This past weekend, over 600 people gathered for our North Carolina Synod Assembly at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro. The theme was “God Is Calling,” and we had a lot of work to accomplish together. And that we did! It was a discerning time for us as a synod, filled with the Holy Spirit. It is clear that the Spirit is harkening us to rise to a new day.

For me, it was an exciting event that was touched with a tinge of sadness because of what goodbyes bring. After we established our credentials and election necessities, we gave thanks and stood in applause for Bishop Tim Smith’s wonderful ministry these past ten years, as well as for our Synod Council Vice President, Diana Haywood, who has served in that role for the past 18 years. Well done, good and faithful servants! We hope that while they may step away temporarily, we will see them at Synod events again one day.

We had some big tasks at hand, or rather, big elections, which I believe inspired the theme “God Is Calling.” Along with electing our new Bishop, we had important roles on Synod Council to fill. These positions are important because Synod Council is our board of directors and functions as our interim legislative authority between synod assemblies. The Council oversees our synod's finances, recommends program goals and budgets, and implements decisions made by the Synod Assembly. We elected gifted rostered ministers and laity to serve for this new term, and new day.  

For this new day, our biggest task was to elect our bishop. I would like to note that our very own Allison Runge served on the Elections Committee and was integral in the elections process, guiding candidates for bishop through the process, and even presenting to the Assembly when needed. Her work and ministry was a huge gift to the whole group.

 While we always have Scripture, song, and prayer as part of the Assembly, it was especially important this year as we engaged in our elections process. Voting members from our 185 congregations filled the room, including pastors, deacons, lay leaders, and congregation members from all over the state. The question filled the room, “Who would answer this call?” Or rather, as our ecclesial (church) believes, “Who has the Holy Spirit chosen?”

This is important. We believe formally and informally that this high calling of Bishop is one that the Holy Spirit decides. It was up to us, as prayerful, scripturally-guided Lutherans to listen. So, as we normally include worship, devotional time, hymns, and prayer, it was especially important as we discerned together who would lead us as our next Bishop.

And? Drumroll, please!

We elected a new Bishop! The Rev. Emily Hartner! She has been a pastor here in Charlotte since her ordination in 2010. She received her Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School in 2007 and received a Master of Sacred Theology degree from The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia in 2012. Her involvement and service to the wider church is part of her journey, even before ordination.

She served in the Young Adult in Global Ministry (YAGM) in 2003-2004. She has served as a conference dean since 2021, the NC Synod Discipline Committee since 2019, Synod Council from 2013-2019, and the ELCA Church Council from 2019-2025. She has also served as a chaplain for Wild Women Retreats at Lutheridge, and has been involved in so many other ways. She also has a wonderful pastoral heart and an incredible giftedness. I’m really excited for us as a Synod going forward in mission, praying for her, serving as called, and seeing what the Holy Spirit brings.

I invite you to pray for her too, and to attend the great celebration when our Synod installs her as Bishop on Saturday, November 15. Mark your calendars! It will be a great and exciting day!