The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada’s (ELCIC) National Church Council (NCC) met in Winnipeg from September 10-12, 2009. Council members conduct the business of the church between National Conventions and provide direction to the ELCIC’s National Bishop Susan C. Johnson on how the ELCIC can best live out its call to be a church In Mission for Others.

With committee meetings taking place on Thursday afternoon, the formal portion of the meeting began on Thursday evening with a service of Holy Communion. National Bishop Johnson presided at the service, Rev. Nolan Gingrich (British Columbia Synod ordained representative) preached, Saskatchewan Synod Bishop Cindy Halmarson shared the reading, and Marie-Laure Collet (Eastern Synod lay representative) assisted.  

Several new NCC members were in attendance following their election at the 2009 National Convention in June, including: Marie-Laure Collet, Jeanie Stann (British Columbia Synod lay representative), and Sheila Hamilton (vice-president).

Dwelling in the Word
Four NCC members led brief 5-minute Dwelling in the Word sessions where they each shared a memory or reflection on a scripture passage that is important to them. Usually detailing a very personal experience, Dwelling in the Word sessions have been a highlight of NCC meetings this year and were also part of the 2009 ELCIC National Convention.

Members sharing their personal faith stories at this meeting included: Tom Brook (Manitoba/Northwestern Ontario Synod lay representative), Rev. Roger Haugen (Saskatchewan Synod ordained representative), Rev. Doug Reble (Eastern Synod ordained representative), and Barb Stolee (Synod of Alberta and the Territories lay representative). Several of these sessions will be available online at: www.elcic.ca/National-Church-Council/default.cfm

Dwelling in the Word sessions are in response to NCC’s vision which includes fostering a climate of Spirited Discipleship and sharing one’s own personal faith stories both with one another and in wider, more intentional ways. Dwelling in the Word is a key component of the ELCIC’s involvement in the Book of Faith initiative (www.bookoffaith.org) and is one way to invite others in your organization or congregation to become more deeply engaged with the Bible. ELCIC members are encouraged to find opportunities to share their stories of faith and dwell in the Word.

Study on Human Sexuality
NCC members received an update on the development of a church-wide Study on Human Sexuality by taskforce chair Judy Wry. The taskforce is in the final stages of preparing the study, which is a means of encouraging dialogue and allowing individuals throughout the church to contribute to the development of a social statement through feedback on the study. The study is expected to be available on October 1. Once it is released, the study will be available online, and a printed copy will be mailed to each congregation. Feedback from this study phase will be received until February 28, 2010.

Group Services Inc. Continues to Tackle Pension Deficit; Looks Forward to Future
Hildy Thiessen, executive director for Group Services Inc. (GSI) and John Wolff, outgoing chair of the GSI board, shared with NCC members an update on the progress GSI has made towards tackling the pension deficit five years earlier than initially planned. A sound investment strategy helped the fund weather the current economic downturn and enables GSI to pay off the $16-million deficit by 2013.

Thiessen and Wolff shared with NCC members their response to a question that came forward at the June 2009 ELCIC National Convention regarding the origins of the deficit and how the ELCIC Pension Plan went from a surplus position at the valuation date of December 31, 2000 to the unfunded liability position at the next triennial valuation of December 31, 2003. This information has also been posted on the GSI website: www.elcicgsi.ca.

Citing several factors, including: a cumulative 3-year loss on investments, expected return on investments not earned and the impact of a decrease in the annual discount rate, among other factors, Thiessen noted the importance of, “never getting comfortable because [markets] can turn around very quickly.”

With the end of the pension deficit in sight, Thiessen shared with NCC members how GSI will strategically turn its focus to active members and what this means moving forward. Future funding for active members is something the GSI board will look at when they meet in November 2009.

“We are trying to find a win-win outcome so congregations can get some relief when 2013 comes,” said Wolff, noting that there will be an education component of the strategy moving forward.

