The Thirteen Biennial National Convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) will take place July 14-17, 2011, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The call to be In Mission for Others articulates the mission and ministry for the ELCIC and is lifted up in this year’s convention theme which is Covenant People: In Mission for Others.

The convention theme is drawn from Isaiah 56:6–8 and focuses on our identity as God’s servants, and on the responsibility we bear toward each other and collectively toward others by virtue of this covenant. We are joined together in the covenant of baptism and called to live our lives as disciples of Jesus. ELCIC National Bishop Susan Johnson has been encouraging the ELCIC community to engage in a call to spiritual renewal and to be a more visible witness to our neighbours. At National Convention, we will explore aspects of this call to read, pray, worship, study, serve, give and tell.

The word “covenant” is also a synonym for “treaty,” so the theme Covenant People: In Mission for Others gives us the opportunity to explore how we as a church and as Canadians are treaty people, and challenge ourselves to renewed relationships between indigenous and non-indigenous people.

The 2011 ELCIC National Convention logo is comprised of the visual elements of a pitcher and water, signs of the baptism that gathers and connects us. This life-giving water is ever weaving around and through God’s covenant people.

The logo and further information on the 2011 ELCIC National Convention can be viewed online at www.elcic.ca/In-Convention/2011-Saskatoon/default.cfm.

In their 2010 joint Christmas video, National Bishop Susan Johnson of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) and Archbishop Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC), celebrate and share the gift of Christmas music.

“The gift of music is that when we join our voices together in common song, we act out being the body of Christ,” says National Bishop Johnson in the video. She and Archbishop Hiltz then offer an a cappella rendition of the carol “Silent Night.”

The ACC and ELCIC have been full communion partners since the 2001 Waterloo Declaration, which acknowledged the churches’ historic similarities and encouraged more cooperative work. Led by the Joint Anglican-Lutheran Commission, the two churches have worked closely on many fronts, including action against homelessness, and campaigns in support of the Millennium Development Goals.

At a local level, many Anglican and Lutheran churches are joining together for worship and action across Canada. Resources are available to support this local work, including an Anglican-Lutheran prayer cycle [PDF] and guidelines for common worship.

In 2010, Anglican-Lutheran cooperation was highlighted at several national meetings. National Bishop Susan Johnson addressed the ACC’s General Synod in June 2010, and in August 2010, almost 1,000 youth gathered for the first-ever Canadian Lutheran Anglican Youth Gathering in London, Ont. Preparations are now underway for a July 2013 joint meeting of the ACC General Synod and the ELCIC National Convention in Ottawa, Ont.

Both Archbishop Hiltz and National Bishop Johnson have made the full communion partnership a priority of their national church work. These annual joint Christmas videos highlight their friendship and remind Anglicans and Lutherans to seek opportunities for unity. Watch the Christmas video online, or download to share with your church family.

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 152,500 baptized members in 607 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.

As the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) seeks to develop a framework for the church that is flexible, affordable and sustainable, a majority of participants who provided feedback on suggestions for structural renewal within the church feel it would be acceptable to reduce the number of synods and/or reduce the size of National Convention as a possible way of moving forward.

The feedback, which also includes detailed suggestions on ways to focus administrative costs in the church and areas where the National Church and Synods should be involved, comes following months of generating feedback from ELCIC members across the church.

Since spring of 2009, the ELCIC’s Structural Renewal Task Force has been engaging in dialogue with various expressions across the church about the need for structural renewal. Through participation at Synod Council meetings, Synod Conventions and an online survey, the task force has been obtaining information as they consider what kind of structure best suits the changing demands of the ELCIC’s ministry and outreach.

Since the close of the August 31,2010 deadline for the online survey component of their work, the Structural Renewal Task Force has been reviewing the feedback and compiling the data.

The survey provides a great deal of quantitative information, as well as many qualitative comments, says Sheila Hamilton, chair of the Structural Renewal Task Force. “Approximately 320 responses were received with good participation rates from all synods.”

“In the discussions at synod conventions and in the survey comments, it is clear that more support for ministry at the local/congregational expression of the church is strongly encouraged,” says Hamilton, who also notes that “Bishop Susan’s call for ‘Spirited Discipleship’ was enthusiastically embraced by many respondents.”

In a report from the Structural Renewal Task Force, suggestions to focus administrative costs include: Working cooperatively with other churches; Reducing the number of synods; Reducing the size of national convention; and Reducing the functions of the national office.

