Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) are invited to pray for peace for Jerusalem and the Holy Land on Sunday, May 8, 2016.

The ELCIC lifts up the 7th Sunday in Easter for this day of prayer and joins with full communion partner, the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC), who also designates the 7th Sunday in Easter to pray for peace for Jerusalem and the Holy Land.

ELCIC congregations and ministries are encouraged to use the following prayer resources from the ELCIC and ACC: https://www.elcic.ca/Calendar-of-Events/documents/JerusalemHolyLandprayers-2016.pdf

When Anglican and Lutheran youth come together for their national gathering later this summer in Charlottetown, P.E.I., they will be doing so with a sold-out crowd.

The National Planning Committee for the Canadian Lutheran Anglican Youth (CLAY) gathering recently announced that the venue had reached its maximum capacity for the 2016 event and no new registrations will be accepted.

More than 950 people will attend the 2016 CLAY gathering, August 17-24, on the campus of the University of Prince Edward Island, which is the largest conference facility available for the location.

Organizers say this year’s registration is a 33% increase over the 2012 gathering in Saskatoon, Sask., and a 55% increase over final registration numbers for the 2014 CLAY gathering which took place in Kamloops, B.C.

All Home Teams who have submitted their registration have received an email confirmation. Home Team Leaders who have questions about their registration should contact the gathering registrar at CLAYregistrar2016@gmail.com. Local volunteers, gathering guests and presenters who still need to register for the event will be able to do so.

CLAY is held every two years and brings together youth from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and the Anglican Church of Canada for worship, fellowship, learning together,  engaging in issues important to youth, and a servant event that will involve the local community.

Visit claygathering.ca for more information on the event.

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 114,592 baptized members in 525 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.

In an Earth Day message from Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada National Bishop Susan C. Johnson, Anglican Church of Canada Primate Fred Hiltz and Anglican Church of Canada National Indigenous Bishop Mark MacDonald, the three leaders commend to the churches and pray, for the humility and discipline to use the earth’s resources wisely and responsibly; to take action with care for those who will come after us; and to continue to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth.

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

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 114,592 baptized members in 525 congregations. It is a member of the Lutheran World Federation, the Canadian Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches.

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

Seven churches and religious organizations jointly commited to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s (TRC) Call to Action 48 in a press conference in the Charles Lynch Room on Parliament Hill on March 30. This call urges the faith community to implement the principles, norms and standards of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a framework for reconciliation.

TRC Commissioner Marie Wilson responded the statement, which came a day before the deadline set by the TRC. It is the only deadline issued by the TRC in its 94 Calls to Action and it involves churches, faith groups and interfaith social justice groups.

Speaking at the press conference on behalf of the churches and religious organizations that have signed the ecumenical statement were the Right Reverend Mark MacDonald, National Indigenous Anglican Bishop. The following faith leaders were also in attendance: The Right Reverend Jordan Cantwell, Moderator, United Church of Canada, The Rev. Karen Horst, Moderator, Presbyterian Church in Canada, National Bishop Susan Johnson, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Manuela Popovici, Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), and Major Shari Russell, representing the Salvation Army.

Released in June 2015, the TRC’s Calls to Action challenge Canadians to address and overcome more than a century of systemic discrimination and abuse in the residential school system, and to create a transformed relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

The UN Declaration affirms Indigenous peoples’ human rights and emphasizes that these rights set a minimum standard for the survival, dignity and well-being of Indigenous peoples. By asserting that the Declaration is the framework for reconciliation, the TRC calls on the faith community to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance the process of Canadian reconciliation.

Read the Ecumenical Statement on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples here: http://www.kairoscanada.org/what-we-do/indigenous-rights/churches-response-call-action-48

The ELCIC issued its statement on March 22. View the ELCIC’s statement here: https://www.elcic.ca/news.cfm?article=436

Responses from individual churches can be viewed here: http://www.kairoscanada.org/what-we-do/indigenous-rights/churches-response-call-action-48

Photos and a video of the press conference can be viewed here: http://www.kairoscanada.org/photos-video-churches-respond-call-action-48-un-declaration-rights-indigenous-peoples

In a statement issued by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), the church lifts up its commitment to implementing the values and principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and recognizes the importance of the declaration as the "framework for reconciliation."

The statement responds to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) final report issued in June 2015, which included within it 94 Calls to Action.

