Tips for Hosting Bishop Megan Rohrer
Updated: Oct 1, 2021
Table of Contents
Overview of Bishop Megan Rohrer and Family
When the Bishop comes to Worship
Other ways the Bishop can engage with your Congregation
Overview of Bishop Megan Rohrer and Family
Adults Children
Bishop Megan Rohrer (they/he) Makayla Rohrer (they/she)
Laurel Rohrer (she/her) Dominique Rohrer (they/them)
Bishop Megan Rohrer is married to their wife, Laurel, and lives in San Francisco with their two children, Makayla (7) and Dominique (9). Makayla and Dominique are two spirit-filled, bubbly children who love to visit different congregations with their parents and share in the Kid-dom of God. If the kids are present for worship, they delight in participating in the liturgy. Both Makayla and Dominique ask that you please do not touch their hair during their visit.
Biographical Information
The Rev. Dr. Megan Rohrer (they/he) is Bishop of the Sierra Pacific Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Bishop Megan has a Master of Divinity and a Doctorate of Ministry from the Pacific School of Religion.. They received an honorable mention as an Unsung Hero of Compassion from Wisdom in Action with His Holiness the Dali Lama, received an honorary doctorate from Palo Alto University and had their theology featured in the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation in Wittenberg, Germany.
Accessibility Needs
Food
The Bishop and their family seek to avoid dairy, when possible. They are not allergic and will not be offended if it is offered to them.
Neurological Diversity
Bishop Megan is on the autistic spectrum and is sensitive to light and sound. High pitched noises may feel painful to the Bishop. Congregations can decrease this discomfort by using ASL applause instead of audible clapping, whistling or cheering.
Restroom Accommodations
When the Bishop is visiting your place of Worship, please provide a single stall bathroom or family restroom for the Bishop and Dominique. As many places of worship may not have these accommodations permanently built, we recommend putting an “all gender” sign up one of the bathroom signs to create an inclusive space during the Bishop’s visit.
Additionally, we hope that these accommodations begin a conversation for your congregation and leadership team. This may be a wonderful learning moment and a time to wonder how such accommodations could be permanently made to create an inclusive space for the entire body of Christ.
When the Bishop comes to Worship
If you have invited Bishop Megan Rohrer to be participate in a worship service, there are a few ways to properly include them in your service:
The Bishop may be invited to preach, pray or provide blessings. Please provide scripture texts and contexts for events.
If there are elements of your liturgy that are sung, please provide the Bishop with the music in advance.
In most cases, the Bishop should preside over communion.
The Bishop can offer a children’s message during the service, please let the Bishop know in advance of their visit.
The Bishop will provide their own Vestments, but please let them know the color of the day and your style (casual, clerical collars, robes, etc).
A visit from the Bishop is a good opportunity to test out the use of expansive language in your Worship service.
Provide Information in Advance
In order to give the Bishop time for preparation, information listed above should be provided to the Bishop at least three days before the service or event.
Other ways the Bishop can Engage with your Congregation
Bishop Rohrer’s schedule is the busiest on Sundays. Congregations are encouraged to invite the Bishop and Synod Staff to other events in the mission, ministry and outreach. Here are a few other ways the Bishop and Synod Staff are able to support your congregation:
Bible Study
Service Projects
Youth Gatherings
Justice Events
Music Events
Fundraisers
Anniversary Celebrations
Conversations around Diversifying Income
Listening Session
Online Meeting
Congregational Conflict
Mission Project
Time of Prayer
Educational Event
If you are interested in having the Bishop engage in one of the items listed above, or in another way you don’t see listed, please contact catherine@spselca.org
LGBTQ+ Terminology
Bishop Megan Rohrer uses the following pronouns for different spaces:
Online & Events: they/he
Press & Media: they/them
Information about being Transgender from GLAAD Media:
“An umbrella term for people whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. People under the transgender umbrella may describe themselves using one or more of a wide variety of terms - including transgender. Some of those terms are defined below. Use the descriptive term preferred by the person. Many transgender people are prescribed hormones by their doctors to bring their bodies into alignment with their gender identity. Some undergo surgery as well. But not all transgender people can or will take those steps, and a transgender identity is not dependent upon physical appearance or medical procedures.”