Messages from Bishop Usgaard

Bishop’s Report to the 2012 Synod Assembly

I mentioned the word “joy.” As in Paul’s letter to the Romans: “may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing…”as in the Gospel of John: “These things I have spoken to you, that my … Continue reading →

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Opening Worship – Bishop’s Sermon

Gospel Reading: Matthew 1:1-17 Have you ever seen such a cast of characters? Certainly some folks you would expect to be here. Like Abraham, called to be the father of a great nation…faithful…trusting to the extreme. And King David, the … Continue reading →

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The Value of Questions

By Rev. Harold Usgaard Synod Bishop Easter day was something special! I have finally become accustomed to worshiping with my family on Easter after years of standing in front leading worship. Together, with children and grandchildren, we filled the pew. … Continue reading →

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A Holy Week Message from Bishop Usgaard

Holy Week, 2012 Dear Partners in Ministry: The Gospel of Mark always makes life interesting at Easter. It leaves us hanging. “So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said … Continue reading →

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How We Address Social Concerns in the ELCA

By Rev. Harold Usgaard Synod Bishop “Faithful participation in society is integral and vital to the mission of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. As individual members and as a corporate body this church lives out the Christian faith in … Continue reading →

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Thank Our Faithful Leaders in Ministry

By Rev. Harold Usgaard Synod Bishop This time of year pastors and other rostered leaders submit a report to me sharing their experiences in ministry during the previous year. They share goals, accomplishments, significant experiences, and concerns. Every year I … Continue reading →

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Witnessing the Legacy of 100 Years of Ministry in the Central Diocese

By Rev. Harold Usgaard Synod Bishop It takes 21 hours to travel from Minneapolis to Kilimanjaro Airport in Arusha, Tanzania. We had received our shots, taken our malaria pills, packed for warm and wet weather, and exchanged our money. And … Continue reading →

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The Covenant of Holy Baptism

By Rev. Harold Usgaard Synod Bishop The Baptism of our Lord comes the first Sunday after Epiphany. It is a time to reflect not only on Jesus’ baptism, but also our own. As Lutherans, we believe that is where our … Continue reading →

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Making Advent a Family Tradition

By Rev. Harold Usgaard Synod Bishop After all these years, our adult children still remember the tune and most of the words: “The King of glory come, the nation rejoices, open the gates before him, lift up your voices.” It … Continue reading →

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An Advent Message from Bishop Usgaard

Soon and very soon we are goin’ to see the King, Soon and very soon we are goin’ to see the King, Soon and very soon we are goin’ to see the King, Hallelujah, hallelujah, we’re going to see the … Continue reading →

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Adapting How We Equip Faithful Leaders

By Rev. Harold Usgaard Synod Bishop One of the valuable opportunities I enjoy during our Conference of Bishops each fall is meeting with the presidents of our eight ELCA seminaries. They are a faithful and dedicated group of leaders, and … Continue reading →

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Witnessing Both Diversity and Familiarity at the 2011 Churchwide Assembly

By Rev. Harold Usgaard Synod Bishop We are a large church. The ELCA consists of 4.2 million members in over 10,000 congregations. The 2011 Churchwide Assembly held in Orlando, Florida, this past August was a reminder of how wide we … Continue reading →

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Remembering 9/11

It was a wonderful fall day. I had only been in this new office a little over a week. I had come in early that morning. We were in the process of interviewing support staff. I heard the bells of … Continue reading →

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Report of the Bishop of the Southeastern Minnesota Synod

It is about mission. We need to remember that. God’s work. Our Hands. Or as we have said these past two days, our Lutheran Hands. The Scripture reminds us that God would have all to be saved and come to … Continue reading →

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