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.

National leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) and Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) will visit their counterparts in Jerusalem May 15 to 21 to discuss the development of full communion ministry in the Middle East.

National Bishop Susan C. Johnson (ELCIC) and Archbishop Fred Hiltz (ACC) will describe how the Anglican-Lutheran partnership evolved in Canada and encourage Bishop Munib Younan (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land) and Bishop Suheil Dawani (Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem) as they take their own steps towards a similar relationship.

The trip was first suggested by leaders of their respective international bodies, the Lutheran World Federation and the Anglican Communion.

“We know the benefit both personally and as churches of this form of deeper partnership and are excited about sharing our experiences as we have travelled this road together,” said Bishop Johnson.

“It is especially important that in Jerusalem, the birthplace of Christianity, we do all that we can to support and encourage the remaining Christian population."

Christians are a minority in the Jerusalem region. They struggle to work towards peace with justice in Palestine and Israel. They also struggle with declining numbers as Christians emigrate elsewhere.

Joint mission work is one way to respond to their challenges. In Canada, Lutherans and Anglicans have been in a full communion partnership since 2001. This means mutual recognition of baptisms, interchangeability of clergy, and many areas of cooperative mission work, including joint advocacy against homelessness and global poverty.

In 2013 the denominations will hold their first joint national assembly in Ottawa.

Lutherans and Episcopalians (Anglicans) in the Middle East are just starting to explore the potential of such joint work. Bishop Younan and Bishop Dawani worked alongside each other as local ministers in Ramallah, Palestine. Now they have started to chart steps for larger-scale cooperation. Recently they appointed co-chairs of a joint Anglican-Lutheran Commission for their regions: the Rev. Sven Oppegaard (Lutheran) and the Rev. Canon John L. Peterson (Anglican).

Canadian Lutherans and Anglicans have longstanding, deep ties to the Middle East. Bishop Johnson and Archbishop Hiltz have both visited Jerusalem and their denominations have passed national resolutions that pledged to journey with Christians in that region through prayer and other means of support.

Recently Canadian Anglicans have started the Companions of the Diocese of Jerusalem group to raise awareness and funds for the diocese, which extends over Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria. A companionship relationship is also emerging between Ottawa and Jerusalem.

Canadian Lutherans are active in the region through their partners, Canadian Lutheran World Relief and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), which support a hospital and a vocational training centre in East Jerusalem. Bishop Younan has served as president of LWF since 2010.

With such rich and complex histories undergirding the trip, the Canadian delegation hopes that this visit will deepen a sense of joint mission for all involved.

“We’re really going there not to tell them how to do it,” said Archbishop Hiltz. “We want simply to share the Canadian story—the significant moments in our journey, some of the high points, the challenges, and the realities of what it’s like to live in full communion.”

The Canadian delegation also includes the co-chairs of the Joint Anglican Lutheran Commission Bishop Michael Pryse (Lutheran) and the Very Rev. Peter Wall (Anglican) as well as the Anglican Church of Canada’s Director of Resources for Mission and Communications and Information Resources Vianney (Sam) Carriere.

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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 (ELCIC) National Bishop Susan C. Johnson provides an update on the structural renewal process in her latest message to the church. A video of her message can be viewed here: http://youtu.be/VH3xYi8NCaA. Congregations are encouraged to share this message with their members.

Grace to you and peace in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!

Many of you have been wondering since the Manitoba/Northwestern Ontario Synod Convention what’s going to happen with the future of structural renewal.

Well, I first want to assure you that although MNO did not vote to amalgamate, they are very interested in picking up many of the ideas from structural renewal and moving towards implementation of those items.

In terms of the other synods and moving forward, it is business as usual full steam ahead!

The National Implementation Team and the Synod Implementation Teams think that this is still the best way to help our church move forward and become a structure that is flexible, affordable and sustainable.

