendency of the church to move into neighborhoods, supposing to have answers instead of listening to the stories and hearing the needs of the people. She shared her conviction that the key to our church's renewal begins with recapturing clarity of identity that is distinct from culture, a servant theology of the cross in a culture of glory. She addressed the challenge facing our predominantly European-American church living in an increasingly diverse world. And finally, she spoke about the need for the various expressions of our church to regain trust of one another. You need to hear her. She will give you hope and excitement for the future!

So how am I feeling right now? (Not that this is all about how Peter feels!) Here's what I'd say:

• I came expecting there was enough sentiment for change that Bishop Hanson's re-election wouldn't be as quick as six years ago, but I expected a re-election. I think most did.
• Since the incumbent bishop was open to re-election, there had been little discussion of other possible candidates, which meant those whose names might have surfaced in such discussions hadn't thought hard about the possibility and hadn't invested in prayerful discernment. Few of us had. And so most who were nominated pulled out. The sentiment that our church should work harder at broadening its leadership led to several women bishops leaving their names in while most of their colleagues withdrew.
• As the Conference of Bishops chair, Bishop Jessica Crist was widely expected to receive some visibility, and she did. She's a fine leader. Beyond her, most who had been speculated as possibilities withdrew. They simply hadn't expected to have to really face the question and did not have the time to consider whether they felt called to the challenges of the Office of Presiding Bishop.
• Bottom line: Few would have expected a week ago that we would be electing a new presiding bishop, and even fewer would have expected it to be Elizabeth Eaton. And yet, I sit here writing this, thrilled! I am renewed in the truth of the oft-repeated mantra that the Spirit works in these things. She is regarded by her synod and by her colleagues in the Conference of Bishops with deep respect and sheer delight in her presence. She is a breath of fresh air, witty and engaging, theologically take-your-breath-away deep, confident, straightforward. I am feeling very, very good about this very surprising outcome.

To the list of things I know I'll miss in a year when I leave office, I have just added one more--missing out on being closely related to Bishop Eaton's leadership in the coming years. Bishop Hanson is and has been an extraordinarily gifted leader, but at the same time, I am excited and confident about the future that stretches before us. I hope you will become familiar with our new leader and the strength, humility, faithfulness she brings to the church!

And some other musings about this Churchwide Assembly gathering

Yesterday we began the balloting for a new Secretary of the ELCA. This, too, will be a newly elected leader. We have had initial presentations on the Criminal Justice Social Statement, a thoughtful statement about our engagement with criminals, victims, and systems that impinge upon their lives. We were introduced to a proposal we'll act on later for a comprehensive campaign for the 25th anniversary. Some hard questions were asked about the campaign in the hearings earlier this week.

The 25 voting members of the Saint Paul Area Synod make me proud to be part of the life of this synod. I am grateful for how attentive, engaged, thoughtful, and reflective they have been this week!

I'll share more in a few days.

Peter Rogness