The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada’s (ELCIC) Saskatchewan (SK) Synod met in convention June 1-3 in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. Over 200 delegates, visitors, guests and volunteers came together for three days of worship, workshops and business sessions.

Opening worship was held Friday afternoon. ELCIC National Bishop Susan C. Johnson preached and Synod Bishop Cindy Halmarson presided.

In her report to delegates, Bishop Halmarson noted that this year marked her 10th year in the office of bishop. "This is a covenant we have made with one another," she said. "It’s a covenant I take very seriously."

Bishop Halmarson commented on the unique landscape of the SK Synod. She noted that the greatest opportunity for the synod was in terms of the growth taking place in communities throughout the synod. "I can’t think of a community [in our synod] that doesn’t have new people coming in," she said.

Rev. Dr. Gordon Jensen provided two workshops focused around what it means to be "Lutheran Today".

"[Being Lutheran] is a particular way of being Christian," said Rev. Jensen. "The heart of Lutheranism is the phrase ‘God is at the centre’ – at the centre God is in charge and our lives revolve around God."

"We are justified by God, and that means we are set forth to move out of the church and engage in the whole world," challenged Rev. Jensen. "Instead of being curved in on ourselves, we are curved outward to be all about others. Our Lutheran theology calls us to be ‘shakers and movers’ and engage in justice for others. We are justified and liberated in order to serve."

Convention delegates were presented with motions on structural renewal, which were similar to motions before the Manitoba/Northwestern Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta and the Territories conventions. Motions regarding amalgamation with another synod in the ELCIC were defeated by SK Synod delegates. Delegates did pass a motion that will see "Synod Council initiate a process to review its constitution and by-laws to consider aspects of the structural renewal proposals that may have merit for [the] synod and might result in affordability, sustainability, and flexibility for more effective mission."

The convention’s youth assembly was comprised of five youth from around the province and two youth assembly coordinators. Youth delegates participate fully in the convention proceedings at the SK Synod and have full voice and vote. In their reflections to delegates, youth challenged the church to put appropriate resources towards youth funding as a way of lifting up the voice of youth in the church.

"We are a lot like you," said one youth. "We have concerns for the church just like you. We have passions for the church just like you. We like to share, just like you. As we have come from all over with different ideas and passions, we work for a common goal – sharing the Good News."

All five ELCIC Synods will meet in convention in 2012. Four synods have already held their conventions this year. The Eastern Synod will hold their assembly in Waterloo, ON from July 5-8.

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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
302-393 Portage Ave. Winnipeg MB R3B 3H6
204.984.9172
tgallop@elcic.ca

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

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), through its partnership with Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR), is appealing to its members for financial support to assist Canadians displaced by flooding in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

The City of Thunder Bay and neighbouring rural municipalities have declared states of emergency as rains have left homes with flooded basements, some as much as 5-6 feet deep in the worst-hit sections of the city. The city’s sewage treatment plant also flooded and the main sewage pumps remain submerged and are not working. The number of homes affected may now be more than 1,000. The city and partner agencies are now going door-to-door in the affected areas to assess damage. Many of the homes in some areas also contain basement apartments. Businesses have also suffered damage. Although the rain and flooding came on quickly and suddenly, the full recovery will take time – weeks and even months.

On Monday, May 28, the city declared itself a disaster area.

CLWR is issuing an appeal for funds to help homeowners recoup some of the costs of dealing with this emergency and to help provide needed supplies to those affected.
Donations to the "Thunder Bay Flood 2012" appeal may be made in the following ways:

1. ELCIC members are asked to donate to appeals by making a designated offering donation for “Thunder Bay Flood 2012” appeal through their congregation.
2. Donations may also be made through CLWR.
   • Online at www.clwr.org/donate. Select General Donation. In the process of completing the form, you will come to a pull-down menu that allows you to designate a specific project. Choose “Thunder Bay Flood 2012".
   • Charge to a major credit card by calling CLWR’s tollfree number: 1.800.661.2597 or locally at 204.694.5602.
   • By sending a cheque made payable to CLWR and mailed to: CLWR, 302393 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 3H6. Please indicate in your correspondence that you wish to contribute to the “Thunder Bay Flood 2012” appeal.