Call to Action #48 calls all religious denominations and faith groups to issue a statement no later than March 31, 2016 "as to how they will implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

"Our church is committed to participating in the ongoing process of reconciliation," says ELCIC National Bishop Susan C. Johnson. "This is a journey, one that we recognize requires a long-term commitment. It is my prayer that we will have the courage to use the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a framework for reconciliation."

The ELCIC’s National Church Council adopted the ELCIC Statement on Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples at its March 2016 meeting.

View a pdf version of the statement here: https://www.elcic.ca/Documents/StatementonCalltoAction48.pdf

A full version of the statement follows.

ELCIC Statement on Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
National Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, March, 2016

In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Call to Action #48, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) issues the following statement:

“We are grateful to the survivors, whose courageous witness has touched the heart of the life of our churches.”¹ We acknowledge that it is the survivors’ insistence on speaking truth that has brought us to this moment in history, and that has pointed the way to the hopeful and difficult work of reconciliation.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) recognizes the importance of the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and the 94 Calls to Action in the TRC Final Report.

The ELCIC recognizes the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as the framework for reconciliation. “The ELCIC endorses the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples adopted by the UN General Assembly on 13 September 2007; and adopt the declaration as a standard for our own practice. We commit to implementing the values and principles of the declaration within the work and structures of this church.”²

As a church In Mission for Others, the ELCIC seeks to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in the following ways:

1.    As Treaty People
The ELCIC affirms that we are all treaty people. We recognize treaties as sacred covenants involving respect, commitments, and responsibilities by all parties. We affirm that recognizing and implementing Indigenous rights is essential to being the kind of society Canada strives to be. We affirm that the ELCIC’s endorsement of the declaration is a call to grow, learn, change and be transformed. “We now give you our word that our church is committed to an ongoing process of finding truth and reconciliation together. It is our hope that the sincerity of our covenant will be demonstrated in our actions and in our attitudes. We understand this to be both an urgent and a long-term commitment.”³

2.    As an Institution
The ELCIC has made the following statements:

• 2011 Convention Resolution on Encouraging Right Relationships with Indigenous Peoples
  This includes an endorsement of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
  

• 2013 Joint Assembly Declaration
  This includes an expressed commitment to free, prior and informed consent for Indigenous Peoples and to addressing issues of responsible extraction.

• 2014 Expression of Reconciliation
  This includes a commitment to a long term journey of reconciliation.

• 2015 National Convention Resolution Repudiating the Doctrine of Discovery

The above statements express both a desire and a commitment to live in healthy relationships, to work for reconciliation and to transform practices.

Over the next two years, the ELCIC will review its policies, programs, and practices in order to ensure they comply with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This will include a review of investment policy to ensure compliance with the principles of free, prior and informed consent.

3.    As Learner and Educator
The ELCIC believes we have much to learn about right relations, reconciliation and the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

As a learner, the ELCIC will seek and accept invitations to be part of discussions that help us to understand more deeply how to respect Indigenous rights.

At least once a year for the next three years, the National Church Council will learn more about reconciliation and Indigenous rights through an education session at one of its meetings. We encourage synod councils, congregations and their councils to do the same locally and contextually.

As an educator, the ELCIC will raise awareness of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples among its congregations and members. We will encourage all members to participate in discussions that help deepen understanding, and we will post a list of resources to support the educational process.

We will do this ecumenically whenever possible and will use the resources of our partners in learning and educating.

The ELCIC will work with our schools and seminaries to determine how an understanding of Indigenous rights and history will help in the education and formation of leaders.

4.    As an Advocate
The ELCIC will advocate for the implementation of all the TRC Calls to Action.

“Above all, we welcome the Commissioners’ Calls to Action as providing the basis for a wide and transformative conversation among Canadians about the better future we intend to foster, not just for Indigenous Peoples, but for all of us who long to live in a society grounded in right relationships and equity.

“We will continue to share in the work of healing and reconciliation, respectfully following the leadership of Indigenous communities and leaders, and to offer leadership among non-Indigenous Canadians where that is appropriate.”⁴

5.    As Pastoral and Spiritual Care Provider
Spiritual care is part of life in community as church. The ELCIC feels called to be in prayerful and supportive solidarity with those who are making healing journeys. Recognizing that we have benefitted from our colonial history and identity, the ELCIC commits to offering care in appropriate ways and at appropriate times. We believe that prayer, worship, scriptures, listening, empathy, spiritual care and theological reflection can support healing journeys. We affirm that giving up colonial domination and attitudes is one type of healing journey.

