Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Member church of the Lutheran World Federation

Adam Snook

KAIROS Creation Cares Event

Posted: | Filed Under: Climate Justice, Uncategorised

KAIROS Regina invites you on a journey of faith, one that challenges our comfortable lives and changes the very buildings we worship in. On October 15, KAIROS Regina will host a one-day hybrid conference called, “Creation Care in our Places of Prayer: Energy Retrofits and other Faith-based Climate Action.”

In the leadup to that session, they offer these articles to prepare our hearts and minds for the deep transformation that is needed:
Our Call to Care for Creation
How Much Shall We Give
Take Courage
Yeast to Raise the Ambition
Cast the Net Wide

Join us next weekend to learn and share and begin to plan a path forward together. 

 

2022-2023 Scholarship Recipients

Posted: | Filed Under: Spotlight

It brings us great pleasure to introduce the Eastern Synod Scholarship recipients for the 2022/2023 academic year.

Along with maintaining excellent school marks, each recipient has been busy giving their time and spreading joy to worthy causes within their church and community.

We congratulate you and wish you all the best in your future studies and career endeavours!

Mohawk Institute Virtual Tour

Posted: | Filed Under: Circle for Reconciliation and Justice

The Mohawk Institute  Residential School in Brantford, Ontario, adjacent to Six Nations of the Grand River, operated from 1828 to 1970. The building that housed it for many years is being restored as a museum, to preserve the record of its dark history.   A generous donation has made it possible for the Synod’s Circle for Reconciliation and Justice to offer a group online tour. The guided tour  begins with a video created by local production company Thru the RedDoor,  featuring interviews with five Survivors.  There will be a debriefing and a time for our own reflection afterward.  

Date:  Tuesday November 8              

Time: 7:00 pm (Eastern)

If you would like to attend, please register as soon as you can,  as spaces are limited.  You may register using the jot form here.

Event PosterDownload

National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People

Posted: | Filed Under: Circle for Reconciliation and Justice, Spotlight

October 4th is the National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People (MMIWG2S+). This is a day for action and advocacy, and to remember the lives of victims and survivors and the many communities who have been impacted by violence. The Eastern Synod Circle for Reconciliation and Justice (ES-CRJ) invites you to consider how you can be an ally and an advocate by using some of the resources listed here.

Read more →

Orange Shirt Day 2022

Posted: | Filed Under: Circle for Reconciliation and Justice, Spotlight

Phyllis Jack Webstad was six years old when she left her community of Stswecem’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. September 30th is 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 25th by wearing orange and encouraging others to wear orange as well. Rebekah Ludolph has put together some worship resources based on the Season of Creation. (see attached). We are grateful to Rebekah for sharing this resource with the Synod.
  • The United Church of Canada has also shared some worship resources.  
  • 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 26-30th
  • I Lost My Talk – Robyn Michaud, M.Ed (Anishinaabe Kwe Lecturer and Ed.D student) shares this well-known poem by Rita Joe and accompanying ideas and activities for children.
  • to purchase a copy of the book, Phyllis’s Orange Shirt, click here.
  • to purchase a copy of Phyllis Webstad’s new book, With Our Orange Hearts, click here.
  • to purchase an orange shirt from an approved retailer, click here
  • Medicine Wheel Education offers authentic Indigenous educational tools and resources.

Events

  • Starting September 22 – educational programming at the Woodland Cultural Centre.
  • September 14-30 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, 2022 at the University of Waterloo Office of Indigenous Relations.
  • September 25-30 – Week of reflective and learning opportunities through the United Church of Canada, including worship ideas and online events.
  • September 26-30 – Beyond the Orange Shirt Story – Niagara Falls, a series of events in the Niagara area.
  • September 30 – Honouring Our Children Pow Wow, Mohawk Village Memorial Park. 184 Mohawk Street, Brantford, at 12 pm. This event is to commemorate an honour Residential School Survivors. Please wear orange.
  • September 30 – Every Child Matters Walk, Kitchener, Healing of the 7 Generations. 10 am. Meet at 300 Frederick St and walk to Victoria Park Clock Tower.
  • September 30 – 2nd Annual Truth and Reconciliation Day gathering, 10 am – 12 pm, Pijinuiskaq Park (King St., Bridgewater, NS).
  • September 30 – Truth and Reconciliation Day, 1 pm; Hank Snow Museum Grounds, 148 Bristol Ave, Liverpool NS (see poster).
  • October 1 – Treaty Day Mawio’mi, 12 pm; Hank Snow Museum 148 Bristol Ave, Liverpool, NS (see poster).

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  

2022-Season-of-Creation-OutlinesDownload

COVID-19 Best Practices (June 2022)

Posted: | Filed Under: COVID, Spotlight

Grace to you and peace,

With the arrival of warmer weather, many congregations are actively planning for a fulsome schedule of summer activities and events. Some of these cherished programs haven’t occurred since 2019. There is a palpable sense of excitement and renewed energy across our Synod! Thanks be to God!

It seems timely, therefore, to provide an update regarding our suggested best practices intended to ensure a safe and meaningful experience for all.

  1. While we no longer ‘require’ the wearing of masks, we remain strongly supporting of their continued use.
  2. In keeping with current provincial regulations, physical distancing is no longer required.
  3. We encourage you to resume the distribution of wine by way of individual cups. Distribution by intinction or common cup remains discouraged. We highly suggest that the rostered leader continue to wear a mask while presiding at the table to prevent droplets from spreading to the bread and wine.
  4. Indoor and Outdoor social gatherings are permitted, where public health directives regarding the serving of food are followed. Please consult with your local public health unit for the directives in your area.
  5. Children’s and Youth programming, such as Sunday School, Vacation Bible School and Youth Group may resume.

My guidance to our synodical community is for good and careful decision making at the local level. There is no one-size-fits-all model, and you are best positioned to gauge the readiness of your community to resume in-person activities and events. And remember, that the rate at which people feel comfortable resuming in-person events may be slower than we hoped. That is OK! I remain grateful for the faithfulness with which you engage the process of due diligence! Thank you for showing love to your congregation and community through these careful actions. 

If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me, or to my colleagues in the office. We are always happy to help. 

May God bless you in your planning and preparations!

Bishop Michael