For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. -2 Timothy 1:6-7

As I conclude my assignment as acting bishop of the Delaware-Maryland Synod while Bishop Bill Gohl was on sabbatical this summer, I thank you for this opportunity to serve, and to bless you for the support, trust and the warm welcome you extended to me from the very first day I arrived, to the love and mutual appreciation we grew to have for each other during our time together.

God did not give you a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power, and of love and self-discipline.

You have never been a timid synod; however, these times call us to confidently claim the power of the Holy Spirit of God, to not be ashamed of the Gospel, or to fear the kind of suffering that builds character and resilience. This is the time to show, do and be love for our neighbors, our country, and the world. Along this journey, the Spirit will help us with the self-discipline and faith needed to accomplish Christ's holy purpose.

Please allow me to reflect a bit on my immersion experience in the Delaware- Maryland Synod.

You like to be together! Although the contexts are different, everywhere I went, I found great pride and affection for your ministry together as the Delaware- Maryland Synod. This includes the social ministry organizations, Mar-Lu-Ridge, United Lutheran Seminary, the congregations, new missions, synod-sponsored events, and ecumenical partnerships that strengthen your Lutheran witness in this bi-state region.

You are a BIG Tent! By this I mean you have a generous capacity to include the variety of people that Christ is calling you to welcome as He has welcomed you. You are a remarkable synod with many gifted and diverse leaders and congregations - racially, economically, ethnically, linguistically, politically and generationally. I urge you to continue keeping the Delaware-Maryland arena open to all the possibilities and people God is sending your way.

You don’t take yourselves too seriously! I love this about you! Along with a sincere welcome, there is a spirit of humor, gratitude, and joy among the people of the Delaware-Maryland Synod that is contagious.

Your leaders are gifted, courageous and passionate! Bishop Gohl, and your Synod Officers, Vice President John Auger, Secretary Nancy Gordon, and Treasurer San Dee Koons and your Synod Council are enthusiastic champions of the new and existing ministries of this synod. Your synod full and part-time staff - Pastor Amsalu Geleta, Pastor Robin Simpson Litton, Deacon Julie Stecker, Pastor Bettye Wolinski, Pastor Eric Campbell, Justina Sergeon, Karen Kretschmann, Cindy VanVliet, Sheron Campbell, and Pat Walton work collaboratively to always keep the Church of Jesus Christ, expressed in the mission and vision of the Delaware-Maryland Synod, as their core priorities. Your pastors and deacons, lay leaders and church staffs, ecumenical partners, advocacy, and Region 8 staffs are strong and faithful networks that are building capacity to equip the saints for the work of ministry.
  
Finally, I thank Bishop Gohl for trusting me with the oversight of the Office of the Bishop for a season. I know he appreciated this opportunity to be in prayer, worship, discernment, and renewal in body, mind, and spirit. His time to be with his loved ones and do the things he enjoys without the pressing bishop's schedule was a gift you gave the Gohl family and your bishop this summer.

I was blessed by your support, delighted to be included in your diverse and daring ministries, and inspired by your devotion to the church of Jesus Christ and His call to love one another.

With and in Christ,
The Rev. Claire Schenot Burkat