The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) and Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) issue an appeal for prayers and financial support to treat Palestinian civilians injured as a result of hostilities between Palestinians in Gaza and Israel.

"We stand with all the people in the Holy Land and keep them in our prayers," says ELCIC National Bishop Susan C. Johnson. "We pray for peace for all who are affected by this violence and devastation. Gracious God, comfort all those who live in fear. May you bring mercy, compassion and grace to all in need and strengthen the will of those who can impact negotiations and bring peace."

Donations will provide urgently needed medical supplies to civilians receiving treatment at the Augusta Victoria Hospital, a program of the Lutheran World Federation in East Jerusalem.

“Hospitals in Gaza are under great pressure as they suffer from an acute shortage of essential drugs, medical supplies and fuel to provide power,” said CLWR Executive Director Robert Granke. “The Palestinian health sector is relying heavily on the services of Augusta Victoria Hospital on the Mount of Olives,” he added.

Lutherans are encouraged to participate in the appeal through prayer and financial support.

Remember the people who live in the Holy Land and all those who yearn for peace in your prayers, especially on the 24th of every month (a date set aside for a regular global ecumenical call to prayer initiated by ACT Alliance), until a just and lasting negotiated resolution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict occurs. Please visit actpalestineforum.org/vigil/ to sign up and see worship resources.

Donations to the “Medical care for Palestinian civilians” appeal may be made in the following ways:

1. By making a designated offering donation through any ELCIC congregation.

2. By giving online at www.clwr.org/donate. Click on Emergencies and select “Medical care for Palestinian civilians.”

3. By calling CLWR at 1.800.661.2597 (locally at 204.694.5602) to donate by credit card.

4. By sending a cheque made payable to CLWR and mailed to CLWR, 600-177 Lombard Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 0W5. Please indicate that you wish to contribute to “Medical care for Palestinian civilians.”

Further information on the region can be found in a release by The Lutheran World Federation issued earlier today: www.lutheranworld.org/news/holy-land-lutheran-bishop-younan-pleads-end-revenge-and-bloodshed
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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 145,376 baptized members in 594 congregations. It is a member of the Lutheran World Federation, the Canadian Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches.

Material provided through ELCIC Information is intended for reproduction and redistribution by recipients in whatever manner they may find useful.

For more information, please contact:
Trina Gallop, Director of Communications
600-177 Lombard Ave. Winnipeg MB R3B 0W5
204.984.9172
tgallop@elcic.ca

Subscribe or unsubscribe to ELCIC Information by emailing info@elcic.ca with a short message.

Lutheran and Anglican leaders wrote to the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada concerning the First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act. National Bishop Susan Johnson of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, and National Indigenous Anglican Bishop Mark MacDonald called on the government to acknowledge the need for building trust between First Nations and the Government of Canada, and to take bold steps in making additional funding available for Indigenous education immediately.

View a pdf version of the letter here (https://www.elcic.ca/Documents/201407-IndigenousEducationLetter.pdf)  – the text of the letter follows.

The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
The House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6

July 11, 2014

Dear Minister Valcourt:

With our ecumenical partners, we have followed the challenging debate and negotiations surrounding the First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act, Bill C-33. We recognize in Bill C-33 a desire to address issues around Indigenous education. At the same time, we observe a troubling absence of trust between First Nations and the Government of Canada. We urge you to acknowledge the need for building trust and to pursue it with diligence and creativity in partnership with Indigenous peoples.

The funding announcements associated with Bill C-33 were a milestone – they serve as a clear and public acknowledgement that Indigenous education has been underfunded and that justice is required. The promise of $1.9 billion and the 4.5% escalator were a good first step towards addressing the pressing and unique needs of Indigenous students. We are thankful for this mark on the path of reconciliation and look forward to its implementation. Furthermore, we acknowledge the title of Bill C-33, The First Nations Control of First Nations Education Act, as a symbolic step away from deeply rooted patterns associated with the legacy of colonialism and assimilation. Deepening commitment to the holistic principles of Indigenous control of Indigenous education by Canada and Canadians, is essential for the truth of this symbol to be realized. The integrity of words and symbols are built on tangible action towards justice.

