Cindy Stubbs

Dear members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada,

We are about to enter into Holy Week, that time when we follow Jesus from his triumphal entrance into Jerusalem through to his betrayal, arrest, crucifixion and death. At this most holy time of the year we are not going to be able to physically gather in worship.

The writer C. S. Lewis once wrote that “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts to us in our pain.” Certainly, when viewed from that perspective, Holy Week, particularly this Holy Week, might well be described as being God’s megaphone. During these special days, the distance between the lament of Jesus and the lament of humanity is shortened to the point where we can begin to believe that maybe our anguished cries can reach the one who can save us!

We know that these are difficult and challenging times for all of us – our patterns of life have been disrupted and there is much anxiety around us. Please know that we are praying for you. We invite you to pray for each other: for our faith communities, for our government leaders, for those who are medical providers, for those who still work to meet our needs in places like grocery stores and in the transportation industry, for those who are most vulnerable, for those who are alone or afraid.

We invite you to enter fully into Holy Week, through online worship or through your own personal devotions. In these special days of looking backwards through Jesus’ life, we, who must still “live our lives forward”, are given sustenance, power and encouragement for the journey. Remember, that we are Easter people, and that our risen Lord is walking with us in these difficult days. Although we are not able to physically gather in worship, Easter is not postponed. Resurrection is coming! Jesus still comes to each of us into our isolation and says peace be with you!

May God bless you in the solemnity of Holy Week and sustain you always in the joy of Easter.

Your bishops,

The Rev. Susan Johnson
National Bishop, ELCIC

The Rev. Dr. Greg Mohr
British Columbia Synod

The Rev. Dr. Larry Kochendorfer
Synod of Alberta and the Territories

The Rev. Dr. Sid Haugen
Saskatchewan Synod

The Rev. Jason Zinko
Manitoba/Northwestern Ontario Synod

The Rev. Michael Pryse
Eastern Synod

Dear clergy of the ELCIC,

First of all, thank you all for the incredible work you are doing in this time of pandemic. In many and various ways you are being so creative in using new and old technologies to continue to minister to God’s people and provide spiritual nourishment. We know that you are working harder than ever. Well done, good and faithful servants.

We are seeing a wide variety of practices emerge as you respond quickly to the pastoral and spiritual needs of your communities. There is also increased comment on those practices and debate over what is considered correct. Most of this dialogue has remained constructive and respectful. 
We urge you to approach these discussions remembering that we are the body of Christ working together.

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 13 Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col 3:12-17)

This is a time to celebrate the diversity and variety of gifts that God has given each of us in our call to serve God’s people. This is a time for us to share our resources, to work in collaborative partnerships, and to support each other in our work for the gospel.

One of the most pressing conversations has to do with the practice of Holy Communion online. Some are already incorporating this while many of you are not. With the realization that Holy Week and Easter worship will be different than what we would hope for, questions about celebrating the Lord’s Supper are more urgent.

We are all anxious already. This is not the time for a deep theological debate. When we are past this crisis we will have conversations and make decisions as a whole church about ways to move forward for other times when we cannot gather in person in worship.

Because of this, our recommendation is that you continue with the Holy Communion practices that your community already has in place. We trust you, Christ’s ministers of Word and Sacrament and Word and Service, to steward the mysteries of God that have been entrusted to you with integrity and grace. We know that your decisions will be made in conversation with congregational leaders and in a way that provides the best pastoral leadership to your communities. We know that in our Lutheran theological tradition Holy Communion is not necessary for salvation, but is a means of grace and one of the ways by which and through which Christ is embodied and proclaimed as God’s unconditional love for us.

Whatever decisions you make, we hope that you will respect the decisions that others have made, even if they are different from your own. In everything, we ask you to be supportive of each other and invite conversation to build understanding.

We also feel it is important to say that the Conference of Bishops is not of one mind about the appropriateness of various forms of Communion celebration and distribution. This should not be a surprise; the Conference of Bishops reflects, in many ways, the diversity of the church. However, we assure you that the National Bishop and Synodical Bishops of this church are of one mind in supporting one another, walking together with grace and hope, and working together to accompany and lead the people of God into God’s unfolding future.

Blessings to you all as you prepare to enter Holy Week. You are constantly in our prayers.

Your bishops,

The Rev. Susan Johnson, National Bishop
The Rev. Dr. Greg Mohr, ELCIC British Columbia Synod
The Rev. Dr. Larry Kochendorfer, Synod of Alberta and the Territories
The Rev. Dr. Sid Haugen, Saskatchewan Synod
The Rev. Jason Zinko, Manitoba/Northwestern Ontario Synod
The Rev. Michael Pryse, Eastern Synod

Dear friends in Christ,

As per the Government of Ontario’s March 23, 2020 order to close non-essential businesses, effective today, we will cease regular operations at the Eastern Synod office. Plans are in place for staff members to work remotely from home and we have every confidence in our ability to effectively continue our core functions.

