ReconcilingWorks celebrates the election of Bishop Elizabeth Eaton to a six-year term as Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) on August 14, 2013 at the Churchwide Assembly in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Bishop Eaton said in her five minute speech to the churchwide assembly prior to being elected presiding bishop that she thought the decisions made in 2009 were the right ones. She was the only candidate for presiding bishop to voice any opinion on those decisions. She also thanked those who chose to remain in the ELCA following those decisions, despite not being in support of those decisions.
We at ReconcilingWorks are also grateful to them for remaining and commit ourselves to the work of reconciliation, meeting people where they are, listening, praying together and telling our stories of faith.
Emily Eastwood, Executive Director, said “We applaud the election of Bishop Eaton and look forward to the ways in which our mutual ministries may be enhanced through collaboration. It is no accident that, in the same year that the first woman has been elected presiding bishop, a synod of the church has also elected the first openly-gay and first Native American bishop to serve our church.
“God is doing new things, leading us through the Holy Spirit on what is sometimes a surprising and now heartening journey of faith as the body of Christ.”