Survey feedback clearly identified that particular suggestions for focusing administrative costs would not be acceptable, including: Eliminating the national church; Eliminating all synods; Increasing functions of national church; and Reducing the size of synod conventions.

The survey summary identifies that a majority of respondents from every synod agree that reducing the number of synods and that reducing the size of national convention would be acceptable options.

The survey indicated eight areas where the National Church should be involved, including: Global mission; Pension and benefits; Ecumenical relationships; Relationships with international church bodies; Standards for rostered leaders; Canadian Lutheran World Relief; Public policy and advocacy; and Communication.

The task force is currently following up with Conference Deans, who will communicate the findings to their conferences. In March 2011, the Structural Renewal Task Force will present its recommendations to National Church Council (NCC). It is expected that NCC will present a proposal to National Convention in July 2011.

In February 2009, the officers of the National Church and all five synods met to look at the current challenges facing the ELCIC. They agreed that these challenges will become more severe in the next few years and that there is need for major changes to the organizational structure of the church. At the same time, the officers noted the need to increase work in the areas of evangelism, outreach and stewardship as the ELCIC lives out the call to be a church In Mission for Others. NCC heard these concerns and appointed a Structural Renewal Task Force.

Further information on the work of the Structural Renewal Task Force, along with a summary of the survey results, can be viewed online at: https://elcic.ca/Structural-Renewal/default.cfm

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 152,500 baptized members in 607 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 Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL), together with the Church of Sweden, invites you to walk with them this Advent. Their online Advent Calendar, Fear Builds Walls – Hope Builds Bridges includes daily Advent YouTube greetings from young people in Palestine and Sweden.

In recognition of the “significant contribution of the women of the Evangelical Lutheran Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC)”, a new ELCIC Women of Faith Fund has been established.

The ELCIC Women of Faith Fund will provide grants for the purpose of encouraging and facilitating, “the Christ-centred ministry of women within [the ELCIC] and In Mission for Others.”

“The ELCIC Women of Faith Fund will honour the work of women in our church in the areas of faith and spiritual growth, fostering supportive communities, developing leadership skills and working towards justice and peace,” says ELCIC National Bishop Susan C. Johnson.

The initial contributions to the fund will come from the residual amount remaining after the dissolution of Evangelical Lutheran Women Inc. (ELW). The contribution comes as per ELW bylaws. Individuals or groups may also make additional donations to the fund.

Grants for the ELCIC Women of Faith Fund will be available on an annual basis. Applicants will submit their proposals for review and consideration by an advisory committee appointed by the ELCIC’s National Church Council.

Further information on the fund is available on the ELCIC website: https://elcic.ca/Womens-Desk/default.cfm

Contributions to the ELCIC Women of Faith Fund can be made by sending a cheque made payable to the ELCIC (please indicate ELCIC Women of Faith Fund in the memo portion) to: ELCIC, 302-393 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3N 3H6.

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 152,500 baptized members in 607 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.

On July 6, 2001, Canadian Anglicans and Lutherans proclaimed their full communion relationship with the signing of the Waterloo Declaration. 2011 marks the 10th anniversary of this historic and holy moment. Signed by members of the House of Bishops (Anglican Church of Canada) and Conference of Bishops (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada), the following pastoral letter offers a word of encouragement to our churches and suggestions for deepening our full communion relationship. Congregations are encouraged to read the pastoral letter during worship on the weekend of November 21, Christ the King / The Reign of Christ Sunday.

The text of the letter follows:

To the faithful of the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada:

Grace and peace to you.

On July 6, 2001, in the Waterloo Declaration, we Lutherans and Anglicans proclaimed our full-communion relationship. Next year marks the tenth anniversary of this historic and holy moment.

In many parts of Canada, we are already seeing a variety of expressions of full communion —from occasional joint services in adjacent congregations to parishes sharing a building, program, priest or pastor. Perhaps your community enjoys one of these expressions of full communion. Wonderful! Perhaps your community is looking for some encouragement in that direction. Here it is!

Does your community have an accessible, neighbouring full-communion partner? Consider…
regular shared Bible or Lectionary study (The three-cycle begins anew this year!);
a joint youth group or shared women’s or men’s ministries;
occasional pulpit or other leadership exchanges;
joint worship in Advent or Lent, during the summer or at other times;
a joint web presence or Facebook page;
a program of shared community outreach (eg. food bank, litter-walk..);
joint participation in the 2012 Canadian Lutheran-Anglican Youth Gathering (Saskatoon);
joint participation in the 2012 National Anglican-Lutheran Worship Conference (Winnipeg).

