Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Member church of the Lutheran World Federation

Spotlight

Fall Benevolence Letter

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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.

Bishops’ Company Gathering 2024

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The Bishops’ Company for Mission was established in 2003 as a gathering of lay people whose financial generosity helps to support mission and ministry activities of the Eastern Synod, above and beyond the regular budget. Join us this year in welcoming our new Bishop Carla Blakley to the Eastern Synod. Information and tickets will be made available soon.

Bishop’s Company for Mission IMAGEDownload

Registration Link

A Joint Statement from Bishop Michael Pryse and Bishop-Elect Carla Blakley

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Grace and peace to you! 

We are writing to provide you with a quick update with regard to the transition between the tenure of Bishop Michael and Bishop-Elect Carla as Eastern Synod bishop and to address a matter of deep concern to both of us.

Bishop-Elect Carla is currently concluding her ministry in Saskatchewan and will begin work in the Eastern Synod on Sept 25th.  She will formally begin her tenure as bishop following her ordination on Saturday Sept 28th at 2:00 at a yet to be determined location. Until this date, we would ask that you please direct all inquiries and concerns to Bishop Michael.  After the ordination Bishop (retired) Michael and Bishop Carla will work together for several weeks to ensure a smooth transition. Bishop-Elect Carla is eager to begin working with the current staff team and they are most eager to welcome her!

With heavy hearts, we also feel obliged to offer an additional word about some deeply concerning homophobic references  that were made concerning a candidate in our electoral processes at the Eastern Synod Assembly.  This has been reported by multiple sources. These reported comments have caused significant harm to several individuals and have reflected poorly on our church’s stated commitment to upholding the principles articulated in the ELCIC Social Statement on Human Sexuality. The Synod Council will review this matter during their next regularly scheduled meeting and make a determination regarding next steps.

The need for us to be ever vigilant in living those principles was made sadly apparent, just days after our Assembly, when a violent assault was directed against the home of one of our rostered leaders while he was gathered with family and friends. How can we claim  to combat behaviour of this kind in the wider community when we refuse to condemn similarly hurtful, if less violent, behaviour in our own faith community?

We, as leaders, strongly condemn any language or action that discredits any of God’s beloved, regardless of race, orientation or gender identity. We strive to foster a culture in our churches, our synod and our communities  where all people are free to be who they are as God’s beloved. We can and must do better.

In conclusion, we look forward to communicating further transition updates to you as required in the coming weeks and months. In the meantime, we thank you for your prayers for each of us and for the entire Eastern Synod leadership team as this transition takes place. May God grant you a blessed, restful and restorative summer season. 

With deep gratitude for you all,
Bishop Michael Pryse and Bishop-Elect Carla Blakely

Pride Month Resources

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We are pleased to offer a series of resources to encourage your observation and celebration of Pride Month.

Resources have been divided into four different sets aimed at helping congregations develop ways in which they can appreciate the 2SLGBTQIA+ community during Pride month, which takes place in June of each year. These resources are far from exhaustive, but offer a survey of possibilities for engaging conversation. Here is an outline of what is on offer.

VIEW THE FULL PRIDE MONTH RESOURCE LIBRARY

Introduction
In the Introduction Folder you will find a document called “Terminology” which offers some help with the 2SLGBTQIA+ acronym and its meanings. In addition, “A Brief History” provides a short overview of the history of Pride in the United States and Canada. Both of these documents are short and are essential: it is advisable to take time with them before proceeding. In addition, you will find “Arts and Media Conversation Starters,” a short curated list of reading and/or viewing that might serve to start conversation in congregational settings around Pride identity.

Ready to Start
These resources are for congregations who have never done this work before and/or may need significant refresher. Here and in the other folders, you will find some documents prepared by Reconciling Works, an American community working for full inclusion of 2SLGBTQIA+ in faith communities. These resources focus on specific strategies for communities to increase their welcome and become actively supportive of the 2SLGBTQIA+ people in their own community and the wider communities around them.

Ready to Engage Further
This folder contains resources for those congregations who have already done some work and are looking to explore further. Again, some Reconciling Works initiatives offer a deeper reach in creating inclusive environments.

Ready to Celebrate
This folder offers worship resources and some support for those looking to be advocates and allies. Here, you will find worship devotional and worship resources including a sermon. The folder also includes a litany, created for a specific moment, but adaptable as a means by which to offer apology and accountability for past harm. Mostly, this folder offers ways to celebrate allyship and to live fully into being visibly affirming (beyond having a Pride flag).

Ready to Go Deeper
Although you will find some theological reflection in any of the folders, this fourth folder offers some resources for thinking and reflecting on identity. Included throughout these folders are essays from the July 2022 Issue of Consensus, a journal published jointly twice a year by Martin Luther University College and Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon. This particular issue was given over to voices of lived experience. It shares the work of rostered ministers and lay leaders, including those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ and those who are allies. Here you will find two theological reflections on Queer experience. In addition, there is “2SLGBTQIA+- Sexuality in Changing Canadian Lutheran Contexts and Identities” by Rev. Karen Kuhnert, a helpful article for providing some important contextual history within our church.

Note also that the Government of Canada offers a webpage that provides “Information and resources related to the Government of Canada’s work to improve equality for 2SLGBTQI+ communities”. Some of the answers to questions that may arise from community conversation may be found here, with regard to legal and political rights and realities.

Wherever you find yourselves, we hope that you will be informed and enriched by your exploration. Thank you for wanting to spend some time in Pride month helping to create a more fully-inclusive church. God’s peace to you as you journey!

Announcement of Nominees

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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