Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Member church of the Lutheran World Federation

Spotlight

“Rejoicing In Hope” A Pastoral Letter from Bishop Carla

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Dear Eastern Synod friends!

Grace and peace to you!

“Rejoicing in Hope” was the theme of the 2025 ELCIC National Church Convention. How appropriate, for we have much in which to rejoice!! Together we discerned, celebrated and dreamt of the future God intends for God’s church. We gave thanks for Bishop Susan Johnson’s 18 years of service as our National Bishop, and we welcomed Rev. Dr. Larry Kochendorfer as our new National Bishop-Elect.

Thank you to all the Eastern Synod delegates and visitors for your participation in this hope-filled event. Likewise, thank you to everyone who carried us in your prayers over these days.

When we call on the Spirit to lead us, we never quite know what might happen. As you are already likely aware, my name appeared on the electoral list. Despite having declined pre-identification, the Spirit had other plans.

I firmly believe that we must always remain open to the Spirit’s guiding. This would be my counsel to churches at crossroads in their ministries, or Rostered Leaders contemplating a new call in a fresh setting. We must always be open to the Spirit’s movement.

Such a belief means that I too must be willing to open my heart when the Spirit calls. For that reason, I engaged this electoral process with prayer, discernment and thanksgiving.

I am delighted that Bishop Larry will now serve as our next National Bishop. Even moreso, I am overjoyed that we will have more time together. I love serving alongside you in the Eastern Synod. My heart is filled to overflowing when I see the ministries you are engaged in, the communities you serve, the ways you worship, and the welcome you extend!

Let us continue to “Rejoice in Hope”. Thank you for journeying with me in the work of sharing God’s love with the world!!

Bishop Carla

Seeds of Hope

Posted: | Filed Under: Seeds of Hope, Spotlight

Letter from the Bishop

I have a lilac bush next to my deck.

Year after year, I watch the seemingly dead branches begin to come to life.

Small buds expand, unroll, green shows through, and then blossoms. Fragrant. New life.  

It is the season of Easter. We have just celebrated the resurrection of Jesus, which brings new life and new hope.

Every day, we witness new life and hope as we carry the resurrection message out into the world, as the first disciples did.

I have served as your Bishop for six months now.  I have great appreciation for the deep, strong roots of this church.  We have a proud history in our church.  I celebrate the seeds that have been planted over the past many years. 

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been reflecting on this idea of ‘seeds of hope’, and it inspired me to shoot a few short video clips to share with you. I hope you take a moment to watch, and to reflect on how ‘seeds of hope’ comes up in your life.

Thank you for the many gracious invitations to your communities.   I celebrate the beautiful and generous diversity of the growth  I see in every visit.   There are so many signs of life, new ways of thinking about your buildings, and new partnerships. God’s love is shared in many tangible ways.

Hope is thriving in our communities.

I see the cultivation of generosity, love, inclusion, and kindness. I thank you for your invigorating conversations.

I look forward in the months ahead to many more visits.  I visit congregations three Sundays per month and am booked until the end of 2025. I enjoy listening to your joys and your challenges. 

I am pleased that the previous administration planned for some fresh paint at the Synod office. Watch for the fresh updates, and an invitation to our Open House in the Fall. Your synod staff work hard supporting you, so you can thrive in the important work of sharing God’s deep and profound love, and reaching out to all in a time of great need. They are an amazing team. We thank you for your prayers. Know I hold you in my heart and prayers daily.

God’s Deepest Peace,

Bishop Carla

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Leaders speak out on Al Ahli Hospital attack

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April 15, 2025

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Psalm 46:1

Your solidarity, prayers, heartfelt thoughts, and kind words are a source of strength for all of us here.  — Suhaila Tarazi, Director, Al Ahli Arab Hospital, Diocese of Jerusalem, Gaza.

Dear friends in Christ,

On Palm Sunday, the world awakened to the shattering news that the Al Ahli Arab Hospital, an institution operated in Gaza City by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, had, once again, been struck by Israeli missile attacks. Al Ahli was the sole remaining fully functional hospital in Gaza City. The twin strikes demolished the two-story Genetic Laboratory and damaged the Pharmacy and Emergency Department Buildings. The attack also resulted in collateral damage to surrounding buildings, including St. Philip’s Anglican Church. While no casualties resulted from the attack, a child died from pre-existing head injuries during the disruption to care.

We join faith leaders around the world in condemning this appalling act. We again call for an end to the horrific war that, since October 7th, 2023, has resulted in the suffering of so many.

This Holy Week, we urge all Canadian Lutherans and Anglicans to join our partners, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, in praying for the staff of Al Ahli Hospital, its displaced patients, their families, and communities.  In the words of Suhaila Tarazi, Director of Al Ahli, “the hospital remains a vital lifeline for Gaza City and the northern region, and we are committed to maintaining our operations to the best of our ability…. We deeply appreciate your concern and support.”

Our churches continue to call for a permanent ceasefire and just peace, the release of all captives, the immediate and fulsome flow of humanitarian aid, and an end to the occupation. We join with  Primate Hosam Naoum and Bishop Sani Ibrahim Azar in calling upon all governments and people of good will to intervene to stop all attacks on medical and humanitarian institutions so that hope and life may be sustained and strengthened.

In the peace of the Risen Christ,

[signed] +Susan C Johnson
Rev. Susan C. Johnson
National Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

[signed] +Anne Germond
The Most Rev. Anne Germond
Acting Primate, Anglican Church of Canada

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.