Christian vocation: Sunday worship meets Monday work

By Bishop Robert D. Hofstad

What is the Connection? What is the common thread between our worship as Christians on Sunday and our weekday work — whatever that may be — beginning on Monday? As Lutherans we have an answer; it is called Christian Vocation. This is not the same as one's "occupation" — although there is a connection here too. But our "vocation" as Christians is much larger than our "occupation." So, once again ... What is the connection between Sunday worship and Monday work?

With this as the focus of our 2012 Southwestern Washington Synod Assembly — May 18 and 19 at the Hilton Hotel in Vancouver, Wash., — we will have two very special guests to lead us in our conversations:

First, Gov. Christine Gregoire will be the keynote speaker at the opening session on the morning of Friday, May 18. As a very public elected official, and at the same time a devout and active Roman Catholic, Gov. Gregoire is well-qualified to lead this conversation. As a sitting two-term governor who is not running for re-election, our communications leading up to our synod assembly have centered on the hope that this will be a presentation of "faith" on her part. I am very hopeful that Gov. Gregoire’s words will set the stage for our assembly’s "making connections."

Second, our ELCA Churchwide Representative will be the General Secretary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America — Mr. David Swartling. Before being elected to the position of Secretary — one of the four officers of our ELCA — David was a prominent trial litigator in Seattle. He and his wife Barbara have been Lutherans for most of their lives. David is also well-qualified, having made the switch from a secular occupation to a church-related one, to make the connection between worship and work. There will be time, as part of our assembly, to hear the witness of others from our own Southwestern Washington Synod who have made this connection in their own life.

There will also be ample time for discussion and conversation among all voting members and guests to speak of their own connections and to listen to others. We will be making room — particularly at the opening session — for non-voting members from our 92 synod congregations to participate in the presentations and conversations. I urge all pastors to make a verbal announcement of this fact as part of your congregation’s worship leading up to our assembly. As you can no doubt tell, I am very excited and hopeful about our 2012 Synod Assembly. I would ask for your prayers on behalf of all who are already making decisions and plans.

Please put the dates on your calendar today: May 18 to 19 at the Hilton Hotel, Vancouver.

Blessings to you,

Robert D. Hofstad