2009 Conference of Bishops

By Daniel J. Lehmann

With fighting in the Gaza Strip hovering ominously in the background, a
small group of bishops from the ELCA turned to the more pleasant church
business Sunday evening of witnessing the confirmation of five youths at
a Lutheran church in Amman, Jordan.

The six bishops and spouses helped fill Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on
the edge of city’s downtown, easily spotted with its lighted cross
atop the church belltower.

The reception that followed in the church basement was as celebratory as
they come: dance music and a lighted, spinning disco ball greeted the
youth as they entered in line and were followed by a sheet cake
featuring two lit roman candles. The smoke released for added atmosphere
probably wasn’t needed since nearly every parishioner smoked cigarettes.

During the worship service, Bishop Munib A. Younan of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land thanked the bishops for
coming to the Middle East “not only in times of joy” but also during
periods of sorrow, and in the current situation, fighting between
Israelis and Palestinians.

ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson pledged the denomination’s support
for the ELCJHL and said he hoped the change of presidential
administrations in the United States would help bring “the conflicting
sides to a lasting, two-state solution” of peace.

Hanson and the other bishops were to be joined by Presiding Bishop Susan
C. Johnson of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada for a two-plus
day visit to Jordan before hooking up with a majority of the bishops
from both nations in Jerusalem and the West Bank Jan. 6-13. The bishops
hope the trip will stress accompaniment with the ELCJHL, raise awareness
of regional issues and boost advocacy for peace.

The day wasn’t all serious. Using a sunny day to overcome jet lag
following Saturday’s flight, the bishops took in Petra, the ancient
Roman ruin in southern Jordan. The sight of the delegation atop trotting
donkeys lugging them up and out of the valley for more than a mile
wasn’t captured on film as the media traveling with the bishops
struggled to stay upright on their own beasts of burden.

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