ELCIC Group Services Inc (GSI) is responsible for facilitating, providing and administering employment benefits and retirement income programs and services for the employees of Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), its member congregations, other entities associated with ELCIC.

Evangelical Lutheran Women (ELW) Continue to Forge New Path
Ruth Vince, executive director of Evangelical Lutheran Women Inc. (ELW) spoke to NCC members about the ongoing changes in strategic direction for the women’s group of the ELCIC. Specifically, Vince mentioned changes to ELW’s publication Esprit that involves the discontinuation of the Bible Study within the magazine, although it will be available as a separate item to both magazine subscribers and non-subscribers who are interested in utilizing this resource.

Vince spoke about the new event-based programming model that will be supported by a change in its current governance structures. Changes are reflecting the issues and concerns expressed by ELW participants over the last several years. The Manitoba/Northwestern Ontario Synodical ELW will be piloting the new format with National ELW staff working closely with them to refine and work out details as they move forward.

National Convention Evaluated
Members of the council spent time on Friday and Saturday reviewing the 2009 ELCIC National Convention and discussing learning opportunities for future conventions.

Overall, NCC members noted how the written evaluations from convention attendees were very positive and how the addition of new items such as dedicated Bible study times, having worship incorporated into the overall convention business agenda and afternoon forums contributed to the convention’s positive ratings.

NCC members also discussed how others at convention expressed a different experience; leaving some attendees feeling isolated, frustrated and silenced. Through a process of reviewing convention governance practices, including petitions from congregations, and the terms of reference for the Committee of Reference and Counsel, NCC members committed to making decisions regarding appropriate procedures for the 2011 National Convention which ELCIC National Bishop Susan C. Johnson further outlined in a Letter to the Church issued on September 17. The letter from Bishop Johnson can be viewed online at: www.elcic.ca/From-the-Bishop/documents/Sept17-Letter.pdf.

NCC Adopts New Resource Generation Strategy
Using statistical information gathered from annual parochial reports and information on how money flows through the ELCIC, an environmental scan of financial trends in the church was conducted in 2008 by a task force commissioned by the National Bishop. This information provided a general understanding of future stewardship trends and concerns for the church and, most notably, highlighted a largely unrecognized possible financial crisis for the church.

Resource Generation Task Force members used the information along with benchmark information from other denominations to develop a strategy that was approved by NCC. The Resource Generation Strategy details steps to address the financial issues looming before the ELCIC. The strategy includes: a church-wide dialogue initiative on faithful stewardship, a renewed call to proportional giving throughout all expressions of the church, a communication strategy, conversations between synods, seminaries and the National Office and a focus on planned and major gift giving.

Structural Renewal Taskforce Reports
At the March 2009 NCC meeting, a motion was passed to appoint a task force to begin considering restructuring proposals for the ELCIC. Sheila Hamilton, chair of the task force provided a report to NCC members. The nine task force members met recently to begin developing a framework for the process.

“We are planning a very consultative approach,” said Hamilton who noted that the task force will be looking to generate some very specific feedback on the development of a tangible strategy, which will be brought forward to the 2011 National Convention.

Next Meeting
NCC members will meet next in March 2010. For further information on NCC, visit their web page at: www.elcic.ca/National-Church-Council/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.

After much investigation, deliberation, and prayer, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada’s (ELCIC) Human Sexuality Task Force is set to release its study on October 1.

In March 2006, the ELCIC’s National Church Council (NCC) directed the National Bishop to “appoint a task force to prepare a proposal for the development of a social statement on human sexuality.” While the task force has significant responsibly in preparing study documents and draft statements, their primary role is to ensure wide consultation across the ELCIC. In 2008, the task force surveyed Synod convention delegates on the relative importance that might be placed on particular aspects of a human sexuality study.

The study that will be released in the coming weeks is intended to be part of the consultation process. It is divided into seven sessions and has been written with the ELCIC’s context in mind. Congregations are encouraged to generate opportunities to use the studies for conversation. The study may also be used by individuals.