Perhaps your community does not benefit from the presence of a neighbouring full-communion partner. At very least, every congregation, whether Lutheran or Anglican, could be invited to pray its way through the Anglican-Lutheran Cycle of Prayer. Copies are posted on our national websites and are available from synodical and diocesan offices. Your bishops would be grateful for your prayers!

Perhaps your community might even think of some manner of full-communion expression others haven’t dreamed of. Let us discern the possibilities… together!

As we look forward to the 10th anniversary of Anglican-Lutheran full communion with a great celebration on May 1, 2011, and to the joint meeting of General Synod and National Convention in Ottawa in July, 2013, may God who is bountiful, merciful and gracious empower us, encourage us and lead us in our faithful journey… together.

With our prayers for a holy and blessed Advent.

A pdf version of the letter is available at the following link: https://www.elcic.ca/Documents/documents/Pastoral-ReignofChrist2010.pdf

Produced by the Joint Anglican-Lutheran Commission, the Anglican-Lutheran Cycle of Prayer (2010-2011) is designed for use in communities of the Anglican Church of Canada and Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. For each Sunday, there are intentions for specific dioceses, synods and/or groups. While we pray for our world and neighbours without ceasing, we are invited to pray especially for our Anglican sisters and brothers with whom we are in full communion. The Anglican-Lutheran Cycle of Prayer can be found online at the following link: https://www.elcic.ca/Documents/Anglican-LutheranCycleofPrayer2010to2011-October2010.pdf

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 152,500 baptized members in 607 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 October/November 2010 issue of E-Communique is now available. In this issue you’ll find information on stewardship resources, relief efforts in Haiti, World AIDS Day resources, Gifts from the Heart Catalogue, Lutheran World Federation, KAIROS and more!

Getting these resources delivered directly to your email inbox is easy! Just email communique@elcic.ca with the word Subscribe in the subject line.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada’s (ELCIC) National Bishop Susan C. Johnson encourages members and congregations of the ELCIC to place a special emphasis on observing Reformation Sunday, which is celebrated October 31 or the last Sunday in October.

The call comes following The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Acting General Secretary Rev. Martin Junge’s invitation to LWF member churches to recognize this year’s anniversary, “with a special sense of gratitude as they reflect on the contemporary significance of the Reformation’s witness to the gospel.”

“We welcome this invitation by the LWF’s Acting General Secretary to approach our Reformation identity both with a spirit of repentance, and a spirit of expectancy for the future,” says Bishop Johnson. “I urge all ELCIC congregations to use the resources for LWF Sunday.”

In his letter to LWF member churches, Junge reminds the Lutheran communion of the need to reaffirm God’s gift of grace especially in anticipation of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017. “It is precisely because we live by grace that we have the confidence to look with honest eyes at the traditions we cherish and to seek God’s healing hand to make them live anew. Such a spirit is one for which our contemporary world thirsts,” writes Junge.

On October 31, 1517 Luther nailed his “Ninety-Five Theses” to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, calling for reform in the Catholic Church of his time. Today Lutherans observe the date as Reformation Day.

Junge reminds churches of the July 2010 LWF Eleventh Assembly “Action on the Legacy of Lutheran Persecution of Anabaptists,” in which Lutherans asked Mennonites for forgiveness for the former’s violent persecution of Anabaptists in the 16th century, and for the subsequent harmful depictions of the latter to the present day.

“In coming with repentance even to our own special festival, we are acting from the heart of our faith. We are recognizing that the Spirit of God who called the reformers is still active among us now,” writes Junge.

He notes that Luther’s actions marked “a crucial turning point, a beginning of the Reformation,” and that observing this day has become a practice not only for Lutherans but also for many other churches.

“We recognize that the Reformation is not ours alone; reformation is a continuous need of the Church in every age, including this one. And we continue to work to address painful divisions among Christians, including those which date from the time of the reformers,” he stresses.

ELCIC congregations are encouraged to use the “Service of Repentance” prepared for LWF Sunday 2010. Liturgical materials can be downloaded at: http://www.lwf-assembly.org/uploads/media/Liturgy-Service_of_Repentance.pdf and adapted as needed for local contexts.

