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.
Tuesday, January 28: Seeking a Common Word
Join ELCIC National Bishop Susan Johnson, Primate Linda Nicolls of the Anglican Church of Canada, and interfaith activist Dr. Ingrid Mattson for an evening of Christian-Muslim friendship and learning at Huron University in London, Ontario. The night promises to be illuminating with speeches, responses, Scripture recitations and prayers. Light refreshments to follow.
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.
A Christmas Message from Lutheran, Anglican Leaders
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada National Bishop Susan Johnson and Anglican Church of Canada Archbishop Linda Nicholls share their Christmas message to Lutherans and Anglicans across Canada.
The full text of the letter is below. View a PDF of the letter here.
Dear friends in Christ,
Once again, we stand at the door of the manger in anticipation. Once again, our dreams for the world have not yet been fulfilled.
We hear the cries of the earth groaning and cracking under the effects of climate change. We hear the cries of refugees driven from the countries they love by war or drought or economic collapse only to be refused at border after border. We hear the cries of hatred and polarization pulling us apart nation by nation. We long for the fulfillment of the peaceable kingdom promised in the vision of Isaiah 11 where one will rise from the stump of Jesse who lives by righteousness and is faith filled with the spirit of wisdom, counsel and the fear of the Lord, and all will live in peace.
Once again, we stand at the door of the manger knowing that the child born there is the one in whom all hope can and will be fulfilled. In the face of powers and systems that abuse we need once again to see the face of God in that most vulnerable baby. We need to remember how he lived in this world and calls us to follow the way of forgiveness, grace and love. We will be touched again by the ordinariness of a young woman and her partner willing to be parents of this child as we are called afresh to our vocation of bearing Christ into the world.
Once again, we stand at the door of the manger knowing we will find the hope we need to turn back into the world God loves and give ourselves to proclaiming this Good News.
May our hearts be renewed in this hope as we enter the manger again.
The Rev. Susan Johnson – National Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
The Most Rev. Linda Nicholls – Primate, Anglican Church of Canada
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Has your congregation held a 2019 ELCIC Praise Appeal Sunday?
The ELCIC Praise Appeal allows the opportunity to highlight different aspects of the ministry of the wider church. Congregations throughout the ELCIC are asked to designate one Sunday this year at a time that works best for them to highlight the ELCIC Praise Appeal.
The theme for the 2019 ELCIC Praise Appeal focuses on the call we hear in Micah 6:8 to do justice, love kindess and walk humbly with our God in a way that is both memorable and compelling.
Resources for holding an ELCIC Praise Appeal can be found here: https://elcic.ca/praiseappeal/2019Resources.cfm
Has your congregation already held a Praise Appeal Sunday this year? Let us know! Email tgallop@elcic.ca
