Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Member church of the Lutheran World Federation

Adam Snook

Preliminary Considerations for the Resumption of In-Person Worship

Posted: | Filed Under: COVID

Grace and peace to you,

Since our appointment, the Task Force on the Resumption of In-Person Worship has been reviewing a wide range of resources prepared by other synods, our ecumenical siblings, as well as Public Health advisories from across the territory of the Eastern Synod. There is deep wisdom, as well as great variance, in the differing approaches adopted by each jurisdiction. We affirm our belief that physical distancing, for the health and safety of our neighbour, is an act of love. Likewise, we continue to uphold the importance of a carefully paced approach to resuming in-person gatherings.

We know that many members of our Eastern Synod family deeply yearn for the opportunity to gather in-person. We also know that each congregation and community faces its own unique contextual concerns. There is no one-size-fits-all model, and yet we are united in our desire to act carefully out of love and in service to others.

To that end, we will be providing two documents to help congregational leaders begin the process of preparing their buildings for a potential re-opening in Fall 2020.

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Task Force: Resumption of In-Person Worship

Posted: | Filed Under: COVID, News

In a recent letter to the clergy, members and partners of our synod, Bishop Michael Pryse wrote,

“For almost three months now we have been physically distancing from one another for the love of our neighbour. That same motivation needs to be paramount as we plan for the future. I encourage you to use these coming months as an opportunity to plan and put in place comprehensive plans for what in-person worship will look like once we have decided that it is both prudent and safe to physically gather in our church buildings once again. It is my intention to provide our rostered and congregational leaders with resources to help in that process in the coming weeks.”

To that end, and out of that same love for our neighbour, the Officers of the Eastern Synod have appointed a Task Force on the Resumption of In-Person Worship. (READ MORE)

George Floyd Response from the Eastern Synod Racial Justice Advisory Committee

Posted: | Filed Under: RJAC Communications

Dear Siblings in Christ,

If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it. (1 Corinthians 12:26)

With the death of George Floyd, we witnessed yet another senseless murder of a black man in the United States. We again see tears and anguish pounding through each step marched in resistance, struggle, and public protest; we feel deeply the brokenness and the separation between God’s vision for community and where the world sits at this moment in history.

This is not simply an American problem. Canadians are not immune to prejudice and racial injustice. We join in with resounding force against the questionable circumstances surrounding the death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet in Toronto, and the desecration of a Jewish synagogue in Montreal. As the whole people of God called to manifest God’s mission in the world, we must not be complacent and silent in our status quo. The Spirit moves us to stand courageously, to advocate persistently, and to act compassionately as people of faith.

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In Mission for Others

Posted: | Filed Under: Local

In order to be in mission for others we must have faith and a strong belief in our Saviour.  We must share our faith with others.  In order to do this we must know what faith is and how it came to be part of our life.

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A Relationship Rekindled

Posted: | Filed Under: Global

The Eastern Synod has been a global mission companion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana (ELCG) for over twenty years. Perhaps you have asked, as I have, what does it mean to be a companion? Why do we do this?

We have maintained this relationship in various ways. In recent years, Rev. Vivian Roberts served for two years in Berbice, New Amsterdam, Guyana. Rev. Dr. Peter Kuhnert continues to visit Guyana, at least annually, to provide mental health training and support. We have connected annually by sending a synodical representative to attend the ELCG’s national convention and we have had the President of the ELCG attend our synod assembly. 

It still begs the question, should we be in relationship?

When evaluating this relationship, cost is not a consideration. We have been blessed by “extra mile” givers, those people who support the Bishops’ Company for Mission. The members of the Bishops’ Company provide the funding required to support this relationship. 

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