Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
Member church of the Lutheran World Federation
” The Midnight Guide to the Bible
Not your usual Bible Study: examining the scriptures through murder, sex, money, mistakes, #MeToo and real estate.”
Retreat Presenter: Rev Dr. Matthew Anderson
Rostered Leaders Retreat – February 5-8, 2023
Atlantic Pastors Retreat – Februay 12-15
Lay Retreat – March 24 – 26, 2023
Dear friends, colleagues and siblings in Christ,
Since the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic we, as the body of Christ, have committed ourselves to doing whatever was necessary to protect the most vulnerable among us. This has been, and continues to be, a ministry of love and service to our neighbour for which I am so very grateful and proud.
In recent weeks Ministers of Health and individual Public Health Units across the territory of our Synod have begun to caution about the need for increased hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette.
For that reason, I am once again strongly recommending that all participants return to wearing a well fitting mask during in-person worship as well as during all indoor social events. It is also my strong counsel that Worship Leaders should be masked when they are not speaking and while presiding at the table/distributing communion.
As people of faith, we play a big part in the necessary collective action needed to protect the most vulnerable in our communities. With the ongoing circulation of COVID-19, the rise in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), as well as influenza we need to ensure that our worshipping practices are as safe and possible. In these ways, we extend our ministry of hospitality!
In addition, I would encourage Rostered and Lay Leaders to screen for symptoms regularly, and to stay home when showing signs of illness. As always, I encourage each of us to ensure that our COVID-19 vaccines are up to date, and to get the flu shot as soon as possible.
I know that it may feel discouraging to once again be asked to return to these practices. And yet, we are better equipped to address these needs than ever before. Our collective actions today will help to ensure the health and safety of all God’s children.
Thank you for your continued partnership in this ministry. I am truly grateful for each and every one of you.
May God bless you and keep you in God’s care!
Bishop Michael Pryse
“Let my spirit always sing, though my heart be wintering…”
2020 we were all thrown for a loop; one Sunday in church singing hymns and the next Sunday…nothing. Church buildings were closed and worship was adapted for an at home congregation. Resurrection, Halifax, went to Facebook live streaming and email church that included recorded hymns and sermons uploaded to the church YouTube channel. The worship team (my household) provided worship for the community. It filled a need, yet, felt empty without congregational responses and singing. I am a musician who experiences God through music. I felt empty and decided that I needed something more.
I started a daily lectionary reading and hymn of the day series (posted in FB group). Monday to Saturday I post the daily lectionary readings and a hymn that I’ve recorded and uploaded to the church YouTube channel. I began this for myself and for my church community. It didn’t take long to realize that other churches, pastors, and worship leaders were using the hymns. Resurrection received thank you emails and messages from worship leaders in Lutheran congregations across the US, Canada, and a few from overseas. I was surprised, humbled, and overjoyed that this small ministry project grew into a well-used resource.
The project fostered new relationships. My two favourite:
A person named Rusty Edwards asked to join Resurrection’s Facebook group. Rusty Edwards is a Baptist minister in Halifax. Rusty made comments on Facebook appreciating hymn interpretations. I realized that this was not the Baptist minister, but, rather, the prolific hymn composer. Rusty sent me some of his hymns to produce video in my musical style. I use a Yamaha CVP 905 with hundreds of different musical accompaniments. My style varies including: rock, pop, classical, jazz, soul, R&B, Blues, country, and dance music. Based on comments, 99% enjoy church hymns in a unique style, while 1% ask, “Why I’ve ruined such a lovely hymn?”
Resurrection was introduced to the All Creation Sings hymnal, using the hymns as preludes, pew editions to be purchased later. A month into this project we received an e-mail from a retired Lutheran minister in Pennsylvania asking, “how many books for your pews?” Fifty books arrived as a thankyou for being included in the online worshiping community. A wonderful surprise!
It’s been 2 1/2 years of pandemic living.
Regular in-person worship services continue to include live stream. YouTube videos are recorded and support email worship. Churches are offering hybrid worship. There continues to be a need for online church hymns and (by request of users) embedded words for watchers to sing along. The music ministry project has once again grown. I have created a new YouTube channel (Tim McNabb- Lutheran Church musician) that makes it easier to find hymns for the next four Sundays. The channel has playlists of the hymn suggestions from Augsburg Fortress’, Sundays and Seasons.
I am thankful that pandemic living has encouraged me to hone and share the gifts God has given me. I am thrilled that hope and God’s love has spread and continues to be spread through music!
“…God to whom my days belong, let there always be a song.” – Hymn 1020, All Creation Sings
It brings us great pleasure to introduce the Eastern Synod Scholarship recipients for the 2022/2023 academic year.
Along with maintaining excellent school marks, each recipient has been busy giving their time and spreading joy to worthy causes within their church and community.
We congratulate you and wish you all the best in your future studies and career endeavours!
October 4th is the National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People (MMIWG2S+). This is a day for action and advocacy, and to remember the lives of victims and survivors and the many communities who have been impacted by violence. The Eastern Synod Circle for Reconciliation and Justice (ES-CRJ) invites you to consider how you can be an ally and an advocate by using some of the resources listed here.
Read more →Phyllis Jack Webstad was six years old when she left her community of Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation to attend St. Joseph Residential School. Like most six year olds, she was excited to attend school for the first time. Her grandmother bought her a new, bright orange shirt for her to wear on her first day. When she arrived at school, far from home, her new orange shirt was taken away from her and never returned. This marked the start of Phyllis’s separation from her community, culture, family and friends; a separation mandated by the federal government and supported by the church.
On September 30th, we wear orange to remember that Every Child Matters and as people of faith, we need to listen to stories like Phyllis’s and learn from the wisdom, reflection, trauma, as well as the strength and resiliency of those who were taken from their families and communities and forced to attend residential schools, some of whom never returned home again. As Christians, it is also our responsibility to make reparations for the ways in which we continue to uphold colonialism and benefit from the systemic racism in our institutions and societal structures. September 30th is a federal statutory holiday – the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, where people are encouraged to engage in learning, as well as listening and reflecting on the ongoing impact of the residential school system.
As September 30th approaches, here are some opportunities to consider:
Events
May God’s wisdom and understanding surround us as we continue to learn to walk in the ways of reconciliation, reparation and peace.
Abundant fall blessings to you,
The Eastern Synod Circle for Reconciliation and Justice