(With files from Lutheran World Information.)

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 152,500 baptized members in 607 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) Director of Communications and Stewardship Trina Gallop is currently travelling in Haiti along with Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) Executive Director Robert Granke and Community Relations Director Tom Brook, as well as Lutheran Church-Canada Mission and Social Ministry Director Rev. Dr Leonardo Neitzel. They have been spending the last week visiting relief and development projects of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) which are supported by funds raised during CLWR’s Appeal for Haiti.

Lutherans throughout Canada donated almost $1.2 million following the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti in January of this year.

Reflections on the trip can be viewed via the following links.

ELCIC:
Video Reflections – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OS3sHBZkiJ4
Blog posts – http://elcic.posterous.com/
Photos – http://www.flickr.com/photos/53229836@N04/sets/72157625062498368/

CLWR:
Video Reflections – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-G5UAhWdso&feature=related
Video on the Development of Schools in Haiti – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08PWRSp0CnU
Blog posts – http://clwr.wordpress.com/

—————————————————————–
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 152,500 baptized members in 607 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) National Church Council (NCC) met in Winnipeg, September 9-11, 2010. Council members conduct the business of the church between National Conventions.

With committee meetings taking place on Thursday morning and afternoon, the formal portion of the meeting began on Thursday evening with an Opening Worship Service including Holy Communion. ELCIC National Bishop Susan C. Johnson presided at the service, Rev. Trish Schmermund (Synod of Alberta and the Territories ordained member) preached and was also the meeting chaplain.

Council Welcomes Representatives and Guests
In addition to NCC members, Synod Bishops, and National Office senior staff in attendance at the meeting, the council welcomed Cynthia Haines Turner who serves as the new representative from the Anglican Church of Canada’s Council of General Synod (COGS). Else Thompson, executive director of human resources, from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) was present for the meeting on behalf of the ELCA. Also at the meeting were the officers from the Anglican Church of Canada’s General Synod who attended as part of the preparation for the joint COGS-NCC meeting that will take place in the spring of 2011. Officers from the ELCIC will attend the COGS in November 2010.

Dwelling in the Word
Four individuals led Dwelling in the Word (DITW) sessions where each shared a memory or reflection on a scripture passage that is important to them. Usually detailing a personal experience, DITW is a regular component of NCC meetings and are one way NCC lives out its vision to foster a climate of spirited discipleship and share personal faith. At this meeting NCC members heard DITW reflections from: Ken Hartviksen, treasurer; Saskatchewan Synod Bishop Cindy Halmarson; Carl Sorenson, lay representative from the Synod of Alberta and the Territories; and Rev. Paul Gehrs, Assistant to the Bishop, Justice and Leadership. Videos of the DITW sessions can be viewed online: www.elcic.ca/national-church-council/default.cfm.

Strategic Priorities and Work of the National Office Top NCC Agenda
A significant portion of the agenda for the fall NCC meeting was devoted to reviewing the work of the National Office and how it aligns with the strategic priorities of the church. Council spent time in small and large group discussions discerning priorities and key areas of focus among the work. The council also spent time discussing the many partnerships of the ELCIC and passed a motion directing the National Bishop to review current partnerships based on a set of criteria identified by NCC and report back at the March 2011 meeting. The council will do further work on priority setting before the Spring 2011 NCC meeting by using an online survey tool and holding an e-meeting.

Evaluation Affirms National Bishop’s Leadership
ELCIC Vice President Sheila Hamilton reported on a review conducted by NCC Officers on the work of the ELCIC’s National Bishop. The review was completed through questionnaires distributed to NCC members, Synod Bishops, and National Office staff, and one-on-one interviews which included seven of the ELCIC’s ecumenical partners. The evaluation focused on: what the Bishop is doing well that should be continued, what needs to be changed, what needs to be stopped or delegated, and what more could be done. Hamilton reported that the manner in which the National Bishop, "executes her role as the public face of the church is well respected and applauded, and that reflects well on [the ELCIC] as a whole." NCC unanimously approved a motion to affirm the leadership and ministry of Bishop Johnson and commended her for her service to the church.

Next Meeting
The next meeting of NCC will be held concurrently with the Anglican Church of Canada’s Council of General Synod. That meeting will take place March 31 to April 3, 2011.

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 152,500 baptized members in 607 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.