Spotlight

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

As we come to the conclusion of #pridemonth2023, Bishop Michael Pryse has shared the following video.

How does God feel about Queer People?We asked ministers from denominations all over Canada to find out. Here’s what they said: God loves Queer People. The idea that all Canadian churches are hostile to the queer community is simply false, as these ministers and Moderators of the major denominations make clear. So what can you do? Contact your local politicians and let them know you do not condone hatred against queer people. Share it on social media and post this video to your church website. Let the world know that God is love, and God loves people of all sexualities and genders. 

This video was produced after a Unity Statement was signed by over 800 Christian Leaders from every province, the Northwest Territories and the Yukon, in support of our 2SLGBTQI community members. You can read the statement here: https://shiningwatersregionalcouncil.ca/equity/affirming/ecumenical-christian-unity-statement/

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.