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.

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

The July/August E-Communique is now available!

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

On a sunny Saturday morning, hundreds of Lutherans and Anglicans gathered under the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill to worship and raise awareness about protecting Canada’s water supply.

This morning’s service, which included traditional aboriginal drums, prayers and small group discussions, was organized and almost entirely run by youth. It was meant to raise awareness about water pollution and the lack of clean drinking water in First Nations communities.

“It’s a strong sign to our church and our country that we are being led by the strong voice of the youth who are crying out for justice,” said National Lutheran Bishop Susan Johnston, who helped lead the service with Anglican Primate Fred Hiltz.

She pointed to the link between the “Right to Water” campaign, and the joint recommendation for responsible resource extraction at the assembly. “I hope that people will take seriously the commitment that we made, that we are going to learn and advocate, to do the best we can to work for change.”

Bishop Lydia Mamakwa, from Kingfisher First Nation north of Sioux Lookout, who also joined the service, knows firsthand the need for Canadians to protect their water. “In my tribe, we have many fresh water lakes and we used to be able to drink out of them all the time but now it is polluted,” she said, following the service.

Also attending the service, was Archdeacon Larry Beardy, from the Tataskweyak Cree Nation in Northern Manitoba, located on the Nelson River, which flows into the Hudson Bay. Although surrounded by lakes of fresh water, Archdeacon Beardy said the water quality had been impacted by hydro development. “A lot of people don’t understand the water situation, especially in First Nations communities,” he said. In Canada, “we have an abundance of water. Sometime we have to take it for granted. We have to respect water like the land.”

This includes, as Primate Hiltz said, being careful about how much water we use in cities where it feels like there is an unlimited source. “Today, when I woke up, I was very mindful of water as I was able to take a shower, and drink many cups of water. All that clean water was there for me.”

Primate Hiltz also said it was a gift that the two churches could come together and talk about this issue. “There’s an old saying, one voice alone is kind of ragged, but together we’re a much stronger sound.”

The service included prayers in the four directions. With the crowd facing north, a prayer was recited for rivers. To the east, the crowd paused for a silent prayer for the ocean and fisheries, and “for people who still cross oceans to find a safe home.” With the crowd looking at the Ottawa skyline, a prayer was said, “to be mindful of using water responsibly” in cities where we have water at our fingertips. And finally, the crowd looked to the west, and prayed for farmers who use water to grow crops, and rural communities, especially places “who do not yet have access to safe, reliable drinking water.”

Sophie Ruprecht, a 17-year-old member of St. John Lutheran Church in Ottawa, participated in the service and hoped the morning was an effective way to raise awareness. “It’s right in front of Parliament. It’s catching people’s attention.”

As the leaders closed with the benediction, long strips of blue material representing water were passed down through the crowd. People began to spontaneously sing “O Canada,” clearly moved by the worship service.
—————————————————————–
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.

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

Delegates to the 2013 Joint Assembly of the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) and Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) have approved a statement calling both churches to greater accountability in addressing homelessness, affordable housing, and responsible resource extraction.

The delegates, meeting together, overwhelmingly endorsed the Joint Declaration on Homelessness and Affordable Housing and Resource Extraction and directed that it be distributed widely throughout [Anglican and Lutheran] churches. They also directed that the declaration be forwarded, to the Prime Minister and other political leaders.

Rev. Doug Reble and Cynthia Haines-Turner, who moved and seconded the motion, both spoke passionately of the need for the Joint Declaration.

At the core of the declaration is the call to care for all of God’s creation. “We live in a world where poor countries that are rich in natural resources have all too often seen the well-being of their people and ecosystems deteriorate as a result of destructive, irresponsible resource extraction,” said Reble.

“Indigenous communities around the world and including those in Canada are often the people particularly affected by mining and oil and gas exploration, as well as logging operations. Aboriginal rights are often violated the process.”

Reble referenced the Anglican’s Marks of Mission and it’s call to “seek to transform the unjust structures of society and to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth,” as well as the ELCIC’s Five Pillars which engages the church in the work of compassionate justice as spirited disciples.

Haines-Turner spoke to how the motion connects with Joint Assembly theme – Together for the love of the world. “We have been hearing so much about what it means to be turning outward and not inward – this is an important act of joint witness.”

