Letter from Emily: Ties to the Wider Church

Dear Lydians,

Last night I made my way to Penn Station and jumped on the train to Philadelphia, a pattern that will become a familiar part of my routine as I begin completing my “Lutheran Year” at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia.  Completing eight courses at a Lutheran Seminary is one of my requirements as a candidate for ordination with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ECLA).

My role as the Pastoral Minister at St. Lydia’s has been the primary catalyst of my call to be an ordained pastor in the ELCA.  It is the process of following the vision of St. Lydia’s, gathering around the table with our growing congregation, and building together will all of you that has thrown my call to ordained ministry into sharper focus.  In many ways, you have drawn the call out of me.

As I’ve entered the candidacy process with the ELCA, I’ve also been engaging with a number of live questions about the future of St. Lydia’s.  From the beginning, I’ve felt that it’s critical for St. Lydia’s to have formal and informal ties to the wider church.  You can’t be a Christian alone, and being linked to a denomination means being in relationship with the whole Church.  I find that relationship to be fundamental to what it means to be a church, and I’ve searched for us to find ways to be in relationship with the wider church while exploring and developing our own unique identity.

As we mark St. Lydia’s one year anniversary as a full time worshipping community, I feel that our second year will offer us the time and space to consider how we are and might be tied to the wider church.  It is my hope that, over time, a supportive and nurturing relationship may be developed between St. Lydia’s and the ELCA.  St. Lydia’s is already linked to the ELCA through our relationship with Pastor Phil and Trinity Lower East Side.

Creating a relationship with the Metro New York Synod means stretching our network of relationships wider: being in linked with all the ELCA churches in New York and their Bishop, Robert Rimbo.  Beyond that, it means being in relationship with the National church and the global church.  The most important part of this process has to do with you: the congregation.  Choosing to affiliate with a denomination is a big decision that will impact how we grow and who we become as a congregation.  My job is to give you, the congregation, an opportunity to learn about the ELCA and denominational affiliation in general, and to discern if nurturing that relationship is the appropriate way to go forward.

During September and October, we’ll have several opportunities to reflect on denominations together.  I’ll be preaching about the formation of Christian community and relationships throughout the Fall.   Pastor Phil and Daniel Simons will be guest preachers during October, preaching about what it means to be part of a denomination.  Finally, we’ll continue the discussion at our Community Meeting on October 9.  The process of will continue into the year, as we take all the time we need to listen to God and discern how to go forward as a congregation.  I invite you to engage in this conversation, to ask our presiders and me questions and engage us in discussion.

A church is made of people, and I’m looking forward to hearing all of your voices as we move forward together.

-Emily