The Atlantic District’s geographical area encompasses the eastern half of the “Empire State,” New York. Over 20 million
people reside in this district that is composed of the vast rural areas in its northern and eastern regions; the sprawling suburban areas 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 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 (district mission statement) as it is Making Disciples for Life (Synod mission emphasis) by Engaging the World with the Gospel of Hope (district mission emphasis). Communication, education, and celebration have been “resurrection hallmarks” for this triennium as the saints are abounding in hope that is encapsulated in the refrain “Christ is risen, indeed.”
A. Communication Communicating the confessional commitment of children of the Augustana continues in earnest through the district memorandum, through which Scripture, Confessions, a theological meditation, and Synod, district, and other announcements are shared. This underscores the confessional commitment of children of the Augustana who affirm Making Disciples for Life (district convention resolution [R]4-02) and the Synod’s mission priorities (2019 Res. 4-03). “Christ is risen, indeed!” resounds as visitation, support, and resourcing continues for congregations, workers, and agencies. The Atlantic District Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (LWML) continued to be active and growing during this triennium, communicating Atrévete en Cristo, “Dare in Christ,” as new local groups were started in the district during this triennium. Simultaneously communicating mission goals and district goals has underscored a delightful relationship with this auxiliary. LWML Atlantic District women have been advocates for Engaging the World with the Gospel of Hope as they have been reassessing, re imagining, and re-engaging people in neighborhoods and communities while supporting professional church workers in their vocations. Their cards and gifts for pastors have been welcomed reminders of how they join Saint Mary of Magdala in exclaiming, “Christ is risen, indeed.”
B. Education The annual Festival of Workshops has attracted hundreds of laypeople, commissioned servants, and pastors with the themes Making Disciples for Life and In This Hope, We Were Saved. Learning opportunities range from scriptural and doctrinal studies, prayer and worship, mercy and witness, parish governance, and much more (R1-01A, R1-02A, R1-03A, R1-05A, R1-08A, R3-01, R302A, R3-03A, R3-04A, R5-11, R5-15, R6-03A, R12-05A, R1206). At the scenic campus of SUNY Maritime, people of the district enjoy reconnecting and encouraging one another during this anticipated and appreciated annual educational tradition. An emphasis on the care of the wives of pastors (R6-09) has continued the paschal proclamation as retreats and other gathering opportunities foster community. Circuit gatherings and convocations also have provided avenues for wives to connect and encourage one another in the mission field. Pastors’ conferences grounded in the resurrection proclamation “Christ is risen” facilitated discussions about worship and evangelism in global contexts (R2-02A, R2-05, R2-07A, R4-04). Circuit winkels continue to provide opportunities for robust theological discussion and mutual encouragement (R6-07A). The schools of the Atlantic District have received significant attention during this triennium (R12-01A, R12-03A, R12-04A). Issues including staffing, governance, funding models, and opportunities for witness continue to be analyzed so that the proclamation “Christ is risen, indeed” may be shared with boldness and vigor with students and their families.
