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![Spring 2021 COVID-19 Recommendations](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60e0646d8e8edb35bd86bb7c/1628614400052-FMYN2B2C39P6XL6GXMWX/unsplash-image-WIYtZU3PxsI.jpg)
Spring 2021 COVID-19 Recommendations
We passed the terrible milestone of 500,000 deaths due to Covid, and while infection rates have gone down, serious illness and death continues in this country and around the world.
![Ash Wednesday Message from Bishop](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60e0646d8e8edb35bd86bb7c/1628614430495-1OPP7LXSFQ21YJ9J1GUQ/unsplash-image-m7U6Zk-wU4M.jpg)
Ash Wednesday Message from Bishop
I am grateful for conversations happening between colleagues online about Ash Wednesday this year; many creative, thoughtful, caring and Covid-safe ideas are being shared, along with good questions about how to approach a service that focuses on remembering mortality during a deadly pandemic.
![Called to Baptismal Living](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60e0646d8e8edb35bd86bb7c/1628614450227-VBMKF97BB3H6IH46APVH/unsplash-image-mjn1LcoU1Cw.jpg)
Called to Baptismal Living
Like so many, we watched in appalled disbelief Wednesday as we witnessed a mob overrun the Capitol building and disrupt our elected leaders as they sought to perform their constitutional duty. We condemn this assault on our democracy. It is contrary to the principles we claim to value as a nation. More significantly for us as church leaders, it was utterly contrary to the way of Jesus Christ.
![Letter to Synod with Staff Announcement](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60e0646d8e8edb35bd86bb7c/1628413201527-RUZTO63OMA2HG3AFF9G2/Group+4.png)
Letter to Synod with Staff Announcement
I write to share news of the Holy Spirit at work in transitions, endings and beginnings. Pastor Amy Engebose, Bishop’s Associate for Rostered Leadership and Congregations in Transition, will be leaving synod staff to return to parish ministry. She has been called to be the pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Neenah. Pastor Amy joined the synod staff in October, 2016 and has worked with congregations in transition, call process, mobility, first call, candidacy, and Reimagining Church.
![Waiting, Preparation, Peace](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60e0646d8e8edb35bd86bb7c/1628614512508-L97UACAF0IFWOZT9IO5S/unsplash-image-dDvR7eD6pf8.jpg)
Waiting, Preparation, Peace
This week finds the Edison-Albright family In full transition mode: preparing for and moving to our new home in Appleton. “People Look East,” one of my favorite Advent hymns, has very different resonance this year. I’m not going to lie: being surrounded by boxes and giant, rolling dust bunnies has made me think about the “make your house fair as you are able” line and cringe a little. Love is still on the way, even if my table is not set or your hearth is not lit. This is most certainly true, and just as true is that Love is with us in the truth and reality of difficult seasons in our lives, in the church, and in the world.
![Rev. Anne Edison-Albright Elected Bishop of the East Central Synod of Wisconsin](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60e0646d8e8edb35bd86bb7c/1628286229675-E4C2VVBOL8TQD0KJZIW6/Bishop+Photo.png)
Rev. Anne Edison-Albright Elected Bishop of the East Central Synod of Wisconsin
On September 26th voting members from the East Central Synod of Wisconsin met in the first ever virtual synod assembly hosted by the synod. The Rev. Anne Edison-Albright was elected Bishop of the synod on the 5th ballot with a total of one-hundred and fifty-one votes. Congratulations Bishop-elect Edison-Albright! A statement from Bishop-elect Edison-Albright will be forthcoming.