Category Archived Pastoral Letters

20 Dec

A Christmas Message from Bishop Erickson 2023

This photo, of a nativity scene with the infant Jesus placed in a pile of rubble, was taken several weeks ago inside Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, located in the West Bank. Though it is located miles away from the intense combat in Gaza, the impact of the Israel-Hamas war is clearly felt there and around the world...

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22 Nov

A Thanksgiving Message from Bishop Erickson 2023

"For the harvests of the Spirit, thanks be to God. For the good we all inherit, thanks be to God. For the wonders that astound us, for the truths that still confound us, Most of all, that love has found us, thanks be to God." - For the Fruit of All Creation, ELW 679

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12 Oct

A Pastoral Message on the Middle East Crisis

Recent events in the Middle East and the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas have dominated the headlines and opened and reopened deep wounds among all who care for the people and the rich history of this troubled part of the world...

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14 Aug

A Pastoral Message on Antisemitism

Last weekend, a number of antisemitic flyers were anonymously distributed in Sussex, the most recent in a series of troubling incidents of this nature. I invite pastors, deacons, and leaders across the synod to reach out to their Jewish neighbors to reaffirm our commitment to stand with them whenever hatred and bigotry emerges...

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6 Apr

An Easter Message from Bishop Paul Erickson 2023

"May we, Christ’s body, walk and serve and stand with those oppressed in this and ev’ry land, till all are blessed and can a blessing be, restored in Christ to true humanity." - Nigel Weaver (The Risen Christ, ELW 390)

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21 Nov

A Thanksgiving Message from Bishop Paul Erickson 2022

A Pastoral Message Thanksgiving Message 2022 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near.Do not worry about anything, […]

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