Assistant to the Bishop of SW WA Synod's Wife's Congregation Joins NALC

Pastor Lori Hoyum

Assistant to the Bishop Ronald Hoyum

Port Madison Lutheran Church, Bainbridge Island, WA passed second vote to leave the ELCA (81%) and join the NALC. (Reported by Lori Hoyum, pastor of the congregation. Her husband is assistant to ELCA bishop in Tacoma.)

(Editor's note:  Pastor Lori Hoyum grew up in Fertile, MN and participated in the youth program of the Lutheran Evangelistic Movement.)

As general information and as a prayer request, we include part of her communication:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I wanted to write and let you know that Port Madison Lutheran Church of Bainbridge Island, WA held a second vote today to leave the ELCA and join the NALC. The vote passed with 81% agreeing to this change in affliliation.

Even though our congregation has not experienced severe conflict over this matter, we have lost a number of members. We are asking you to pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit for our leadership as we seek to unify the congregation and plan for the future.

By the way, PMLC will celebrate 100 years since the dedication of our historic sanctuary on May 20, 2012. The first baby baptized at the baptismal font turns 100 years old in a couple weeks and hopes to attend the celebration in May. We are very excited, and hopeful that the next 100 years at PMLC will be our best years of serving Christ!

Finally, some of you know that our 18 year old daughter, Gretchen, has been very sick since August. In late January she was admitted to the hospital with acute renal failure, weight loss (45 pounds -- she was literally starving to death!), an abscess and a massive abdominal infection that had not been properly diagnosed. On Feb. 10th, after her kidney issues were resolved, she had surgery to remove the mass of infection, plus a over a foot of diseased intestine. The diagnosis is severe Crohn's Disease. She was miraculously discharged on Feb. 17th, and will begin Remicade infusions next month. Already she is feeling much better!

To be honest, the last 6 months have really tested my faith. Nothing has mattered to me as much as Gretchen's restoration to health -- not even this change in affiliation. But because we saw God's hand on Gretchen's life in such a miraculous way, I have been able to rest in His goodness and strength as we anticipated this second vote.

God's peace!

Lori Hoyum, Pastor
Port Madison Lutheran Church
Bainbridge Island, WA