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2024/2025 Eastern Synod Scholarships
Spotlight
Announcement of Nominees
The following announcement is being shared on behalf of Rev. Wendell Caron Grahlman, Secretary, Eastern Synod, ELCIC.
Dear Members of the Eastern Synod:
As part of the electoral process (as outlined on the Synod’s website) to identify nominees for the positions of Bishop and Vice-Chairperson to be elected at the Synod Assembly on June 20-22, the Synod Council met on March 16 to fulfill its responsibilities as outlined in the policy statement detailing the Nomination Process for the Election of a Bishop and/or Vice Chairperson in instances where there is no incumbent open to election.
They reviewed candidate profiles for five nominees for Bishop (in alphabetical order): Rev. Carla Blakley, Rev. Katherine Gohm, Rev. Jennifer Hoover, Rev. Bonnie Schelter-Brown, Rev. Adam Snook; and two nominees for Vice-Chairperson (in alphabetical order): Kathryn Smith, Sara Whynot; and subsequently voted as per the policy statement.
Four candidates for Bishop received the minimum of five votes needed to be designated as nominees by the Nominating Committee. Two candidates for Vice-Chairperson received the minimum number of votes required. The names and profiles of the designated nominees can be found here on the Synod website.
An Electoral Procedures Committee was appointed to determine what process might be used to allow members of the synod to engage with nominees in advance of the Synod Assembly. Information on those processes will be shared as soon as they have been determined by the committee.
Finally, you may wish to familiarize yourself with the balloting procedure at the Synod Assembly according to the administrative bylaws of the synod (Eastern Synod Bylaws Part V, Section 12). Note that the first ballot for the bishop, and the vice-chairperson, may contain the name of any eligible person for that particular office and is not limited to those who have been designated as nominees in advance of the Synod Assembly.
Sincerely,
Rev. Wendell Caron Grahlman
Eastern Synod Secretary
Good and gracious God, we give you thanks for this day, and for the opportunity to discern as servants and leaders of your church. In this season of change, we commit ourselves to a period of deep discernment as we consider your call for the life of our Eastern Synod. In you, we give thanks for the faithful witness of your church past, and we celebrate the opportunities for new expressions of ministry that bid us into the days ahead. Fill us with a sense of trust, an unwavering commitment to the gospel, a tender focus toward our neighbour, and an open heart to the stirring of your Spirit. Make us curious to your will, and may it be completed in our decisions. Come, Holy Spirit, Come. Amen.
Nominees for the Position of Bishop
Nominees for the Position of Vice Chairperson
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana-Eastern Synod Joint Ministry Initiative
Jan. 25 – Feb. 3, 2024
Lutheran Lay Academy
New Amsterdam, Guyana
The Eastern Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Guyana (ELCG) have had a companion synod relationship
since 2002. Unfortunately, in 2020, COVID disrupted this
relationship and brought all joint activities to a halt for three
years. It was in this context that Mr. Michael Davy Ram, the
Treasurer of ELCG, and Pastor Peter Kuhnert of the Eastern
Synod met over lunch during the LWF 13th Assembly in
Krakow, Poland, last September 2023. Their initial
conversation led to discussions between the ELCG and the
Eastern Synod that resulted in this joint ministry initiative.
The focal points of the initiative were two leadership
retreats, one for ELCG pastors, January 25-27, 2024, and
another for ELCG deacons, Feb. 1-3, 2024. Both retreats were
mutually led by Pastor Peter Kuhnert and Pastor Philip
Mathai.
The ELCG is the second oldest Lutheran church in the western
hemisphere, founded in 1743. It has 15,000 members in 41
congregations divided among 13 parishes. A current
challenge is that there are only six pastors and eight deacons
to give pastoral leadership and care to all those
congregations. Some of the leaders conduct two to four
services every Sunday. The deacons are authorized to preside
over the sacraments, both baptism and communion. The
ELCG also have a host of lay leaders who help with preaching
and worship leadership. Most of the ELCG pastoral leaders
have not had the benefit of extensive seminary training like
ministers within the ELCIC.
Rev. Leroy Nicholson, Rev. James P. Jones, Rev. Philip Mathai and Rev.
Amanda Singh.
