New ELCIC Praise Appeal to Celebrate Ministry of the Wider Church

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) announces a new church-wide Praise Appeal. "To Everything There is a Time" is the theme of the inaugural ELCIC Praise Appeal which this year will give thanks for the ministry of women in the church, looking back on the ministry of Evangelical Lutheran Women Inc. (ELW) and looking forward to the new forms this ministry may take.

The ELCIC has been, for many years, generously gifted with extra-mile giving through the ministry of ELW Praise Offering Services. ELW made the difficult decision to dissolve in 2010 but their legacy remains as these gifts have contributed millions of dollars over the history of the church.

"The women of the church, through their participation in the ELW Praise Offering Services, have shown us first hand the importance of stewardship and extra-mile giving," says ELCIC National Bishop Susan Johnson. "I’d like to encourage all ELCIC congregations to partner with us and support the ministry of the wider church by participating in the ELCIC Praise Appeal."

The Resource Generation Task Force of the National Church put forward a Financial Resource Generation Strategy for the ELCIC that was approved by National Church Council in 2009. This strategy included an annual appeal.

The ELCIC Praise Appeal is being launch as an opportunity to continue the church-wide spirit of extra-mile giving and will allow the opportunity to highlight different aspects of the ministry of the wider church. Congregations throughout the ELCIC are asked to designate one Sunday this year, and in coming years, at a time that works best within their own context to highlight the ELCIC Praise Appeal.

Resources are currently being prepared and will be available on the ELCIC website by April 1, 2011.

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 152,500 baptized members in 607 congregations. It is a member of the Lutheran World Federation, the Canadian Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches.

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For more information, please contact:
Trina Gallop, Director of Communications
302-393 Portage Ave. Winnipeg MB R3B 3H6
204.984.9172
tgallop@elcic.ca

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