The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada’s (ELCIC) National Church Council (NCC) is meeting in Winnipeg from September 11-13. The following is an overview of highlights from the first day of meetings.

The September meeting of NCC commenced with Opening Worship Service at Laureate’s Landing in Winnipeg, Manitoba. ELCIC National Bishop Susan C. Johnson delivered the sermon. A copy of Bishop Johnson’s sermon is available on the Bishop’s page of the ELCIC website: https://elcic.ca/From-the-Bishop/documents/NCC200809Serving.pdf

Several new faces around the table were welcomed as the council meeting commenced. David Swartling, Secretary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), is in attendance and will bring greetings from the ELCA during Friday’s agenda. Rev. Teresita Valeriano, joins NCC at this meeting and is the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Regional Officer for North America. New council member Barb Stolee, from the Synod of Alberta and the Territories, was also introduced and welcomed.

Council also received the Report of the Bishop. "It is a honour and privilege to serve as National Bishop as this church," said Bishop Johnson in her open remarks. Bishop Johnson reflected on her participation at all five Synod Conventions, the Lutheran World Federation Council Meeting and the Lambeth Conference, and told council the opportunities have, "fed my energy, renewed my spirit, and lifted my hope."

The session adjourned for the evening with closing prayers. Friday’s agenda includes reports from the Synod Bishops, the Council of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada, Group Services Inc. (GSI), Evangelical Lutheran Women (ELW), and the LWF North American Regional Officer.

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 174,555 baptized members in 620 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.

"How can we put some meat on the bones of this relationship?" This question propelled a Sept. 3 and 4 meeting between staff from the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC). Since 2001, the two denominations have been in "full communion," a relationship that allows for interchangeability of clergy, and other commitments outlined in the Waterloo Declaration.

But in many parts of the churches the rubber needs to hit the road. "The first six years of full communion have been nice," said the Rev. Paul Johnson, assistant to ELCIC’s national bishop. "But we need to work harder at making it more real for more people in the churches."

Energy for this work came last year when both churches elected new leaders. Archbishop Fred Hiltz (ACC) and National Bishop Susan Johnson (ELCIC) already knew each other, and were already passionate about Anglican-Lutheran relations. They decided the next step was joint program consultation on the broad "mission and justice" subjects of relief, development, advocacy, justice, and public policy.

"I think both of our churches have put the work of compassionate justice really high on our agendas," explained Bishop Johnson. "That’s probably the easiest thing to go deeper on together, because it’s really practical."

The meetings, held at Anglican Church House in Toronto, gathered 19 Anglicans and Lutherans: program staff (also from the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund), the Primate and National Bishop (who co-convened), and a facilitator. The structure varied throughout the two days, from larger group meetings to explain the history of full communion, to smaller groups that discussed specific program collaboration.

Among many topics, staff discussed how the biennial Lutheran youth gathering could be reorganized to include Anglican youth, and how both denominations could use their existing partnerships (with development agencies, etc.) to greater effect.

"It was incredibly energizing," said Jill Cruse, the Anglican coordinator for mission education and personnel. She said she learned a lot, including how the Anglican partnership with Lutherans is different from ecumenical relationships with other denominations.

"In some ways an ecumenical relationship is not integral to who I am," said Ms. Cruse. "But we are partners with the Lutherans like we’re partners with our international partners. They’re part of us." 

But what is the significance for parish ministry? Mr. Johnson acknowledges that Anglican-Lutheran cooperation may still seem distant, particularly if one denomination is under-represented in an area. However, he noted that these meetings are about "using resources more efficiently, and being better stewards of our gifts from God" something of interest to all Anglicans and Lutherans.

Both Archbishop Hiltz and Bishop Johnson say they are energized to make this relationship relevant. Bishop Johnson said there is a possibility of developing a five-year joint program plan up to 2013 when the Anglican and Lutheran national gatherings overlap. She said she looks forward to Anglicans and Lutherans not just working cooperatively, but as one unit.

"The most fun thing is that I might have hopes and dreams, but the Spirit is going to take us in totally different directions that I have no clue about," said Bishop Johnson with a big smile. "I’m just glad to be along for the ride."

(Written by Ali Symons, General Synod Web Writer, Anglican Church of Canada.)