The retreats were held at the Lay Academy, in New
Amsterdam, approximately 70 miles from the capital city,
Georgetown. Advance readings were sent out to all retreat
participants which formed the basis for conversations and
discussions. The retreats focussed on a variety of aspects of
ministry and call, including how a pastor/deacon can be a
living, if broken, symbol of grace. Discussions centred on
pastoral duties and responsibilities, parish organization and
administration, communication, priority setting, and
visioning. Further discussions were held on healthy
boundaries and better self-care of the leaders – about the
physical and mental wellbeing of leaders and their
importance in being able to serve at one’s very best.
Sessions began and ended each day with worship which also
provided opportunities of mutual learning, whether it was a
new song or a new liturgy, or new worship rituals such as the
washing of feet.
The two retreats were exceptional times of mutual learning
and encouragement. The commitment and passion of the
clergy and deacons are to be commended. Their openness
and willingness to learn were very evident as they welcomed
the opportunity to come together and discuss freely with
each other and the facilitators about their challenges and
frustrations but also their joys and hopes. It was edifying to
hear of their joys and frustrations and how they faced
challenges in their own contexts.
Leroy Nicholson, Rev. James P. Jones, Rev. Sandra Kurtzious and Rev Peter
Kuhnert in foreground.
Pastor Peter and Pastor Philip both experienced something
of the life of the ELCG clergy as they went separately to
preach at two different Parishes on each of the joint ministry
initiative Sundays. These congregations are in the
communities of Canje, Fyrish, and Williamsburg. The
opportunity to visit these congregations within St. John and
Transfiguration Parishes was a blessing to both pastors. The
first Sunday Pastor Peter and Pastor Philip learned the slight changes in the order of the liturgy used in Guyana. The congregations participated with vigour and enthusiasm, and
it was a joy both to worship together and to meet folks in their church contexts.
Both the retreat participants and the ELCG Executive Council
were very appreciative and positive about the ministry
initiative. They expressed the desire that there might be
similar opportunities where there is mutual encouragement
and support for one other. Many participants expressed their
hope that future retreats might even be longer! Preliminary
discussions between Eastern Synod and ELCG leaders
indicated that a follow-up session within 6-9 months may
prove beneficial with another retreat proposed in 12-18
months.
Deacon Keith Hazel, Deacon Leeta Chutkhan, Deacon Beverly Johnson, Rev.
Peter Kuhnert and Deacon Elaine Grannum
When Pastor Peter and Pastor Philip first travelled to
Georgetown, and then on to New Amsterdam following an
arduous journey including challenging flight connections and
delayed baggage, they did not know what to expect. But
when they departed Guyana, they did so with a deep sense
of gratitude and appreciation for being part of this joint
ministry initiative between the ELCG and the Eastern Synod
and for being allowed to be part of the experiences and lives
of colleagues working in much more challenging contexts
than their own.
This is the essence and epitome of partnership. As we are
called into partnership, koinonia with Christ by God, our
partnership with God is meant to lead us into meaningful
partnerships as brothers and sisters in God’s family (1 John
1:3). The participatory nature of our partnership leads both
parties into relational affinity as well as to fruitful
advancement of the Gospel. We continue to thank God as we
learn and grow together in Christ.
Joint Partners:
Eastern Synod-Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Canada and Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana
Black History Month 2024
Additional Resources will be added as they become available
As we welcome Black History Month throughout the coming month of February, we have another opportunity to learn and reflect on important events and some of the important contributions made by our black siblings throughout the world and here in Canada, too.
For many of us, this month is also a reminder that we live in a diverse world and that the contributions to this world made by those of African descent are not often captured in the annals of history or taught in our schools.
As a church, it is important that we learn to walk more boldly with our siblings of colour and become more pro-active in welcoming them to participate more fully into the leadership and service of our church.
That’s one reason that our synod’s Racial Justice Committee and our national church’s initiative and commitment to providing opportunities for learning more about racial justice issues are so very important. As these educational opportunities present themselves within your areas, I urge you to join these sessions and learn more about how you, too, can help encourage more diversity within our local churches. After all, as Martin Luther King Jr. said at his acceptance of the Nobel Peace prize in Oslo, Norway back in 1964:
“I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have 3 meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds and, dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits.” May it be so.
On behalf of our Racial Justice Committee and the Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Waterloo, I invite you to join me at their annual Black History month morning service which will be live streamed on Sunday, February 25th at 11 am. And then made available as a recording. https://www.youtube.com/@mountzionworship9606/streams
I wish you all abundant blessings this month as we learn and celebrate Black History Month. May we all have the audacity to believe we have the power to make the world better for all of God’s children!
