Bishop’s Message: Prayer in Holy Times

March 18, 2024

Dear East Central Synod of Wisconsin, 

Earlier this month, my colleagues and I in the ELCA Conference of Bishops met for a time of connection, worship, and shared ministry in Itasca, Illinois. A full summary of our time together is linked here and included in the news release below. One of the most important items on the agenda included drafting and delivering a letter to President Biden as well as issuing a statement calling for a permanent bilateral cease-fire in Gaza. You can read the letter here and the statement here.

This year, the months of March and April bring holy days for people of many faiths around the world and in the land we call holy – Ramadan, Holy Week, Easter, Passover. With people of faith around the world we pray and long for peace and for the ability of all people to live out their faith practices in safety.

Part of living out our faith is engaging in the work of advocacy. This week I will be sending a letter to the offices of lawmakers who represent those in the territory of our synod: Senator Tammy Baldwin, Senator Ron Johnson, and representatives Mike Gallagher, Glenn Grothman, Tom Tiffany, and Derrick Van Orden – as well as following up with President Biden – asking them to embrace this statement and exert their influence by calling for a cease-fire. I encourage you to take a moment and communicate your own thoughts to your representatives as well as President Biden. You may use the Conference of Bishops letter, include the statement, or craft your own.

Regardless of one's political position, I am hopeful that one thing we can agree on is an end to violence. I ask for your help. Let us share prayers and more than our prayers; joining with people of faith all over the world to be a voice for peace. You can find your representatives here and a sample newsletter article is included at the end of the email for you to extend the invitation to advocacy and prayer in your congregations and ministry settings. 

Sincerely, in the name of Christ, 

Bishop Anne Edison-Albright

The following may be used as an e-Newsletter invitation

Invitation to Advocacy and Prayer: Ceasefire in Gaza

The ELCA Conference of Bishops met earlier this month. One of the most important items on the agenda included drafting and delivering a letter to the president as well as issuing a statement calling for a permanent bilateral cease-fire in Gaza. You can read the letter here and the statement here.  Bishop Anne has encouraged us to pray with intention and to be focused in our own advocacy efforts by joining her in writing our lawmakers. Bishop Anne shares, “Regardless of one's political position, I am hopeful that one thing we can agree on is an end to violence. I ask for your help. Let us share prayers and more than our prayers; joining with people of faith all over the world to be a voice for peace.” You can find your representatives at this link.

”Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”
Matthew 5:9