The flexibility part may be challenging us a little bit at this time but we think that with all the synods we can work together towards a church that is in renewal both structurally and spiritually.

I ask you to pray for each of the synod conventions as they unfold over the next couple of months, and keep our whole church in prayer.

Thank you and God bless you!

Further information on the ELCIC’s structural renewal process can be found online: https://elcic.ca/Structural-Renewal/default.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, 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 Manitoba/Northwestern Ontario (MNO) Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) is meeting in convention April 26-29 in Beausejour, Manitoba. The 2012 MNO Synod Convention commenced on Thursday evening with opening worship. MNO Synod Bishop Elaine Sauer preached and presided.

On Friday, delegates had a full agenda of business before them. Brian Lorch, incumbent synod council chair was re-elected on the first ballot. Allan Francis, incumbent synod council treasurer was re-elected also on the first ballot.

ELCIC National Bishop Susan C. Johnson addressed delegates in her Report of the National Bishop, sharing highlights of the National Church’s ministry in each of the five strategic priorities (effective partnerships, spirited discipleship, focused framework, diverse faces and compassionate justice). Delegates also received greetings from Bishop Don Phillips, Diocese of Rupert’s Land, Anglican Church in Canada; Rev. Dr Kevin Ogilvie, President, Lutheran Theological Seminary; Rev. Roger Haugen, President, Lutheran College Bible Institute; and Robert Granke, Executive Director, Canadian Lutheran World Relief.

Friday morning, delegates heard presentations regarding structural renewal from the National and Synodical Implementation Teams. The ELCIC has been in discussions regarding structural renewal for over three years when at a February 2009 meeting of officers and bishops of every synod and the National Church it was agreed that they should ask NCC to set up a task force. The Structural Renewal Task Force worked for two years to look at possible options. Last year at the ELCIC National Convention, a plan was adopted by the National Church in principle.

Friday evening, delegates considered the following motion on structural renewal, “be it resolved that the MNO Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada be wound up and dissolved effective the 29th day of May, 2014.” Delegates prayerfully considered the motion. Following almost an hour of discussion in which arguments were presented both for and against, the vote was called. Conducted by written ballot, 114 votes were cast. The motion needed two-thirds in favour to pass. The motion received 44 yes votes, 69 no votes, 1 spoiled ballot. The motion did not pass.

On Saturday, delegates will participate in a day-long renewal event on the topic of the convention theme, "Receive the Spirit – Be the Witness". The renewal event picks up on the ELCIC’s Call to Spiritual Renewal which calls us to Pray, Read, Worship, Study, Serve, Give and Tell.

Over 120 rostered and lay delegates are in attendance at the MNO Synod Convention, as well as many volunteers from the Beausejour region.

Photos and further highlights from the convention can be viewed on the ELCIC’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/CanadianLutherans

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 145,276 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.

In a letter to the members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), National Bishop Susan C. Johnson urges delegates to upcoming synod conventions across the church to "carefully and prayerfully read all of the materials in your bulletin of reports. Come with open ears and hearts so we can listen together to hear what the Spirit is saying to the church."

Bishop Johnson’s letter provides an update on the structural renewal process to-date and the proposals coming before all ELCIC synod conventions over the next few months. A copy of the letter follows. An accompanying video has also been prepared by Bishop Johnson. ELCIC congregations are encouraged to find an opportunity before or following worship to share the video with their members. The video can be viewed here: www.elcic.ca/From-the-Bishop

Dear Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada:

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

Three years ago the officers of every synod and the National Church met in consultation. We looked at trends in the church including decreases in membership and finances. As a whole group we agreed that our church was not operating as efficiently as it could and asked National Church Council (NCC) to set up a task force to look at options.

NCC did just that, and the Structural Renewal Task Force worked for the next two years. They looked at all possible options from more synods, to no synods, and to no National Church. They consulted widely – at synod conventions, with the whole church via a survey, with conference meetings, with bishops and synod councils. And finally at last year’s National Convention they put a plan forward that the National Church adopted in principle.