Several delegates spoke in favour of the resolution, encouraging colleagues to affirm the Joint Declaration, and also urging delegates to consider what steps could be taken to further the churches’ work in these areas.

“I think the motion will have to be more beyond what we think. I urge you if you want to really see what is happening in the North – go and see it,” said one speaker.

Another speaker reminded delegates of the law passed by Parliament in 2000 to abolish children poverty. “A decade after we end up with more than 1 million children living in poverty,” he said. “A poor child doesn’t live alone. A poor child also means a poor father, or a mother living in poverty. The motion we have on the floor is a step in the right way, but we need to do more. We need to vote in favour but we need to do more.”
 
Anglicans and Lutherans have made the areas focused on in the Joint Declaration as priorities. ELCIC National Bishop Susan Johnson and Archbishop Fred Hiltz have recently co-signed several letters calling on the federal government to deal with issues such as poverty and a comprehensive national housing strategy in co-operation with the provinces and territories.

The Joint Declaration calls the two churches to greater public awareness and to discern where they can learn more, advocate, seek equitable and innovative approaches, and pray for all affected by the issues and those who bear responsibility in addressing them.

Delegates approved the motion by a vote of 98 per cent. As a sign of their commitment to the Joint Declaration, they then stood and read it aloud in its entirety.

On Saturday morning, as a further way of living out the call in this area, youth (some who are delegates of the Joint Assembly and others from the wider community) will lead delegates in an act of public witness on Parliament Hill.

More information on the 2013 Joint Assembly, as well as the sign up for email updates and the link to the live webcast can be found here: www.jointassembly.ca

—————————————————————–
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.

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

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) has received $25,000 from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) to help those affected by flooding in southern Alberta.

“We thank the members of our sister church for their solidarity with those who are struggling to restore their homes in southern Alberta,” says Bishop Susan Johnson, National Bishop of the ELCIC. “This is a strong living expression of the relationship between the two churches.” 

The ELCA approached the ELCIC about providing assistance shortly after the flooding began.

“We treasure the gifts and benevolence the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada brings to the companion relationship between our two church bodies. We pray that God’s hope and grace will be with those impacted by the flood as we work together to accompany them on their journey to rebuild their lives.” said Joseph Chu, associate program director, Lutheran Disaster Response.

The donation will be distributed in partnership with Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) to congregational programs providing emergency services like food and shelter. Any funds not directed to congregations will support disaster response agencies that are working in the flood zone. Currently support is going to Mennonite Disaster Service, who is on the ground mobilizing volunteers and helping with cleanup and reconstruction. They will focus their work in rural areas, prioritizing those vulnerable to falling through the cracks.

“Through our partnerships with the ELCIC and experienced front-line agencies we can be sure that this donation will focus on those most in need,” says Robert Granke, executive director of CLWR.

The flooding, which began June 20, spanned across southern Alberta. Over 100,000 people were displaced in the region, including 75,000 in Calgary. Flash floods hit the community of High River, south of Calgary. Medicine Hat, Canmore, the Siksika First Nation and Turner Valley were among the communities significantly impacted. The Alberta government has estimated that the cleanup could take up to 10 years.

———-

Canadian Lutheran World Relief carries out international relief, development, and refugee resettlement on behalf of Lutherans in Canada. Our vision is a world where people live in justice, peace and dignity, united in diversity, and empowered to achieve their universal rights to basic needs and quality of life. www.clwr.org 

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. www.elcic.ca   

For media inquires, please contact:

Trina Gallop, Director of Communications, ELCIC, tgallop@elcic.ca, 204.782.8618

Tom Brook, Community Relations Director, CLWR, tbrook@clwr.mb.ca, 204.299.9274

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

Hundreds of members of the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada are converging on Ottawa for an unprecedented joint national gathering of the two churches, where they will tackle issues like resource extraction, homelessness, and how to live out their mission in a time of diminishing church membership.

The Joint Assembly, which takes place July 3-7 at the Ottawa Convention Centre, will be the first time the two churches have held a fully integrated national gathering since entering into a relationship of full communion in 2001.

“It’s an exciting and historic moment for our churches,” says Archbishop Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada. “This is a meeting quite unlike any other meeting that has happened in the past.”