"I very much encourage individuals and congregations to get involved in the study," says ELCIC National Bishop Susan C. Johnson. "The feedback individuals and congregations will provide are crucial to the success of the social statement process."

Members of the task force also note that feedback is critical to the process; all feedback will be reviewed and will inform the crafting of a draft social statement. The social statement process insists that a draft social statement is also distributed widely across the church for further consultation. It is also hoped that engaging in the study sessions will generate discussion meaningful to local contexts.

A social statement seeks to provide the social analysis and theological basis for the collective ELCIC understanding of continuing crucial issues that arise out of the mission of the ELCIC. A social statement is designed to focus on a broad social theme rather than a specific issue.

Once it is released, the study will be available online, and a printed copy will be mailed to each congregation. Feedback from this study phase will be received until February 28, 2010.

—————————————————————–
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.

The following is the text from a letter to the Church from ELCIC National Bishop Susan C. Johnson:

Dear Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada:

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! At the September meeting of our National Church Council (NCC), a significant amount of time was spent evaluating the National Convention held in Vancouver this past June. This included reviewing the evaluation forms that delegates submitted at the close of convention.

For the majority of delegates the experience was a positive one – the worship, learning, celebration and business contributed to their experience of a church In Mission for Others: Signs of Hope. Yet others expressed a very different experience of convention, one in which the business sessions of convention, and in particular the governance procedures used, left them feeling frustrated, isolated and silenced.

I want you to know that we have heard these concerns and initiated a process to review Convention governance practices, in particular practices regarding petitions from congregations, and the terms of reference for the Committee of Reference and Counsel. NCC is committed to making decisions regarding appropriate procedures for National Convention 2011 in order that there is plenty of time to communicate appropriately with congregations and delegates well in advance of the next convention.

I ask for your continued prayers for the leadership of our church as together we strive to be a church In Mission for Others. Let me leave you with the blessing which was used as one of the theme verses for this past convention.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  (Romans 15:13)

Yours in Christ,

The Rev. Susan C. Johnson, National Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada – In Mission for Others

For a pdf version of this letter, please view online at: https://elcic.ca/From-the-Bishop/documents/Sept17-Letter.pdf

—————————————————————–
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.

In a ground-breaking event featuring Lutheran and Anglican youth from across the country, the National Planning Committee (NPC) for the 2010 gathering announces "Hands On" as the theme of next year’s gathering which is taking place August 19-22, 2010 in London, Ontario. Drawing from the text in Isaiah 64:8, "Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand", the gathering will explore how God calls us to use our hands to help shape the world around us.

Hands On 2010 is considered to be a ground-breaking youth gathering as it is the first time the national gathering will be jointly planned by both the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) and Anglican Church of Canada (ACC). Hoping for more equal representation of youth from the two churches, the name of the gathering will also be officially changed from Canadian Lutheran Youth Gathering (CLYG) to Canadian Lutheran Anglican Youth (CLAY) gathering.

"I’m so excited to be a part of this gathering," says Rev. Christie Morrow, NPC chair. "We would like to personally invite Lutheran and Anglican youth from across Canada to join us in London, Ontario where together we will explore how God has been at work molding and shaping us so that our churches, communities and the world will see the work of God’s hands through our youth."

Information on the gathering, as well as regular updates and the pre-registration booklet will be available on the Hands On 2010 website – www.clay2010.ca. For those who have no way of receiving the information electronically, please contact Rev. Paul Gehrs (204.984.9156) at the ELCIC National Office to have a hard copy of the registration materials mailed out.

Youth gatherings take place every two years with a new location each time. The last youth gathering was held in 2008 in Whitehorse, Yukon. Over 1000 participants made the journey from all parts of Canada to take part in the national event.

—————————————————————–
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. The ELCIC is in Full Communion with the Anglican Church of Canada.

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.

