Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Member church of the Lutheran World Federation

Spotlight

New Director of Public Policy & Service Ministries

Posted: | Filed Under: Spotlight

Bishop Pryse is delighted to announce that Rafael Rodriguez will serve as our next Director of Public Policy and Service Ministries effective July 1, 2023. Rafael is a member of Redeemer, London, and is passionate about the work of racial justice, reconciliation, and environmental stewardship! He will be working in a 25% time position and providing staff support to social justice ministries previously overseen by Rev. Christie Morrow-Wolfe, Assistant to the Bishop.  

In accepting this position, Rafael remarked, “As a young adult, I have grown up in relatively tumultuous times, and that in turn created a passion for studying issues related to social justice and the policy options available to remedy them. To be able to transition from merely understanding these issues to being in a position to work with the Eastern Synod to support its member congregations in tackling these challenges we all face is a dream come true for myself, and I cannot wait to get to work. My hope is to bring a fresh set of eyes and ideas to this position, and to support all congregations in taking the Synod to the forefront of the fight for justice. I am sure our community of faith is capable of this task and can be a part of the change that is needed right now.”

Of this new appointment, Bishop Michael said, “I am so very pleased to welcome Rafael Rodriguez to the Eastern Synod staff team. Rafael is deeply committed to advancing our church’s social justice initiatives and encouraging us to be more engaged in ministries that can impact our broader communities. As a young adult lay leader, I am hoping he will give voice to new perspectives that have not been given enough attention in the past. Rafael’s leadership within the life of our synod is a refreshing sign of hope!”

Please join us in welcoming Rafael to this new role. He can be reached at rrodriguez@elcic.ca.

St. Paul’s, Listowel Digital Archive Request

Posted: | Filed Under: News, Spotlight

Plans for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Listowel’s 150th Anniversary as a congregation are now underway, and a committee is being formed to share ideas and begin the planning process for this special time (2024-2025) in the history of the congregation

We Need Your Help! 

Our 150th anniversary plans include building a digital archive of events and special moments in the history of Listowel’s congregation. To do this, we need members past and present to help by providing us with photos of weddings, baptisms, confirmations, church meetings, picnics and any other events hosted by St. Paul’s Listowel. Other items that would be appreciated would be copies of certificates for our records especially baptism and confirmation and certificates. If you have scanned copies of these items, please send them to stpaul150listowel@yahoo.com 

We ask that you share the above request and information to family, friends, neighbours or others who may have been a member or associated with St. Paul’s Listowel over the years so we can gather as much information and documentation as possible to share as part of our 150th celebrations.

The Red Dress Journey

Posted: | Filed Under: Circle for Reconciliation and Justice, Spotlight

The Eastern Synod’s Circle for Reconciliation and Justice has been working on a project to engage the entire Synod in awareness, action and a deepening understanding of the impact of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two Spirit People (MMIWG2S+).

The Red Dress Journey is an interactive display that will be making its way around the Synod to as many congregations as possible where it is the hope that you will invite others to engage in meaningful ways with the art and red dress, worship resources and other suggestions and opportunities which will come to you in a resource binder.

We recognize that many people are in different places along the journey of reconciliation. The opportunities and resources which are carefully articulated in the accompanying resource binder are meant to give each congregation a meaningful way to engage, dialogue, think, pray and act around the ongoing tragedy of murdered and missing Indigenous Women and Girls and Two Spirit People which continues to plague this country.

It is our hope that congregations and individuals will listen, reflect and then act to be voices of advocacy and change. If you would like to see the contents of the resource binder to begin your own planning and preparation for hosting the Red Dress, please see the attachments below.

Find here a map of each host location of the Red Dress Journey materials (so far). Between the 19 locations listed here, the dress has traveled over 3,800km! Don’t see your church on this list? Contact Liz Zehr at the Eastern Synod office (ezehr@elcic.ca) to request the Red Dress Journey package and help us to get your congregation added to the map!

Click here to view the map.

Red Dress ActionDownload
List of MMIWG2S in OntarioDownload
Postcard (Heavy Colour)Download
Postcard (Less Colour)Download
Response Form (Colour)Download
Response Form (Black & White)Download
SilhouetteDownload

Scholarships 2023-2024

Posted: | Filed Under: Spotlight

The purpose of these three scholarship funds is to provide financial support to those young Christians wishing to or currently pursuing a post-secondary education. All funds are administered by a Scholarship Committee appointed by the Eastern Synod Council. This financial support is available for the 2023-2024 academic year. Below is a list of scholarship funds that, subject to available funding, are open for qualified candidates to apply.

