August 31, 2024 in News
Chosen, Called, and Sent – A note of gratitude from Bishop Davenport
August 31, 2024
Beloved Siblings in Christ,
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9
I am grateful! What a blessing it has been to be called, chosen and sent by God for 39 years in ministry – and especially the last six as your Bishop. We have been building the beloved community of SEPA Synod together since 2018. We went through a worldwide pandemic together. We mourned and danced together. Through it all, not a day has gone by where I wasn’t grateful for my call from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod to be your Bishop. Thank you!
As I prepare to retire, I am overwhelmed with your notes and gifts of gratitude for our ministry together. We celebrated together at worship on August 9, had a fun BBQ party together on August 10, and then danced the night away on August 11. These memories will be with me for a lifetime, and I thank you for all the ways you have blessed me.
I believe relationship is everything. God calls us into relationship, and then sends us to be in relationship with each other. It has been my privilege to represent you while serving on various committees and task forces. We must be in relationship with others so that together, we can make a true difference in the world.
People of SEPA Synod, you are indeed a chosen people. God has called you into his marvelous light, so that you might accompany those who remain in the darkness. So that you fight for justice for those whose voices go unheard. So that you work together as the Body of Christ, instead of dividing into groups of haves and have nots.
I thank you for placing your trust in me, for saying yes when I asked for your guidance or help in serving the synod, and for the many prayers over the years; it is the strength every Bishop needs to stand on as we continue this leadership journey. I pray that you will continue to place your respect and trust in the Rev.
Bryan Penman as he begins his journey as your Bishop. Pray for him. Love him. Be in relationship and conversation with him. For you are a chosen people, you are called by the One who can do everything but fail.
I leave you with a prayer from Jude 1: 24-25:
Now unto him who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.
To God Be the Glory!
The Rev. Dr. Patricia A. Davenport
Bishop