Week 1 – History
Week 2: Culture/Diversity
Nova Scotia Land & People Acknowledgements
Week 3: Arts & Entertainment
Week 4: Resources
Lift Every Voice and Sing Video – The Wardlaw Brothers Tribute to Black History (youtube.com)
The Hopes and Fears of All the Years – Christmas Greeting 2023
In his 2023 Christmas Greeting, ‘The Hopes and Fears of All the Years’, Bishop Michael reflects on the changed Nativity Scene at Christmas Lutheran Church, Bethlehem, as well as a God who loves creation so intensely, that God chose to enter into the very heart of our creaturely existence.
‘O Little Town Of Bethlehem’ by user markbodino on Audio Jungle. Used with permission.
Photographs of ‘Christ Child In The Rubble’ from Christmas Lutheran Church, Bethlehem as shared by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land.
For more information about the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land please visit www.elcjhl.org
To donate to the ELCJHL Emergency Appeal please visit www.secure.elcic.ca.
Download PDF & Video Versions of this resource HERE
War Between Israel and Hamas
ELCIC national, synod bishops write to members of the church “with heavy hearts, full of concern for the war between Israel and Hamas.”
| “We grieve deeply with the people of Israel and Gaza whose lives have been horrifically impacted by unspeakable violence,” say the bishops, in a letter dated October 20. The letter also shares their concerns for the members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (a global mission partner of the ELCIC and companion synod partner with the Eastern Synod), and “for the people of Gaza and the West Bank who are receiving harsh reprisals as a result of the horrific massacre by Hamas in Israel.” The bishops invite the church to join them in prayer and concern for the region. The text of the full letter follows. Download a pdf version of the letter here: https://elcic.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/All-Bishops-Gaza-letter3.pdf |
| October 20, 2023 Dear members of the ELCIC, Your bishops are writing to you today with heavy hearts, full of concern for the war between Israel and Hamas. We grieve deeply with the people of Israel and Gaza whose lives have been horrifically impacted by unspeakable violence. As you may know, we were all in the region last January. We are concerned for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, a church whose Bishop Ibrahim Sani Azar, pastors and people we have come to know and care for. We are concerned for other churches in the region especially the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem. But today, we are particularly concerned for the people of Gaza and the West Bank who are receiving harsh reprisals as a result of the horrific massacre by Hamas in Israel. We are concerned for hospitals that are being bombed, most tragically the Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, run by Diocese of Jerusalem with partnerships in cancer care from The Lutheran World Federation’s (LWF) Augusta Victoria Hospital in East Jerusalem. The LWF, with member churches around the world including in the Holy Land, released a statement condemning all attacks by all parties on civilians in Israel and Palestine. They expressed grave concerns about the targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure, called for a release of hostages, urging all parties to uphold International Humanitarian Law. We are concerned about the rise in antisemitic and anti-Islamic words and actions in our communities and across the world. We pray that all people of faith may embody peace rather than incite hate. Please join us in prayer and concern for the region. For those who mourn their dead on both sides of the conflict. For the hostages and their families, afraid for their lives. For those who have been maimed and injured. For those who have lost their homes. For those who have not been able to move to safety. For the opening of a humanitarian corridor into Gaza. For a peaceful solution to this war. That the war may not escalate into neighbouring countries. “God of peace, we pray for peace between Israel and Hamas. We pray for leaders on both sides that their hearts would be changed and there would be a peaceful ending to this war. God of comfort and strength, we pray for all those who have suffered in this war – those who mourn, the injured, those who live in fear. We pray for those who continue to try to provide aid and medical care – workers who risk their lives. Bring us all hope, bring us all strength, bring us all peace. In your holy and life-giving name we pray, Amen.” Yours in Christ, Rev. Susan Johnson, ELCIC National Bishop Rev. Kathy Martin, British Columbia Synod Bishop Rev. Dr. Larry Kochendorfer, Synod of Alberta and the Territories Bishop Rev. Dr. Sid Haugen, Saskatchewan Synod Bishop Rev. Jason Zinko Manitoba/Northwestern Ontario Synod Bishop Rev. Dr. Michael Pryse, Eastern Synod Bishop |