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 174,555 baptized members in 620 congregations. It is a member of the Lutheran World Federation, the Canadian Council of Churches and the World Council of Churches.

Material provided through ELCIC Information is intended for reproduction and redistribution by recipients in whatever manner they may find useful.

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

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

In a letter from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC)’s Conference of Bishops, congregations are being encouraged to, "consider opportunities for partnership and intergenerational engagement in meaningful ministry" that is offered by the 2008-2010 ELCIC National Youth Project (NYP) which calls on the youth of the church to be leaders in their congregation’s efforts to become a greener church and to create greener communities.

NYPs run for a two-year duration in-between Canadian Lutheran Youth Gatherings. It is because of the efforts of youth within the ELCIC on the 2006-2008 NYP that Lutheran youth in Bolivia will be able to gathering nationally. Funds raised for "Project Reunion" (pronounced "ray-youn-YON", Spanish for gathering) were donated to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bolivia and will be used to bring together youth for fellowship and solidarity.

The 2008-2010 Stewardship of Creation NYP was announced at the 2008 Canadian Lutheran Youth Gathering which took place in Whitehorse August 14-17, 2008.

The full text of the letter is as follows:

Dear Friends in Christ:

In 2007, the ELCIC in convention declared that we commit ourselves as a church to answer the call to respect the integrity of God’s creation through an environmental stewardship initiative engaging our National, Synodical, congregational and individual member expressions. (motion #NC-07-11)

We are writing today to share with you that, as an expression of this Stewardship of Creation Initiative, the 2008-2010 ELCIC National Youth Project calls on the youth of the church to be leaders in their congregation’s efforts to become a greener church and to create greener communities. Youth are challenging each other to work with congregations and community partners in caring for the earth. In various contexts, this may mean bringing ideas to church council, to a committee such as church in society or property, to the local ELW, to the Sunday School, and/or to environmentally active groups in your neighbourhood.

We are asking you to consider carefully the opportunities for partnership and for inter-generational engagement in meaningful ministry that are being offered by this initiative.

The intention of this National Youth Project is not to raise funds for a nationally chosen ministry. As such, success will not be measured in dollars tracked by the national office. Rather, success will be local groups discerning God’s mission to care for the earth in their area.

Every three months, the ELCIC will be providing devotions and possibilities for living out this project. These are intended to stimulate creativity rather than limit possibilities. Ultimately, local groups discern and name their own goals. Information will be distributed on the ELCIC youth website: www.youth.elcic.ca. This will also be the place to share your story.

When approached by the youth of our church, we encourage you to be receptive to their ideas, and open to the possibility of being partners in this project. Prayerfully consider how God is calling you to participate with your young people in this National Youth Project. In discerning and working together, the action of convention and the action of our youth will truly be an action of the whole church.

Please share this letter at your September Council meeting. Recognize that you are not being asked to make a financial commitment. You are being asked to be open to the calling of the Spirit and to help find fertile soil for seeds that are sown. Please listen to the youth as leaders and disciples in your midst, please share your wisdom, experience, enthusiasm and faith, and please be partners in telling the story of Christ in word and in deed.

We wish to take this opportunity to thank you for your leadership in helping the ELCIC to be, and to become, a church In Mission for Others.

[Jesus] said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? 31 It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; 32 yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade."
Mark 4:30-32 (NRSV)

Yours in Christ.

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

The Rev. Gerhard Preibisch, Bishop
British Columbia Synod

The Rev. Ronald B. Mayan, Bishop
Synod of Alberta and the Territories

The Rev. Cynthia Halmarson, Bishop
Saskatchewan Synod

The Rev. Elaine Sauer, Bishop
Manitoba/Northwestern Ontario Synod

The Rev. Michael J. Pryse, Bishop
Eastern Synod

A pdf version of the letter, which can be posted in your congregation or printed for distribution is available online at: https://elcic.ca/Documents/documents/2008NationalYouthProject.pdf

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 174,555 baptized members in 620 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 1000-plus youth joined together singing the poignant words to “Holy Moment”, the 2008 Canadian Lutheran Youth Gathering (CLYG) concluded its four days among the picturesque backdrop of the mountains in Whitehorse, Yukon. During the gathering, youth from across the country came together for fellowship and a time of reflection and left the gathering with a call to action to be leaders in their communities and a light of Christ in the world.