C. Celebration With a dedicated staff, supportive praesidium and circuit visitors, and committed workers, the district has had many reasons to celebrate. The 62nd Regular Convention of the Atlantic District had the theme “In This Hope, We Were Saved” (Rom. 8:24). With the Lord’s work celebrated and a number of resolutions passed, the Atlantic District is committed to nurturing Christians and reaching out to others (R1-03A, R1-05A, R4-06, R6-02A, R6-04, R7-06B, R9-08A, R11-02A, R11-03A, R11-05). Servants of Christ were recognized as individual congregations and schools were celebrated with “mission minutes” throughout the convention. During the convention, Unity Lutheran Church in Albany was received as a congregation, the result of a merger between two other congregations in Albany. Amidst the many baptisms and confirmations in parishes, the ordinations and installations during this triennium have been answers to prayers as pastoral vacancies continue to be filled and navigated. Church worker wellness continues to be championed (R1-06A, R1-07, R11-01A). Pastors’ conferences with generous scholarships and Chrism masses at which pastors renewed their commitment to service fostered worker wellness. Retired workers were gathered, honored, and encouraged with multiple Veterans of the Cross luncheons. All-workers conferences and retreat opportunities were shared for professional church workers. The Witness in the Public Square gathering continues to be a grand celebration of the Lord’s amazing grace with the Church’s ongoing refrain “Christ is risen, indeed” as different people were honored for how they have shared the love of Jesus in public settings. It continues to be a magnificent time of communicating, educating, and celebrating Christ crucified and risen as the one true faith continues to be believed, taught, and confessed. Towards the conclusion of this triennium, the new district office space became fully functional. The meeting spaces for pastors’ conferences, the district board of directors, pastors’ wives’ retreats, and other educational opportunities have been a blessing, facilitating the gathering and encouraging of the faithful in their God-pleasing work. Having not had a permanent home for many years, the Lord’s children have cried aloud, “Christ is risen, indeed,” as new life has been communicated with these re imagined and renovated facilities. As a geographically central locus for educating the saints and celebrating the Lord’s goodness while remembering the past and posturing for the future, the chapel, library, meeting rooms, and offices underscore the ongoing 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—as the proclamation resonates throughout and from the Atlantic District, “Christ is risen, indeed!” Dien Ashley Taylor, President
several unique contexts including the greater Bay Area, an extremely diverse population with over 7 million people. The central valleys of California contain some of the world’s richest farmland and sizeable population centers. The coasts, foothills, and mountains boast majestic vistas, historic cities, and rich culture. Northern Nevada’s important population centers near Lake Tahoe are growing quickly. Foundational communities along I-80 and US 50, though of lesser population, offer stability and infrastructure to the working population there. The islands of Hawaii have 1.5 million residents and almost 10 million visitors yearly. The active military population in Hawaii numbers over 44,000 people. Opportunity abounds. Recognizing its long history and diverse population, the district met in convention May 15–17, 2025, under the theme Fruitful Branches, Pruned for Growth, based upon John 15:1–3. The convention reaffirmed the district’s strategic ministry plan with the over arching goals: • Increasing Connection and Collaboration
- Expanding Leadership Development
- Sparking Growing Ministries
- Focusing upon Worker Wellness
- Resourcing for Ministry
In addition, the convention accepted the executive summary strengthening the ministry plan’s focus upon the engagement of all congregations’ opportunity to find their place in God’s mission. The convention affirmed the plan to offer greater participation for commissioned ministers at our district convention and urged similar practices for the Synod in convention. A stronger framework for support and supervision between the President’s Office with the regional vice-presidents and circuit visitors was recommended, and the road towards church worker sabbaticals was strengthened. Notable accomplishments this triennium include:
A. Strengthening of Communications Our e-newsletter process received a significant upgrade for the purpose of effective and timely district connection. Regular planning sessions were implemented. The Mission Table Podcast hosted by Rev. Paul Ferguson was begun, striving to bring productive mission and ministry content to our congregations.
B. Partnering for Productive Ministry • The Mission Training Center, a theological and miss io logical educational platform intended for lay leadership and operated in partnership with the West Coast districts has strengthened its enrollment under Rev. Jonathan Priest. Foundations of Lutheran Teaching, a curriculum in partnership with able Lutheran educators, offers sound LCMS foundation for non called teachers in our Lutheran schools.
- Training of new pastors continues in partnership with the Pacific Southwest (PSW) and Northwest districts and in relationship with the Post-Seminary Applied Learning and Support director.
- CNH and PSW districts have partnered with the Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF)’s Real Estate Solutions to add an additional staff member, enabling greater sustainability combined with soul impact to our valuable ministry sites which may not be replaced if sold.
- LINC Bay Area, under the leadership of Rev. Aaron Putnam, continues to be a valuable partner in ministry for the district,