In preparation for the 2022 ELCIC National Convention, the National Church allocates the number of each synod’s delegates. For the National Convention in 2022, the Eastern Synod is allotted 53 delegates.

During this year’s Synod Assembly (June 24-25, 2021), 43 delegates will be elected: 27 lay persons and 16 active rostered persons. The remaining ten delegates (5 lay and 5 rostered) will be elected by the Synod Council at its meeting in November. The complete nomination policy is on the synod website for your information.

This notice is the call for nominations for election at the Synod Assembly. Nominations will close on April 25, 2021, and biographical info for all eligible nominees will be posted on the Eastern Synod website by May 23. No nominations may be made after this time including during synod assembly. Eligible nominees shall be:
• rostered ministers, called or appointed to serve in a ministry of this church; and
• lay members in good standing of a congregation of this church.

According to the Administrative Bylaws of the ELCIC, the synod is to make reasonable efforts to elect or appoint onefifth (1/5th) of the synod’s delegates who are sixteen (16) to thirty (30) years of age as of the first day of the ELCIC convention. Therefore, our aim is to elect or appoint at least 11 delegates from this age category.

Only one nominee may be nominated from any given congregation. Please note: all delegate costs with respect to registration, travel, board and accommodation are covered by the Eastern Synod and National Church.

Two forms are attached. Both are fillable pdf forms and can be shared electronically between persons.

• An Endorsement Form must include endorsement of the nominee: by 10 persons (representing at least 3 Eastern Synod congregations); and by a motion by the congregation/council where the nominee holds membership.
• A Biographical Form must be completed by the nominee. Please keep narrative answers brief; the information boxes are limited in the amount of text that can be entered. Note that your express consent is required via the checkbox to publish your information in the Bulletin of Reports and on the synod website.

Both forms must be returned by April 25, 2021 to the synod office as indicated below.

Your help in distributing this letter and the additional information in as many ways as possible would be greatly appreciated! A sample bulletin announcement follows:

The Eastern Synod will be electing delegates this June to the 2022 ELCIC National
Convention. If you wish to nominate someone for the election ballot at the Synod
Assembly, please have the Endorsement and Biographical Forms completed and returned to synod office by April 25.

Thank you in advance for your partnership and cooperation.

Please submit to:

Eastern Synod, ELCIC
2022 National Convention Nominations
74 Weber St W, Kitchener ON N2H 3Z3
Email: wgrahlman@elcic.ca
Deadline for submission of nominees: April 25, 2021

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, many churches have started (or are thinking of starting) to broadcast their worship service to the congregation. Some are taking this opportunity to reach out to an even wider audience.

Continue reading

The Eastern Synod Council met by video-conferencing software for its autumn meeting, occurring again during the COVID-19 pandemic time.

• Outcomes from the meeting included:
  • Authorization that the Eastern Synod apply to the CRA to be designated as a public foundation.
  • Upon receipt of a call, Jordan Smith and Rev. Ronald Shumba were approved for reception onto the roster of ordained ministers in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.
  • Ernst & Young LLP were appointed as the Synod auditors for 2020.
  • Revisions in the Synod’s Strategic Plan – Work Plan Priorities were affirmed for 2020-2021, as related to focusing our efforts and managing resources, as well as adapting to the pandemic environment.
  • Approval of constitutions and bylaws and amendments for: Peace Latvian, Ottawa; Good Shepherd, Barrhaven; Chinese Lutheran, Montreal; Rhenish, Toronto; Trinity, London; St. John’s, Augsburg; St. Peter’s Estonian, Toronto.
  • Synod Assembly 2021 will be convened next year as an online meeting; it is planned for June 2021. Registration fees have been set at $300 per rostered/lay delegate; there is no fee for visitors whose congregational rostered and lay delegates have already registered.

Continue reading:

Prologue

The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has forced congregations to consider alternatives to in person meetings when holding annual and congregational meetings. Whether holding an in person meeting, an electronic meeting, or no meeting at all, this document outlines a number of guidelines and things to consider as congregations plan for those events. At the same time, it also does not pretend to be a “how-to”process of holding a congregational meeting; as each congregation has its own traditions and practices, there is no “one size fits all.”

An electronic meeting may also be referred to as an online, virtual, or e-meeting. A meeting that is held where members are present both in person and by electronic means is known as a hybrid meeting.

Our congregations exist in four provinces, and include those incorporated federally or provincially, and those not incorporated. In addition, each province has its own public health and governmental authorities related to pandemic and emergency situations. Each congregation needs to keep abreast of the pandemic regulations in its own region, so that, for example, it knows the limits for how many people may gather indoors/outdoors for a meeting, while at the same time keeping in mind the space needed for physical distancing (among a number of other factors to consider).