ELCIC Group Services Inc. (GSI) announced it will pay off a $16-million deficit in the church’s Pension Plan Retired Benefit Account five years early, thanks to a sound investment strategy that’s weathering the current economic downturn. The news was delivered to thunderous applause by GSI board chair John Wolff as he presented the Report of ELCIC GSI to delegates, special guests, and visitors attending the Twelfth Biennial National Convention June 25–28 at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver.

“As of today, we have a remaining unfunded liability of $5.6 million, and the benefit plan is 90 per cent funded,” said Wolff. The remainder of the deficit is expected to be eliminated by 2013 instead of the initial deadline of 2018.

The GSI board has instituted a number of strategies to help preserve the retirement income of ELCIC pastors after market losses in 2001 and 2002 put the account into a deficit position. Among those early strategies was asking congregations to contribute an additional 4 per cent of their employees’ salaries.

“We know it hasn’t been easy, and we know that struggling congregations have stepped up to meet the obligations,” said Wolff. “It’s nice to know that as a community, we are prepared to support our retired pastors. It sends a great message.”

The market loss in 2002 was followed by a drop in the valuation rates, increasing the deficit, but several years of good investment returns brought the plan ahead of schedule, spurring the Board to “immunize” the portfolio in 2007 by buying fixed bonds that protect the plan from market volatility.

“Doing so virtually eliminates the future market risk in the Retired Benefit Account and pushed us three years ahead of schedule,” said Wolff. “Had we not made this change, the recent economic downturn would have driven the liability up to $18 million. In hindsight, it was a fortuitous change in strategy.”

Despite the past year’s market challenges, GSI found more opportunity to make some gains. The corporation had several large insurance companies bidding above annuity rates to get its business. And the board of directors decided about a month ago to sell 90 per cent of annuity obligations to Sun Life Financial. “We were able to do that at an above-market rate. As a result, we know what’s left to pay and how long it will take, and we no longer need the letter of credit we put in place two years ago,” said Wolff.

During a question and answer period, Rev. Jason Anderson from Christ Trinity Lutheran Church in Lethbridge, Alta., offered a personal word of thanks for the prudent administration of the benefits and retirement income programs. “I lost my wife in November, and I couldn’t be a pastor if it wasn’t for this ministry,” Pastor Anderson said. “Thank you for what you do.”

Over 400 Lutherans met in Vancouver at the ELCIC’s 2009 National Convention from June 25-28. Full agenda details and highlights available on the National Convention website: https://elcic.ca/In-Convention/2009-Vancouver/default.cfm

—————————————————————–
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.

Gathering under dramatic green and white banners, delegates and guests at the Twelfth Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) National Convention celebrated an enthusiastic closing worship session on June 28.

The large crowd sang heartily as the worship team processed in with tall jangling parasols and candles, which transformed the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) War Memorial Gym—the convention’s main venue—into a sacred space. A liturgical dancer accompanied the procession, while cello, guitars, flute, and choir added a lively musical backdrop.

National Bishop Susan C. Johnson warmly welcomed those assembled and acknowledged the Musqueam people, whose traditional land includes the UBC campus.

Bishop Michael Pryse, Eastern Synod, preached passionately on Mark 5:21-43, where Jesus resurrects Jairus’s daughter and heals the hemorrhaging woman. Bishop Pryse said both Jairus and the woman pushed boundaries and approached Jesus with great faith. He challenged delegates to return home in the same spirit.

“We come together to dream new dreams and hatch new plans,” he said. “We do all this knowing that in a few short hours we will be sent out to be the hands and feet of Christ in the various contexts that we have come from.”

Using an image from the National Bishop’s opening sermon, Bishop Pryse again compared the convention to a family gathering. “Every member of the family bears some responsibility,” he said. “Each of us will have part in determining this gathering’s net effect on mission to and for the world.” He encouraged delegates to return to their churches with a spirit of unity and love.

