Originally posted in the Northwest Intermountain Synod’s electronic newsletter.

Dear Saints of the Northwest Intermountain Synod,

Growing up in Custer, South Dakota, Labor Day weekend always marked the end of the

major tourism season that shaped so much of life in the Black Hills in the 1990s. Of

course, Labor Day celebrates much more than that, and in 2026 it can hold many

meanings. If you are looking for something to read, I recommend one of our most

under-read social statements: Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All, sometimes

referred to as our Economic Life Social Statement. For a family, church, or

neighborhood ritual, I commend Affirmation of Christian Vocation, found on page 84 in

the front of Evangelical Lutheran Worship. I wish I had used it more often when I served

my two congregations. We regularly celebrated Rogation Sunday and blessed teachers

in Soldier, Iowa, but both congregations also had many other vocations worth

celebrating. This affirmation, along with Affirmation of Baptism by the Assembly, can be

incorporated into worship on any Sunday.

During the two years before I affirmed my baptism, I attended confirmation classes in

Custer with an extraordinary person I still count among my close friends. Jennifer is now

a clinical professor, large animal surgeon, and head of the Department of Large Animal

Clinical Sciences at Texas A&M. We both studied scripture and Luther’s Small

Catechism, and we both seek to follow Jesus faithfully in daily life. I am grateful for the

ways Jennifer lives out her faith, and I sometimes wonder whether her teaching and

formation of young adults does more to help bring in the reign of God than my own work

does. But this is not a competition. Jennifer would be glad that I am celebrating all our

callings, and she would trust—and be grateful—that, as bishop, I am encouraging my

current flock to support future pastors and deacons. Jennifer and her husband raised all

four of their children in ELCA congregations. Who will shepherd the ministries their

young adult children, three of whom are now in college, will join?

Our synod is currently walking alongside ten candidates for ordained ministry. Thank

you to all who have encouraged and continue to support these candidates. If you see

gifts for public ministry in someone, please tell them. We in the ELCA look for both an

external call (others seeing gifts for public ministry) and an internal call (someone

feeling the nudging of the Holy Spirit). If you know someone considering becoming a

pastor or deacon, please tell them that our ELCA seminaries are hosting a Virtual

Discernment Event (https://elcaseminaries.org) Sunday, Sept. 27: 1-3pm Pacific/2-4pm Mountain.

Thank you again for all you do to encourage all disciples as they respond to God’s

promises and live out the promises we make in Holy Baptism.

Peace,

Bishop Meggan