The Atlantic District’s geographical area encompasses the eastern half of the state of New York. Twenty million people reside in this district that is composed of the vast rural areas in its northern and eastern regions; the sprawling suburbs throughout its northern, central, and eastern regions; and the bustling metropolitan areas of Albany in its northern region and the city of New York in its central region. The Atlantic District has an unparalleled cultural diversity and population density, replete with exciting mission opportunities. The Atlantic District’s congregations, workers, and agencies share God’s grace in Christ Jesus by nurturing Christians and reaching out to others (mission statement of the Atlantic District) as it is Making Disciples for Life (LCMS mission emphasis) by Engag-ing the World with the Gospel of Hope (mission emphasis of the Atlantic District). Our ever-gracious Lord has carried the Atlantic District through significant challenges since the Synod’s last regular convention, including the COVID-19 pandemic (with many deaths connected with this virus in its congregations, schools, and agencies), the closure of congregations and schools, the closure of Concordia College—New York (after 140 years of service to the Church), and the resignation of the bishop/district president. Yet, even with these, the Atlantic District has endeavored to Live Loved (the theme of the 2022 district convention) as the love of God in Christ Jesus has been shared through the Holy Word and blessed Sacraments. As the crucified, risen, ascended, and returning Christ continues to be proclaimed with vigor, this district rejoices with every Baptism, confirmation, marriage, commissioning, ordination, installation, and new and creative mission initiative while confessing the one true faith as children of the Augustana. Parishes, schools, and agencies of the Atlantic District responded to the incomparable trials of the COVID-19 pandemic prayer fully with appropriate uses of technology in addition to responsible in-person spiritual care. Circuit visitors and the district Praesidium continue to meet monthly via Zoom for the sharing of information, for planning, and for encouragement. Bible classes, Services of the Holy Word, meetings, and other events using digital technology stretched congregations, schools, and agencies to proclaim Christ crucified to even more people than before the pandemic began. Resources were shared to help congregations, schools, and agencies initiate and strengthen online giving platforms and develop more effective digital presences for both Christians and seekers. With a strong confessional commitment moved by the Holy Spirit, the church in eastern New York has not been prevented from proclaiming Christ crucified by the pandemic and its consequences. With the unfortunate and devastating closure of Concordia College—New York, people in this district and beyond have expressed a profound and pronounced need not only for repentance but also for renewal as new opportunities for church worker formation and religious education remain possibilities for this region while partnerships with others in the Synod can be strengthened. As a result of the closure of Concordia College—New York, the district office moved from the Concordia campus in Bronx ville to midtown Manhattan. Staff positions have been shifted, adjusted, and added as the office continues to be reorganized for efficiency and effectiveness. The district also provided workers to serve in national capacities in the Lutheran Women in Mission (LWML) and the LCMS Board for National Mission in addition to the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians. This Engaging the World with the Gospel of Hope, then, has happened not only in eastern New York but in other parts of the nation with impact all over the world. The witness of individuals and congregations (2019 Res. 1-01A and the Synod Mission Priority [MP] 1, “Plant, sustain, and revitalize Lutheran churches”) has been strengthened with monthly prayer guides that include every congregation of the district and monthly prayer meetings via Zoom. Here I Stand Sunday provided a chance to highlight witnessing despite threatening circumstances (2019 Res. 4-09). The Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) has assisted with ministry solutions and clarity while the district has begun pilot projects with Set Apart to Serve and Concordia Plans Services (MP 4, “collaborate with the Synod’s members and partners to enhance mission effectiveness”) in addition to other appropriate local partnerships to assist with revitalization, reorganiza-
tion, and growth. Congregations, schools, and agencies have been informed of resources available from the LCMS national office while support for international mission has continued. Congregations are encouraged and assisted in the sharing of resources (2019 Res. 1-03) while addressing mental illness and other challenges through district task forces and partner organizations, especially because of the COVID-19 pandemic (Res. 3-04A, MP 4). During the pandemic, a special Zoom educational gathering for pastors promoted an ongoing and healthy discussion about racism in the church. A district convention resolution carries forward the Synod’s condemnation of racism while affirming the common humanity of all people (2019 Res. 11-04A, MP 3, “perform human care in close proximity to Word and Sacrament”) as the district engages daily in multi ethnic outreach (Res. 1-05A) and studies racism in the history of the church with a desire to proclaim both Law and Gospel. As the district is undertaking a reassessment in conjunction with the LWML Atlantic District coming out of the pandemic, it continued to offer workers continuing education opportunities (in-person and online) and to encourage all members to update their biographical and statistical information (2019 Res. 6-04, MP 5, “promote and nurture the spiritual, emotional, financial, and physical well-being of pastors and professional church workers”), so that vitalized congregations, sanctified workers, and dynamic agencies reflect the vision of this district (words from the Vision Statement of the Atlantic District). While giving thanks to the Lord for and providing for all schools (Res. 12-01A, MP 6, “enhance early childhood education, elementary and secondary education, and youth ministry”), theological education (MP 2, “support and expand theological education”) and supporting families (MP 7, “strengthen and support the Lutheran family in living out God’s design”) remain important priorities for the days ahead as the district’s task forces, board of directors, circuit visitors, Praesidium, and workers endeavor to address both the needs of the church and the needs of those who do not have faith in Christ. The Atlantic District’s Festival of Workshops in March of 2023 was themed Making Disciples for Life and highlighted the Synod’s seven mission priorities to preach Christ crucified (). It provided an opportunity to begin a new chapter in the life of the saints of this district with a parish pastor as its new bishop and president, highlighting not only the ties that bind the Lord’s people across the Synod who walk together but also a renewed commitment to vigorously make known the love of Christ by word and in deed with an evangelical, catholic, and reforming habit us to the praise and glory of God—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.