Pr. Jonathan Hemphill

Cafe with PJ

Dear Deans and Rostered Leaders,

My name is Pr. Jonathan Hemphill and I am the new Assistant to the Bishop for Congregational Life in the Southeastern Synod. It is with great excitement and joy to be here to serve you and this region of the ELCA. I am overjoyed by this call and the opportunity to work with our Bishop and constituents. I am looking forward to getting to share in ministry with each of you.

Our bags are not yet unpacked, boxes have yet to arrive from sunny Southern California, and my synod office space is still a little bear, but the hospitality, support and well wishes of people in this synod has been inviting and welcoming. While I am still figuring things out, I will go slow and pace my learning as to acclimate myself to this new role in the synod office. I am eager to make connections with you and learn the history and richness of this diverse region. I want to hear your stories, your calling, your passion as well those growing edges. I want to be a resource to you and help you connect to God’s desire for your mission and ministry. My passion is congregational life, and the many aspects our church and Lutheran presence shows up in the communities in which we serve. I have a deep affinity for community organizing and helping to shape transformational change that makes our neighborhoods and churches relevant. 

We all bear in mind the realities of Covid-19, its devastation, and its effects on congregational life. I am with you in the ways we have been church together over these 19 months. Perhaps, many of you are tired, burned out and/or frustrated. It’s enough to bring us to the feet of Jesus with continual prayer for God’s grace to keep, protect and go before us. I along with the entire synod staff pray for you daily. In my opinion, faith leaders and spiritual guides are along the frontlines of heroes too. Far too often your work is overlooked. Thank you for serving, for praying and showing up virtually and in-person for our congregations, members and communities. 

Lastly, I would love to meet and visit with each of you. I am still learning about how the geography of our territory works. Because of Covid, it makes it impossible to have a traditional meet and greet event. I am inviting you all to sign up for, Café with PJ. It is an opportunity for us to share together in conversation and get to know one another. For some, possibly, we can actually meet at a coffee shop and for others, our coffee shop will be online. Please check out the flyer below and click the link below to sign up or send an email so we can become better acquainted. I leave with these words from Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:1-6, “I thank my God every time I 
remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.”

In Christ,

Pastor Jonathan