Later in the service, Bishop Johnson installed members of the National Church Council, including new ELCIC vice president Sheila Hamilton. The convention’s chaplains, Jane Freeman and the Rev. Samuel Voo, led the assembly in prayers for these workers. All then joined in the Eucharist.

Bishop Johnson declared the convention ended and sent the delegates out into the sunny Vancouver morning with a Romans 12 passage used at several worship sessions: “Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good.”

Over 400 Lutherans met in Vancouver at the ELCIC’s National Convention from June 25 to 28. Full agenda details and highlights are available on the National Convention website: https://elcic.ca/In-Convention/2009-Vancouver/default.cfm

—————————————————————–
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.

Speaking with conviction and warmth, Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) led a Bible study with delegates of Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada’s (ELCIC) Twelfth Biennial National Convention, taking place June 25 to 28 at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver.

Bishop Hanson drew his theme “Living at the Intersection of Fear and Hope,” from John 20:19-23, where Jesus appears to the disciples after his resurrection. Here the disciples are hiding in fear when Jesus arrives and says, “Peace be with you.”

Bishop Hanson said that the church is often fearful, as the disciples were. It can withdraw, and become possessive, distrustful, and anti-neighbourly. He said that in times of fear, the church can distort itself into a fortress, a military outpost, a retreat centre called “Nostalgia,” or a competitor in a consumer market.

Instead of giving in to these pessimistic worldviews, Bishop Hanson said, the church should adopt a “hermeneutic of joy,” even in the midst of organizational challenges like declining numbers.
“I don’t know the world is particularly interested in our internal conflicts,” he said. “I think it would be a powerful witness if we learn how to engage in respectful discussion…that in our differences, we come together joy in the presence of the crucified risen Christ.”

Bishop Hanson suggested that to get to this point, the church should “Go with the flow—of the Spirit poured out.” He suggested that hallmarks of a Spirit-filled church are a restored community, confident hope, and unity within diversity. He quoted Acts 1:8: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.”

Delegates responded enthusiastically to Bishop Hanson’s study. His jokes about slideshows and convention culture were met with laughter and applause. At the end of the study, delegates laid hands on
one another while Bishop Hanson prayed for them to be joyful witnesses in the world.

Presiding Bishop Hanson is the national leader of the ELCA, composed of approximately 4.7 million members in over 10,000 congregations. The ELCIC and the ELCA are partner churches within the Lutheran World Federation. The two churches share some projects and initiatives, including the Evangelical Lutheran Worship hymnal, the Book of Faith program, which encourages Biblical literacy, and a recently in the area of Global Mission.

Over 400 Lutherans are meeting in Vancouver at the ELCIC’s National Convention. Full agenda details and a live link to the proceeding are available on the National Convention website: https://elcic.ca/In-Convention/2009-Vancouver/default.cfm

—————————————————————–
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.

Following a Friday evening session punctuated by passionate dialogue, delegates of the 2009 Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) National Convention passed a multi-point resolution to support peace in the Holy Land. ELCIC’s Twelfth Biennial National Convention is taking place June 25 to 28 at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver.

“This resolution seeks peace with justice for both Israelis and Palestinians and the continuation of the Christian witness in the Holy Land,” said Tom Brook, National Church Council (NCC) member, who introduced the resolution. “The National Church Council feels it’s important that our church community express our support to continue our journey with our partners at this special moment of possibility and opportunity.”

The resolution recognized the ongoing divisions between Muslims, Jews and Christians in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. It lamented violence and oppression in that area, and directed the ELCIC to support a secure state of Israel and a viable state for Palestinians. The resolution also called for all ELCIC members to work for peace by praying, educating, and accompanying peace builders.

In 1948, the United Nations established the State of Israel, leading to war and displacement of 700,000 Palestinians. The Six Day War in 1967 marked the beginning of Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, which continues to expand. Several peace processes have stalled, and extremism is increasing in both Israel and the Palestinian Territories.

