Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Member church of the Lutheran World Federation

Newsletters

Orange Shirt Day – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 2021

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

Phyllis Jack Webstad was six years old when she left her community of Stswedcem’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. For the first time in 2021, September 30th is now 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 26th by wearing orange and encouraging others to wear orange as well. Consider using the following litany written by Ron Flaming of the Truth and Reconciliation Action Group, Waterloo North Mennonite Church. We are grateful to Ron for allowing us to share this litany with our Synod. (see attached).
  • 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 27-October 1st.
  • to listen to a CBC interview of Phyllis Jack Webstad, follow this link.
  • to learn more about Phyllis Jack Webstad’s work and advocacy, click here.
  • to purchase a copy of the book, Phyllis’s Orange Shirt, click here.
  • to purchase an orange shirt from an approved retailer, click here
  • on Wednesdays, the Woodland Cultural Centre offers a virtual tour of the Mohawk Institute Residential School. See their calendar of events for more information.
  • Medicine Wheel Education offers authentic Indigenous educational tools and resources.
  • document how you will mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation by taking pictures (with permission) and posting to social media using the hashtags, #OrangeShirtDay; #EveryChildMatters; #IWearOrangeBecause, #EasternSynod, #MyELCIC

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  

Litany-for-National-Day-of-Truth-and-Reconciliation-1-1Download

New Life at Edgewood Farm

Posted: | Filed Under: News, Newsletters

An Update from Edgewood Farm:

Camp Edgewood is now home to ecologically grown produce! Jones Family Greens, the new owners, (www.jonesfamilygreens.ca/) are farming approximately 2 acres of what once was the sports field (area near the pool and cabins).  

Matt Jones is lead farmer, and is generously sharing the farm’s news with the Eastern Synod, but is also asking that people not visit the farm directly unless they have made arrangements in advance with him (email jones_matt@rogers.com). Produce is currently available on Wednesdays at the Rockwood Farmers’ Market (4-7pm) and Saturday at Waterdown Farmers’ Market (8am-1pm). Crops include many different organic/heritage varieties of lettuce, kale, kohlrabi, broccoli, fennel, tomatoes, beets, winter squash, cucumbers, parsley, onions, and cilantro. 

Future plans include a wash station at the in-line Cabin, a large greenhouse in the center of the old sports field, and a Farm Store in Berner Hall. 

Currently the family uses the old Chapel for COVID safe family gatherings and drying of garlic. 

In addition to the 12 acre farm property including the majority of the camp buildings, the Director’s house & picnic shelter are home to a lovely family of five.  Cedar Lodge is being demolished to make room for a new home for a family of four from Guelph.  The 38 acres of wetlands, woods, creek and trails transferred to rare Charitable Research Reserve and are under their stewardship.  Parking for the trails is at Memorial Park and access is near the end of Park Street. 

All three families tapped the maple trees this spring for maple syrup. Keeping some traditions alive!

The Jones’ are offering two crosses from the Chapel at Edgewood. If someone would like one please contact Matt at jones_matt@rogers.com.

Centre for Spirituality and Media

Posted: | Filed Under: Newsletters

Martin Luther University College (Luther) and the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) are pleased to announce the launch of the Centre for Spirituality and Media. 

The joint project is being led by founding director Sherry Coman, associate professional faculty at Luther and the Eastern Synod’s deacon for spirituality and internet outreach. 

Rev. Dr. Kristine Lund, Luther’s principal-dean, said the pandemic has driven many more of our activities online, including individual and communal spiritual practices. 

“The centre’s work will help us discern how we might explore personal spirituality and group worship as we move through and beyond this pandemic,” she said. 

Rev. Michael Pryse, bishop of the Eastern Synod of the ELCIC, said the past year has challenged us immensely and we have all learned so much. 

“But in many ways, I think we are facing an even bigger challenge when we try to imagine how worship will be engaged moving forward when we are gathering both online and in person,” he added. “I look forward to addressing that challenge, and welcome a forum such as so we might do so together with colleagues and partners!” 