The “in principle” part was because all of the details were not yet in place. Over the past eight months a National Implementation Team and three Synod Implementation teams have been working hard to try to put flesh onto the proposals that were brought to National Convention. There is a lot more “flesh on the bones”, but the reality is that synods will be asked to vote on proposals that are a “work in progress”. Proposals that will continue to be refined in the next two years. I know this means a leap of faith – trust in the direction of the work that has taken place and trust that the remaining work will be satisfactorily completed in the next two years.

For some this may cause anxiety. These are big changes and we will not be the same church as we move forward. We will work together differently as congregations, areas, synods, and as a National Church. There will be compromises made and some things that are dear to us will have to be sacrificed so that we can move forward. It’s painful.

But what St. Paul says is correct. We are all parts of the body and we need each part in order to function. I believe we all need to make these necessary changes so that we can continue to faithfully be part of God’s mission to love and serve the world.

The other great change taking place in our church is spiritual renewal. I’m so deeply excited about the way that this call to deeper discipleship is being picked up all across the church. I know this type of transformation does not happen overnight. But as we continue to grow as disciples in our spiritual practices and especially in our ability to share the good news of Jesus with those around us, we will grow as a church – in depth and then in numbers. Structural renewal allows us the time and redistribution of funding to allow this spiritual renewal to take place. It takes time to grow.

Let me speak very candidly to you. If we do not move ahead with structural renewal, including the amalgamation of synods, the reality is that synods will continue to be forced to make cuts to the National Church in order balance their own budgets. This is already happening. And it won’t take much more until the National Church will not be able to function.

Without a National Church structure, synods will lose their ability to be members of an international and ecumenical church through the Canadian Council of Churches, the Lutheran World Federation, and the World Council of Churches. They will not have the ability to relate nationally to our full communion partner, the Anglican Church of Canada. They will lose the ability to work with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in areas like Global Mission. We will end up a small and very narrow-focused church, and I do not believe that is what God is calling us to do.

I urge you to pray for each of the upcoming synod conventions, that God will lead and guide us and show us the way forward. Dates for the upcoming conventions are as follows:

·        April 26-29: Manitoba/Northwestern Ontario Synod Convention
·        May 10-13: British Columbia Synod Convention
·        May 24-27: Synod of Alberta and the Territories Convention
·        June 1-3: Saskatchewan Synod Convention
·        July 5-8: Eastern Synod Assembly

If you are a delegate to a synod convention, I ask you to carefully and prayerfully read all of the materials in your bulletin of reports. Come with open ears and hearts so we can listen together to hear what the Spirit is saying to the church. Come prepared to hope and dream a bit together…and yes even to debate as together we make decisions for the ELCIC, this corner of God’s church that we call home.

This is God’s church! We know that no matter what decisions we make God will be with us to guide, bless and bring new life.

So let us commit ourselves to renewal – structural renewal and spiritual renewal – so that together we can grow in discipleship and truly be together a church In Mission for Others.

Yours in Christ,

The Rev. Susan C. Johnson
National Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

A pdf version of the letter is available here: https://www.elcic.ca/Documents/1204LetterfromtheBishop.pdf

Further information on the structural renewal process, including resources for congregations use, can be found here: www.elcic.ca/Structural-Renewal

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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.

After 23 years of dedicated ministry to the people of El Salvador, Rev. Brian Rude has announced that he will retire from active ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) at the end of this calendar year.

Rev. Rude began his ministry in El Salvador serving as chaplain in an orphanage and teaching Christian formation, as well as working in the communications department of the Lutheran church. His ministry was one of accompanying the El Salvadorian people during armed conflict which occurred within the country. Following the Peace Accords of 1992, and the closing of the orphanage in 1994, his ministry expanded to include people living with HIV/AIDS in prisons, parishes and hospitals. Brian co-founded the Quetzalcoatl foundation – an organization which seeks to understand gang violence by working with prison personnel and inmates (especially gang members) and at-risk youth in their neighbourhoods, with a focus on mental health and on increasing opportunities and reducing social violence. He was involved in this ministry until 2011. Currently he is involved in restorative justice ministry in the prison system throughout the country and surrounding areas.

