News

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

Dear friends in Christ,

Since the letter issued by our Bishops on March 4, 2020, the World Health Organization has categorized the coronavirus (COVID-19) as a global pandemic. Infection rates have risen, along with many people’s level of concern. We have received many questions and requests over the past days and feel that another response is needed.

We want to first ask you to keep praying for all who are affected – those who have been infected, those who are quarantined, those who are grieving the death of loved ones, those who are experiencing racism and prejudice, and for all those who continue to care for the sick and vulnerable. The Lutheran World Federation has prepared intercessory prayers that you may use in worship or individually (https://tinyurl.com/wz2y7v3).

Many leaders in the church have asked for direction regarding communion practices and whether or not worship gatherings should be suspended. At this time, we are refraining from giving directives that would apply across the entire church. We are asking our leaders to be attentive to their particular context and to make decisions that best reflect each congregation’s setting and practice.

We do ask that whatever decisions your congregation/organization/ministry decides that they will reflect a deep concern for those most vulnerable – particularly elderly members and those with compromised immune systems. This is a way of being the Church and of loving each other in a supportive Christian community. A faithful response to this pandemic will include care of our neighbour along with our trust in God’s faithfulness.

Best Practices

Please refer to your local or provincial/territorial health authority for the most accurate and up to date information about COVID-19. They will also provide the most complete and effective advice with respect to containing and preventing the spread of the virus. At a minimum, we strongly encourage the following:

Stay home if you are feeling unwell.
Practice ‘social distancing’ (ideally two arms lengths between others).
Clean hands regularly using warm water and soap. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Practice good cough hygiene (cough into your elbow).
Regularly clean and disinfect common areas and high-touch areas.
Greet in ways that do not involve physical contact; smile, wave and nod rather than hugs or handshakes. This includes sharing the peace during worship.

Worship Practices

In all settings, we strongly discourage the use of common communion vessels that are not silver or gold (or plated). Juice should not be used in common cups. If using individual glasses, minimize the probability of multiple people contacting the glasses. All ministers, servers, communion assistants should wash their hands or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer before and after presiding/serving.

If your community chooses, you may opt to temporarily suspend communion with wine altogether. Theologically, to receive communion in one kind (bread only) is to receive the full body and blood of Christ.

Offering plates could be a potential contamination risk. We advise congregations to develop an alternative way of collecting offering that would minimize multiple contacts. This may also be an opportunity for members to enrol in pre-authorized remittance to mitigate this risk while also ensuring provision of resources for the congregation.

Suspending Worship

Even in the early church, when gathering was difficult, it was incredibly important for communities to read scripture, pray, and worship together. If your faith community is considering suspending worship, we strongly encourage you to find other ways of gathering or worshipping.
Meet in smaller groups using worship resources available through www.worship.ca (Where Two or Three are Gathered: Worship for Small Assemblies). Consider streaming your worship services, or directing congregants to live streams from other churches or televised services on Sundays. Agree to pray at home at a specified time so that your community can still pray together. Make sermons and study materials available to each member. Meet virtually (tele- or video-conferencing).

Potential Self Isolation of Key Leaders

It is possible that key leaders, both rostered and lay, may experience the need to self-isolate. It is important that contingency plans be put in place, in advance of such need, to ensure the continued provision of leadership in key congregational functions. All rostered and key leaders should designate someone to take on these key responsibilities should illness occur.

Maintaining Community

Even as this pandemic presents a challenge to gathering, we hope and pray that our communities will stay strong and supportive of each other in the name of Christ. This is an excellent opportunity for the whole community to engage in ministering to each other.
During this time, we encourage the entire community to be in more regular contact by phone or personal visits (when appropriate). We encourage healthy members to take an active role in ensuring that our more senior members have adequate support to stay home. Pray for each other.

Our Prayers

Through these challenges, we hope and pray that each of our communities will continue to be faithful and public witnesses to the grace and love of God through Christ. We continue to pray for our leaders and members, asking for God to give us courage, faith, and compassion. Blessings in your ministry during this time.

In addition to our words, we direct you to responses from our partner churches for further guidance and encouragement:

Lutheran World Federation – https://tinyurl.com/vyg2ap9
Anglican Church of Canada – https://tinyurl.com/yx6n7uxr
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – https://elca.org/publichealth

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