Category Pastoral Letters

9 Oct

Pastoral Message from ELCA Bishops

As bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), we write to you in this moment of national and global tension with clarity and conviction. Our faith compels us to stand where Jesus stands—with and for those whom society often seeks to exclude, erase, or diminish.

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11 Sep

Pastoral Message on Political Violence

Our nation has once again witnessed a tragic event of political violence with the shooting death of Charlie Kirk, a conservative political activist. This comes in the wake of other high-profile incidents of political violence, including the shooting death of Minnesota legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband, the assassination attempt of then presidential candidate Donald Trump, the assault on Representative Nancy Pelosi’s husband, and more.

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14 Aug

Pastoral Letter re: Grace Lutheran Church, Kenosha

By now many of you may have read or heard about the resignation of Pastor Jonathan Barker from Grace Lutheran Church in Kenosha and from the roster of Ministers of Word and Sacrament. I’m writing to clarify a few things and to ask for your continued prayers.

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14 Aug

Pastoral Letter on Recent Floods

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. (Psalm 46:1-4)

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28 Jul

Pastoral Letter on Immigration Lawsuit

I am writing today to inform you of a decision recently made by the Greater Milwaukee Synod Council to join a lawsuit that challenges the reversal of what is commonly referred to as the “sensitive locations policy.”

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29 May

A Pastoral Letter from Bishop Paul Erickson Regarding Mr. Alan Buresh

I am writing you all in response to the article published this morning in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel regarding the case of a former ELCA pastor, Alan Buresh, who has been charged with sexual abuse and misconduct and is currently incarcerated in Iowa. Mr. Buresh served congregations in Nebraska, Southwestern Minnesota, and Northwest Wisconsin, and he resigned from the ELCA clergy roster in 2017.

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