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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
     302-393 Portage Ave. Winnipeg MB R3B 3H6
     204.984.9172
     tgallop@elcic.ca

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

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canadas (ELCIC) Synod of Alberta and the Territories (ABT) met for their biennial convention May 24-27 at the University of Alberta, Augustana Campus in Camrose, Alberta. Over 200 lay and rostered delegates, along with visitors, guests and volunteers, came together for four days of worship, business and fellowship.

The convention began with opening worship on Thursday evening. ELCIC National Bishop Susan C. Johnson preached and ABT Synod Bishop Ron Mayan presided.

In her sermon, Bishop Johnson challenged delegates to ask themselves whether they are acting like pre- or post- Pentecost disciples. "Are we hiding in the safety of our own buildings, our own churches, talking only to each other?" she raised. "Or are we out in the world trying to communicate with people who dont speak the same language and who need and want to hear the good news of Jesus Christ?"

Bishop Johnson confessed that within the ELCIC we have been far too much like pre-Pentecost disciples and urged delegates to consider the call to spiritual renewal (pray, read, worship, study, serve, give tell) as a way forward to living as post-Pentecost people. "The reality is that community, and church, can sometimes be a challenging place," said Bishop Johnson, "particularly if we tend to believe that everybody ought to understand and see the same way that we do."

Bishop Johnson noted that she felt this was part of the Spirits design, "forcing us to encounter one another not as demanders, but as grateful recipients of the gifts of the Spirit manifest within each one of us."

Special guests at the ABT Synod Convention included Bishop Eduardo Martinez of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Columbia and his spouse Yamile Varon, and the Principal of the Colegio CELCO school in Sogamoso, Zulma Ojeda.

Addressing synod delegates, Bishop Martinez shared his perception that the church in Colombia is like a daughter of the ELCIC through its missionaries.

"As good children we like to give honour to our parents," noted Bishop Martinez as he presented a gift to Bishop Mayan and the synod.

Following the presentation, the two church bodies renewed their covenant agreement. ABT has had a companion synod agreement with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colombia since 2003.

Throughout the convention, delegates had the opportunity to hear presentations from Turtle Award Nominees. To move forward, turtles need to stick out there necks. They need to emerge from the safety of their shells and become risk takers to live healthy, thriving lives, notes the award materials. The Turtle Award is presented to an individual or ministry for its innovative and creative approach to taking a risk in the Kingdom of God.

This year’s recipient was Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Bowness. Shepherd of the Hills hosts weekly Wednesday night dinners and serves over 65 people a hot homemade meal. The church is in its fifth year of serving the community of Bowness and surrounding areas.

Rev. Hilde Lorenz, pastor at Shepherd of the Hills, accepted the award. "This award is a significant achievement not only for Shepherd of the Hills but also for the whole Bowness community," said Rev. Lorenz. "It is amazing what we can do when we all work together and reach out to those less fortunate."

Turtle Awards were voted on by synod convention delegates. Significant agenda items before convention delegates included motions on structural renewal.

At the ABT Synod Convention, delegates approved motions which will see them develop amendments to the Synod Constitution and Bylaws in order to implement aspects of restructuring, especially in regards to synodically recognized ministries, areas, electoral regions and synod conventions; conduct a test project by provisionally implementing some of the aspects of the Synod Implementation Team’s restructuring plan with regards to areas and area leadership teams, and present a feasibility report to the 2014 Synod Convention; and continue to look for opportunities for ABT to work together with the British Columbia Synod. Delegates did not have a motion before them at this convention to consider amalgamation with the British Columbia Synod.

Also as part of the business of synod convention, Rev. Tim Posyluzny was re-elected as chairperson for the synod and Brenda Visser was re-elected by acclamation as secretary of the synod.

The ABT Synod Convention concluded with a closing worship service on Sunday morning. Bishop Mayan preached at the closing service and National Bishop Johnson presided.

All five ELCIC Synods will meet in convention in 2012. The next Synod Convention taking place will be the Saskatchewan Synod Convention which meets June 1-3 in Yorkton, SK.

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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
302-393 Portage Ave. Winnipeg MB R3B 3H6
204.984.9172
tgallop@elcic.ca

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

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada’s (ELCIC) National Bishop Susan C. Johnson is calling on all members of the church to pray for those affected by flash mud floods near Lima, Peru. Heavy rains in the mountains have triggered flooding which has affected the small cities of Chosica, Ricardo Palma and Chaclacayo, on the east side of Lima, the capital of Peru.

