The final Rejoicing in Hope thematic presentation of the 2025 ELCIC National Convention concluded with a Bible study session, presented by Emily Savage, Vice-President, The Canadian Council of Churches and member at St. Philip’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Toronto.
Delegates were invited to draw their attention to 1 Corinthians 13:4-7: “Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable; it keeps no record of wrongs; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
Savage encouraged delegates to reflect on love not just as an emotion, but as an action that can lead to new beginnings and transformative change.
“Love breaks down barriers, literal and metaphorical, offering new ways forward, new innovations, new connections, new relationships,” she said. “It rewrites our expectations. It shifts how we think of ourselves, of our loved ones, of the people around us. Such a force that makes space for hope, even when it shouldn’t be there.”
Walking delegates through reflection on the story of the Good Samaritan, Savage illustrated the unexpected nature of love on making space for hope even in unexpected places.
During table discussions, delegates reflected on ideas surrounding the “unexpected neighbour” and where they see pockets and glimmers of hope today.
Savage concluded the session by inviting delegates into prayer, “Dear Lord, give us the courage to love beyond boundaries. Give us the eyes to see all of the hope you have hidden around our world. Give us the strength to redefine our neighbours and help us to keep our hearts open to all of the beautiful little surprises that make everything worth it.”
