1. Around the ELCIC
Revised Ecumenical Shared Ministry Handbook
An updated Handbook has been posted on the ELCIC website. It compiles best practices for contexts where more than one denomination work together locally to provide worship, congregational, pastoral or other forms of ministry. View this handbook here.
Companion of the Worship Arts: Call for Nominations - DUE DATE ON JANUARY 15
Do you know someone who inspires and encourages others in the worship life of the church? Consider nominating them for the Companion of the Worship Arts award.
This honour identifies someone who has made significant contribution to the worship life of the ELCIC on the national level, as well as the synodical and congregational levels. It recognizes ongoing inspiration and encouragement to others, together with service to God through worship, spirituality and the arts. Who has impacted your worship life?
Due date is coming up!
Submit your nomination by January 15. For more details, please click here.
Anglican-Lutheran Cycle of Prayer
Did you know that both the Anglican and Lutheran Churches of Canada share a prepared Cycle of Prayer? This prayer cycle was designed by the Joint Anglican-Lutheran Commission and is for use in Canadian Anglican and Lutheran congregations and communities in Sunday liturgies throughout the year. Join with people across Canada in praying for/with the people/ministries of our Full Communion Partners.
The following are the prayer petitions for Sunday, January 12:
ACC: Director Andrea Mann and the staff of Global Relations; Ryan Weston, Lead Animator, Public Witness for Social and Ecological Justice
ELCIC: The Assistants to the Bishop and the staff of the Eastern Synod
The current Anglican-Lutheran Cycle of Prayer can be found here.
ELCIC Calendar of Events
You and your congregation can keep informed of ELCIC's Calendar of Events. For a sneak peek of what's coming up, please click here.
Stewardship Resources for Congregations
The ELCIC National Office supports congregations in their stewardship ministry by making available and distributing an annual stewardship package of resources. An email with information on the resources available were emailed to all congregations in September and November of 2019. We were really pleased with how many congregations took advantage of this comprehensive resources package. You can find out more at elcic.ca/Stewardship.
Looking for more stewardship resources? Consider the following:
QUESTION
Does your church create a narrative budget? Have one you'd like to share? Email tgallop@elcic.ca.
Annual Report Covers
The ELCIC National Office still has copies of the annual report cover. If you are interested, please place your order the soonest at orders@elcic.ca . Good while copies last.
2. En Route – CLAY 2020 – August 20-23, Calgary Alberta
Registration Information for En Route – CLAY 2020 Begins January 15
We are all on a journey – time to get your youth group ready for the journey to Calgary next summer for CLAY 2020! Join youth from around Canada from August 20 – 23 on the SAIT campus for an unforgettable experience. Come along as we ask some big questions along the way: Who am I? Where do I come from? Where am I going? Where do I belong?
Click here for more information on registration.
Is it your first time planning to attend CLAY? Were you at Thunder Bay and want to relive the memories? Either way, check out the CLAY 2018 highlight video.
Online registration opens on January 15.
3. Canada Lutheran
Canada Lutheran Needs Your Help
Is there something happening in your congregation's ministry that you are excited about? Why not share the news with others in our church through Canada Lutheran? Your synod editor is always interested in receiving stories and photos from you. Contact information for each synod editor can be found here, or in the box after your synod bishop's column in Canada Lutheran.
Enjoy Reading Canada Lutheran with our Individual Subscription Plan
For more than three decades, Canada Lutheran continues to nurture the Lutheran spirit by providing information, inspiration and interpretation of particular interest and benefit to the members of the Evangelical Lutheran in Canada (ELCIC). Published eight times a year, every issue of Canada Lutheran is packed with feature articles that explore our faith and its role in our lives and of those around us.
If you haven't subscribed yet, act now by sending an email to: canaluth@elcic.ca. Click here to find out more. If you'd like to discover what Canada Lutheran is all about, please go to www.canadalutheran.ca .
Congregational Subscription Renewal Orders
ELCIC congregations are encouraged to submit their congregational renewals by January 17. This will ensure that your subscription plan is set up for the new year and that your congregation will continue to enjoy reading this award-winning magazine. Don't delay! Send in your renewals by mail to: Canada Lutheran, 600-177 Lombard Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3B 0W5.
4. Living Our Faith
You are invited to join ELCIC National Bishop Susan Johnson in a new four-year emphasis on Living our Faith, as together we pray, read, worship and love. This year we focus on prayer. Since the beginning of September, the ELCIC has been posting weekly prayer reflections on social media from individuals across on the church. Once a month an in-depth reflection is also shared.