“We ask the members of the ELCIC to pray for the people affected by the flooding near Lima,” says Bishop Johnson. “We pray for their safety, we pray for those who mourn the death and loss of loved ones, and for those who have been affected by losing their homes, land, water supplies and electricity.”

Initial reports from ACT Alliance indicate that two people have died as a result of the floods, 31 injured, 5,478 affected, 1,607 in shelters, 569 houses destroyed and 525 houses semi-destroyed.

Some media reports now indicate that up to 3,000 homes have been destroyed due to the floods.

ACT Alliance says the area where the flooding occurred is “one of the most affected by poverty and desertification.” Due to the erosion on the slopes of the mountains, the strong streams dragged mud and stones, destroying houses, drinking water systems and drainages, roads, and electricity supply. The areas affected are mainly flooded by mud now with “sewages leaking, debris in the houses and stones in the roads and crosswalk.”

ELCIC long-term missionary in Peru Rev. Fran Schmidt notes that clean-up efforts are now underway in Chosica although many people in that region are still without access to clean water.

“The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Peru [Iglesia Luterana Evangelica Peruana – ILEP] has been responding by coordinating volunteers and the donation of goods to deliver bottled water, dry goods, and clothing to those affected in the area, many of whom lost everything in the recent landslides in early April,” says Rev. Schmidt.   

“The area where the ILEP Community of Faith, Noe, has been gathering has also been affected as well as Lutheran members’ homes to various degrees. ILEP and the disaster response brigade from ILEP, in coordination with ACT, have been working to coordinate the distribution of goods but there will be a need for some time.”

Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR), the ELCIC’s partner for international relief and development work, has responded to an appeal from ACT to assist with the relief efforts following the Peru floods by providing $5,000 from CLWR’s international emergency fund. Donations designated by ELCIC members for the relief efforts will go towards replenishing the emergency fund. Any funds received over $5,000 would be an additional contribution to the relief efforts. Diaconia, CLWR’s primary partner in Peru and the Peruvian Lutheran relief and development agency, is the ACT member responding to the situation.

Donations may be made in the following ways:

1. ELCIC members may donate to the appeal by making a designated offering donation for “Peru Flood 2012” through their ELCIC congregation.
2. Donations may also be made through CLWR.
   • Online at  https://clwr.encryptedsecure2.com/Donation_System/. Choose the “General Donation” option. On the form’s drop-down menu, chose Peru Flood 2012.
   • By credit card over the phone by calling toll-free: 1.800.661.2597. If you do not need to use a toll-free line or are calling locally from the Winnipeg area, call: 204.694.5602.
   • By sending a cheque made payable to CLWR to 302-393 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 3H6. Please indicate in your correspondence that you wish to contribute to Peru Flood 2012.

—————————————————————–
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
302-393 Portage Ave. Winnipeg MB R3B 3H6
204.984.9172
tgallop@elcic.ca

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

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada’s (ELCIC) British Columbia (BC) Synod met in convention May 10-13 at Mount Zion Lutheran Church, New Westminster, BC. The 2012 BC Synod Convention commenced on Thursday evening with opening worship.

Delegates had full business sessions before them on Friday and Saturday.

Incumbent Rev. Clifford Reinhardt was re-elected synod secretary on the second ballot. And incumbent Darlene Johnson was re-elected as vice-chair of the BC synod, also on the second ballot.

On Friday morning, Jagrup Brar, MLA for Surrey-Fleetwood, BC spoke to delegates about his experience of living for one month on welfare, as part of the MLA Welfare Challenge put on by Raise the Rates, a local organization that advocates on behalf of people living on assistance. Brar lived for an entire month on $610, the amount of government assistance provided to a single male.

During the one month challenge, Brar scrutinized all his expenses to ensure he had enough to cover all his costs for accommodations, transportation, clothing and food. He spoke of losing over 20 pounds during the month because of the significant dietary adjustments he had to make to stay within his financial restrictions.

