Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
Member church of the Lutheran World Federation
The Eastern Synod wishes to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Mandi Walker who will conclude her role as Manager of Finance and Administration in the Eastern Synod Office on Thursday, January 23. We wish Mandi all the very best as she pursues a new career opportunity!
During the interim period following Mandi’s departure, financial questions should be directed to Fred Mertz, Treasurer of the Eastern Synod at fmertz@elcic.ca or by calling 519-743-1461 x.224.
On December 17, 2024, Bishop Michael Pryse (Retired) was honored with the First Rank Cross of Merit of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church, the church’s most esteemed award, as an expression of gratitude for his prolonged and successful collaboration. Bishop Pryse was presented with this cross during an intimate ceremony in the chapel at the Eastern Synod Office. Bishop Ove Sanders of the EELC was present.
Congratulations, Bishop Michael!
In 2024, congregations and partners from across the Eastern Synod were invited to send an ornament to help decorate a new Christmas Tree in the Synod Office. The response was overwhelming! We are so grateful for your enthusiastic embrace of this invitation. Thank you!
In her Christmas Greeting, Bishop Carla Blakley reflects on the diversity of our new Christmas ornament collection, and how such a beautiful diversity is mirrored in our synodical family. Merry Christmas!
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