Since the recognized start of the COVID-19 pandemic, our work as a staff has been directed toward providing support and encouragement to our rostered and congregational leaders. This will continue to be our focus for the foreseeable future. Our synod staff and officers are all healthy and, despite the normal anxieties all of us are facing, have maintained good humour and are experiencing joy in our service.

Should you have the need to contact any one of us, don’t hesitate to do so via email or telephone. A directory of contact information is available via the following link. https://easternsynod.org/contacts 

While these are certainly extraordinary times, I have been inspired by the equally extraordinary efforts with which our church’s collective leadership has responded. God is good! We have much for which to be grateful!!

Please be assured of our continued prayers for you and your dear ones. God is ever faithful in all times and circumstances. Peace be with you!

With all best wishes,

+Michael

As we look for new ways to gather as community, please consider checking out the following live streaming and pre-recorded worship services from across our church.


http://elcic.ca/publichealth/livestreaming.cfm 

If you have an update to something on this list, or have something new to add please send it to Trina, tgallop@elcic.ca 

At vestries this past year Bishop Linda Nicholls challenged congregations throughout the Diocese of Huron to Stand in Solidarity with those living in poverty. This Good Friday, All Saints Anglican Church Waterloo joined with Christ Lutheran Church to participate in the Stations of the Cross in downtown Kitchener.
The theme for the stations was, Against the Forces of Death; Embracing the Faces of Poverty.
The two churches embraced the opportunity to draw attention to the unjust structures of society and to be a visible presence in the community. Stations included banks, the courthouse and jail, regional government headquarters, the statue of the begging Jesus, Money Mart, luxury condos, war memorial, Mary’s place and the Working Center.
The two communities made their way from station to station carrying the cross, reading scriptures and praying at each location. Discussions unfolded at each station.
At Regional Government Headquarters, Steven Izma noted “the choices politicians make surrounding transit are far too often for the privileged, the high tech sector and to get the rich too and from shopping quickly. Transit to factories or poor neighbours is just neglected.” 
When reflecting on the predatory lending practices of Money Mart and other payday lenders, Sharon Summerville noted that “we have lost any sense of community morality allowing these places to exists.”
Oz Cole-Arnal, professor emeritus from Martin Luther University College reflected upon the gentrification of the downtown core, stating, “It isn’t urban renewal, its urban removal of the poor.”
Pastor Marty Levesque of All Saints Anglican Church noted that gap in social housing versus the abundance of student housing is an indication of a class divide. “We readily build student housing for middle and upper-middle-class folks who can afford to send kids to university, but we refuse to build the most basic social housing, seeing no profit it.”


The Stations of the Cross concluded at the Working Center, world-renowned outreach ministries, which provide a myriad of services throughout Kitchener/Waterloo. Margaret Nally remarked that the Working Centers mission is “to help return dignity, reliance and humanity to each person who walks through the doors.”
While the rain held off for the two communities to finish the stations, each participate couldn’t help reflect that when it rains, or snows, many of the invisible population in the cities of Kitchener and Waterloo simply must endure. To date this year, as presented at the mayors’ dinner for St John’s Soup Kitchen, there have been over 25 deaths in the region to the population that calls the streets, jails, and The Working Center home. In 2018, the number of deaths for the entire year for this specific population was 35.

By Rev Marty Levesque

Dear friends in Christ,

As coronavirus disease (Covid-19) continues to escalate domestically, so does the requirement that we continue to review and adjust our current practices. With new information being received daily, we have received requests for further communication, specifically with respect to the most recent pastoral letter issued March 13, 2020.

With the information we have today, we feel it is both prudent and responsible that our congregations suspend all public worship services and other gatherings effective immediately. Some of you have already made this decision. It is our hope that we will all be strongly encouraged to do likewise.

We understand how difficult some of these unprecedented decisions may feel. These important considerations reflect a deep concern for those most vulnerable – particularly elderly and those with compromised immune systems.  

At the Synod and National offices, we are looking at how we can make alternative arrangements for upcoming meetings and gatherings. Questions we are asking ourselves include: can these meetings be held differently (via web conference), or do they need to be postponed or cancelled?

Your congregation members may be asking a lot of questions right now. We all have a lot of questions. This is uncharted territory for us all. Please know that your synod office is available to contact and support you in your work.

While social distancing may be required at this time, we must do all we can to avoid social isolation. Each of our synods are looking at what this means within their own context and will communicate with you as there is more information to share.

Please continue to be vigilant in your prayerful support of those who are ill and those who are most fully engaged in the public health efforts that are underway across the country and around the world. May God grant us generous gifts of courage, faith, and compassion.

Blessings in your ministry during this time.

Yours in Christ,

The Rev. Susan Johnson, ELCIC National Bishop
The Rev. Dr. Greg Mohr, ELCIC British Columbia Synod
The Rev. Dr. Larry Kochendorfer, Synod of Alberta and the Territories  
The Rev. Dr. Sid Haugen, Saskatchewan Synod
The Rev. Jason Zinko, Manitoba/Northwestern Ontario Synod
The Rev. Michael Pryse, Eastern Synod