Spotlight

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

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

The Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) has signed a memorandum of agreement with United Property Resource Corporation (UPRC) to support decision-making around church property that includes unlocking redevelopment opportunities at its church sites that could include affordable housing.

The agreement is an important step in the Synod’s efforts to address the housing crisis.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with UPRC, which shares our vision of supporting healthy, vibrant congregations, neighbourhoods and communities,” said Michael Pryse, Bishop of the Eastern Synod of the ELCIC. “By working together and sharing our resources, we will provide renewed gathering spaces for our congregations and local communities and make an impactful contribution to much needed affordable housing solutions.”

UPRC was founded in 2019 by the United Church of Canada to bring professional real estate expertise and support to communities of faith, providing them with the resources needed to make prudent and faithful property decisions.

“UPRC has given the United Church the opportunity to reimagine building and nurturing the community by reinvesting in its property,” said Michael Blair, General Secretary, the United Church of Canada. “This new agreement with the ELCIC is an example of our commitment to collaborating with others in goodwill to help mend the world.”

Through a coordinated strategy, URPC will help congregations determine how they can work to reconfigure or repurpose their properties so they can improve services to their congregations and communities while ensuring financial sustainability.

UPRC will assist churches in assessing housing opportunities and also consider other spaces for possible uses, such as daycares, respite centers, warming centers, to benefit both the congregation and the broader community.

As part of its approach, UPRC retains the professional expertise of Kindred Works, its redevelopment partner.

Kindred Works develops and manages mixed-income rental housing and gathering places that are targeting to be carbon neutral and promote social equity. One third of its housing will be below market rates to make housing more affordable for community members.

“Our mission is purpose driven,” says Tim Blair, CEO of Kindred Works. “We are tackling the two existential crisis of our time, housing crisis and climate change, and at the same time building beautiful, sustainable and desirable homes and shared space for generations to come.”

This agreement represents the third of its kind between UPRC, Kindred Works, and ecumenical partners. Kindred Works currently has 20 projects in active development representing over 3,100 units with a goal of delivering 20,000 units over the next 15 years to create equitable and climate safe solutions to the housing crisis.

Source: https://www.newswire.ca/…/new-partnership-agreement…

(Photo from left to right: Tim Blair, David Constable, Jennifer Hoover, Bishop Michael Pryse, Keith Myra)

St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Cambridge was featured in a recent CBC News article about community gardens.

Click here to read the story.

Credit to Cameron Mahler, CBC News.

“We did it AGAIN!!!!

What a wonderful successful event! Thank you everyone – the committee, all the volunteers and those who attended. We visited, laughed, listened to wonderful music by Jason Lamont, played in the bouncy castle ( well some did) and of course we were all well fed. Some even played in the rain and got soaking wet. All the while the rest of us kept dry in our wonderful Red Shed!

Ryan Erb from United Way attended and helped us understand the program we were supporting, Thank you all!!! Thanks to all of our volunteers from age 6 to 80ish we raised over $4000 to assist the Stratford Connection Centre under the umbrella of the United Way Perth Huron. “The Connection Centre is a housing-based program staffed by Housing Stability and Peer Outreach Workers and supported by well trained volunteers. Workers collaborate with community partners to provided wrap-around supports including trauma-informed care, substance use and mental health counselling, as well as basic needs for those experiencing homelessness or who are otherwise vulnerable.”

In fewer words, this centre is Voluntary empowering participants with dignity and choice, Client-centred focusing on access to basic needs and building trust with participants and Housing Focused with the goal to return people to permanent accommodation as quickly as possible.

The following is a note from one of our members/volunteers:

“Last night’s red shed fundraising meal at St. James Perth East was a ton of fun. So many hands made it such a special night, and it was wonderful to hear Ryan Erb from the Huron Perth United Way speak about where the proceeds of our event would be put towards.

We raised funds for the Stratford Connections Centre, heard beautiful music from the very talented Jason Lamont, and enjoyed a delicious pork and corn roast dinner. So much love and care was involved in the preparation and facilitation of this special event, and I’m so proud to be part of such a caring and loving community. Well done everyone!!” 

Submitted by Beth Schlueter