“Rejoicing in Hope,” the theme of the 2025 ELCIC National Convention, served as the central focus for outgoing ELCIC National Bishop Susan Johnson’s report to convention on Thursday afternoon.
Gathered in Winnipeg at the University of Manitoba for the triennial assembly, over 200 delegates, staff, visitors, special guests and volunteers took in Bishop Johnson’s final report to convention. After 18 years of service, she will retire from the role she has held since 2007. As part of this year’s convention business, delegates will elect a new national bishop.
“As we rejoice in hope, we lift up the goodness of God’s grace. We lean into our tagline: Living out God’s grace and unconditional love,” she said. “Rejoicing in hope, we gather these days to worship, for fellowship, to do business, to listen and learn, to discuss and to give thanks for service.”
Johnson spoke passionately about the work of the new steering committee: Facing Today – Dreaming for the Future, which is a church-wide consultation called into action by National Church Council this past year. She also hinted at upcoming video presentations from each of the four task forces that have been serving since the 2019 National Convention.
Prior to Johnson’s address, those gathered for convention’s opening worship took in a celebration of the 50thanniversary of women’s ordination as pastors within the ELCIC.
All female pastors in attendance were vested for the service, which saw Rev. Johnson preach and British Columbia Synod Bishop Kathy Martin preside.
The first woman to be ordained in the church was the late Rev. Pamela McGee. The second woman, Rev. Vivian Roberts – also the longest-serving Lutheran female pastor in Canada – was in attendance to celebrate the anniversary and read a lesson at the service.
Johnson concluded her report with messages of thanks to her colleagues and partners over the past 18 years, all intertwined by an a cappella rendition of ‘Beautiful Saviour’ echoing throughout the plenary hall.
“It has been an honour to serve you as your national bishop,” Rev. Johnson said. “I love our church and I’m proud of what we do and what we stand for. We pray fervently, we work for justice passionately, we face challenges head on, and we embrace the future with hope. We give thanks to God for the grace we have received and strive to share that grace with the world in great need. Soli Deo Gloria – to God alone the glory!”
The livestream for the 2025 ELCIC National Convention is available to follow along with the proceedings virtually. The livestream link on the ELCIC YouTube channel and website. The full convention agenda, Bulletin of Reports, election updates and daily highlights can also be found at https://elcic.ca/national-convention/.