It is our understanding that in the midst of current tensions, work on Bill C-33 has stopped and no new funding has been released. Yet, there remains a huge gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in per capita funding for education. We urge you to take bold steps in making additional funding available for Indigenous education immediately.  Such action would be a hopeful sign.

The history of Indian Residential Schools, along with insights from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), highlight how easily one culture can fail to respect another with devastating consequences. In order to build trust with Indigenous peoples, a new process for justice and equity in Indigenous education is needed. This will require patient dialogue and resolute action that respect the diversity and unique needs of Indigenous communities and learners. As the TRC concludes its mandate, we move into an important era of continued healing, new understanding and the reversal of historic wrongs. Education was at the heart of these errors; education will be an essential element of healing and reconciliation, and the forging of better relations with the First Peoples of this great land.  

We offer our prayers for the work of justice, reconciliation and equity in Indigenous education. And we pray for blessing and wisdom for you as you offer leadership on behalf of the Government of Canada.

Yours in Christ,

The Most Rev. Fred J. Hiltz             
Primate                     
Anglican Church of Canada            

The Rev. Susan C. Johnson
National Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

The Rt. Rev. Mark MacDonald
National Indigenous Anglican Bishop
Anglican Church of Canada

cc. Jean Crowder, NDP
      Carolyn Bennett, Liberal
      Peter Dinsdale, Chief Executive Officer, Assembly of First Nations
      Terry Audla, President, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 145,376 baptized members in 594 congregations. It is a member of the Lutheran World Federation, the Canadian Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches.

Material provided through ELCIC Information is intended for reproduction and redistribution by recipients in whatever manner they may find useful.

For more information, please contact:
Trina Gallop Blank, Director of Communications
600-177 Lombard Ave. Winnipeg MB R3B 0W5
204.984.9172
tgallop@elcic.ca

Subscribe or unsubscribe to ELCIC Information by emailing info@elcic.ca with a short message.

Delegates to the ELCIC’s Eastern Synod Assembly re-elected Rev. Michael Pryse as Synod Bishop to a fifth term. The election came on the first ballot for Bishop.

"It means a lot to me to receive this affirmation," said Bishop Pryse. "Every four years we get to re-evaluate this relationships. I receive your affirmation with great gratitute. I am in covenant with you to do my best."

Bishop Pryse was first elected as Eastern Synod Bishop in 1998.

The Eastern Synod met in Assembly from June 26-29 in Toronto, ON.

Highlights of the Eastern Synod Convention can be found as follows:

• ELCIC Facebook page
• ELCIC Twitter account
• Eastern Synod Website
• Eastern Synod Facebook Page

Delegates to the ELCIC’s Synod of Alberta and the Territories (ABT) Convention re-elected Rev. Dr.  Larry Kochendorfer as Synod Bishop for a second term. The election came on the first ballot for Bishop.

Following the announcement of the election, Synod Bishop Larry Kochendorfer asked convention delegates to join in covenant with him as he accepted the call to a second term.

"When you elected me in October 2012, I asked you to be in covenant with me," said Bishop Kochendorfer, "and I want to ask you again to be in covenant with me."

Bishop Kochendorfer was first elected to a two-year term in 2012.

The ABT Synod met in convention June 19 – 21, 2014 in Camrose, AB.

Highlights of the ABT Synod Convention can be found as follows:

• ELCIC Facebook page
  
• ELCIC Twitter account
• Alberta Synod Convention 2014 Facebook page

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada’s (ELCIC) national publication, Canada Lutheran, received six awards at the recent Canadian Church Press (CCP) Convention held May 1-2, 2014 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

“What a wonderful accomplishment for our national magazine,” says ELCIC National Bishop Susan C. Johnson. "Canada Lutheran has consistently been recognized for its high standard of content, photos and design. I encourage everyone in the church to check out this publication and consider a subscription.”