Coman teaches courses at Luther exploring the relationship between spirituality and faith and media. She has been the creator and curator of the online devotional project Lutherans Connect for more than a decade. 

“I am very excited to be starting on this adventure,” Coman said. “A primary goal of the Centre for Spirituality and Media is to create programming that will enrich personal spirituality while also broadening our vision for doing mission online.” 

Coman added that the centre’s activities will bring together the community of Luther with the wider church and its partners in the ecumenical and justice communities. 

The centre’s first public event — Back to the Future: Prophetically Imagining the Online Church — takes place online on Tuesday, May 25, from 2-3 p.m. All are welcome.  

The centre is also co-hosting OK…What’s Next? for the Eastern Synod’s rostered and lay leaders on June 1. 

For further details, please visit the centre’s new web page. 

Media inquiries 

Mirko Petricevic, mpetricevic@luther.wlu.ca  

Director of Communications and Public Affairs 

Martin Luther University College 

Rev. Adam Snook, asnook@elcic.ca  

Assistant to the Bishop (Communications) 

Eastern Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada 

Bill C-15

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

Dear Friends,
 
On May 4, 2021, the Canadian Council of Churches hosted a panel discussion with Truth and Reconciliation Commissioners, Dr. Marie Wilson, the Honourable Murray Sinclair and Chief Wilton Littlechild. The Commissioners were addressing Bill C-15 which received second reading in the Senate on April 11, 2021. Bill C-15 is an Act respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and states that “the Government of Canada must take all measures necessary to ensure that the laws of Canada are consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and must prepare and implement an action plan to achieve the objectives of the declaration.”(i) Bill C-15 is now in the pre-study stage with the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples.(ii)
 
Dr. Marie Wilson, Hon. Murray Sinclair and Chief Wilton Littlechild are asking communities of faith and / or individuals to write to the Senators studying this bill, and to voice support for its passing into law and its implementation. Doing so would help to ensure that Canadian law aligns with the UNDRIP.(iii)
 
The link to a letter template can be found here: 
https://www.faithinthedeclaration.ca/take-action-1, along with instructions for writing and submitting your letter. We encourage individuals, Faith Leaders and congregations to take action as soon as possible. 
 
To watch the panel discussion from May 4th, 2021, please visit:
https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=941420149733230&ref=watch_permalink
 
For more information, please visit the website for Faith in the Declaration (a sub-group of the Canadian Council of Churches):
https://www.faithinthedeclaration.ca/take-action-1
 
For Bill C-15 in its entirety, please visit:
https://parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/43-2/bill/C-15/second-reading
 
And for an opinion piece on Bill C-15, please visit:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/opinion-andre-bear-bill-c-15-1.6009060
 
Together, let’s make our voices heard so we can continue to live into the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action; that we may also learn what it means to uphold the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and so that as allies we may be part of the movement to put an end to the assimilation and colonization of our Indigenous neighbours. 
 
Peace to you,
 
Bishop Michael Pryse
The Eastern Synod Circle for Reconciliation and Justice

(i) https://parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/43-2/bill/C-15/second-reading
(ii) https://www.parl.ca/LegisInfo/BillDetails.aspx?Language=E&billId=11007812
(iii) https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/opinion-andre-bear-bill-c-15-1.6009060

India Emergency Appeal (CLWR)

Posted: | Filed Under: Newsletters, Uncategorised

India’s total number of COVID-19 cases has dramatically risen to over 18 million as of April 29, with more than 300,000 cases reported for seven straight days and with no immediate signs of slowing down — and medical experts believe that the numbers are even higher with many cases not reported from rural areas. The reported national fatality rate is at 1.11%, with an acute shortage of medical supplies including oxygen. Hospitals and crematoriums alike are overwhelmed, and hotels and railway coaches are being converted into critical care facilities to make up for the shortage of hospital beds.

You can make a difference — your donation will help provide emergency medical support to those forced to be sick at home, and help support critical advocacy and public awareness efforts to keep as many people safe as possible.

DONATE NOW