Brar shared with delegates the immense challenges faced by those on assistance, highlighting in particular the experience he had of going to get a food hamper. Brar noted that just to get a hamper a person has to have at least five dollars for the required transportation to get to and from the facility. Transit transfer tickets are available but they expire in an hour and a half, said Brar, and most of the time the line up for food takes much longer than that.

“We need to do a better job,” said Brar. “Poverty will not go away. The starting point is building a comprehensive poverty reduction plan with clear targets and timelines.”

Friday afternoon, the fiscal 2013 budget (July 1, 2012-June 30, 2013) reflecting a $22,700 deficit, was approved by delegates. The BC Synod has been looking at a number of ways to make cuts to expenditures over the past few years to eliminate a significant deficit budget. The synod was able to realize a small surplus recently but that came about at the expense of eliminating the assistant to the bishop position two years ago. In his report, BC Synod Bishop Greg Mohr recognized that while the elimination of the position of the assistant to the bishop has made it possible to post two consecutive surpluses, it has come at a cost in terms of the expectations on his position as well as that of the synod officers.

“It also means that there are many things that cannot be attended to,” Bishop Mohr said in his report, “and that there are things not accomplished as well as they should be. Further, it makes it difficult to focus on our key priorities.”

Delegates received highlights from the Committee on the Report of the Bishop. Members of the committee noted how impressed they were with how much has been accomplished by Bishop Mohr in his two years in office, despite reduced financial and human resources. Committee members noted their appreciation for how Bishop Mohr has focused the synod on the right questions as they consider, “What does it mean to be a church in the 21st century.”

During the report, the committee presented several motions, including two which will see the BC Synod promote the ELCIC’s national Call to Spiritual Renewal initiative and encourage all congregations within the synod to participate in this renewal process.

A significant item on the agenda for convention delegates was the structural renewal proposals that will come before all five ELCIC Synod Conventions this year.

In a very close vote, the motion before BC Synod Convention delegates: “Be it resolved that the council of the British Columbia Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada be authorized and directed to take any and all necessary action in collaboration with the council of the Synod of Alberta and the Territories of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada to create a new synod, comprising the following geographical area, namely, British Columbia, Alberta, the Yukon Territory, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut” was defeated. In a written voting process, out of 84 valid ballots delegates voted 54 in favour and 30 against. The vote received 64.3% in favour but required 66% (2/3rds) in order to pass.

Saturday’s agenda also included a presentation to delegates on a proposed redevelopment of campus space held by the synod at the University of British Columbia. Rev. Don Johnson, known affectionately in the synod as “the grandfather of campus ministry” shared his excitement for the redesign of the space.

“I am so excited about this possibility,” he said. “This proposal means we would be able to function in a new way even though we have changed as a community. This is a transformation for us!”

As one of the last orders on the agenda, a motion, brought forward through the Committee on Reference and Council, calls on the BC Synod Council to seek further engagement with the ELCIC’s National Church Council, and the other western ELCIC Synods, to develop options for the structure of the church “in order to achieve our goals in mission and ministry in the 21st century.”

Delegates also unanimously passed a motion that will see the BC Synod continue to explore ways and look for opportunities to work together with the Synod of Alberta and the Territories.

ELCIC National Bishop Susan C. Johnson preached at the closing worship service on Sunday morning. In her sermon Bishop Johnson focused on God’s daily presence in our lives and how we are all called to come together and take strength and support from one another.

Bishop Susan spoke of the call to community, “to encourage each other; to accept each other; to comfort each other; to love one another.”

“Secure in that love we can begin together to reach out and share that love with God, with each other, and with the community,” she said.

“What an amazing privilege!!” she remarked, and encouraged, “Let us help and encourage each other to accept that invitation, to live out God’s love in our world, as a people and a church In Mission for Others.”

Further highlights and photos from the 2012 BC Synod Convention are available on the facebook pages for both the ELCIC (www.facebook.ca/CanadianLutherans) and the BC Synod (www.facebook.com/BCsynod).

All five ELCIC Synods meet in convention this year. Manitoba/Northwestern Ontario Synod met April 26-29. British Columbia Synod met May 10-13. Synod of Alberta and the Territories meets May 24-27. Saskatchewan Synod meets June 1-3. And the Eastern Synod meets for its assembly July 5-8.

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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
302-393 Portage Ave. Winnipeg MB R3B 3H6
204.984.9172
tgallop@elcic.ca

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