Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Member church of the Lutheran World Federation

Spotlight

Our Ministry Together – ELCIC Highlight

Posted: | Filed Under: Spotlight

Our Ministry Together is a series of short videos intended to highlight and celebrate areas of our common mission across the Eastern Synod, many of which are funded through congregational benevolence.

This month we spend time with our National Bishop Susan Johnson, who tells us about the role of the ELCIC in expanding the ministries of individual synods by building relationships and establishing partnerships.

We encourage you to share these videos on social media and during mediated worship. All videos will be featured on our YouTube channel, and alternatively can be downloaded HERE.

For more information about the Our Ministry Together project, or to submit photos that highlight our Eastern Synod ministries for upcoming videos, please contact Rev. Adam Snook (asnook@elcic.ca).

Thank you for your gifts of prayer and financial support!This is, indeed, Our Ministry Together!

Best Practices for the Safe Resumption of In-Person Worship

Posted: | Filed Under: COVID, News, Spotlight

Dear Colleagues,

Grace and peace be with you!

Attached, please find a document outlining my office’s recommended Best Practices for the Safe Resumption of In-Person Worship. We have created this document in response to the many inquiries we have received these past few weeks from rostered ministers and congregational leaders who are contemplating a resumption of in-person worship.

I recognize that some will receive these recommendations as being unduly restrictive or not restrictive enough. This is understandable given the broad geographical expanse of our synod. I do believe, however, that they are appropriate and responsible.

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A COVID-19 Update (July 6, 2021)

Posted: | Filed Under: COVID, Spotlight, Uncategorised

Dear colleagues,

In some ways, these early days of July have left me feeling the same as I felt last summer. Once again, many of our congregations are in the process of discerning how, when and if they should plan to resume in-person worship; and what exactly such a resumption ought to look like. Undoubtedly, we engage these questions with a healthy dose of both uncertainty and optimism as we watch case numbers across the territory of our Eastern Synod continue to drop.

First and foremost, allow me to express my deepest gratitude to our Rostered Leaders, Lay Leaders, Musicians, Volunteers and congregations for your continued and faithful commitment to the health, safety, and wellbeing of your neighbours. This has been, is, and will continue to be an act of love and service. I am so proud of our church, and the resilience, creativity and faithfulness with which each of you have navigated this long period of pandemic.

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OK…What’s Next?

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REGISTER NOW

OK…What’s Next?

Many of us are asking this question right now, whether we are Lay or Rostered Leaders engaged in worship in the Eastern Synod. In anticipating a move to hybrid worship-presenting, both online and in-person church gatherings, the Eastern Synod and the Centre for Spirituality and Media at Martin Luther University College invite you to join us on June 1 at 6:30 – 8:30 PM EDT for conversation about the way forward. 

We anticipate this event to be the first of a possible series of ongoing gatherings to continue developing hybrid worship and community gathering skills. We will invite Lay Leaders into some reflective conversation about their experiences during the past year. Rostered Leaders will have the opportunity to discuss possible ways of collaborating with each other and with other parishes. From one worship leader, we will hear some tips on hybrid worship that worked in their context, and we will look toward building collaborative skills for the future.

Event Schedule
6:30pm – Welcome & Land Acknowledgment
6:35pm – Introduction to “OK…What’s Next?”
6:50pm – Breakout Discussion (Lay or Rostered)
7:10pm – Large Group Discussion (Lay & Rostered)
7:30pm – Break
7:40pm – Presentation & Discussion – Collaborative Worship Models
8:00pm – Network/Support Building
8:15pm – Summary & Identifying Area for Further Discussion
8:30pm – Conclusion

“Ok…What’s Next?” will be hosted virtually using the ZOOM platform.

Pre-Registration is required. A ZOOM link will be forwarded to all participants after completing the registration process. If you have any questions, or have difficulty registering, please contact the Eastern Synod Office. 

Please note that this event is intended to be the first in a series of opportunities for Rostered and Lay Leaders to share learnings, build skills and discern a way forward. To stay informed about follow-up opportunities, please indicate your willingness to be contacted during the registration process. 

George Floyd Anniversary and Verdict

Posted: | Filed Under: RJAC Communications, Spotlight

It’s been a year.
It has been a year, and what has changed?
A year since a man begged for his life from an officer of the law. A year since a woman was shot in her bed. A year since national sports leagues boycotted games. A year since we saw #saytheirnames trending on social media.
It has been a year since George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Regis Korchinski-Paquet.

What has changed?

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