ELCIC’s resolution called for the Government of Canada to play a more active, constructive, and balanced role in creating conditions for peace in the Holy Land. Among other points, the resolution called for the government to support a shared Jerusalem, oppose Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories, and to support aid and policies that build the Palestinian economy.

The Rev. Dr. David Pfrimmer, a public policy expert who also introduced the resolution, noted that the resolution affirmed policies already stated by the Canadian government. He also remarked that the ELCIC’s resolution is in line with similar statements made by the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

The resolution inspired much discussion on the convention floor. Some delegates spoke against the resolution, stating, among other things, that its comments on Israeli and Palestinian statehood were beyond the scope of the ELCIC. Many others spoke for the resolution and described personal trips to the Holy Land where they had witnessed injustice.

The ELCIC has many relationships and partnerships with the Holy Land, specifically with the 12 congregations and 6,000 members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL), which is a member of the LWF, alongside the ELCIC.

The bishop of ELCJHL, the Right Rev. Dr. Mounib Younan, is a special guest at the convention. Bishop Younan was consecrated as the third Palestinian bishop of ELCJHL in 1998, and serves as vice president of the LWF, Asia Region, and the president of the Fellowship of Middle East Evangelical Churches.

During a morning Bible study, Bishop Younan spoke passionately about the church’s role in promoting peace and justice in the Holy Land. He described the work of organizations, including Augusta Victoria Hospital in Jerusalem, which address the needs of Muslims, Jews, and Christians in the area.

Bishop Younan also addressed two afternoon forums where he shared challenges of living in Palestine. He said he spends half of his time organizing permits so that Palestinians can work in Israel, visit family members, and even attend funerals. He also stated his concern about the declining number of Christian Palestinians in Jerusalem and the Palestinian Territories.

When asked what the ELCIC could do to support peace in the Holy Land, Bishop Younan replied, “You have to speak the truth. I did not come here so that you would become pro-Palestinian. It’s not my aim that you would become pro-Israeli. We want you to be pro-truth, pro-justice, pro-reconciliation.”

Over 400 Lutherans are meeting in Vancouver at the ELCIC’s National Convention. Full agenda details and a live link to the proceeding are available on the National Convention website: https://elcic.ca/In-Convention/2009-Vancouver/default.cfm

—————————————————————–
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.

“What bold step can our churches take together?” Archbishop Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) asked delegates at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada’s (ELCIC) National Convention to consider during an evening Bible study on June 25. The Bible study is the first of three Bible studies taking place throughout the convention, which is being held June 25 to 28 in Vancouver, BC.

The Primate led delegates through Luke 4:16-21, where Jesus reads parts of Isaiah aloud in a Nazareth synagogue. It begins, “the Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.”

Archbishop Hiltz said the text sets out a framework for mission, and he encouraged delegates to describe how they saw related signs of hope in their congregations. Then he challenged them to imagine the next “bold step” that ACC and ELCIC could take in their mission together.

ELCIC and ACC have been in a full communion relationship since the Waterloo Declaration of 2001. The declaration outlines how the two denominations are similar and allows for clergy to lead each other’s churches. Confirmations have been mutually recognized since 1995.

Both Archbishop Hiltz and ELCIC National Bishop Susan C. Johnson have worked to deepen cooperation between Anglicans and Lutherans since they were elected leaders in 2007. They organized a joint meeting of their churches’ management teams and a joint meeting of relief and development staff. Their churches also work cooperatively through KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives and the Canadian Council of Churches.

Already the churches have started to collaborate. Archbishop Hiltz and Bishop Johnson have written joint letters on issues of poverty and homelessness. They also issued joint Easter and Christmas webcasts, including a “blooper” reel showing their personal connection, fostered in monthly check-in phone calls.

“We were elected on the same day and we began our work on the same day,” Bishop Johnson told the convention. “It has been incredibly helpful to me to have someone to share joys and miseries and struggles with.” Archbishop Hiltz said the same was true for him.

