Opinion Excerpt

Stepton-Howard v Metropolitan N.Y. Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Am. 2026 NY Slip Op 05504 September 29, 2026 Appellate Division, First Department Published by New York State Law Reporting Bureau pursuant to Judiciary Law § 431. This decision is uncorrected and subject to revision before publication in the Official Reports. Lisa Stepton-Howard, Plaintiff-Respondent, v Metropolitan New York Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in American, also known as Metropolitan New York