FILLABLE-2023-2024-Scholarship-info-and-Application-2Download

In Memory of Rev. Dr. & Bishop (Retired) William David Huras

Posted: | Filed Under: Local, News, Newsletters, Spotlight

Service Livestream via Erb & Good Family Funeral Home

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of the Rev. Dr. and Bishop (retired) William (Bill) David Huras peacefully at Grand River Hospital, Kitchener on Sunday February 26, 2023 in his 90th year.  Devoted and beloved husband of Barbara Elizabeth (Lotz) for 65 years.  Loving father of David (Christina) Huras, Matthew (Theresa) Huras, and Andrea (Barry) Wolfe; his grandchildren Jenelle and Jason Huras, Kristyn Richards, Adam and Katie Huras, Krystal Wolfe, Cassie (Johnny) Fulford, and Courtney Wolfe; and his great grandchildren, Jack and Liam Pearce, and Theo Fulford.  Predeceased by his parents, William Adam and Frieda Dorothea (Rose) Huras, brothers Elmer and Rev. Ralph, and sister Ruth (Leyes). 

Bill was born in Kitchener, Ontario on September 22, 1932.  At a young age he showed an affinity for hard work, as evidenced through his Kitchener Daily Record paper route, and later, his summer jobs at Carling Brewery.  As he grew older, his other numerous gifts became clear: as a scholar, mission developer, counsellor, mentor and leader.  In the early 1950s, Bill was headed to the University of Western Ontario with a Math scholarship, when he was offered (and accepted) a competing award at Waterloo College (now Wilfred Laurier University (WLU)).  It was an investment that paid off as he later served on the Board of Governors of the university and seminary for more than 35 years, and was named one of WLU’s most influential 100 graduates in 2011.  As a student at Waterloo College, he participated in many clubs and activities.  After graduation, his scholarship continued for decades and included Master’s degrees in both theology and divinity, certification as a Pastoral Counsellor and Associate Supervisor from the Toronto Institute of Human Relations, and two honorary Doctorate degrees in divinity. 

Bill was mission developer for two Lutheran congregations – St James in Renfrew (1957-62) and Advent in Toronto (1962-78).  He led the creation of these parishes, including the construction and dedication of the associated church buildings.  In 1978, he was elected President of the Eastern Canada Synod of the Lutheran Church in America, the largest synod of Lutheran churches in Canada.  Through actively building bridges with other ecumenical churches, and serving on the Lutheran Merger Commission, he helped create the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), uniting many Lutherans across the country into one church.  He was then elected Bishop of the new Eastern Synod of the ELCIC, and ultimately became one of the longest serving Lutheran synodical bishops in North America, serving from 1978 to 1998 when he retired. His contribution to the church has been truly extraordinary. 

Bill was adored by his friends and family.  He loved curling and playing ‘Solo’ (a Waterloo County card game) with his buddies.  His yearly chess tournaments with Rev. Dr. R. Binhammer were legendary on Papineau Lake.  He popularized ‘Square’ – a baseball-like game played on Papineau beaches by generations, including the family dog! 

Bill was a loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather.  He loved music and he loved to sing.  The many songs, including original creations, that he sung for his children in that warm baritone voice will carry on through generations.  He cherished family game time.  Whether it was Stock-Ticker, Sequence, Hearts, Crokinole or any other game, his antics and his laugh, always made for fond memories.  He was a master story teller.  To this day, his children and grandchildren, their friends and his nieces and nephews still have vivid memories of the campfire ghost stories he told on the beaches of Papineau.  He was even a great cook – whether it was bean soup, potato pancakes, fried potatoes or his famous popcorn.  

Above all, Bill’s love and devotion to Barbara knew no bounds.  They were inseparable partners, sharing a beautiful love for each other through their 65+ years of marriage. 

Visitation will take place at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Monday March 6, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.  The funeral service will be held at Trillium Lutheran Church (formerly St. John’s Lutheran Church), 22 Willow Street, Waterloo, Ontario on Tuesday, March 7 at 11:00 am. A reception will follow in the church hall and interment will take place at St. Peter’s Cemetery, Kitchener. Bill was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 49 Queen St. North, Kitchener, Ontario and as such donations to the church would be appreciated and may be arranged along with condolences for the family at www.erbgood.com

Mandi Walker – Manager of Finance & Administration

Posted: | Filed Under: Spotlight

The Eastern Synod Officers are pleased to announce that after an extensive search, Mandi Walker has been hired as our new Manager of Finance and Administration.

Mandi is a Chartered Professional Accountant and brings a wealth of senior leadership experience in a variety of sectors including the hospitality industry, food services, banking, utilities and property management. She officially joined the staff of the Eastern Synod on Monday, February 27, 2023.

Mandi is the mother of Ricardo and Aiden, and lives in Cambridge. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with friends and family; time permitting, exercising and the occasional nap are also favourite activities.

In this new role, she is most excited to work with an organisation that is committed to making the world a better place.  She also looks forward to learning more about the not-for-profit sector and Church, and to being a positive contributor to the team in the office, and to the Synod as a whole.

In response to this decision, Bishop Michael said, “I am delighted to welcome Mandi to the Eastern Synod! She is excited about becoming a part of our staff team and sees herself as being very much aligned with the values, priorities and key programme initiatives of the Eastern Synod. I know that you will all receive her with the care, consideration and warmth that is most characteristic of our Eastern Synod community!”

Please join us in welcoming Mandi to our Eastern Synod family. Should you wish to extend your own warm wishes, Mandi can be reached at mwalker@elcic.ca.