On August 31 of this year I will no longer be your National Bishop. It’s coming fast. I’m already doing a lot of “lasts” with tons of mixed emotions. I can only imagine that the emotions will heighten as well as I get closer to that last day.
In the musical Rent they sing “Five hundred twenty five thousand, six hundred minutes. How do you measure, measure a year?”
So how do I measure these 18 years? Ninety million, four hundred and sixty thousand, eight hundred minutes?
I’m more inclined to think of the over 100 Canada Lutheran articles, nine National Conventions, over 40 National Church Council Meetings, countless visits to synods, eight ordinations of synod bishops, and probably 15 million miles in the air.
But those are just statistics. What I really remember is all the connections with people. Occasionally difficult, but usually warm and positive. People across the ELCIC. Maybe you! People in our full communion partner the Anglican Church of Canada and at the
Indigenous Church’s Sacred Circle. People from other churches in Canada, the Canadian Council of Churches and KAIROS. People I’ve met through councils and committees of The Lutheran World Federation and the World Council of Churches. People I’ve met as I have visited our partner churches in the Holy Land, Argentina and Peru.
So many people and each one reflecting the image of God. Each one committed to following Jesus in their own context. My life and ministry has been so enriched and strengthened by the faithful witness of all these people. And I am so very grateful for the opportunities you have given me to meet all these people because you called me to be your bishop.
I have had some amazing experiences but you have always been there with me. I always am cognizant that I bring you with me as I represent the church. So, you have brought greetings to people across the country and all around the world.
Thank you for your confidence in me. Thank you for your support and encouragement. Thank you for your emails, cards and letters. Thank you for your hugs. Most of all, thank you for your prayers. They have uplifted me in both good and challenging times.
Allow me mention some special thank yous. Thanks to the Conference of Bishops for your collegial friendship. Thanks to National Church Council for your passionate conversations and wise counsel. But especially thank you to the staff of the National Office who have been my right and left hands as we have worked together to accomplish the tasks that have been set before us.
We may not be a big church, but we are a big family as part of God’s family. I will continue to love this family, pray for this family and claim a place in this family—just a very different place that I have had for the past eighteen years.
God bless your new National Bishop. God bless each and every one of you.
With love,
Rev. Susan Johnson
ELCIC National Bishop
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