Eaton challenges church with emerging priorities I
n her report to the Churchwide Assembly, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton looked ahead to
the next three years. She challenged the church to consider a variety of emerging priorities, including a focus on unity with other Christians, moving forward the work of Declaration on the Way and becoming an evangelical, missionary church in an increasingly secular culture. Focusing on immigration reform, she noted
that “there are more immigrants and displaced persons in the world now than at any time since World War II.” Calling on members to be advocates for refugees, she talked of people from Syria and South America and all over the world who leave their homes because they have no choice. Eaton emphasized our call to care for them: “These are children of God. They’re human beings.” Eaton also challenged the church to lead the way
in confronting racism. In doing so, she shared an example of how white privilege helped her family, and then spoke of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada’s successes in fighting racism in their country.
“To my European American brothers and sisters,
this is a conversation we have to have among our- selves, and to be honest about this. But we can’t do it alone or in isolation,” she said. “We deeply need all of our brothers and sisters of color for us to under- stand what life is like in this country, and then we need to commit ourselves to do something about it. “So please, would you go back to your
congregations—and this is a tough one—and right now if this is being live-streamed, you can quote this and tweet this out: Pastors, when you start to get pushback from your congregations, just blame it on me.” In concluding her report, Eaton called for
more accountability in congregations and synods in pursuing these priorities. Acknowledging the challenging work ahead, which “God will give us the energy and the courage and the will to do,” she said: “In baptism we have all been marked with the cross of Christ, and are all called not to run away, but to run to those dark and deadly places, bringing the light and life of Christ.”
Peña receives Servus Dei award
Carlos Peña, ELCA vice president, was presented the Servus Dei (Servant of God) award during the Churchwide Assembly. The award honors ELCA officers at the completion of their service. Peña (with his wife, Diane, and Eaton, decided not to seek a third term after serving since 2003.
In his farewell address to the assembly, Peña said, “Look at where God has planted you. God put you there for a reason. Wherever that spot is, God wants you to find how you can make that place better.”
Upon accepting the Servus Dei award, he said, “If you would’ve told me going into Milwaukee in 2003 that I would have been elected as vice president of this great church, I would have said, ‘No way. What do I know about God’s work?’ I kept asking, ‘Why me?’ But that quickly changed to, ‘Why not me?’ When God called, God provided, and for that I’m thankful. It’s been a great 13 years. Thanks be to God.”
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