Continuing a yearly tradition that has become a warm reminder of the full communion partnership enjoyed by their two churches, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC), and National Bishop Susan Johnson of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) share a joint Christmas video message with Lutherans and Anglicans across the country.

In their 2013 Christmas message, Johnson and Hiltz speak about the connection between Christmas and God’s mission to the world. Hiltz connects the theme of the carol “Joy to the World” to that of this year’s Joint Assembly—“Together for the love of the world.”

Both reflect the core of our Christmas observance, says Hiltz, “that great truth that ‘God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.’” The celebration of Christmas is “a wonderful reminder” that God wills hope, peace, and love for all people.

Johnson shares a Christmas hope for all Anglicans and Lutherans that, as they celebrate with their loved ones, they be “rekindled in love, joy, peace, and hope…and recommitted to share that love, joy, peace, and hope with a world that is so desperately in need.”

The ACC and the ELCIC have enjoyed a full communion partnership since 2001. Each church maintains its own autonomy but cooperates in many ways, including using each other’s liturgies and serving as clergy in each others churches. Several joint Anglican-Lutheran parishes and cooperative ministries have sprung up across Canada.

Watch the Christmas message online. (https://elcic.ca/From-the-Bishop/default.cfm and on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5Uu1XSfTQk&feature=youtu.be)
Learn more about our full communion relationship. (https://elcic.ca/ecumenical/anglicans.cfm)

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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

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Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) National Bishop Susan C. Johnson has prepared a special message for the church inviting ELCIC members to pray for peace in the Middle East this Christmas season.

In a pastoral letter written by National Bishop Susan C. Johnson, she invites members of the church to remember the present residents of Bethlehem, Palestine, Israel and the region, especially those living in Syria and Syrians living in refugee camps in neighbouring countries. She invites the church to include a prayer for peace in the Middle East in their Prayers of Intercession on Christmas Eve.

The text of the message is shared below. National Bishop Susan C. Johnson’s message can also be viewed here: pastoral letter inviting members to pray for peace in the Middle East

Advent greetings of hope as you journey in this season of spiritual renewal and prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

This December 24th marks the first anniversary of a global ecumenical prayer vigil, initiated by ACT Alliance, inviting people to pray peace in the Middle East on the 24th of each month. The vigil is intended to be a monthly reminder to pray for the Christian communities in Palestine and Israel, for all those who are suffering in the Holy Land, for Palestinians and Israelis, and for peace in the Middle East and the world. The ELCIC formally joined the prayer vigil on Palm Sunday, March 24, 2013.

Additional prayer resources and information about the vigil are available at:  http://actpalestineforum.org/vigil/

I pray for God’s blessing on you all as you gather in congregations, from coast to coast to coast, to worship God and to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. And I thank you this and every day for partnership as a church In Mission for Others.

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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.

The December issue of E-Communique is now available!

Access your copy of this resource online: December E-Communique

During an audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican on October 21, leaders from The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) expressed gratitude for the partnership with the Roman Catholic Church that makes it possible for churches to strengthen their commitment to the poor and vulnerable. In her role as LWF Vice-President (North America), ELCIC National Bishop Susan Johnson was a member of the LWF delegation.

“As people who have been encountered by Christ, we are called to accompany the poor and vulnerable. The message of reconciliation entrusted to us turns into the hope for our fragmented world and its yearning for peace with justice,” LWF President Bishop Dr Munib A. Younan said in LWF’s greeting to the Pope. Younan expressed gratitude for the ecumenical milestones of the partnership with Catholics, including the recent publication of the Lutheran-Roman Catholic Commission’s report “From Conflict to Communion: Lutheran-Catholic Common Commemoration in 2017.”

For his part, Pope Francis expressed his gratitude for the “many advances made in relations between Lutherans and Catholics in these past decades, not only through theological dialogue, but also through fraternal cooperation in a variety of pastoral settings, and above all, in the commitment to progress in spiritual ecumenism.”

In connection with the report Pope Francis observed “I believe that it is truly important for everyone to confront in dialogue the historical reality of the Reformation, its consequences and the responses it elicited. Catholics and Lutherans can ask forgiveness for the harm they have caused one another and for their offenses committed in the sight of God. Together we can rejoice in the longing for unity which the Lord has awakened in our hearts, and which makes us look with hope to the future.”

During the audience, LWF General Secretary Rev. Martin Junge thanked the Pope for his clear and passionate reminder to the human family and to governments of the duty to protect migrants and refugees. Junge was referring to remarks occasioned by the pontiff’s recent visit to the island of Lampedusa, an arrival port for migrants from Northern Africa.

Junge presented Francis with a teapot from a Somali refugee woman at the world’s largest refugee camp – Dadaab. He explained that the hot tea was almost all that sustained this group of refugees as they fled to neighbouring Kenya. The General Secretary observed “As people who have been met by Christ, we are freed and sent to meet our suffering neighbour. Let this gift therefore be an invitation to do more together for the sake of the suffering.”

In thanking the delegation, Pope Francis expressed gratitude for the small yet significant token of human suffering, saying that it will serve “as a reminder of this dimension of ecumenism, the ecumenism of martyrdom." Persecution, he noted, “does not know denominational barriers. Religious divisions do not define people fleeing conflict or migrating in order to safeguard their own lives.” “They are ultimately defined by what they are: children of God.”

Following the meeting, National Bishop Susan C. Johnson said "It was an honour to be a part of the LWF delegation that had an audience with Pope Francis. The content of the greetings from both the LWF President and the Pope were a strong reminder of our ecumenical commitment to engage in both theological dialogue and shared witness and service." She went on to  "encourage members of the ELCIC to study the document From Conflict to Communion with their Roman Catholic neighbours as a way of enhancing our shared commitment to the gospel and preparing ourselves for an ecumenical commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017."