Archbishop Hiltz asked delegates to write down and share their ideas for “bold steps.” He will review and forward them on in time for the next meeting of the Joint Anglican-Lutheran Commission, which he previously co-chaired.

Anglican presence is strong at this Twelfth Biennial ELCIC National Convention. Archbishop Hiltz is attending as a special guest, and Anglican Bishop Colin Johnson of the Diocese of Toronto is attending as a member of the National Church Council. Two ACC staff—Web Manager Brian Bukowski and Web Writer Ali Symons—have also been seconded to help out with convention communications.

In her report to convention, Bishop Johnson described several joint projects with the ACC. In July 2008 she attended the Lambeth Conference, the meeting of all Anglican bishops in the Anglican Communion. As well, in September 2008 she and Archbishop Hiltz led an Ottawa, Ont. march in support of the Millennium Development Goals.

Over 400 Lutherans are meeting in Vancouver at the ELCIC’s National Convention. Full agenda details and a live link to the proceeding are available on the National Convention website: https://elcic.ca/In-Convention/2009-Vancouver/default.cfm

—————————————————————–
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

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Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) National Bishop Susan C. Johnson recounted a whirlwind of “firsts” and shared her signs of hope for the church as she delivered her Report of the National Bishop to delegates, special guests and visitors attending the Twelfth Biennial National Convention taking place June 25-28 at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver.

Bishop Johnson recalled her work over the last two years which saw her visit South America, the Holy Land, and Canterbury, England, to strengthen relationships with partner churches. To five synod conventions and the Canadian Lutheran Youth Gathering, so she could listen to members’ hopes and concerns for the church. And to council and organizational meetings that revealed the need for economizing and restructuring in the face of financial challenges.

“This biennium has been an amazing new experience of learning and growing,” Bishop Johnson said. “Some of it has been inspiring, fun, joyful, and wonderful. But there have been lots of challenges.”

One challenge facing the ELCIC is a sheer matter of numbers. The church today has roughly 24 per cent fewer baptized members than it had when it was formed in 1986. Another challenge has to do with financial realities which are affecting the church on many levels.

“The National Church is running on about a third of the purchasing power we received in 1986,” Bishop Johnson reported to more than 400 voting delegates and visitors. “The synods and the National Church have continued to try to do all the same mission and ministry with fewer dollars and fewer staff. But we know that we can’t go on like this.”

Noting that there were many signs of hope, the theme of this year’s convention, Bishop Johnson noted that the church is looking at ways to restructure and partner with other churches and organizations so the ELCIC can continue to fulfil the mission to which God is calling the church. Strategies being considered or underway include: talking with the Anglican Church of Canada about possible collaboration in program areas; joining the administration of the ELCIC and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Global Missions programs; and the appointment of a Resource Generation Task Force charged with developing strategies for increasing revenue. In addition, the National Office has cut staff by 30 per cent in the past two years.

“We are trying to address our challenges with as much creativity and courage as we can muster. But this convention is about signs of hope, and there are abundant signs of hope for our beloved church!” Bishop Johnson said. “All across the ELCIC, I see examples of individuals, congregations, and ministries trying new and exciting ways of being In Mission for Others. We are partnering with Canadian Lutheran World Relief to tackle development work and refugee concerns. The youth of our church have made Stewardship of Creation the National Youth Project, challenging themselves to be leaders in their communities.

“In spite of the difficulties and challenges, I am full of hope because I know that this is God’s church and that it is God’s leadership and vision and faithfulness that will see us through our challenge and help us to grow into the vision for ministry that God has for us. And because of this, we will be a blessing to our hurting world.”

Over 400 Lutherans are meeting in Vancouver at the ELCIC’s National Convention. Full agenda details and a live link to the proceedings are available on the National Convention website: https://elcic.ca/In-Convention/2009-Vancouver/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.

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For more information, please contact:
Trina Gallop, Director of Communications
302-393 Portage Ave. Winnipeg MB R3B 3H6
204.984.9172
tgallop@elcic.ca

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