Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Member church of the Lutheran World Federation

Local

Virtual Camino de Santiago Walk

Posted: | Filed Under: Feeding the Soul, Local

In this time of Covid-19 virus restrictions and lockdowns, where religious and social gatherings have been curtailed or cancelled, it has been difficult for churches to maintain a “sense of community” that is so important to the well-being of parishioners and those they serve.  At St. John’s Lutheran Church in Petawawa, Ontario, Pastor Albert Romkema recently invited parishioners, their friends and family to join him on a 774-kilometre Virtual Camino de Santiago walk.

Christian pilgrimages to the city of Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain have been taking place since the 1400’s and recently more than a quarter of a million walkers have made pilgrimages on various routes each year.  The cathedral there is said to be the burial place of St. James, the disciple of Jesus and the patron Saint of Spain.

Pastor Albert and his wife, Anne, are veteran Camino walkers and it was on one of these walks in 2013 that Pastor Albert received his call to become a Lutheran pastor.  Over the last few years, parishioners at St. John’s have heard about his experiences “walking the Camino” during his sermons.

The Virtual Camino is described as a “pandemic pilgrimage”, where you can walk a few kilometres anywhere and record the distance travelled on your Camino journey map on your phone, computer or tablet.  The “French Way” has been chosen as the virtual route, the same as Pastor Albert’s 2013 journey.  The starting point is St.-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France, 774 km from Santiago de Compostela.

There are 27 members and friends walking in the St. John’s group, ranging in age from seven to 87 years–clearly a multi-generational event.  The group even has a three-generation family participating.  Everyone travels at their own pace.  Walking is not the only way to progress along the virtual Camino.  There are a multitude of activities that can be converted to a distance travelled—skiing, yoga, skating, yard work, dancing, etc.  Given that we started our journeys in January, snowshoeing is a popular method of racking up kilometres.  One couple who usually spend their winters in Florida were given snowshoes by their children who knew travel restrictions would keep their parents home this winter.

Progress along the route map is recorded and followed on the walker’s smartphone, tablet or computer.  The locations of the other members of the St. John’s group can be seen, along with what activities they are doing.  Pictures are posted and comments and messages of support can be sent from and received by members of the group.  The StreetView function on the map can be used to see the surroundings in Spain through which you are virtually travelling.  While some may think that the virtual nature of this Camino is a poor substitute for the real thing, several of our participants have remarked that there would be no way for them to participate in the real thing and they feel happy to participate virtually.  No air fares or hotel bills were seen as a big advantage.  A veteran Camino walker has remarked how much the virtual Camino resembles the actual pilgrimage in Spain.  There is a sharing of each participant’s walk for the day, similar to conversations at rest stops, dinner or accommodations at the day’s end and talk of sore muscles and blisters.

And, while the physical exercise is important in this time of Covid-19, there is much value garnered in emotional and spiritual aspects of group participation.  There is a wonderful feeling of belonging, being part of a community and a part of something bigger than oneself.  There is nothing like a quiet walk on a path through the woods to lift your spirits.  Indeed, it has been said by some of our older walkers that they are truly thankful to be able to enjoy the outdoors at their age and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation.  More importantly, it also provides a time for personal reflection without distraction.  Many are using their walk to pray for those on the St. John’s prayer list.  One young mother uses her walks to think of ways to do more for others; to bring joy or peace.  She makes a plan to reach out to a friend or family member and thinks about ways to encourage her children to show their love for others.  As Christians, any opportunity that encourages us to spend more time communing with God and opening ourselves to hear his direction so we can better do his will in the world is time well spent.

When participants complete the walk, they will receive a certificate and medal acknowledging their achievement.  In addition, Pastor Albert hopes to celebrate this achievement with a “medalling ceremony” later in the year.  As of March 1, 2021, St. John’s is about six weeks in on the Virtual Camino and Pastor Albert has received inquiries from other local churches who are considering starting Camino events for their own congregations.  One young couple in our group has decided to repeat the walk along the real route in Spain when the pandemic is over.

For more information on the Virtual Camino go to:

htpps://www.the conqueror.events/camino/.

Mission to Seafarers

Posted: | Filed Under: Local, News

It is tradition for the mission stations of the world to give gifts to seafarers at Christmas. We begin on December 6 and give to all who arrive in Hamilton between that date and Christmas Day, when the port closes to foreign ship traffic. This year, we gave away about 600 quilts that the sewing group from Faith, Brantford donated to us along with some other gifts that were donated for this purpose. The remainder of the 1100 quilts donated by Faith will be saved for next year.

The Stella Polaris comes to Hamilton once every six or seven weeks from Zelzate, Belgium. When they left Hamilton this time, they were heading for Rio where they were planning to celebrate Christmas.

The following note was received from the crew:

Dear pastor Dan,

On behalf of the crew of Stella Polaris I would like to thank the Mission to Seafarers in Hamilton and everybody involved for your gifts.

