Spotlight

November 20 is Transgender Day of Remembrance.

As a church committed to speaking out against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, the Eastern Synod recognizes that there is still much work to do.

Amid rising anti-2SLGBTQIA+ and anti-trans hate, we commit to going beyond awareness, and are taking actionable steps to support the queer community, including our trans, nonbinary, Two Spirit, and gender diverse siblings.

At their November meeting, the Eastern Synod Council took steps to establish a new 2SLBGTQIA+ Portfolio, under which was the establishment of a Queer Committee in the Eastern Synod. Rev. Adam Snook will provide staff support in this area.

The focus of this new committee will be:

-to provide opportunities for education and self-awareness around the issues of homophobia, transphobia and biphobia;

– to bring issues of homophobia, transphobia and biphobia before congregations on a regular basis and to equip rostered leaders and lay people with resources for worship and learning;

– to encourage and facilitate participation in the RIC (Reconciling In Christ) process within congregations and at the Eastern Synod Office;

– to coordinate an intentional public presence at pride events across the territory of the Eastern Synod;

– to respond to current world events by calling the church to advocacy and action.

More information will be available soon!

For more information about Transgender Day of Remembrance, and to learn how you can take action, please visit: https://egale.ca/egale-in-action/trans-week-2024/

It is with immense thanksgiving, that the Eastern Synod family wishes a Happy Retirement to Bishop Michael Pryse. Today is Bishop Michael’s last day in the Synod Office.

At age two he was adopted and moved to Kitchener, Ontario where he was baptized at St. Philip Evangelical Lutheran Church. Upon graduation from High School, he studied at Wilfrid Laurier University and subsequently enrolled in Waterloo Lutheran Seminary (now Martin Luther University College) where he graduated with a Master of Divinity Degree in 1985.

Bishop Michael served as pastor in Mildmay, Neustadt and Burlington, Ontario before accepting a call to serve as an Assistant to the Bishop. In 1998, he was elected to serve as Bishop of the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.

Bishop Michael has remained fervently committed to the cause of Christian unity and continues to be a strong advocate for increased ecumenical and multi-faith co-operation.

Bishop Michael has served faithfully as the Bishop of the Eastern Synod for 26 years. During that time he has visited countless congregations while also providing exceptional support and care to rostered and lay leaders. He is a loving husband, proud father, loyal friend, compassionate colleague and a beautifully beloved child of God.

Please join us in offering heartfelt thanks to Bishop Michael as he sets out on this next chapter of life and ministry!

Thanks and Amen!

Article written by Rafael Rodriguez and Étienne Eason for www.happyeconews.com.

“The battle to limit temperature rise to 1.5 degrees will be won or lost in the 2020s.” These are the words of UN Secretary General António Guterres, echoed by Michael Pryse, former bishop of the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), in his report to our assembly last June. The theme of the synod’s assembly was Let There Be Greening, and with this in mind, the Eastern Synod felt compelled to act.

The Eastern Synod is vast, with member churches spanning from Sault Ste. Marie in the west to Halifax in the east. Our organization covers so much of Canada’s geography, population, and economy, making it uniquely situated to organize climate action. 

Inspired by the ELCIC’s Task Force on Carbon Neutrality and in light of the planet’s urgent need, the synod voted overwhelmingly to create a group to help address the climate crisis. This group met shortly after the end of our assembly, and we have been consistently working since then to do our part in creating awareness and opportunities for advocacy in member churches. Read More

This letter, which was sent to all Treasurers is being shared with all Rostered Ministers and Council Chairpersons on behalf of Bishop Carla Blakley and Treasurer, Fred Mertz.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
  Matthew 6:21

Dear Treasurer, Council Chairperson & Pastor,

We would like to begin this annual benevolence letter to you by giving thanks to God, the giver of abundance who provides for us in all things. God inspires us, out of gratefulness, to share what we have with others. Thanks be to God for this example and for the many outpoured blessings!

Over the past several decades, benevolence offerings received from congregations have been on a slow, declining trend. At the time of writing this letter, Synod benevolence is trending 5.4% lower than at this time last year. As you begin the process of setting congregational budgets for the coming year, we ask that you prayerfully remember the Synod and its many ministries. Please consider making a benevolence commitment and challenging your congregation to meet and then beat that pledge!

Thanks to your contributions, the Synod can be an effective partner in mission and ministry, both locally and worldwide. Through your support, the Synod is able to implement key strategic priorities: providing vision, leadership, and support to congregations and the Synod community, developing capable leaders, connecting the Synod with the wider Church, and living as a healthy synod through an emphasis on reconciliation as well as social, racial, and climate justice. Thank you for the part you play in making these ministries possible.

To learn more about how these offerings are utilized by the Synod, we encourage you to visit the Eastern Synod website to access a variety of resources on Stewardship and Generous Giving.

Stories of abundance and giving represent more than just good news. They often give us an indication of matters of ‘treasure’ and of ‘heart,’ reminding us that where our treasure is, there our hearts will be also (Matthew 6:21).

We are so grateful and hopeful for the ways in which the spirit of generosity and trust in an abundant God remains alive and well throughout our Eastern Synod. We know there are often struggles to meet budgets and yet we are bearing witness to small congregations who are increasing their benevolence offerings each year. We know of congregations who go above and beyond their annually committed amounts or who hold extra fundraisers to help support Synod benevolence. We remain incredibly grateful to all congregations who continue to submit regular benevolence remittances and we thank you for striving to rise to this challenge, under sometimes difficult circumstances. We truly appreciate all your efforts.
As we continue to transition into our new roles in the Synod, we look forward to meeting you and hearing your stories of treasure and heart. Thank you to you, the leaders of the congregations in the Eastern Synod for helping and supporting; for cheering on and for making the church a priesthood of all believers; for sharing your hearts and treasure to further God’s mission which is already at work among us. We are so grateful for you.