The news of Rev. Rude’s retirement comes following a difficult decision made by the ELCIC’s National Church Council (NCC) at its March meeting. NCC members determined that due to severe budget constraints it would no longer able to sustain long-term missionaries. There were significant cutbacks in several other areas of ELCIC programming, however the ELCIC will continue to support the indigenous missionaries of the Amazon mission and in Argentina.

"This was a very painful decision for us," says ELCIC National Bishop Susan C. Johnson. "Supporting ELCIC members in mission around the world has been an important part of the ministry of this church and its predecessors. Fortunately, through our partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Global Mission, ELCIC personnel can continue to serve."

Bishop Johnson commended Rev. Rude for his extraordinary service to the church. "He serves as a role model of being In Mission for Others for his accompaniment with the poor and marginalized in El Salvador," she says. "There are few in the ELCIC who have not heard of Brian and the stories, newsletters and messages which he has so graciously provided over the span of his ministry. We are grateful for the work he has accomplished in his years of ministry."

Reflecting on his ministry, Rev. Rude speaks of the seed that flourished into his becoming a long-term missionary which came following the hosting of two educational delegations to Central America (the ecumenical "Ten Days for World Development" focus at the time). "I was envisioning, with Salvadoran refugee friends in Calgary, the possibility of this longer-term mission to El Salvador after receiving enthusiastic affirmation from Lutheran Bishop Gómez in El Salvador," says Rev. Rude.

"As a church, we have been graciously welcomed into the orphanages, the war zones, the displaced peoples’ camps, the campesino villages of repatriated refugees, the earthquake and hurricane disaster zones, the AIDS wards, the gang barrios, the prison dungeons and the back alleys of El Salvador, the land of The Saviour," continues Rev. Rude. "In these sacred spaces, we have discovered Jesus already present, loving God’s crucified people, inviting us to join in his mission of incarnation, of solidarity. In mission with our sisters and brothers of El Salvador, we have been learning to follow Jesus ever more faithfully."

Rev. Rude expresses his sincere thanks to all throughout the church, "especially to those who have supported and enriched me and this ELCIC El Salvador-Canada ministry over these many years, in so many ways. To God be the glory!"

Peru Long-Term Missionary also to move on to new opportunities

Following four years of ministry in Peru, Rev. Fran Schmidt has decided not to renew her contract at the end of her term this June.

Rev. Fran Schmidt began her dedicated service to the Lutheran Church of Peru (ILEP) in 2008 following her ordination. She has provided ministry to the church of San Juan Camino de Esperanze and was an interim pastor to the congregation of Emaus. The ILEP churches were blessed to benefit from her music leadership as she taught music lessons, liturgy courses and conducted choirs. Rev. Schmidt returns to Canada at the end of June and will take part in four months of reorientation.

"We give thanks to Rev. Schmidt for her dedicated service to the church and to her missionary church," says Bishop Johnson.

Rev. Schmidt says she leaves Peru and the ministry there, "with an incredible sense of gratitude and humility. Being able to serve ILEP through its partnership with ELCIC has been a great joy and privilege and we have all learned so much in this journey together. We have worked side by side in God’s vineyard, accompanying one another, challenging one another, and learning what it means to be the body of Christ."

She extends her thanks to her brothers and sisters in Christ in the church in Peru for their generous hearts, open spirits, kindness and patience. "They have taught me, and us, as ELCIC, what it means to proclaim Gospel in the world," she shares. "We are richer for the experience of accompanying one another and meeting Christ in our journeying together. I also wish to thank the many ELCIC congregations and members who have regularly sent emails, cards and letters; their prayers and support have meant more to me than they can ever know! My prayers remain with ILEP as they vision and grow."

