Grace and peace to you, the Sierra Pacific Synod. For those who do not know me, I am the Rev. Dr. Megan Rohrer (they/them), Bishop-elect. For 12 years, I served as the executive director of a non-profit that cared for the homeless and hungry in San Francisco, with calls from four Lutheran congregations: Santa Maria y Santa Marta, St. Francis, Christ Church and herchurch. I was also called to St. Aidan’s Episcopal church to create progressive worship experiences that would both help to heal the trauma of individuals who have been harmed by the church and enable folk to become comfortable with traditional liturgy. I currently serve as the pastor of Grace Lutheran in San Francisco helping a small but mighty congregation diversify their income and live out their faith in public ways. I also work for the San Francisco Police Department as their community chaplain coordinator. I am currently in the process of transitioning out of these roles in order to be ready to serve you and our beloved Lutheran church in the role of Bishop, beginning July 1st. The days that followed my election as your new Bishop have been a bit of a whirlwind of the Holy Spirit, full of lots of media interviews or as I like to call it, evangelism. I have received thousands upon thousands of messages from individuals congratulating me and expressing how your election of me has inspired people around the globe. Thank you to everyone who reached out to share greetings, prayers and well wishes. A number of individuals have also reached out to extend invitations to visit or worship with you. Due to the volume of emails I’m currently receiving, I have created a google form to help organize requests for visits. You may fill the form out at any time, but please remember that my service as Bishop does not begin until July 1st. You can find the form here. A few individuals have also reached out with questions about what it means that I am trans. As a part of my pastoral ethics, I do not answer personal questions about my body or medical choices. But, for those who are interested in resources about LGBTQ issues and terminology, I recommend the resources provided at Reconciling Works. I am humbled and inspired by the opportunity you have given me to be your next bishop. Until then, please pray for me and my family: my wife Laurel (she/her), Dominique, 8 (they/them) and Makayla, 7 (she/her). We look forward to praying, worshiping and sharing some of our favorite stories about Jesus very soon. Blessings,
Rev. Dr. Megan Rohrer