Eastertide greetings,
I’m not familiar with what happened at your Synod Assembly, but I’m grateful to the individuals who wrote to me. At the heart of your concerns is a desire to care for and support the full diversity of our church and I join you in that effort.
There is much misinformation swirling on the internet about the situation concerning Mision Latina Luterana, myself and our Synod. I hope in the days and years to come you will join us in relationship so we can learn more about each other. If you are interested, here is our Synod Council's statement about what transpired.
Our victim-centered timeline is not meant to oppose or erase the sadness, grief and lament that people have expressed or continue to feel. We know that trust can be lost in one moment and takes thousands of trustworthy actions to be repaired.
Church and church conflict has moved online and individuals, congregations and Synods must provide care and concern for those affected by what was done, what was left undone and the assumptions in between. Acknowledging the ways our actions have ripples beyond our Synod we have:
12/22/22 Formally apologized
Participated in a 2 month long external review about how our Synod can improve. The latest update on the steps we have taken to follow up with the report’s recommendations can be found in my Bishop's report
Participated in a 2 day listening session with Churchwide visitors to our Synod to help us improve.
Have been working on our anti-racism and anti-bias benchmarks. Here is our First report of benchmark progress Every synod is required to have annual benchmarks for increasing its diversity, I'd love to see your synod's so we can learn from your community. Working together we are stronger.
In addition to the efforts above, we are also in the beginning stages of creating a diverse team who can provide support for credentialed leaders in our Synod in a proactive way that cares for their wellness and wholeness. Our goal is to have proactive solutions, so that fewer issues escalate to discipline.
In addition to working on racial equity, our Synod also remains committed to efforts that care for victims of gender-based violence and clergy misconduct. This is another area we would love to learn more about efforts in other Synods.
We have much to learn from each other and I believe in relationship we can talk through important issues in the love the Christ has shown us.
Thank you again to those who have opened a dialogue about some of the ways we can improve. Thank you for your commitment to racial justice and your desire to connect. We look forward to additional conversations and opportunities to get to know each other better
Blessings of the risen Christ,
Rev. Dr. Megan Rohrer
Bishop, Sierra Pacific Synod
Land acknowledgement: The Sierra Pacific Synod’s geography includes the sacred ancestral land of the Washoe, Northern Paiute, Western Shoshone, Tolowa, Yurok, Chilula, Wiyot, Chimariko, Mattole, Nongatl, Lassik, Wailaki, Sinkiyone, Kato, Coast Yuki, Huchnom, Lake Miwok, Wappo, Coast Miwuk, Karok, Shasta, Modoc, Achomawi, Northern Paiute, Hupa, Wintu, Atsugewi, Yana, Maidu, Nomlaki, Yuki, Pomo, Patwin, Konkow, Nosenan, Washo, Sierra Miwok, Northern Valley Yokuts, Costanoan, Esselen, Foothill Yokuts, Monache, Tabtulabal, Salinan, Southern Valley Yokuts, Washo, Mono Lake Northern Paiute, Owens Valley Paiute-Shoshone and the Western Shoshone
For thousands of years they lived here and helped protect these lands. We seek to live in ways that honor their heritage, their lands and to live in ways that care for creation.