Some final highlights and information about the 2009 ELCIC National Convention before it’s start next Tuesday, June 25 in this week’s Countdown to Convention.

Just two weeks to the start of the 2009 ELCIC National Convention. Find out how to get there, how to keep in touch and what will be taking place while we gather. It’s all in this week’s Countdown to Convention.

Three weeks to the start of the 2009 ELCIC National Convention. Countdown to Convention has all the highlights to keep you up-to-date on what’s taking place at this year’s gathering.

With just four weeks to the ELCIC’s National Convention, be sure to tune in to the new Countdown to Convention e-newsletter to read highlights of our upcoming gathering!

Just five weeks to convention! Find out about volunteer opportunities, how Bible study will be central to this year’s convention and why you should attend the church’s national gathering in this week’s Countdown to Convention e-newsletter.

In less than six weeks, Lutherans from across the ELCIC will meet in Vancouver for the 12th Biennial National Convention taking place June 25-28. As we count down the weeks to convention we will highlight what’s new, what to watch for, how to keep informed and news to know in the weekly newsletter Countdown to Convention.

As public health officials continue to closely monitoring the H1N1 flu virus (human swine flu) that has struck Mexico, the United States, Canada, and other parts of the world, whether this outbreak spreads widely or not, it is an occasion for individuals, families, and congregations to take basic steps of preparedness.

The ELCIC has assembled links and resources with information on H1N1 for individual or congregations use at: www.elcic.ca/Pandemic.cfm

The leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) and Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) again mark their churches’ full communion relationship by issuing a joint video message for Easter.

In this short video, Bishop Susan C. Johnson, national bishop of the ELCIC, and Archbishop Fred Hiltz, primate of the ACC, speak about the importance of Holy Week, particularly during this time of economic strain.

Since 2001, the ACC and the ELCIC have been in a full communion relationship, and several joint Anglican-Lutheran parishes and cooperative ministries have sprung up across Canada. Recently leaders of the two churches met in Toronto to discuss greater cooperation between their churches.

Watch the 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 162,100 baptized members in 611 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 March 17 and 18, senior management from the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) met at Church House in Toronto, to discuss cooperation between their churches. Since 2001, the two churches have been in a full communion relationship, which means that confirmations are mutually recognized and clergy can serve at a church of the other denomination.

Thirteen leaders attended, including the national leaders—Archbishop Fred Hiltz (ACC) and National Bishop Susan Johnson (ELCIC)—and directors of communications, finance, and other departments. They shared their current work, challenges, strategic plans, and mapped out their relationships with partners.

The group agreed that although the churches have deepened relations since 2001 (by establishing joint congregations, cooperative local ministries, etc.) there is a need for dramatic and visible next steps. Among many possibilities, they discussed the idea of a joint national office. A small staff and volunteer group will be created to explore this further.

One future cooperation is a joint national gathering planned for 2013, when the Lutheran National Convention and the Anglican General Synod will meet together in Ottawa. Several smaller, joint meetings have already been held and will gather again before 2013. The leaders agreed that this particular meeting of Anglican and Lutheran management teams should happen yearly, alternating between the Winnipeg ELCIC offices and the Toronto ACC offices.

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 162,100 baptized members in 611 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.

Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada’s (ELCIC) National Church Council and Canadian Lutheran World Relief’s (CLWR) Board of Directors approved a new Memorandum of Understanding at their respective meetings this March. The strengthened partnership will see the ELCIC and CLWR working together in new and exciting ways to enhance cooperation and effective programming between the two organizations.

“By integrating the work of the ELCIC’s Global Hunger and Development Appeal (GHDA) into the work of CLWR we will present one clear message to ELCIC members, avoiding the ongoing confusion between GHDA and CLWR,” says ELCIC National Bishop Susan C. Johnson. “Our resources will be better utilized and more focussed, with better results.”

In addition to the integration of the ELCIC’s Global Hunger and Development Appeal (GHDA) into the work of CLWR, the new partnership will see the establishment of a Joint Program Committee which will plan and implement activities related to leadership development and training, development education, advocacy, and international partner projects. The strengthened relationship will also allow for the creation of a shared approach to generating resources within the ELCIC in accordance with the ELCIC and CLWR principles of stewardship.
To advance their collective witness and service CLWR will act on behalf of the ELCIC in regards to the resettlement of refugees in Canada; responding to global emergencies; and gathering donated commodities such kits and quilts to be sent overseas. International development programming, including support for projects of ELCIC international partners will be undertaken by CLWR in consultation with National and Synodical bodies.

Both CLWR and the ELCIC are committed to raising awareness within the ELCIC membership on issues related to international development and the root causes of hunger and poverty and have agreed to adopt a shared approach to development education and advocacy. The sale of alternative trade products within ELCIC congregations and related organizations through Four Corners alternative trade will continue to be encouraged.

Robert Granke, CLWR Executive Director, notes “Both the ELCIC and CLWR bring unique areas of expertise and efficiency to this partnership and by working more closely together we will be better able to engage the members of the ELCIC in their call to serve those in need.”

The new memorandum of understanding was formally signed by ELCIC National Bishop Susan C. Johnson and CLWR President Rev. Mark Harris on March 13, 2009. The terms of the agreement will be implemented starting July 1, 2009.

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 162,100 baptized members in 611 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.