“May the Creator guide us as we continue in the work of healing, justice, and right relations for the generations it will take to address that harm ‘and guide this country on a new and different path.’ (Remembering the Children prayer, 2008)”⁵

_____________________________________________

¹ Response of the Churches to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, June 2, 2015.
http://www.anglican.ca/tr/response-of-the-churches-to-the-truth-and-reconciliation-commission-of-canada/
² 2011 ELCIC National Convention (NC-2011-22).
³ 2014 Bishop Susan Johnson, presentation of the ELCIC’s Expression of Reconciliation at the Edmonton Truth and Reconciliation National Event.
⁴ Response of the Churches to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, June 2, 2015.
http://www.anglican.ca/tr/response-of-the-churches-to-the-truth-and-reconciliation-commission-of-canada/
⁵ Response of the Churches to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, June 2, 2015.
http://www.anglican.ca/tr/response-of-the-churches-to-the-truth-and-reconciliation-commission-of-canada/

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 114,592 baptized members in 525 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 Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada’s (ELCIC) National Church Council (NCC) met March 3-5, 2016 in Winnipeg, M.B. During the meetings, council members participated in worship, Bible study, small group discussions and business. It is the responsibility of NCC to conduct the business of the church between National Conventions.

The following is an overview of highlights from the meeting.

ELCIC Strategic Plan
NCC members received an update on the work of the ELCIC 2013-2017 Strategic Plan. The strategic plan outlines the goals and directions of the National Church and focuses on four areas: Spirited Discipleship, Healthy Church, Compassionate Justice and Effective Partnerships.

At the March meeting, council members spent time in small groups reviewing in-depth the area of Spirited Discipleship. Council considered what parts of this area of the strategic plan “were exciting and that they wanted to share,” and “what was missing.” Over the next three NCC meetings, members will conduct a similar review with the remaining areas of the ELCIC Strategic Work Plan.

Group Services Inc.
Lisa Thiessen, Executive Director of ELCIC Group Services Inc. (GSI) was present for a portion of the NCC meeting to discuss a motion before council to approve a new participating employer the pension plan. Meeting as the sole member of GSI, NCC members approved a motion that will see pastors serving from Moravian Church Northern Province (MCNP) congregations being eligible as members in the Pension Plan for Clergy and Lay Workers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.

NCC members welcomed the motion as an exciting sign of ecumenical commitment and it was noted during discussion that welcoming new members to the plan helps share the overall administrative cost. It was also clarified that ELCIC retains the sole charge of governance for the pension plan.

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
In June 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) issued its final report which included within it 94 Calls to Action.

At its March meeting, NCC members discussed Call to Action #48, “issuing a statement no later than March 31, 2016 from all religious denominations and faith groups, as to how they will implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.”

NCC members adopted the “ELCIC Statement on Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.” This document will be available on the ELCIC website prior to the March 31, 2016 deadline. It was also noted that National Bishop Susan Johnson will be present with other church leaders at a gathering in Ottawa on March 30, 2016 where a joint statement will be shared.

Global Mission Task Force
In March 2014, NCC affirmed a motion to establish a task force on ELCIC Global Mission. In consultation with the National Church, synods, congregations, and key partners, the task force has undertaken a comprehensive review of current programs, partnerships (national and synodical) and commitments.

At the March 2016 meeting, NCC received an update on the task force’s work including an interim report outlining principles for global mission in the ELCIC, a theological exploration of global mission, and recommendations.

NCC members heard that the draft report would provide a basis for further consultations across the church to a wide range of groups. NCC will receive a final report from the task force at its next meeting.

The ELCIC Reformation Challenge
In 2017, Lutherans around the world will commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. In honour of the anniversary, ELCIC members, congregations, specialized ministries and synods are invited to join the ELCIC Reformation Challenge, which has set the following goals:

• Sponsor 500 new refugees;
• Support 500 scholarships for students of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL);
• Plant 500,000 trees in Canada, Palestine, Ethiopia, and around the world; and
• Donate $500,000 to The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Endowment Fund

To date, ELCIC members have made the following commitments to the ELCIC Reformation Challenge: 

• 89 Refugee sponsorships
• 17 Scholarships for ELCJHL schools
• 11,358 Trees planted
• $109,112 Donated to the LWF Endowment Fund

ELCIC members and congregations are encouraged to consider ways to get involved in the Reformation Challenge and to register their commitment to the challenge. Resources and further information are available online at: elcic.ca/ReformationChallenge.