ELCIC Graphic Designer Catherine Crivici won first place in the Feature Layout and Design category for her work on the October/November 2013 issue Pain and Blessing: Autism and the Church. “You’ve made a compelling layout,” noted the judge’s feedback. “There’s structure, and a good narrative arrangement to the images.”

Crivici received second place in the Edition Layout and Design of a Magazine category for the October/November issue. Her work was also recognized with a third place in the Front Cover of a Magazine category for the January/February 2013 issue.

ELCIC Director of Communications and Stewardship Trina Gallop Blank won second place in the News Photo category for A View from the Peace Tower, July/August 2013. “A different perspective of the event,” said the judge. “It is good to take advantages of location; gives a bit of a surprise.”

Columnist Rev. Daranne Harris won second place in the Biblical Interpretation category for Facing our Fears, March 2013. “A first rate piece and a pleasure to read,” said the judge.

Writer Geoff Kirbyson won third place in the Magazine Features category for the September 2013 article Hockey Chaplain: God cares about the people playing hockey. “Good opening -gets readers attention,” noted the judge in his feedback. “Great use of a profile to bring to light an entire program. Nice writing style. Good flow.”

The annual CCP awards program recognizes excellence in publications and allows participants the benefit of feedback provided by judges on all submissions.

Find out more about the ELCIC’s national publication, Canada Lutheran here: www.elcic.ca/clweb/index.html

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 145,376 baptized members in 594 congregations. It is a member of the Lutheran World Federation, the Canadian Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches.

Material provided through ELCIC Information is intended for reproduction and redistribution by recipients in whatever manner they may find useful.

For more information, please contact:
Trina Gallop Blank, Director of Communications
600-177 Lombard Ave. Winnipeg MB R3B 0W5
204.984.9172
tgallop@elcic.ca

Subscribe or unsubscribe to ELCIC Information by emailing info@elcic.ca with a short message.

Delegates to the ELCIC’s British Columbia (BC) Synod Convention re-elected Rev. Dr. Greg Mohr as Synod Bishop for a second term.

Upon accepting the call to re-election, Bishop Mohr thanked delegates for their affirmation of his service. "And for your prayers, and for our journey together down this very winding river," said Bishop Mohr.

Bishop Mohr was first elected to a four-year term in 2010.

The BC Synod met in convention May 29 to June 1 in Prince George, BC.

Highlights of the BC Synod Convention can be found as follows:

• ELCIC Facebook page
  
• ELCIC Twitter account
• BC Synod Facebook page

In the spirit of Full Communion, for the first time the Companion of the Worship Arts (CWA) Award will be presented to two recipients this year – one each from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) and the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC).

The CWA is awarded every two years in recognition of significant contributions to the worship life of the church. The honour recognizes ongoing inspiration and encouragement to others, and service to God, through worship, spirituality and the arts.

This year’s Lutheran recipient is Dr. Joy Berg, who has a “passionate desire to teach, share and model her faith through the gifts she has been given by God,” notes her nomination form. “She is an accomplished pianist, organist, vocalist and conductor who generously shares her talent with the church community.”
 
Dr. Berg serves as Lutheran Co-Chair of the 2014 National Anglican Lutheran Worship Conference and coordinates Concordia University’s Worship and Music Symposium each summer. She will present at the Hymn Society this year and leads workshops across denominations on sacred music with an emphasis on Canadian hymnody. Dr. Berg is past president of Region 4 of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians (2010-12), served as ELCIC National Convention Musician (2011) and is a frequent musician for Synod Conventions. She served on the ELCIC Program Committee for Worship, the Synod Committee for Worship and the Arts, as a synodical trainer for the introduction of Evangelical Lutheran Worship, as a workshop leader for National Worship Conferences, and as a principle teacher in the Synod’s Leadership Program for Musicians. She was the Canadian representative for the development of the hymnal for the Lutheran World Federation Assembly in Winnipeg in 2003.

