Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Member church of the Lutheran World Federation

Adam Snook

Ordination Information (Sherry Coman & Jordan Smith)

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Watch The Ordination Service

The Ordination of Sherry Coman & Jordan Smith will be held on Monday, December 14, 2020 at 2pm.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Bishop Michael Pryse cordially invites you to gather virtually for the mediated Ordination Worship Service which will be livestreamed on the Eastern Synod Facebook Page.

A Worship Guide can be downloaded HERE.

Clergy who would like to show their collegial support are invited to take a photo of themselves in red vestments, and post it in the comments on our facebook page. These photos will be collected, and provided to Sherry and Jordan as a keepsake! Alternatively, they can be emailed to ctubbs@elcic.ca or ezehr@elcic.ca.

Please continue to pray for Sherry and Jordan, and the ministries to which they have been called.

Third Sunday of Advent

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Today we celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent.

Many of us across the Eastern Synod are unable to gather in our usual ways to mark this season of hope-filled anticipation.

But we are united, in the one body of Christ . No matter where we find ourselves this morning – God is with us!

And so, whether you’re gathering for in-person or mediated worship – we invite you to pause with your siblings in ministry across the Synod (the church, and the world) as we join our hearts together and continue our Advent journey!

+ Response (Rev. Dr. Elaine Boone)

Today we light the candle of joy. This year we have prayed for joy. This year we have prayed in joy: That water became cleaner and the air fresher. That new life has begun. That in dark we re-discovered what is important. Today we pray with joy. We know God is with us in moments of joy and sadness. We know God is with us.

+ Advent Candle Lighting (Advent 3)

Lead Us Towards Christ was composed by Trevor Hicks Compositions, and is recorded and shared with permission.

+ Readings (Advent 3)

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11; Luke 1:46b-55; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28

+ Prayer (Evangelical Lutheran Worship)

Stir up the wills of your faithful people, Lord God, and open our ears to the words of your prophets, that, anointed by your Spirit, we may testify to your light; through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Second Sunday of Advent

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Today we celebrate the Second Sunday of Advent.

Many of us across the Eastern Synod are unable to gather in our usual ways to mark this season of hope-filled anticipation.

But we are united, in the one body of Christ. No matter where we find ourselves this morning – God is with us!

And so, whether you’re gathering for in-person or mediated worship – we invite you to pause with your siblings in ministry across the Synod (the church, and the world) as we join our hearts together and we continue our Advent journey!

+ Response (Rev. Dr. Elaine Boone)

Today we light the candle of peace. This year we have prayed for peace. This year we have prayed in peace: That people will find common ground. That nations will stop harming their citizens. That the doomsday clock will go backward, not forward. Today we pray with peace! We know God is with us in moments of peace and unrest. We know God is with us.

+ Advent Candle Lighting (Advent 2)

Lead Us Towards Christ was composed by Trevor Hicks Compositions, and is recorded and shared with permission.

+ Readings (Advent 2)

Isaiah 40:1-11; Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13; 2 Peter 3:8-15a; Mark 1:1-8

+ Prayer (Rev. Doug Reble)

Eternal God, who comes to us again and again through the marvels of nature, in the person of Jesus, through the voice of conscience, and through your Spirit that dwells within us. Make us receptive during these days of Advent to your still, small voice that calls us from childishness to childlikeness, from fear to faith, from greed to generosity, and from a life that is self-centered to one that is centered in you, the Ground of our Being. For we want our lives to reflect the spirit of the one whose birth will soon be celebrated. In Christ’s name. Amen.

Guidelines to Hold Congregational Annual E-Meetings

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The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has forced congregations to consider alternatives to in person meetings when holding annual and congregational meetings. Whether holding an in person meeting, an electronic meeting, or no meeting at all, this document outlines a number of guidelines and things to consider as congregations plan for those events. At the same time, it also does not pretend to be a “how-to” process of holding a congregational meeting; as each congregation has its own traditions and practices, there is no “one size fits all.”

An electronic meeting may also be referred to as an online, virtual, or e-meeting. A meeting that is held where members are present both in person and by electronic means is known as a hybrid meeting.

Our congregations exist in four provinces, and include those incorporated federally or provincially, and those not incorporated. In addition, each province has its own public health and governmental authorities related to pandemic and emergency situations. Each congregation needs to keep abreast of the pandemic regulations in its own region, so that, for example, it knows the limits for how many people may gather indoors/outdoors for a meeting, while at the same time keeping in mind the space needed for physical distancing (among a number of other factors to consider).

Continue Reading…

What is BOX? A Resource Introduction

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During the very earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, we quickly realized the pressing need to share a vast number of resources in the most timely and efficient way possible. In consultation with the National Church, and through their generosity, we started to use a program called ‘BOX’. It’s been tested!! The ELCIC has been using BOX for a number of years, as have most of the other Synods.

But what is BOX?

This page will provide a Q&A style introduction to BOX.

WHAT IS BOX?

Box is a web-based application that allows users to securely store and access resources from any device (laptop, desktop, tablet, smartphone) with a WIFI or data signal.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

BOX operates similar to the hard drive of your computer. Anything saved, or uploaded to BOX will be stored ‘in the cloud’. Anyone who has been granted permission may access the shared resources as though they are sharing a single computer!

WHY USE BOX?

Box allows us to meet the demands of a digital age! By choosing to share resources through BOX, we are able to make documents and resources available instantly to congregations across our Synod. Likewise, we are able to share, collaborate, and amend resources without bogging down everyone’s inbox with notifications or large files! Additional benefits include the assurance of secure file sharing, the ability to work remotely, unlimited cloud storage, and the ability for multi-user content management.

I’VE BEEN ADDED TO ‘BOX’, NOW WHAT DO I DO?

When you click the link in the email you received from the Synod office, you should be transferred to a file sharing site on your web browser. Inside, you should see a number of files such as ‘Resumption of In-Person Worship’, ‘Bishop’s Communications’ and others.

WHAT NEXT?

Check often! We are regularly updating the resources in our library, and adding new. Additionally, if you would like to share resources which you have created in your own congregational context, we would be happy to make them available to the wider Synod community!

I DON’T HAVE ACCESS. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

If you do not currently have access to our Eastern Synod BOX Resource Library, please contact Liz (ezehr@elcic.ca) or Cindy (cstubbs@elcic.ca) and they will be happy to grant you access.

I STILL DO NOT UNDERSTAND!

We understand that technology can be confusing! Please do not hesitate to reach out to our office if you have questions about this resource, or need assistance accessing the BOX library. We would be happy to help!

This is a introductory video provided by BOX