Find attached a picture from our Christmas eve on board.

It helps in these difficult times to comfort us.

I wish you and everybody else a  merry, hopeful Christmas and a healthy, happy new year.

Joost van Zaane

Master Stella Polaris


St David Church Shares Grant With Sharing Place Food Bank

Posted: | Filed Under: Local, News

When we, the faith community of St. David Anglican Lutheran church received a surprise gift of a pandemic grant from Canadian Lutheran World Relief, we unanimously agreed to share our blessing.

   COVID-19 put a full stop to St David’s free Sunday morning breakfast shared with neighbours. With physical distancing and health requirements, we do not have the capacity to re-tweak so are currently not able to gather.

   “Many families broke bread with us every week and missing this one meal is a huge hit to their weekly budgets. Not to mention the loss of being able to physically gather with our community,” said Rev Lori Pilatzke, Pastor and faith leader at St David. “We pivoted to find ways we could provide support with our community partners.” she added.

St David’s now hangs masks, free to neighbours, on a Warming Cross located outside their building, corner of Regent and James Streets in Orillia. The church’s Outreach committee prepares a simple lunch for the lunch guests at the Lighthouse on Peter Street and the  Harmony Centre’s free one to one counselling sessions are back to in person as well as via zoom & phone.

      “When we received an unexpected ‘pandemic’ grant of $2,400  from Canadian Lutheran World Relief we unanimously supported a motion to give $1,000 to the Sharing Place Food Bank,” said Outreach committee member Sandy Donald.


St. David Anglican Lutheran Church donated money to The Sharing Place this week. From left: Nancy Hannah, Program Coordinator, and Chris Peacock, Executive Director of The Sharing Place and from St. David, Outreach member Sandy Donald and Pastor Lori Pilatzke.
 

   “Right now the food bank is focused on feeding families and focusing on school breakfasts. We always seek ways to partner with others who share our love,” she noted.

   The Sharing Place Food Bank’s ‘School Fuel’ program is now in 16 schools in Orillia, and feeds over 1,000 children every day.

   “There’s nothing like a ‘global pandemic’ to bring us closer together. Our shared goal is to bankrupt the food banks – by making sure that all are fed,” added Pastor Lori.

   Thank you Canadian Lutheran World Relief for your belief in the mission we share, being the light of Christ as we all ‘journey together’.

Submitted by Lori Pilatzke    

St. Philip’s Lutheran Church receives $37,500 to address COVID-19 food insecurity in Toronto

Posted: | Filed Under: Local, News

Emergency Community Support Fund grant provides fresh food to 75 families in need

St. Philip’s Lutheran Church is thrilled to receive a grant of $37,500 through United Way of Greater Toronto. This funding means St. Philip’s can provide fresh food to 75 families once a week for two months through its Neighbourhood Table @ Home program.

“We are blessed and overjoyed to be amongst the recipients of this generous grant,” says Pastor Tuula Van Gaasbeek. “Timing is everything, and now we can keep supporting our neighbours through the fall. With more money, we’re adding 10 families to our roster of participants for a total of 75.”

Securing this funding will allow St. Philip’s to help families in central Etobicoke—serving vulnerable Canadians amidst the COVID-19 pandemic—by delivering produce boxes and fresh bread.

“We are also grateful to our volunteer drivers, who are playing an integral role in the program’s success,” says Van Gaasbeek.

Fall programming is aimed at parents and developing their food skills.

“We will have weekly themes supported by Zoom sessions on food preparation and loot bags with tools or products related to the theme,” says project coordinator Eunice Hogeveen.

The grant is funded by the Government of Canada; the $350 million Emergency Community Support Fund aims to help community-based organizations that serve a pressing social inclusion or well-being need caused by COVID-19.

The demand for fresh, nutritious food remains high in central Etobicoke as the pandemic drags on.

“The Neighbourhood Table @ Home was our way of pivoting during the coronavirus lockdown—normally, we’d host families at our church through a summer program called The Neighbourhood Table,” says Hogeveen. “Our congregation put our heads together and quickly found a way to continue nurturing relationships in the community. We’re feeding families and planting seeds of love and hope right at their doorstep.”

A Person of Hope and Kindness

Posted: | Filed Under: Local, Spotlight

The time of COVID-19 has sped up what is a very fast-paced ministry on any given day, says Rev. Dan Bowyer, who serves as the chaplain at Trinity Village, Kitchener, a long-term care centre that is a ministry of the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, full-communion partner of the Anglican Church of Canada.

Asked if in retrospect he felt adequately prepared for dealing with the pandemic crisis in his role as a healthcare chaplain, Bowyer points out that he is thankful that he has served in ordained ministry in the Diocese of Huron for fourteen years before accepting this role at a long-term care facility.

“The chaplaincy ministry at Trinity Village is not one that I would have wanted to begin without having had some pastoral experience in ordained ministry”, says Bowyer.