Dr. Berg is Associate Professor of Music, Program coordinator, Director of Choral Activities, and chapel cantor at Concordia University College of Alberta, Edmonton. She is a member of Ascension Lutheran Church in Edmonton where she serves as choir director, musician and singer. And she is an active chorister in the professional choir, Pro Coro Canada.  

The Rev. Canon Dr. Graham Cotter is the inaugural Anglican laureate of the CWA. The award is in recognition of a lifetime of contributions by Canon Cotter to the worship life of the ACC in all its expressions. A lifelong student of religion and the arts and prolific writer, he is the producer of several liturgical dramas, an accomplished liturgical dancer, and has collaborated in the design and creation of a major altarpiece, vestments, and even labyrinths. He has dedicated much of his ministry to encouraging local worshipping communities to give expression to their faith through the arts.

In 1994 Canon Cotter and his late wife, Evelyn, donated the seed money for the Sacred Arts Trust, an endowment administered by the Anglican Foundation which continues to provide financial support for creative liturgical expression across Canada through worship and drama, liturgical dance, performing arts, music, and the visual arts. The Sacred Arts Trust has also helped support several National Worship Conferences.

“Graham’s encouragement and support of the liturgical, worshipful arts has increased public appreciation and visibility of the arts,” reads his nomination form, “and he plans to continue this work as long as he is able to breathe!”

Now retired, Canon Cotter lives near Warkworth, Ontario, and continues to serve as an honorary assistant priest at the parish of St. Mark, Port Hope.

The CWA recipients will be presented with their awards at the 2014 National Worship Conference, July 20-23 in Edmonton, AB by ELCIC National Bishop Susan C. Johnson and ACC Archbishop Fred Hiltz.

Each recipient was selected by a jury of members from their denomination following an open call for nominations in both churches.

Find out more about the 2014 National Worship Conference and the Companion of the Worship Arts award online: www.worship.ca

—————————————————————–
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 145,376 baptized members in 594 congregations. It is a member of the Lutheran World Federation, the Canadian Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches.

Material provided through ELCIC Information is intended for reproduction and redistribution by recipients in whatever manner they may find useful.

For more information, please contact:
Trina Gallop Blank, Director of Communications
600-177 Lombard Ave. Winnipeg MB R3B 0W5
204.984.9172
tgallop@elcic.ca

Subscribe or unsubscribe to ELCIC Information by emailing info@elcic.ca with a short message.

The first ever annual report for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) is now available.

Read stories about our work as a church and a vision for how we can respond together to the call to be a church In Mission for Others.

Copies of the publication are available at all Synod Convention and National events across the church this year. Individuals and congregations wishing to recieve a hard copy can request one from the National Office (orders@elcic.ca).

A PDF version is available online.

A statement from the heads of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, The Anglican Church of Canada, and The Episcopal Church, on Friday, May 9, 2014. To find this document in PDF format, click here.

The situation in South Sudan continues to be extremely difficult, and news of it in North American media is minimal. Violence has been fomented and stirred by political leaders for their own ends. Although the mainstream media portrays the conflict as ethnic, its roots, as with any conflict, are varied and complicated. Regardless, there can never be a rationale for the suffering that has been wrought.

Our partners in South Sudan have suffered massive casualties. Their people have been murdered, raped, tortured, and burned out of their homes. Churches and entire villages have been destroyed. In spite of extensive displacement, Anglicans/Episcopalians and Lutherans continue to be active in relief and peace-making efforts through our partners in the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Sudan, and the Lutheran World Federation.

We urge you to join in prayer for the people of South Sudan and Sudan, for a lasting and meaningful peace, and for immediate aid and response to the needs of the myriad of displaced persons.

As we celebrate the feast of the Resurrection, we urge you to help make the risen body of Christ evident to those who labor through the valley of the shadow of death.

Bishop Elizabeth Eaton
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church

The Most Rev. Fred Hiltz
Primate
Anglican Church of Canada

Bishop Susan Johnson
National Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada