Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Member church of the Lutheran World Federation

Adam Snook

Our Ministry Together – ELCIC Highlight

Posted: | Filed Under: Spotlight

Our Ministry Together is a series of short videos intended to highlight and celebrate areas of our common mission across the Eastern Synod, many of which are funded through congregational benevolence.

This month we spend time with our National Bishop Susan Johnson, who tells us about the role of the ELCIC in expanding the ministries of individual synods by building relationships and establishing partnerships.

We encourage you to share these videos on social media and during mediated worship. All videos will be featured on our YouTube channel, and alternatively can be downloaded HERE.

For more information about the Our Ministry Together project, or to submit photos that highlight our Eastern Synod ministries for upcoming videos, please contact Rev. Adam Snook (asnook@elcic.ca).

Thank you for your gifts of prayer and financial support!This is, indeed, Our Ministry Together!

Orange Shirt Day – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2021

Posted: | Filed Under: Circle for Reconciliation and Justice

Phyllis Jack Webstad was six years old when she left her community of Stswedcem’c Xgat’tem First Nation to attend St. Joseph Residential School. Like most six year olds, she was excited to attend school for the first time. Her grandmother bought her a new, bright orange shirt for her to wear on her first day. When she arrived at school, far from home, her new orange shirt was taken away from her and never returned. This marked the start of Phyllis’s separation from her community, culture, family and friends; a separation mandated by the federal government and supported by the church. 

On September 30th, we wear orange to remember that Every Child Matters and as people of faith, we need to listen to stories like Phyllis’s and learn from the wisdom, reflection, trauma, as well as the strength and resiliency of those who were taken from their families and communities and forced to attend residential schools, some of whom never returned home again. As Christians, it is also our responsibility to make reparations for the ways in which we continue to uphold colonialism and benefit from the systemic racism in our institutions and societal structures. For the first time in 2021, September 30th is now a federal statutory holiday – the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, where people are encouraged to engage in learning, as well as listening and reflecting on the ongoing impact of the residential school system. 

As September 30th approaches, here are some opportunities to consider:

  • mark Orange Shirt Day in worship in your congregation on Sunday, September 26th by wearing orange and encouraging others to wear orange as well. Consider using the following litany written by Ron Flaming of the Truth and Reconciliation Action Group, Waterloo North Mennonite Church. We are grateful to Ron for allowing us to share this litany with our Synod. (see attached).
  • The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has an entire weeklong series of online events being offered for youth and adults alike. These events run from September 27-October 1st.
  • to listen to a CBC interview of Phyllis Jack Webstad, follow this link.
  • to learn more about Phyllis Jack Webstad’s work and advocacy, click here.
  • to purchase a copy of the book, Phyllis’s Orange Shirt, click here.
  • to purchase an orange shirt from an approved retailer, click here
  • on Wednesdays, the Woodland Cultural Centre offers a virtual tour of the Mohawk Institute Residential School. See their calendar of events for more information.
  • Medicine Wheel Education offers authentic Indigenous educational tools and resources.
  • document how you will mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by taking pictures (with permission) and posting to social media using the hashtags, #OrangeShirtDay; #EveryChildMatters; #IWearOrangeBecause, #EasternSynod, #MyELCIC

May God’s wisdom and understanding surround us as we continue to learn to walk in the ways of reconciliation, reparation and peace.
Abundant fall blessings to you,

The Eastern Synod Circle for Reconciliation and Justice  

Litany-for-National-Day-of-Truth-and-Reconciliation-1-1Download

2021 Season of Creation

Posted: | Filed Under: Climate Justice

The theme for this year’s Season of Creation is A Home for All? Renewing the Oikos of God. Oikos is the Greek word for “home” or “household.”

The Celebration Guide contains liturgical resources, prayers and meditations, and calls to action and advocacy, and can be used by individuals and congregations, to nurture faithful imagination to restore right, just, and sustainable relationships with the Earth and among all species. To download your Guide and for more information, please click here.

For The Love Of Creation Faith-In-Action Campaign

Posted: | Filed Under: Climate Justice


For the Love of Creation‘s faith-in-action campaign mobilizes people across Canada to reduce household greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and demonstrate support for increased federal climate action. Now you can make a personal pledge to reduce your GHG emissions and engage in acts of solidarity with justice-seeking communities. Share your pledge and call on the Government of Canada to increased federal action. This campaign runs until October 4, 2021 (the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi and the end of the Season of Creation). To join and take action now, please click here.

Best Practices for the Safe Resumption of In-Person Worship

Posted: | Filed Under: COVID, News, Spotlight

Dear Colleagues,

Grace and peace be with you!

Attached, please find a document outlining my office’s recommended Best Practices for the Safe Resumption of In-Person Worship. We have created this document in response to the many inquiries we have received these past few weeks from rostered ministers and congregational leaders who are contemplating a resumption of in-person worship.

I recognize that some will receive these recommendations as being unduly restrictive or not restrictive enough. This is understandable given the broad geographical expanse of our synod. I do believe, however, that they are appropriate and responsible.

Read more →

COVID-19 Update (Ontario)

Posted: | Filed Under: COVID

Dear Siblings in Ministry, 

As anticipated, Premier Ford and the Medical Officer of Health have announced revised gathering limits for Places of Worship in Step Three of Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopen. 

Effective Friday, July 16 at 12:01am, Places of Worship in the province of Ontario will be permitted to gather for the purposes of religious services, rites or ceremonies including wedding and funeral services at a capacity that permits physical distancing of 2 meters.

This means that the calculations communicated to you in Bishop Pryse’s pastoral letter last week no longer apply to Places of Worship in Step 3. 

Read more →