Next Meeting
The next meeting of NCC will take place September 8-10, 2016 in Winnipeg, M.B.

—————————————————————–
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 114,592 baptized members in 525 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.

Calling all young Anglicans and Lutherans! Registration is now open for the 2016 Canadian Lutheran-Anglican Youth (CLAY) gathering in Charlottetown, P.E.I. Running from August 17-21 at the University of Prince Edward Island, the event promises five days of fun, learning, worship, and spiritual growth.

Co-hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) and the Anglican Church of Canada, CLAY brings together hundreds of young Anglicans and Lutherans from across Canada to participate in ministry and outreach projects, and also features music, drama, and a keynote speaker.

Youth participants 14 to 19 years of age from across both churches are invited to attend—though 13-year-olds may attend with the endorsement of their home team leader and local congregation and with the support of the CLAY registrar.

The 2016 event, built around the theme “Not For Sale,” marks the fourth CLAY gathering overall, taking place in a region with a significant Anglican population.

“Atlantic Canada is a stronghold in the Anglican Church, so it’s the first time that we have had to kind of step up and take ownership and make things happen,” local arrangements coordinator and youth and family coordinator for the Anglican diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island Allie Colp said.

“That’s really exciting, and it’s a really great sign that we are moving forward and doing ministry together with the ELCIC.”

The theme of CLAY 2016 reflects the theme chosen by The Lutheran World Federation for the upcoming commemoration of 500 years since the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, encompassing three sub-themes: Salvation—Not for Sale; Human Beings—Not For Sale; and Creation—Not For Sale.

Ministry projects and speakers at the event will explore the sub-themes in ways that resonate for both Lutherans and Anglicans, touching on issues such as the commodification of religion, the fight against human trafficking, and caring for the earth by moving towards a stewardship model of creation.

One of the biggest attractions at CLAY 2016 is its keynote speaker, Rev. Mark Ehlebracht, lead pastor at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Kitchener, Ont. Recognized for his new media savvy, Ehlebracht is known for his engaging web videos, patterned after the “rants” of TV host Rick Mercer, that relate to the church and current events.

“He was a really dynamic speaker who we thought did a good job of hitting on all of the key messages in ‘Not For Sale’ in a way that would resonate with young people,” national planning committee communications coordinator Hannah Shirtliff said.

Ehlebracht’s keynote presentation, along with performances by a music and drama team, is a highlight of the large group gatherings that take place throughout the week.

Ministry projects at CLAY will also give participants the chance to learn about different topics of their choice, and a “servant event” allows them to express their ministry by helping out the local community.

For this year’s servant event, participants will be working with the PEI Food Security Network on a food exchange, spending an afternoon gleaning produce in farm fields that remains after mechanical pickers have passed through, before donating it to local and regional food programs.

“A lot of produce … stays in the fields and without the work of gleaners, it just gets turned over back into the ground,” said Judy Steers, the Anglican Church of Canada’s coordinator for youth initiatives and staff support person for CLAY, noting that the exchange ties directly into food security initiatives by the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund.

The week at CLAY can leave an indelible mark on participants, as Shirtliff, 21, recalled of her own experience as a young Lutheran.

“CLAY has incredibly influenced my faith journey,” she said. “I think if it wasn’t for CLAY, I wouldn’t be involved in the church still … Coming to CLAY and hearing messages about faith from maybe a slightly different perspective than you’re used to, being with lots of other young people your own age, I think is a really powerful and really wonderful experience.”

Registration for CLAY costs $350 at the earlybird rate, $375 at the regular rate and $400 if late. The earlybird deadline for registration is March 31, followed by the regular deadline on June 30 and final deadline July 31.

Youth who may be interested in future participation on the national planning committee are also invited to register for the Specialist Home Team, which offers a behind-the-scenes look at CLAY. The deadline for Specialist Home Team registration is March 25.

Register online for CLAY 2016.

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 114,592 baptized members in 525 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.

National Office staff at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) joined with staff from Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) and Lutheran Church-Canada (LCC) late Tuesday night at the Winnipeg International Airport to welcome a Syrian refugee family to Canada.

The family’s sponsorship is a joint partnership between the three national offices.

Last fall, CLWR staff members began collecting pledges to sponsor one person. CLWR extended the invitation to the two churches to join the initiative, making it possible to bring an entire family to Canada.