CLYG, organized by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) took place August 14-17. Speakers, vignettes, music and forums throughout the gathering built on the CLYG theme “Travel Light”.

Keynote speaker Rev. Fred Ludolph shared personal stores and reflections during all six of the large group gatherings. Ludolph offered Biblical and environmental reasons for youth to be more conscious of the burden being imposed by unsustainable lifestyles. “Why do I do weird things?” he asked rhetorically to participants. “I do it because I feel a call that there must be change.” Quoting Mahatma Ghandi, Ludolph challenged youth to be the change they wish to see in the world.

For many youth this was far from their first youth gathering. Many attend gathering after gathering moving on to become Home Team Leaders in Training after they pass the age limit for attendees. For Freya Martin, 22, from Winnipeg, this was her fourth time at CLYG. “It keeps getting better year after year,” she noted. Honouring the true meaning of the gathering theme “Travel Light”, Martin left her iPod and cell phone at home as a test.

“I feel like I have no baggage,” she remarked on the absence of the electronics. “I will definitely be rethinking my usage when I get back home.”

Synodical Bishops were involved at many points throughout the gathering. Bishop Michael Pryse of the Eastern Synod thanked youth during his presentation, “for including us. You guys have given us hope. Hope for the church. Hope for the world.”

National Bishop Susan Johnson preached during the closing worship service, which was also the final large group gathering, and asked participants to do a little homework on their journey back home, “I want you to go with a mandate and with great joy to take a new path,” she said. “Keep your eyes open to make sure what you are doing on the path is indeed bringing great healing. I see in you great hope. Hope that comes from your passion in your faith.”

CLYG is a national gathering which takes place every two years and is aimed at youth ages 14-19 and includes Lutherans and Anglicans from across Canada.

Photos and highlights from the gathering are available on the ELCIC youth website: youth.elcic.ca

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 174,555 baptized members in 620 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.

They travelled by bus, car and plane to get here, some logging over 5,000 km in their journey. Even 10 hour travel days didn’t dampen their spirits as 12 buses arrived enroute from Edmonton (the meeting place for youth flying in from across the country) to Whitehorse for the 2008 Canadian Lutheran Youth Gathering (CLYG) taking place August 14-17.

Their arrival was quickly noticed by many in this city of 24,000 (now 25,000 for the next four days). Clusters of CLYG youth are easily spotted in downtown Whitehorse during free time in the gathering agenda. And two non-profit organizations in the community will directly benefit from youth servant events; participants have brought with them donations for Kaushee’s Place, a transition house for women and their children, and Mary House, a centre that assists primarily men on the street.

The community of Whitehorse, including local congregation Trinity Lutheran, have been very generous in their support of the gathering. The worship space, which is set up in one of several arenas in the Canada Games Centre, features many items donated by local businesses including a cross, altar and baptismal font donated by a log-house builder who measured and carved the items to specification.

High on the hill overlooking downtown Whitehorse at the Canada Games Centre, the gathering commenced late Thursday afternoon with the first of six large group gatherings.

First Nations groups from the community brought greetings and prayers to the youth noting, “it is good to know people are alive for God. It is good to see so many people lifting up God.”

Keynote speaker Rev. Fred Ludolph, executive director of Edgewood Camp and Conference Centre, spoke on the various interpretations of the gathering theme, Travel Light. The theme calls on participants to think about the role they have in being good stewards of all of God’s creation and challenges youth to imagine how they can be a light for the world as they make their way back home from the gathering and share their stories with others.

Bishop Ron Mayan of the Synod of Alberta and the Territories shared his personal reflections on what it means to be a light of God and to Travel Light. Reflecting on his own personal calling and his struggles to accept that call, Bishop Mayan told youth, “God will provide you with the tools you need. God will take out the barriers. Travel Light – anticipate side trips, navigate detours by God’s grace and hold onto your map lightly.”

In addition to the large group gathering times, participants will attend forums which will allow them to meet as smaller groups and discuss topics such as leadership in the Lutheran community, the significance of our northern climate and environment, and project Reunion – the 2006-08 National Youth Project which raised funds for the youth of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bolivia.

The gathering takes place every two years and involves youth between the ages of 14-19. The gathering is planned by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) but involves both Lutheran and Anglican youth.

