Welcome from Bishop Payne

Welcome to our Web site and our witness to the transforming power of the gospel.

We are all about listening in the New England Synod. We are listening to God, to one another, to the Word, to the world, to voices pleading for food and justice and peace. What is the Spirit saying to the Church? What is the new shape of mission that God is giving us? Listen with us from the heart of Word and Sacrament to the voices that are guiding our synod into a new vision of a public church that is “Rooted for Life and Transforming for Mission.” Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live. Isaiah 55:3

In Christ,

Margaret G. Payne, Bishop 

UPDATE 12/18/09   Visit Bishop Payne's new blog with reflections and photos from her trip to the Holy Land Dec. 18-23, 2009, as part of an interreligious delegation:  http://bishoppayne.blogspot.com/ 

Bishop Payne's Bible Study at the 2005 ELCA Churchwide Assembly: View Video Clip, Text, ELCA News Release

Sermons...
2007 Renewal of Vows March 2007
2006 Renewal of Vows April 4, 2006
2004 Renewal of Vows March 24, 2004

2005 Bishop's Convocation Nov. 7, 2005
2003 Bishop's Convocation Oct. 21, 2003

Sermon at Don Johnson Celebration May 14, 2005