“Last summer our church adopted a policy on welcoming the stranger. It is so wonderful to put that policy into action,” says ELCIC National Bishop Susan Johnson. “As a church we have also committed ourselves to sponsoring 500 refugees in commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation. I’m delighted that myself and my colleagues at the National Office will get to participate in this commitment in a hands-on way!”

The husband and wife are in their early thirties, and they both worked as English teachers in Syria. They have two young sons under the age of nine. The family fled to Jordan after the Syrian conflict began and were living in the capital city of Amman before being connected to CLWR in Winnipeg. A relative of the family was also at the airport to greet them and provide them with a place to stay for their first night in Winnipeg.

With just a few days’ notice of the family’s arrival, there was a scramble over the weekend to make final arrangements for an apartment, furniture and household items, a phone and groceries to last for the first few days.

Arrangements quickly fell into place thanks to CLWR’s experience in this area. CLWR has been a Sponsorship Agreement Holder with the Canadian government since the 1970s and has been facilitating refugee sponsorships for decades for groups of private Canadians.

“My colleagues and I felt it was time to ‘walk-the-walk’ and become sponsors ourselves,” says Robert Granke, CLWR’s executive director. “I have visited Jordan and met Syrian mothers and fathers who are desperate to resettle in a safe place where they can work, educate their children and become part of a community. We knew we could support a family in this way.”     

This is the first time national office staff from the ELCIC, CLWR and LCC have joined together to sponsor a refugee family.

—————————————————————–
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 114,592 baptized members in 525 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.

In what has become an annual tradition, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada National Bishop Susan Johnson and Anglican Church of Canada Archbishop Fred Hiltz reflect on the Christmas Story and the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ in a joint Christmas video greeting.

The two leaders remind us to be mindful of the migrant refugee crisis and the need to respond with open hearts to those seeking refugee among us. “Let us be like the innkeepers who provide a warm and safe place for those in need," says Bishop Johnson.

View the video greeting here: https://elcic.ca/From-the-Bishop/default.cfm

National office staff from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR), Lutheran Church-Canada (LCC) and the LCC Central District office are coming together for the first time to bring a Syrian refugee family to Canada.

The initiative will pool donations from individual staff members to raise the money needed to support a family for a year.

Earlier this fall, CLWR staff members agreed to begin collecting pledges to sponsor one person, most likely a Syrian living in Jordan, where most of CLWR’s overseas programming for Syrian refugees takes place. CLWR invited the churches to get on board, making it possible to bring a whole family.

While they have not connected with a particular family as yet, they do know that they will be able to sponsor a Syrian family of five. ELCIC, LCC and CLWR are headquartered in Winnipeg and that’s where they expect the family will live, so that staff members can provide emotional support and connect the family with settlement services like language training, job training and counselling.

CLWR is a Sponsorship Agreement Holder with the Canadian government, which allows them to facilitate private sponsorships for congregations, families and other groups, including their own. Once a family is identified, CLWR expects it will take approximately two to six months before they arrive in Winnipeg. They plan to put their expertise in refugee resettlement to use.

“Each day we work to support congregations who are acting as refugee sponsors in Canada,” says Robert Granke, CLWR executive director. “My colleagues and I are excited to come together as a team and welcome a family, together with colleagues from the ELCIC and LCC. We are looking forward to identifying a family and meeting them in the coming months.”

This sponsorship is on top of the refugee sponsorships individual ELCIC and LCC congregations undertake every year across the country.

ELCIC congregations have challenged themselves to sponsor 500 refugees by 2017 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.  

"I’m so glad our staff are participating in this sponsorship and taking part in the ELCIC Reformation Challenge,” says ELCIC National Bishop Susan C. Johnson. “Our partnership with CLWR is such an important part of living out our call to be a church In Mission for Others. The refugee sponsorship between our national offices is especially timely given the fact that our government is committed to increasing the number of Syrian refugees to Canada. Together we are taking ‘welcoming the stranger’ very seriously.”

LCC President Robert Bugbee reflected on the decision of the LCC staff to support refugee resettlement.

"I’m deeply grateful to our friends at CLWR for inviting us to take part in this project,” President Bugbee said. “There are few better ways to come to grips with the worldwide plight of refugees than to spend concrete time with real individuals, and I believe that we ‘longtime Canadians’ will be the first to benefit when we seek to show this sort of love to others. It will be a great thing if the commitment of our national staff people to address this need encourages local congregations across the country to consider refugee sponsorship in their own communities."

—————————————————————–
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 114,592 baptized members in 525 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.