Further information on the gathering, along with daily highlights are available on the ELCIC youth website: http://youth.elcic.ca/travellight/home.php

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 174,555 baptized members in 620 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.

Over 1,000 youth from across Canada will travel to Whitehorse, Yukon to take part in the 2008 Canadian Lutheran Youth Gathering (CLYG) August 14-17 and participate in a variety of events, acts of service, advocacy and prayer that organizers hope will encourage participants to think consciously about the burden our unsustainable lifestyles have imposed upon the environment and the urgency of learning to Travel Lightly. CLYG will provide youth with an opportunity to explore what role they can play in Travelling Lightly both individually and in their communities.

Organized by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) this national gathering which takes place every two years is aimed at youth ages 14-19 and includes Lutherans and Anglicans from across Canada.

Building on the ELCIC’s national theme of being a church In Mission for Others, the gathering theme Travel Light is about challenging youth to imagine how together they can be a Light for the world. Acts of service, advocacy and prayer at the gathering will spark hope and bring life as youth return home to be the Light of Christ in their congregations and communities across the nation.

The framework of the gathering is built around six large group times with each event building on the gathering theme, Travel Light, and a variety of other activities interspersed among the large gathering events. Rev. Fred Ludolph, Edgewood Camp and Conference Centre executive director, is the keynote speaker for the gathering. Ludolph is well known for his passion for the health of creation. Youth will also participate in a servant opportunity during their time in Whitehorse, supporting two organizations in the region: Mary House, a centre that assists primarily men on the street, and Kaushee’s Place, a transition house for women and their children.

In-between gatherings, youth work together on a two-year National Youth Project (NYP). It is because of the efforts of youth in the ELCIC on the 2006-2008 NYP that Lutheran youth in Bolivia will also be able to gather nationally. Funds raised for this project, titled "Reunion" (pronounced "ray-youn-YON", which is Spanish for gathering), will be donated to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bolivia (IELB) and be used to bring together youth for fellowship and solidarity.

Highlights from the gathering will be available on the ELCIC youth website: http://youth.elcic.ca/travelLight/home.php

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 174,555 baptized members in 620 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.

Laila Bernice Schultz, wife of retired Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) National Bishop Raymond (Ray) Lon Schultz, died in hospital due to complications arising from multiple chronic health conditions on Sunday, August 3. She was 68.

A Eucharist in memory of Laila will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Vancouver on Saturday, August 9 at 4:00 p.m. Memorial gifts may be made in Laila’s name to the ELCIC’s Global Hunger and Development Appeal.

Laila was well known throughout the ELCIC and built many relationships, one person at a time, through personal sharing. ELCIC National Bishop Susan C. Johnson noted that Laila had made friends not only across the church but also internationally through her work and travel. "Her love of God and her deep commitment to the church were obvious in all she did," said Bishop Johnson. "She will be sadly missed."

It was this gift of relationship building that enabled Laila to excel at her position with Four Corners, an alternative trade program of Canadian Lutheran World Relief which supports artisans and farmers in the developing world by providing a living wage to workers struggling to pay for the basics of life. Laila was the first manager of Four Corners and enjoyed working at the ‘travelling stores’ CLWR provided to conventions and other gatherings throughout the ELCIC. Laila’s work with Four Corners provided her with an opportunity to educate Canadians about life for their sisters and brothers in the global South.

Laila was born to John Walseth and Kara Storm in 1940 in Vancouver, B.C. In addition to her primary and secondary education in Vancouver, Laila attended Camrose Lutheran College in Alberta for grades 11 and 12, and the Canadian Lutheran Bible Institute (CLBI), also in Camrose, for the two-year parish worker’s program. It was there Laila met Ray. Laila also attended the University of Alberta for two years.

Laila and Bishop Ray were married on September 2, 1961 and together raised three children: Lorin (Kathy), Michael (Josee) and Joan. They have four granddaughters: Jennifer, Emily, Lola and Maya.

—————————————————————–
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 174,555 baptized members in 620 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 together boldly to express their faith, joy and love in a time of concern for the future of their organization, the women of the Evangelical Lutheran Women (ELW) Inc., as well as a few men, are at University of Calgary campus for the 2008 ELW Quadrennial Convention. The convention is taking place July 10-13.

