POLICY:

EASTERN SYNOD of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

POLICY AND GUIDELINES RELATING TO HARASSMENT OF CLERGY, EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEER LEADERS AND CONGREGATIONAL MEMBERS

We confess that all persons are created in the image of God and are valued as individuals. It is the policy of the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada to maintain a work environment and working relationships based on mutual respect and freedom from harass- ment. The Synod recommends this policy to its congregations and agencies. In this environ- ment, congregational members and employees shall not tolerate any form of harassment and have a responsibility to ensure that their behaviour is not contrary to this policy. Complaints of harassment are to be taken seriously and dealt with in a spirit of compassion and justice.

The pastor and council members are responsible for discouraging employment related harass- ment and ensuring that congregational members are aware of their responsibilities to prevent harassment.

SCOPE:

This policy applies to members and persons involved in church related activities and includes all incidents of harassment which adversely affect congregational working relationships whether they occur in or outside of church related activities. It covers the harassment of clergy, clergy family, church employees, volunteer leaders and members.

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GUIDELINES FOR RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES INVOLVING MORE THAN ONE FAITH TRADITION

At certain times in Canadian public life, significant events call on the resources of the religious and spiritual traditions in our land. The Canadian Council of Churches (CCC) offers the following guidelines as a contribution towards acknowledging the multifaith realities of our country. Developed by the CCC Interfaith Relations Committee in consultation with partners from the Muslim and Jewish faiths, and adopted as a statement of the Council, these guidelines provide suggestions for planning and conducting public religious ceremonies that include the participation of a diversity of religious traditions.

GUIDELINES FOR RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES INVOLVING MORE THAN ONE FAITH TRADITION

Prayer involving members of more than one religious tradition is appropriate on public occasions when the wider community comes together to celebrate, or to mourn following tragedy. As members of diverse communities in consultation with one another, we have made the following recommendations to our constituencies.

Such religious ceremonies grow out of, and reflect, respect for all traditions present. This respect needs to be present in the planning as well as in the actual event. Faith communities should take initiative to work collaboratively in planning such events. They are free to name their own leadership to participate in planning and in the actual prayer.

Introductory bidding prayers should be inclusive, in the form of an invocation that opens the community to the divine presence. Sensitivity toward all participants ought to guide all activities.

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GUIDELINES RELATED TO NON-STIPENDIARY MINISTRY

Definition and Criteria for Non-Stipendiary Ministry

Non-stipendiary ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada is understood to be service as an ordained/lay diaconal minister without regard to compensation for such service.

1. It may be either service for no stipend (or for reimbursed expenses only) or for a token stipend that is not commensurate with the normal salary guidelines for rostered ministry.
2. Non-stipendiary calls are not eligible for participation in the ELCIC Pension and Benefits Plan; therefore, it also is understood that non-stipendary service is possible only when there is clear evidence that the ordained/lay diaconal minister has adequate alternative income and health insurance.
3. A letter of call to non-stipendiary ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada may be issued only by a Synod Council following approval by the Conference of Bishops. A call to non- stipendary ministry is not normally intended for an initial call.

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GUIDELINES RELATED TO INITIAL CALLS TO ORDAINED/LAY DIACONAL MINISTRY

1. Initial calls for ordained ministers shall ordinarily be issued by congregations, in support of congregationally based ministries. A Call to Special Service is not normally intended for an initial call to ordained ministry and may only be issued as such, by a Synod Council, upon approval by the Conference of Bishops.
2. Initial Calls for lay diaconal ministers may be issued by a Synod Council as a Call to Special Service in support of specialized ministries.
3. Compensation for all initial calls shall ordinarily be at a level that allows for participation in the ELCIC Pension and Benefits Plan. Exceptions to this rule may only be made upon approval by the Conference of Bishops as requested by a Synod Council.

Approved by National Church Council March 22, 2003

EASTERN SYNOD of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

COMPLIANCE PRACTICES: POLICY TO PROTECT PERSONAL INFORMATION IN THE EASTERN SYNOD

The following practices are applicable to information gathered at the congregational, synodical or national level of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. The Policy is applicable to the National church and its five synods, the Evangelical Lutheran Women (ELW) and The Eastern Synod Lutheran, and protects the information used and retained by those expressions of the church. Congregations and related agencies should either adopt the ELCIC or Eastern Synod Policy making appropriate changes to the wording or create a separate policy to protect personal information in their settings.

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GUIDELINES RE GROUNDS FOR DISCIPLINE OF ROSTERED MINISTERS

These guidelines describe the suggested grounds for which ordained and lay diaconal ministers, hereafter referred to together as rostered ministers, may be subject to discipline according to the practice of ELCIC and the Synods. Their purpose is juridical: to assist in the processes of consultation, discipline, and appeals. These Guidelines are separate from various procedures and guidelines which may be established by ELCIC or a Synod to deal with matters such as alleged sexual abuse or harassment and which are intended to ensure compliance with civil law and to provide a pastoral response.

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