Ministry of long-term missionaries to be celebrated

ELCIC members will be invited to share their thanks for the ministry of Rev. Rude and Rev. Schmidt. Details will be announced shortly of ways that members can personally share their gratitude for this mission and ministry.

ELCIC Global Mission support and opportunities

Years ago, ELCIC churches in Canada had a vision to plant churches in many areas of the world. Long-term missionaries were supported by the faithful back in Canada and assisted in the establishment of many new churches. Today those planted churches, through their own efforts and the efforts of The Lutheran World Federation, are becoming sustainable as institutions. The way in which the ELCIC supports these churches has changed as the ELCIC moves into partnerships of accompaniment and responds to the invitation to be present.

"It is no longer as much about us sending people," explains Rev. Carla Blakley, assistant to the National Bishop for Global Mission. "The ministry of global mission continues to evolve. Many of our partner churches have established seminaries and are training local pastors. They are now asking us to partner with them in supporting their churches and their pastors. This is exactly what we see with our relationship within the Amazon mission and in Argentina."

ELCIC Global Mission (GM) remains committed to the full administration, funding and supervision of missions in Peru (Rev. Yoli Zavaleta in the Amazon Mission) and Argentina (Rev. Gustavo Gomez and Rev. Sergio Utz).

In Peru, ELCIC GM continues the work of Rev. Katharine Bergbusch through the financial support of a local pastor in the ministry at the mission congregation of Fiel es Dios (God is Faithful).

In Southern Argentina, ELCIC GM shares a joint mission with the United Evangelical Lutheran Church (IELU). Rev. Utz is a pastor at Esperanza del Sur (Hope of the South) congregation in Esquel and Cruz del Sur (Southern Cross) congregation in Bariloche and works with Mapuche aboriginals at Cushmen. Rev. Gomez is a pastor at San Juan Bautista congregation in Comodoro Rivadavia and oversees the congregation’s daycare.

The ELCIC also carries out its ministry of global mission through a key partnership with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Global Mission. ELCIC members interested in serving as missionaries have access to opportunities through the ELCA Global Mission office.

ELCIC members who have supported the mission and ministry within the regions of El Salvador and Peru are asked to please consider continuing financial support to enable ELCIC Global Mission to be In Mission for Others through the ministry of other program areas. Further information on how to provide support is available online at www.elcic.ca/Global-Mission.

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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.

In a new online video, National Bishop Susan C. Johnson of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) and Archbishop Fred Hiltz of the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) offer a joint Easter message to the two churches.

The two leaders share the message of the Easter story in this two-minute video; including in their greeting a reading from Luke 24:1-12.

"With Peter and all the disciples, we are still amazed at the glorious resurrection of Jesus from the dead," says Archbishop Hiltz. "For us it is no idle tale. It is the heart and hope of our faith."

"We wish you a joyous celebration of the resurrection this Easter," says Bishop Johnson.

2011 marked the 10th anniversary of Full Communion between the ELCIC and ACC, and among Anglicans and Lutherans in the United States. In 2001, the ELCIC and ACC signed the Waterloo Declaration. The same year the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and The Episcopal Church (TEC) signed Called to Common Mission. A joint celebration of the 10th year anniversary took place on May 1 with parallel services in Fort Erie, Ont. and Buffalo, N.Y.((

This year, Lutherans and Anglicans will host a joint National Worship Conference (www.nationalworshipconference.org) and Canadian Lutheran Anglican Youth (CLAY) gathering (www.clay2012.ca).

Preparations are now underway for a July 2013 Joint Assembly of the ELCIC National Convention and the ACC General Synod in Ottawa, Ont. ((

View the Easter video message here: https://elcic.ca/From-the-Bishop/default.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, 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.