The LWF delegation included Vice-Presidents National Bishop Susan C. Johnson (North America), Rev. Dr. Gloria Rojas Vargas (Latin America and the Caribbean), and Ms. Eun-hae Kwon (Asia), and Bishop Dr Milos Klátik (Chairperson of the Council Committee for Theology and Ecumenical Relations). Other members were Rev. Dr. Kaisamari Hintikka, LWF Assistant General Secretary for Ecumenical Relations; the Commission’s co-chairperson Bishop emeritus Dr Eero Huovinen (Finland), and Prof. Theodor Dieter, director of the Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasbourg, France.

With contributions from Vatican Radio and The Lutheran World Federation.

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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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The October issue of E-Communique is now available!

Access your copy of this resource online: October E-Communique

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada’s (ELCIC) National Church Council (NCC) met in Winnipeg from September 5-7. Council members conduct the business of the church between National Conventions. The following is an overview of highlights from the meeting.

Council welcomes new members

The Council welcomed several new members to the meeting that were elected at the 2013 National Convention (July 4-7, Ottawa), including: Vanessa Bergeron, Saskatchewan (lay), 2013-17; Bruce Cook, Eastern (lay), 2013-17; Cameron Harder, Manitoba/Northwestern Ontario (rostered), 2013-17, Marc Jerry, Alberta and the Territories (rostered), 2013-17, Brian Wilker-Frey, Eastern Synod (rostered), 2013-17; Judy Wry, Alberta and the Territories (lay), 2013-17.

Report of the National Bishop

ELCIC National Bishop Susan Johnson shared her excitement for the start of the fall NCC meeting as she spoke about carrying over the exciting from Joint Assembly in July, and “the energy that was created by the two churches [ELCIC and the Anglican Church of Canada] being together.”

“I celebrate what I see to be new life coming up in our church,” she continued. “I’m just buoyed up and encouraged by that. Yet, at the same time, I recognize we need to continue the energy to move in that direction, rebuilding relationships and trust.”

Bishop Johnson spoke of the reality that the whole church has to face around resources and capacity. “We have a fiduciary responsibility as the leaders of this church that we grapple with these things and help people make decisions for the future.”

Reflection and Moving Forward

NCC members spend time at the meeting reflection on the actions and outcomes of the 2013 Joint Assembly and National Convention. This involved looking at comprehensive feedback that was provided by those in attendance at the national gathering this summer.

NCC members also considered the feedback that was provided during “table group discussions” held at National Convention. Delegates to National Convention were asked to spend some time in together at their tables discussing their thoughts on the demographic and financial projections for the church; their ideas for moving forward; what they consider to be signs of a new church and signs of hope within the ELCIC; and in relation to the strategic plan what might be missing that the National Church should emphasize.

It was noted that much of the feedback for both of these pieces was “hope-filled.” Participants considered how the church can be more outward focused and be more of a public witness.

National/Synod Convention Cycle

National Church Council approved a motion regarding the implementation of constitutional changes regarding national and synodical conventions. The proposed changes are dependent on approval by their respective convention bodies, but if approved, would result in the following:

• In 2014, Synod Conventions will do first reading of constitutional changes (this has already taken place in the Eastern Synod).
• In 2015 at the ELCIC National Convention, there will be a second reading of constitutional changes and delegates will also address the proposed administrative bylaw changes.
• Synod Conventions would do a second reading of constitutional changes and address proposed administrative bylaw changes at their 2016 conventions. 2017 will see National Convention in its current configuration.
• At the 2018 Synod Conventions, delegates for the 2019 National Convention will be elected.
• 2019 would see the National Convention in its new configuration (and now in a three year cycle).
• Synod Conventions would take place in 2021 (and now occur every three years).

  NCC members participate in ELCIC Praise Appeal
  An offering was held during the opening worship service of NCC. Almost $1,500 was received and will be directed to the ELCIC Praise Appeal. This national appeal supports the ministry of the wider church.

  Next Meetings

  The next meeting of NCC will take place March 6-8, 2014.

The September issue of E-Communique is now available!

Access your copy of this resource online: September E-Communique

The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Northeastern Ohio Synod, was elected Aug. 14 presiding bishop of the ELCA at the 2013 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.

She was elected on the fifth ballot. There were 889 votes cast, and 445 votes were needed for an election. Eaton received 600 votes and the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, received 287. Eaton is the ELCA’s first woman presiding bishop-elect.(     

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) National Bishop Susan Johnson is currently attending the churchwide assembly. "I congratulate Bishop-elect Elizabeth Eaton and I am looking forward to working with her as our churches continue in our many partnerships," said Bishop Johnson. "I thank Bishop Mark Hanson for his collegiality and friendship these past years. He has been a strong and wise leader of his church."

“We are a church that is overwhelmingly European in a culture that is increasingly pluralistic. We need to welcome the gifts of those who come from different places, that is a conversation we need to have as a church,” Eaton told the assembly shortly after the election.(    

Prior to becoming synod bishop, Eaton served as pastor for ELCA congregations in Ohio. She earned a Master’s of divinity degree from Harvard Divinity School in Cambridge, Mass., and a Bachelor’s degree in music education from the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio.(    

The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the ELCA, is meeting in Pittsburgh Aug. 12-17 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The theme for the triennial assembly is “Always being made new.” This year marks the 25th anniversary of the ELCA.(

Further information on the assembly can be found here: www.ELCA.org/assembly and up-to-the minute news entries at http://blogs.ELCA.org/assemblynews.

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The July/August E-Communique is now available!

Access your copy of this resource from the National Office here: July/August Issue