Throughout the convention delegates, visitors and speakers have been reflecting on the meaning of the gathering theme, "Be Not Afraid". Ruth Vince, ELW executive director, shared with attendees how over the last four years the ELW National Office and Board have been exploring new ways and opportunities to be a Christ-centred organization for the women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC). "God is leading us," she said, "we need to be willing to get out there and answer the call."

Theologian, consultant and author, Kelly Fryer, is the keynote speaker for the 2008 ELW Quadrennial Convention. During three separate speaking opportunities Fryer challenged convention attendees to "Be Bold" and "Not Afraid" when considering where God is calling the ELW. "God’s people are bold people who do bold things," said Fryer. "Yet we can be slow to change. And what makes us change… it is an act of the Holy Spirit at work," she continued as she encouraged the ELW to seek out opportunities for the Holy Spirit to be on the loose.

On Friday evening, delegates attended the "Starry, Starry Night" Banquet honouring dream-weavers and mentors within the ELW. Prior to convention, ELW congregational groups were given the opportunity to purchase stars in recognition of individuals who had been important in their lives. Funds received for the stars were designated to the Jackie Schmitt Leadership Fund. Over $10,000 was raised and a visual display of stars was one of many memorable highlights of the evening.

Business sessions were purposely kept brief to allow more time for workshops and visioning activities. Motions brought forward for voting included:
that 80% of the Praise Offering received annually, up to $100,000, be designated to the mission and ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada,
that the ELW continue to support the Chamanculo, Mozambique (Human Rights and Health Project for Women) project for the next quadrennial (2009-2012),
and that the 2008-2011 National ELW Board be empowered to make the decisions necessary on behalf of the entire organization to ensure legal and financial responsibilities, as well as obligations to staff, are carried out with the best business practices in mind.

A motion to concur with the 2009 Proposed ELW General Fund Budget was defeated. Delegates voted 39 in favour, 42 against the motion. Concern was raised around mainly two areas of the proposed budget. The budget proposal introduced an annual support gift which would require the National Board to look at restructuring and membership models, as well the budget assumed that Esprit, the magazine of the ELW, would no longer be a resource in its current form. With the defeat of the motion, delegates were asked to provide their recommendations for amendments to the budget. The comments were recorded and it will now be the responsibility of the incoming ELW Board to review those comments and revisit the proposed budget at their fall 2008 meeting.

Delegates voted on the new executive and board for the 2008-2011 term. Pam Radunsky, a current Co-ELW President at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sudbury, ON was voted Board President of ELW. Radunsky was an ELW Board Member from 1996-2004 serving as Director-at-Large and Vice-President respectively.

The ELW convention continues till Sunday, June 13 and will conclude with a Closing Worship Service with ELCIC National Bishop Susan C. Johnson presiding.

The ELW is a Christ-centred community of women nurturing faith and spiritual strengthen as people of God in mission. ELW is a non-profit organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC.)

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 174,555 baptized members in 620 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.

Over 325 delegates, visitors and volunteers are gathering at the London, Ontario Convention Centre July 9-13 for the 12th Biennial Convention of the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC).

The assembly focuses on the theme, "In Mission for Others: A People Called". The agenda for July 9 included the Report of the Bishop, the Report of the Treasurer, as well as a presentation from National Bishop Susan C. Johnson.

Delegates also heard that through the "It’s Your Call" program 48 new candidates have been identified within the synod for ministry since the program began in 2003, with five new candidates identified this year alone. The recruitment committee’s major emphasis for the 2007 program was creating a culture of call within the congregations of the Eastern Synod.

Full highlights from the assembly are available on the website of the Eastern Synod at: http://www.easternsynod.org/index.php

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 174,555 baptized members in 620 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 the eve of the scheduled presidential run-off election in Zimbabwe on June 27, the Council of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has called for the urgent establishment of a peace building process in the country, incorporating all national actors, regional organizations and the international community.

In a June 26 Public Statement, the Council urged the international community to exercise its legitimate role in addressing the crisis in the country.

“The world must not stand idly by, as it did during the genocide in Rwanda, and watch the unfolding of a human catastrophe,” stated the Council. The LWF governing body is meeting June 25-30 in Arusha, northern Tanzania, hosted by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania.

