Bishop Hutterer: A Pastoral Letter for the 250th Anniversary of the United States

Photo by Ryan Wallace on Unsplash

As people across our nation mark 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, many of us find ourselves reflecting on what this anniversary means.

Anniversaries invite both gratitude and truth-telling.

For some, this milestone arrives with deep pride and celebration. For others, it carries complexity—memories of promises fulfilled unevenly, freedoms experienced differently, and wounds that still remain. For most of us, perhaps, it is both: gratitude mixed with longing, hope mixed with concern.

And perhaps that is exactly where faith belongs.

As Christians, we are people rooted in a story much older than any nation. Long before borders were drawn or constitutions written, God was already gathering people, liberating the oppressed, feeding the hungry, and calling communities to justice, mercy, and love of neighbor.

We give thanks for the gifts that life in this country has made possible: freedoms protected, communities built, opportunities created, and the imperfect but enduring work of democratic participation. We are grateful for those who sacrificed, served, organized, voted, protested, taught, healed, governed, farmed, built, and cared for one another across generations.

And yet faith also calls us to honesty.

We know that 250 years of American history includes both extraordinary courage and profound contradiction. We remember moments of generosity and moments of exclusion. We know that the promises of liberty and justice have not always been shared equally. We see divisions in our communities, distrust in our institutions, and deep concern for the future.

Many people today are weary. Some feel uncertain. Some feel hopeful. Many feel all these things at once.

Scripture reminds us that uncertainty is not new to God’s people.

Again and again, God’s people found themselves living through unsettled times—times of political tension, fear, exile, division, and change. And again and again came the words: Do not be afraid.

Not because circumstances were easy. Not because outcomes were guaranteed. But because God remained present.

Martin Luther reminded us that God works through ordinary things—through what he called “daily bread.” And daily bread includes not only food, but good government, trustworthy neighbors, meaningful work, justice, peace, and communities where people can flourish.

How we care for one another matters. How we participate in public life matters. How we speak to one another matters.

As people of faith, we are called not to cynicism or despair, but to engaged hope. We are called to tell the truth, to love our neighbors, to seek the common good, to care especially for those who are vulnerable, and to remain committed to one another even when we disagree.

The church is not called to place its trust in political parties, leaders, or nations. Our hope is in Christ.

And yet, we are called to love the places where God has planted us.

For those of us who live in Arizona, southern Nevada, St. George, Utah, and the Navajo Nation, this shared civic life matters. Our congregations serve neighbors every day through food ministries, schools, advocacy, accompaniment, worship, and simple acts of compassion. In uncertain times, these ordinary acts of faithfulness become holy things.

As we mark this 250th anniversary, perhaps the invitation is not merely to look backward, but forward.

What kind of neighbors will we be? What kind of communities will we build? What kind of future will we help shape for those who come after us?

We may live in uncertain times. But Christians have lived through uncertain times before.

And still, God was present. Still, communities endured. Still, hope took root.

As a synod this year, we gather under the theme “Rooted in God’s Story.” That feels especially fitting now. Nations rise and change. Generations come and go. But God’s story continues—and we are invited to live faithfully within it.

May we give thanks for what has been.

May we work with courage for what can yet be.

And may God grant us wisdom, compassion, humility, and hope for the journey ahead.

With you in Christ,

The Rev. Deborah K. Hutterer
Bishop
Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA