In a city that thrives on contention, Bishop Richard Graham spreads a message of peace and humility, here and around the world. The 58-year-old leads nearly 35,000 members of 80 congregations that make up the Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. This summer, the ELCA joined other Protestant denominations in grappling with the issue of same-sex relationships among its clergy. Bishop Graham shared with The Examiner by e-mail his thoughts on the outcome of that debate, and his hopes for the region’s future.

Do you consider yourself to be of a specific faith?
I’m a Christian and I serve God in the Lutheran Christian tradition. I believe Jesus Christ is the light of the world. I’ve found throughout my whole life that Lutheran worship and music, Lutheran thought, and Lutheran service in the world all say powerful things about God’s love and God’s will for us. The ELCA recently approved a contentious sexuality statement at its national convention allowing Lutherans in same-sex relationships to serve as pastors.