As full communion partners, Canada’s Anglican and Lutheran churches commit to work closely together in all respects—even exchanging clergy and establishing joint congregations—while still remaining separate church bodies.

“The whole point of full communion is to assist us and strengthen us in mission and ministry so that we can reach out in love and service to the world that God so dearly loves,” says Bishop Susan Johnson, National Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.

The Anglican and Lutheran delegates, who come from every part of Canada, will meet under the theme, “Together for the love of the world.” In that sprit, they will be asked to endorse a joint declaration demanding action addressing the fact that 400,000 Canadians have inadequate housing or none at all. They will also be asked to take action on the question of responsible resource extraction, in light of the documented negative effects mining and oil projects have on the environment and on aboriginal communities.

Participants in the Joint Assembly will gather on Parliament Hill on Saturday, July 6 at 8:30 a.m. to offer a public witness to the importance of all people, especially Canada’s First Nations peoples, having access to clean drinking water.

Delegates from both churches will also discuss proposals to restructure the way in which the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada function, since both churches have experienced the same decline in membership as many other mainline Canadian churches.

The Joint Assembly will welcome a number of international, ecumenical, and interfaith guests, including the heads of the Episcopal Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Anglican Communion, The Lutheran World Federation and the World Council of Churches.

The Anglican Church of Canada (anglican.ca) has been a self-governing member of the worldwide Anglican Communion since 1893 and has 545,000 members in nearly 2,800 congregations across the country. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (elcic.ca), established in 1986, has 145,000 members across Canada in nearly 600 congregations and is a member of the Lutheran World Federation.

The Joint Assembly’s proceedings will be constantly updated and live streamed at jointassembly.ca. For more information, to arrange an interview, or to apply for accreditation to cover all or part of the Joint Assembly, please contact:

Trina Gallop, Director of Communications and Stewardship, ELCIC tgallop@elcic.ca
(204) 782-8618

Sam Carriere, Director of Communications, Anglican Church of Canada scarriere@national.anglican.ca
(416) 409-5904

—————————————————————–
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.

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

The leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Anglican Church of Canada, The Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America have prepared "A Word to the Churches."

The letter is intended to be shared in congregations leading up to the 2013 Joint Assembly.

The joint declaration comes just a few days before first ever Joint Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and the Anglican Church of Canada which will take place in Ottawa, July 3-7, 2013. This national meeting will gather more than 800 Lutherans and Anglicans for worship, fellowship and important ministry decisions.
 
"A Word to the Churches" celebrates the fruits of a dozen years of full communion between between Lutherans and Anglicans in Canada, and Lutherans and Episcopalians in the United States. It also points to a number of ways in which the churches could be working still more collaboratively in mission and ministry, both within their respective countries and across the international boundary.

Read the full text of the letter here: https://www.elcic.ca/Documents/AWordtotheChurches.pdf

—————————————————————–
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.

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

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 those affected by flooding in southern Alberta and across the province.

Up to 100,000 people living in low-lying areas in and around Calgary were evacuated overnight. Overland flooding was expected to continue today. Residents were being asked to avoid the downtown core. Schools throughout the city were closed.

The flooding spanned across southern Alberta. Flash floods hit the community of High River, south of Calgary. Canmore and Turner Valley were also significantly impacted.

Reports indicate water levels in Calgary are three times that of the floods that hit southern Alberta in 2005.

A domestic appeal has been issued to assist those affected by the floods in southern Alberta. Funds will be primarily used to: help relocate those affected to safe areas; provide emergency shelter; provide food; and support congregational programs that provide emergency service.

Donations to the Southern Alberta Flood Appeal 2013 made be made in the following ways:

1. ELCIC members are asked to donate to appeals by making a designated offering donation for “Southern Alberta Flood Appeal 2013” through their congregation.
2. Donations may also be made through CLWR.

• Online at www.clwr.org/donate.
• By calling CLWR at 1.800.661.2597 or 1.204.694.5602.
• By sending a cheque made payable to CLWR and mailed to: CLWR, 600-177 Lombard Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3B 0W5. Please indicate in your correspondence that you wish to contribute to the “Southern Alberta Flood Appeal 2013.”

—————————————————————–
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.

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