The Council pointed out that the result of any presidential run-off election conducted under the current circumstances should not be recognized by the international community.

It especially denounced the systematic, organized, politically-motivated intimidation and violence whereby the current government has sought to retain power.

The LWF Council members said attacks on Zimbabweans for exercising their right of democratic choice were directly contrary to the purpose of the country’s struggle for liberation from colonial rule.

They noted that the conditions under which the March 29 first round of elections were conducted were far from ideal and had already demonstrated that the current government had lost the trust and support of Zimbabweans.

The Council members especially welcomed the rising expression of concern from African political, religious and community leaders. They however called on the Southern African Development Community, African Union, and all African leaders, to take a more active role in promoting human security in Zimbabwe and encouraging a political transition back to the democracy.

The LWF governing body called upon all LWF member churches to pray on Sunday, July 6 for peace with justice for all Zimbabweans.

The full text of the Council’s Public Statement on Zimbabwe follows:

LWF Council Public Statement on Zimbabwe

1. The Council of the Lutheran World Federation, meeting in Arusha, Tanzania, on the eve of the scheduled presidential run-off election in Zimbabwe on June 27, calls for an immediate end to political violence and repression in that country, and the restoration of the democracy for which so many Zimbabweans have struggled and died.

2. The Lutheran World Federation has long been gravely concerned by the disastrous economic, humanitarian and political situation in Zimbabwe. Today, we join former South African President Nelson Mandela in declaring that there has been a “tragic failure of leadership” in Zimbabwe. Indeed, the policies and practices of the current government have undermined the most basic political, economic and social rights of Zimbabweans.

3. We especially denounce the systematic, organized, politically-motivated intimidation and violence whereby the current government has sought to retain power. We note that the perpetrators of that intimidation and violence have not hesitated to target church leaders and clergy, as well as opposition party leaders and members, media representatives, academics, specific groups within Zimbabwean society, and anyone thought to have voted for the opposition in the March 29 elections. The attacks on Zimbabweans for exercising their right of democratic choice are directly contrary to the purpose of the struggle for Zimbabwe’s liberation from colonial rule.

4. All governments have a responsibility to ensure the safety, security and welfare of their citizens. Therefore, the government of Zimbabwe must act to prevent political violence by whoever committed it. Its failure to do so, and its apparent complicity in the violent repression, calls into question this government’s legitimacy.

5. The outcome of the March elections – themselves conducted in far from ideal conditions – has already demonstrated that this government has lost the trust and support of Zimbabweans. The result of any presidential run-off election conducted under the current circumstances should not be recognized by the international community. We deeply regret the government of Zimbabwe to postpone the election and to take effective measures to ensure minimum conditions for a free and fair democratic process.

6. The international community has a legitimate interest and role to play in addressing the crisis in Zimbabwe. The world must not stand idly by, as it did during the genocide in Rwanda, and watch the unfolding of a human catastrophe. We welcome the fact that the United Nations Security Council has finally begun to address this matter by issuing a statement.

7. We especially welcome the rising chorus of concern from African political, religious and community leaders. We call on the Southern African Development Community and the African Union, and all African leaders, to take a more active role in promoting human security in Zimbabwe and encouraging a political transition back to the democracy that Zimbabweans have a right to expect.

8. Therefore, we call for the urgent establishment of a process for building peace in Zimbabwe in which all national actors, regional organizations and the international community are engaged.

9. For its part, the Lutheran World Federation stands ready to support the people of Zimbabwe in rebuilding their nation, and in restoring their betrayed hopes of a life in dignity and justice.

10. We call upon all LWF member churches to pray on Sunday, July 6 for peace with justice for all Zimbabweans.

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There are around 170 participants in this year’s Council meeting including church leaders, officials from LWF partner organizations, invited guests, stewards, interpreters and translators, LWF staff and co-opted staff and accredited media.

The Council is the LWF’s governing body meeting between Assemblies held every six years. The current Council was appointed at the July 2003 Tenth Assembly in Winnipeg, Canada. It comprises the President, Treasurer and 48 persons elected by the Assembly. Other members include advisors, lay and ordained persons, representing the different LWF regions.

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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is Canada’s largest Lutheran denomination with 174,555 baptized members in 620 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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