In a letter to the church issued today, ELCIC National and Synod Bishops encourage congregations to, “suspend public worship services and other gatherings effective immediately” to help against the spread of COVID-19. Recognizing the unprecedented nature of many of the decisions congregations have had to face recently, the Bishops assure congregations and members they will remain accessible for support and guidance.
An update from ELCIC National and Synod Bishops on COVID-19 and communities of the ELCIC
In a letter released today, ELCIC National and Synod Bishops provided an update on COVID-19 and communities of the ELCIC. The letter calls for continued prayers for all who are affected, making decisions attentive to particular context and that best reflect a congregation’s setting and practice, a review of best practices and additional resources.
A pastoral letter concerning coronavirus (COVID-19) and communities of the ELCIC
In a pastoral letter to the church released today, ELCIC National and Synod Bishops invite prayers for all who are affected by the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), particularly for the people of China and other nations where the disease is spreading rapidly, and offer recommendations, based on best practices of health authorities, for worship and community life.
ELCIC National Bishop encourages members to review Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
In a video and letter released today, ELCIC National Bishop Susan Johnson encourages members of the church to “review the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and to consider what might be your calling to engage the many issues documented by the report.”
Letter to PM expresses concern for "Peace to Prosperity" plan presented by the United States administration
In a letter written to the Prime Minister of Canada, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada’s National Bishop Susan Johnson expresses concern for the “Peace to Prosperity” plan for Israel and Palestine presented by the United States administration.
Seeking a Common Word Launches Joint Canadian-Muslim Dialogue Initiative
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) and the Anglican Church of Canad will hold an evening of Christian – Muslim friendship and learning on Tuesday January 28th, from 7 – 9 PM, at Huron University College, in London, Ont. This event will commemorate the official launch of www.acommonword.ca – an ACC-ELCIC joint online resource for Christian Muslim Dialogue.
Ruth Jensen, former Executive Director of Canadian Lutheran World Relief, dies
In a statement issued yesterday from ELCIC’s partner, Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR), the organization shared that Ruth Jensen, former Executive Director, passed away suddenly over the weekend.
Delegates to convention approve Reimagining our church: Public Ministry in the ELCIC
The 2019 National Convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) approved the document Reimaging Our Church – Public Ministry in the ELCIC. It begins a process to live into a new and fresh vision of the ELCIC that encourages all members to consider how best we can participate in God’s mission and together imagine and build a church which is missional, diaconal and prophetic.
It explores the meaning and implications of the term “public ministry” as well as the roles of deacon, pastors, bishop and laity. An immediate outcome of accepting the document and related motions is that the ELCIC now recognizes that “ordination” is the rite which marks and celebrates the acceptance of a first call into public ministry of a deacon, or a bishop or a pastor.
The heart of the 55-page document is a collection of aspirational statements that describe what the ELCIC would be like if it fully embraced the emerging vision. Both the document and an accompanying study guide are available online here.
New Eternity for Today App launched
Eternity for Today has long been a daily devotional resource of the ELCIC. Now you can get this devotional series on your iPhone or computer desktop!
Download the app from iTunes (search ELCIC or Eternity for Today) and sign up online here. Don’t have a smartphone? View the devotions on your computer desktop!
Android and Blackberry apps available shortly.
Print copies of Eternity for Today are available here.
MARCH 2019: The EFT app was recently upgraded following the introduction of a new Apple iphone operating system. If you are experiencing problems loggin in, please remove and re-install the app to correct the issue.
ELCIC members encouraged to pray for peace in the Holy Land on Sunday, June 1
Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) are invited to pray for peace in the Holy Land on Sunday, June 1, 2014.
“I encourage you to remember in your prayers the people of the Holy Land,” says ELCIC National Bishop Susan C. Johnson, “and pray for peace for Palestinians and Israelis, for peace in the Middle East, and in the world.”
At the 2009 ELCIC National Convention, delegates approved a motion calling for the development of prayers for peace in the Holy Land for a designated Sunday each year. The designated Sunday coordinates with the date also chosen by the Anglican Church of Canada, which is the Seventh Sunday of Easter – Sunday, June 1, 2014.
ELCIC congregations and ministries are encouraged to include the following prayer or other prayers for peace in the Holy Land on this Sunday.
A Prayer for Peace in the Holy Land. The Seventh Sunday of Easter
God of love, we pray for peace and wellbeing for all peoples of Jerusalem and the Holy Land. In the midst of political and religious divisions and conflicts, we ask that your Holy Spirit gather all peoples as ancestors of Abraham and Sarah in understanding, acceptance and peace. We ask that your grace be heard and seen in the minds and actions of leaders, and that all citizens seek to act with forgiveness and justice. Renew our commitment to be voices for peace in the Holy Land and to assist organizations and agencies working for the care of all peoples in the land as Christian, Jewish and Muslim neighbours.
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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.
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