   He admits that he often found himself recalling the words of his supervisor at his parish internship placement back in the summer of 2005, before he was ordained:

“He pointed out the importance of being present in the moment, so that God’s presence could be made known for those I am called to serve in the times of great pastoral need and to find time afterwards to do my own processing.  I have never forgotten this, and it has been particularly helpful now.”

Part of the stress during the pandemic has come from the unpredictability of what each day will bring, says Bowyer. Strict rules introduced at the home care facility have imposed various limitations to the usual way of providing his ministry. Worship, discussion groups, music ministries – all activities he typically leads or co-ordinates at Trinity Village – require group gatherings, and those have been on hold for months. Rev. Bowyer’s role has been directed to one-on-one spiritual and pastoral daily support. And this has been done in difficult circumstances with limited movements throughout the facility while wearing personal protective equipment.

    “We have to change into new PPE when we move from one area of Trinity Village to another and I change into new PPE immediately after I have visited and offered prayer in the room of a resident who has COVID-19”, says Bowyer.

   As the numbers of infected declines and life at the residence slowly returns to what resembles the “old normal”, the chaplain is able to contemplate on what has given him strength to persist in his role in the last several months.

   “This experience has shown me that God’s presence is faithful in the midst of challenges. Prayer and the knowledge of God’s guidance with me, first and foremost has been the source of my strength, hope and encouragement”, reflects Bowyer.

   Many of the staff have told Rev. Dan that prayer has helped them in their everyday tasks throughout these difficult times.

   “Dan’s gentle words of comfort and encouragement gave many of us the strength and courage”, says Charlotte, Trinity Village RPN summing up a notion which emerged at this time of crisis – that having a chaplain on staff at any long term centre is a necessity.

READ REV. HILTON GOMES’ STORY: ‘Give the best you have, and it will never be enough’

   For Trinity Village residents and their families these last few months have only reaffirmed that Rev. Dan Bowyer’s presence covers much more than providing religious services. In the words of Natalie, one of the family members, the time of anxiousness and fear amplified the need to have a chaplain at the long-term care facility, especially one like Rev. Dan:

   “He is a person of hope and calmness – a reason to smile”.

Rev. Dan Bowyer is thankful to his wife Sarah who has been a constant support amid his exhaustion. He has also much appreciated the pastoral care and support of Bishop Todd who has checked in with him pastorally numerous times.  His gratitude goes to Bishop Mike at the Eastern Synod of the ELCiC, his Archdeacon Megan and all colleagues in the Deanery of Waterloo of the Diocese of Huron who have assured him of their prayers and have sent gifts to Trinity Village for the staff, like donations of lunch and “ear savers” for staff’s masks.

   “I have been blessed by God’s work through so many different people to make known his presence both with me and with Trinity Village in these days”, concludes Rev. Bowyer.

Davor Milicevic
From the Huron Church News
Used with permission

Filling a Fresh Produce Gap

Posted: | Filed Under: Local

Impacts of COVID-19 have been immense.   On the top of the list for too many Canadians is greater food insecurity.  We at St. Philip’s Lutheran Church noticed the needs for food growing in the neighbourhood around us.  A nearby food bank had closed, the calls to the church for food had increased and our neighbourhood partner organizations told us about increased concerns among their clients.

So we made a decision to pivot from our summer program ‘The Neighbourhood Table’ to ‘The Neighbourhood Table at Home’.  

“We delivered COVID-19 response emergency Good Food boxes from FoodShare”

With our two partners, The Arab Community Centre of Toronto and Polycultural Immigration and Community Services, we identified the most needy families within proximity of the church.   With funding from the Eastern Synod Mission Grant, our own fund-raising efforts and a $10,000 grant through Good Food Access Fund, we were able to scope our program for 65 families for 8 weeks.

On Thursdays, a FoodShare truck pulled into our parking lot mid-afternoon.  The driver unloaded 65 produce boxes filled with fresh vegetables and fruits along with loaves of fresh bread.  At 4pm, 12 driving teams arrived, got their route maps and headed out. 

And in an effort to build community with the families we included family-friendly activities around food.  For example, this is the little planting kit that went out in week one. Other fun and educational resources for children and adults were available on Google Classroom.  We encouraged engagement on social media with our #NHTathome. 

Additional funding from Good Food Access Fund acquired late in the program will allow us to wrap up with the delivery of $150 of grocery gift cards to each family.  

Our volunteer drivers can absolutely attest to the gratitude of the families. They also expressed their own gratitude to be part of a community effort in the time of COVID.  If there is any uncertainty about whether the program made a difference in the lives of these families, you just need to know about one phone call.  My cell phone rang on a Thursday afternoon two weeks after we had finished our 8- week program. A young child told me his mom had asked him to call and ask why we had not delivered boxes in the past two weeks? 

Rev. Tuula Van Gaasbeek