Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Member church of the Lutheran World Federation

Spotlight

Congregational Redevelopment Services Announcement

Posted: | Filed Under: Congregational Redevelopment Services, Spotlight

The Eastern Synod announces changes to our Congregational Redevelopment Services.
 
Rev. Jennifer Hoover has accepted a new call to Parish Ministry and will be stepping down from her role as the Congregational Redevelopment Services Advisor effective May 1, 2025. Jennifer has served in this capacity since 2022, and since then has accompanied over 50 congregations at various points along their redevelopment journey. She remarks, “My role with CRS has been an exciting and challenging chapter in my vocation, and I am grateful for this opportunity, but my heart belongs in parish ministry; I have missed it deeply.”

To support current and future redevelopment partners during this interim period, we are pleased to announce that Katja Brittain will serve as Interim Congregational Redevelopment Services Advisor. Katja Brittain is a consultant specializing in church property management, mission realignment, and sustainability. With a Master of Theology, an MBA, and extensive experience in the not-for-profit and faith-based sectors, she helps congregations optimize their spaces while staying true to their mission. Previously, she held leadership roles in economic development (grant provision), church-based affordable housing, and charitable governance. An active member of Martin Luther Lutheran Church in Toronto, she serves on boards like Ecuhome and the Christian Jewish Dialogue of Toronto. Katja is passionate about helping churches reimagine their buildings as assets for ministry and community service.
 
Bishop Carla Blakley is filled with gratitude, saying, “The Eastern Synod is deeply grateful to Jennifer for her years of service to CRS. She brought many gifts to this work, and will be a blessing to the communities of Listowel and Wallace Township as she begins this new chapter in her ministry. Equally, we are so excited to welcome Katja to this interim CRS Advisor role. Katja and Jennifer have worked very closely for the past number of years, and I am confident that she will bring much creativity, skill and passion to this new position!”
 
For more information about CRS, please continue to contact Rev. Jennifer Hoover (jhoover@elcic.ca) until the conclusion of her term. Transitional information will be shared via the CRS page of the Eastern Synod Website as it becomes available.

Letter on Non-Binary Safety

Posted: | Filed Under: Spotlight

Dear friends in Christ:

The people of the ELCIC and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, inside and outside the church, know too well how acts of homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia—including religious-induced discrimination— embolden public expressions of hate crimes and violence. Unfortunately, deliberate disinformation takes aim at care and safer spaces for transgender and gender non-conforming youth; hateful rhetoric, discriminatory legislation, and restrictions directly place their health, safety, and well-being at risk.

Recently, the 47th President of the United States of America (USA) issued “executive orders” declaring there are only two genders, male and female; banning Transgender people from military service; and ending gender affirming care for anyone under the age of 19.

The ELCIC considers these actions to be hostile to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The ELCIC recognizes that there are more than two genders. These executive orders endanger the lives of Transgender, Non- binary, Genderqueer, Intersex, and Gender Nonconforming persons. While these actions have happened in the USA, we know that the lobby to remove and deny human rights does try to exert influence in Canada, and that some elected leaders in this country have enacted discriminatory laws and policies. 

The ELCIC is committed to the acceptance, full participation, and liberation of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions within the Church. The ELCIC upholds and celebrates our uniqueness and diversity in God’s family. In 2019, the ELCIC established a task force to guide and  encourage the church in addressing ongoing issues of homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia.  The task force has a mandate to build awareness of transphobia in church and in society. This work is intended to deepen commitments made by the ELCIC made in the 2011 Social Statement on HumanSexuality, including the call to uphold dignity of all people regardless of gender identity and to meet diverse people with a core sense of respect for the value of each person as a unique child of God.

Please join us in:

  • Praying for the dignity and acceptance for all persons, for the safety of those made more vulnerable    by recent government actions, for a world where everyone finds loving community, and for God’s guidance in our thoughts, words, and deeds.
  • Providing spaces and opportunities for safe, respectful conversations, where people feel support and love, and experience ongoing formation.
  • Learning more about human rights, terminology, and pathways to liberation for 2SLGBTQIA+ persons.
  • Speaking out against rhetoric that dehumanizes and demonizes anyone made in the image of God, and by promoting accurate information about neighbors and issues of public concern.
  • Advocating for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights at the local, provincial, and federal level.
  • Preparing for the possibility of providing welcome to those fleeing persecution based on sexual  orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

May the God of love and liberation hear our lament. May each of us be bold in our witness. May we all work  to bring an end to this attack against people God has named beloved.

Yours in Christ,
Rev. Susan Johnson
National Bishop, ELCIC

Rev. Kathy Martin
Bishop of the British Columbia Synod

Rev. Patricia Schmermund
Bishop of the Synod of Alberta and the Territories

Rev. Dr. Ali Tote
Bishop of the Saskatchewan Synod

Rev. Jason Zinko
Bishop of the Manitoba/Northwestern Ontario Synod

Rev. Carla Blakley
Bishop of the Eastern Synod

Announcement: Finance & Administration Transition

Posted: | Filed Under: Spotlight

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.

First Rank Cross of Merit

Posted: | Filed Under: Spotlight

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!

2024 Christmas Greeting

Posted: | Filed Under: Spotlight, Uncategorised

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!