Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Member church of the Lutheran World Federation

Adam Snook

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.

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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. 

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A COVID-19 Update (July 6, 2021)

Posted: | Filed Under: COVID, Spotlight, Uncategorised

Dear colleagues,

In some ways, these early days of July have left me feeling the same as I felt last summer. Once again, many of our congregations are in the process of discerning how, when and if they should plan to resume in-person worship; and what exactly such a resumption ought to look like. Undoubtedly, we engage these questions with a healthy dose of both uncertainty and optimism as we watch case numbers across the territory of our Eastern Synod continue to drop.

First and foremost, allow me to express my deepest gratitude to our Rostered Leaders, Lay Leaders, Musicians, Volunteers and congregations for your continued and faithful commitment to the health, safety, and wellbeing of your neighbours. This has been, is, and will continue to be an act of love and service. I am so proud of our church, and the resilience, creativity and faithfulness with which each of you have navigated this long period of pandemic.

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The Praxis of Holy Communion in a Hybrid Model

Posted: | Filed Under: Uncategorized

Our “OK…What’s Next” conversation continues on July 8 @ 6:30pm EDT.

We will be joined by Rev. Dr. Kimberlynn McNabb and Rev. Dr. Allen Jorgenson to talk about “The Praxis of Holy Communion in a Hybrid Model”.

Register Now: bit.ly/OKWhatsNext

This event is co-presented by the Eastern Synod Task Force for the Resumption of In-Person Worship and the Centre for Spirituality and Media at Martin Luther University College.

Rev. Dr. Mark Harris to serve as a Congregational Redevelopment Advisor

Posted: | Filed Under: Congregational Redevelopment Services

Photo by Mirko Petricevic, Martin Luther University College

Dear Friends,

I am delighted to inform you that the Eastern Synod welcomes the Rev. Dr. Mark Harris to serve as a Congregational Redevelopment Advisor starting on July 1, 2021. Congregational Redevelopment Services is one of the ways the Eastern Synod supports congregations which are struggling with declining membership, revenue and relevance. The goal is to help congregations discover where renewed mission and capital resources meet community needs.

Mark brings considerable gifts in missional leadership, administration, and relationship management. He is the past Principal/Dean of Martin Luther University College. Prior to his time at Luther, he served as an Assistant to the Bishop of the Eastern Synod and as a parish pastor in three congregations. He was also the founding chairperson of Lutheran Homes- Kitchener-Waterloo.

I am also happy to inform you that Karen Bjerland will continue to work with Mark and Congregational Redevelopment Services at a reduced level. Due to the needs of her elderly parents, she will be stepping backing from the bulk of her current responsibilities.

Karen and Mark look forward to working together to ensure a smooth transition and continued quality service to Eastern Synod congregations. Mark’s deep experience and familiarity with the challenges faced by churches across the Synod puts him in a strong position to help congregations deal with today’s realities and make good decisions.

Our church is in a time of great change and opportunity. No one has all of the answers, but through congregational redevelopment we are beginning to see new forms of ministry and redevelopment, which may help congregations create more sustainable futures. With support from Congregational Redevelopment Services, some of our faith communities are renewing their vision for the future and making life-giving decisions to rethink how their property is used to better serve the community. As an example, two congregations will be providing affordable housing for seniors and other vulnerable individuals in their communities, while maintaining space for ongoing worship and fellowship. Both the congregation and the community benefit.  

We welcome your questions and encourage you to talk to Mark and Karen about how congregational redevelopment may be able to help your congregation.

Blessings,
Bishop Michael Pryse