The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) is pleased to announce Donald Storch as the first recipient of the ELCIC In Mission for Others Leadership Award. The award recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the life and work of the wider church.
Storch has been an active member in several ELCIC congregations in the British Columbia Synod and Synod of Alberta and the Territories, often serving on council and even as chair. In 1997, he was elected to National Church Council and served as secretary from 2001 until 2011. He is a former chair of both the Victorian Order of Nurses Foundation and its National Board. Storch was also the first president of the Lutheran Student Association – formerly Lutheran Student Movement, 1958.
The current Victoria, B.C. resident has dedicated significant time to helping out in the community – both through his professional work and his time spent volunteering. Storch, a former counsellor, mediator and educator, has facilitated many groups and led change processes in not-for-profit corporations and businesses. He is also well-known for his involvement in over 30 organizations dealing with law and health care goals, social welfare and family life. Storch was invested into the Order of Canada on April 7, 2010.
“I am really excited and pleased knowing that Don was selected,” said ELCIC National Bishop Susan C. Johnson. “I cannot think of a better person to be the first recipient of the ELCIC Leadership Award. He has a big heart, a great sense of humour and a love of people. Don is an excellent detail person and is very committed to doing his work.”
A call for nominations for the award was issued earlier in 2017. The ELCIC’s National Church Council voted by secret ballot to select this year’s recipient.
Storch says he was surprised to learn he was not only nominated but also chosen as this year’s recipient. “It’s always a pleasure to get a phone call from our National Bishop,” Storch said. “I actually had no idea that I was nominated! It is indeed quite an honor to be recognized by the ELCIC.”
Storch often finds himself looking back upon a certain line from his chosen confirmation verse –Joshua 24:15, “Choose you this day whom you will serve, as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.”
“That verse has been a guide for me through all the years since confirmation,” he said. “My first thoughts after the surprise were that I wanted to thank those that nominated me. I then wanted to thank those who have mentored and guided me over the years – both lay and ordained – and my wife and family for their support as I was often away from home on Church Business. I give many thanks for being selected to receive this award.”
The ELCIC In Mission for Others Leadership Award will be presented to Don Storch at the 2017 ELCIC National Convention, which takes place July 6-8, 2017 in Winnipeg, MB.
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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 114,592 baptized members in 525 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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