Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Member church of the Lutheran World Federation

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Climate Justice – Call To Action

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Climate Justice – Call to Action!

If you are a youth (children and families are welcome!) or young adult who is passionate about the environment and climate change, please see the infographic below and click the link to participate in a brief survey.

The Eastern Synod Youth and Young Adult Ministry Committee is helping to build a network of youth and young adults who would like to engage the church in some climate discussions and assist the ELCIC in working towards the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050.

Come and join the conversation!

You can find the brief survey here:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NDT8VPM

If you have any questions, please be in touch with Rev. Katherine Gohm, Assistant to the Bishop (kgohm@elcic.ca) or Sophos Slessor (skslessor@gmail.com), YAYA member and a representative on the ELCIC’s Task Force for Carbon Neutrality.

Black History Month – We Challenge You!

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Racial Justice Advisory Committee: Black History Month 2021 Challenge

Let us become agents of change.

February is a busy month in 2021: Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Day, Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday and we are right into the Season of Lent. In the midst of all those meaningfully designated moments and celebrations of relationships, community, and our mutual humanity and vulnerability, the Racial Justice Advisory Committee urges you to observe February also as a commemoration of Black History Month.

For the month of February, the members of the Racial Justice Advisory Committee are inviting you to a Synod-wide challenge. (Watch the video introduction to the right, and watch video responses below!)

1.     Visit our resources list at https://rjaceastern.wixsite.com/home/copy-of-workshops-resources.

2.     Pick something from the list. Invite a friend to do this together.

3.     Engage, make comments, ask questions, dialogue.

4.     Tell us how you did! Use our Contact Us page to email us, or tag us on social media and let us know how it went.

Each member of RJAC will check back through February with a “moment of revelation” as they engage their choice of book, article, podcast, or video. Check back on the RJAC website and social media  channels to see what we’re reading, listening to, watching, and discussing. In holding up our narratives, painful, celebratory, and everything in-between, we embrace our common humanity.

Our features, this month, include an update on the most recent achievement of Willie Eldon O’Ree, a former professional ice hockey player, best known for being the first Black player in the National Hockey League (NHL) and inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in November, 2018. He was featured in the “Black History Month” section of the Eastern Synod 2020 Newsletter. Most recently, Mr. O’Ree was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame (2020/2021). Read more about Mr. O’Ree and his achievements on our website.

Read more →

Worship Resources for the Season of Lent

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Friends in Christ,

Once again, the Task Force for the Resumption of In-Person Worship has been collaborating with worship leaders across the Eastern Synod to develop a new series of resources to support congregations during the season of Lent.

Today, we are pleased to share this robust collection with you!

Read more →

Fourth Sunday of Advent

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Today we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent.

Many of us across the Eastern Synod are unable to gather in our usual ways to mark this season of hope-filled anticipation.

But we are united, in the one body of Christ . No matter where we find ourselves this morning – God is with us!

And so, whether you’re gathering for in-person or mediated worship – we invite you to pause with your siblings in ministry across the Synod (the church, and the world) as we join our hearts together and prepare our hearts to gather at the manger in a few short days!

+ Response (Rev. Dr. Elaine Boone)

Today we light the candle of love. This year we have prayed for love. This year we have prayed in love: That we will love ALL our neighbours as ourselves. That no one will be hungry or homeless. That Thursdays in Black will end violence against women and children and bring justice for missing and murdered indigenous women and girls. Today we pray with love. We know God is with us in moments of love and hate. We know God is with us.

+ Advent Candle Lighting (Advent 4)

Lead Us Towards Christ was composed by Trevor Hicks Compositions, and is recorded and shared with permission.

+ Readings (Advent 4)

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16; Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38

+ Prayer (Rev. Scott Schellenberger)

Gracious God we honour your name. Our journey to the manger continues. There are many without shelter or a home as the winter temperatures will soon come upon us. Help us to prepare warm spots of hope for individuals that they not only experience the warmth of Christ but the safety of a warm home. Preparing our hearts for the warmth of others we worship you. Amen.

Ordination Information (Sherry Coman & Jordan Smith)

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Watch The Ordination Service

The Ordination of Sherry Coman & Jordan Smith will be held on Monday, December 14, 2020 at 2pm.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Bishop Michael Pryse cordially invites you to gather virtually for the mediated Ordination Worship Service which will be livestreamed on the Eastern Synod Facebook Page.

A Worship Guide can be downloaded HERE.

Clergy who would like to show their collegial support are invited to take a photo of themselves in red vestments, and post it in the comments on our facebook page. These photos will be collected, and provided to Sherry and Jordan as a keepsake! Alternatively, they can be emailed to ctubbs@elcic.ca or ezehr@elcic.ca.

Please continue to pray for Sherry and Jordan, and the ministries to which they have been called.