November's in-depth reflection featured Rev. Martin Malina (Christian meditation), while December featured Rev. Ed Bastian and Rev. Elina Salonen. These reflections can be found here.
5. KAIROS
Know Your Rights and Be Bold: A Workshop for Migrant Workers
Global migration is at an all-time high. According to the United Nations, there were 258 million international migrants in 2017. When migrant workers cross a border, they do not lose their human rights or dignity. Systemic problems in Canada and around the world undermine migrant workers’ rights, as well as their ability to advocate for those rights. This KAIROS resource explores the rights issues that migrant workers face with Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program, and aims to provide them with the tools they need to assert their rights. It will also help those who are not migrant workers to understand the injustice and rights violations experienced by migrant workers in Canada and, hopefully, help them become allies.
Listen to the Children: A Worship Resource for Justice Seekers
God listens to the children. Do we? Spread throughout our scriptures are stories of the Creator’s care and attention to the needs of children. Prepared by KAIROS, Listen to the Children is structured around the eight weeks of the Epiphany season using some of the Year A lectionary scriptures and some additional scriptures. Find this resource here.
6. Courageous Innovation
Faith and Farming - Film on Vocation, Environmental Science and Christian Faith
Pastor Tim Wray and Joel Campbell (Lutheran Church of the Master, Airdrie) created a film for the Lutheran Church of Our Saviour in Calgary. Pastor Tim Wray examines nature on the farm as both a rancher and a minister. Delving into both the purpose of vocation and environmental science, life in the frigid outdoors becomes a backdrop for an examination of Christian faith. View the film on Facebook here
7. Reconciled Relationships
Lifting up Mental Health Services, Palliative Care and Climate Justice
At the request of National Convention, Bishop Susan Johnson has written to the Prime Minister of Canada, and to the Premiers of all provinces and territories, regarding: 1.) the need for access to mental health services, 2.) equitable palliative care services for all, and 3.) the urgent need to address climate change and climate justice. Each letter to the Prime Minister can be viewed here.
ELCIC Greening Faith Community – New Registration Form
Being an ELCIC Greening Faith Community means setting and reviewing annual goals, sharing stories and resources, registering with the ELCIC and encouraging others. A new form for registering as an ELCIC Greening Faith Community has just been posted. Congregations, organizations and various ministries are welcome to register. Please click here to sign up.
A Common Word Canada – Joint Christian-Muslim Dialogue Initiative
“A Common Word Canada” is an initiative of the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. A Local Dialogue Resource Kit will be published in January.
An evening of Christian-Muslim friendship and learning to launch the new resource will take place on January 28th, 7-9pm at Huron University College in London, ON. For additional information about the resource kit or the event please email Paul Gehrs.
#PastorsStoppingTheHarm!
ELCIC rostered leaders are invited to sign on to the #PastorsStoppingtheHarm! campaign as a sign of commitment to justice, healing and respect for LGBTQ2SIA+ Persons.
A 2019 National Convention motion commits this church to creating safe space and to helping diverse people of faith to meet and to form community; as well as to speaking out against instances of hatred and discrimination.
8. One Body Working Together
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 18-25, 2020)
Christians around the world are invited to pray for the unity of all Christians, to reflect on scripture together, to participate in jointly-organized ecumenical services, and to share fellowship. Find resources here.
WCC Pastoral Letter on Climate Emergency
In a pastoral letter to the global fellowship, World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit expresses urgent and earnest concern over the world’s climate emergency, and urges churches and individuals everywhere to take action now.
Thursdays in Black: Resistance and Resilience
The campaign is simple but profound. Wear black on Thursdays. Wear a pin to declare you are part of the global movement resisting attitudes and practices that permit rape and violence. Show your respect for women who are resilient in the face of injustice and violence. Encourage others to join you. Learn more here.
9. The Lutheran World Federation
LWF Young Reformer from ELCIC at COP25 Conference
Every year since 1995, the Convention of the Parties, or COP, is organized by the United Nations to make progress towards finding ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prevent dangerous effects of climate change. COP25 was held in Madrid, Spain in December. Erika Rodning, who is the ELCIC’s Young Reformer to the LWF, had the opportunity to attend this amazing conference. Learn more about faith-based engagement at COP25 here.
And It is Good – Photo Exhibition
The LWF is continuing with the exhibition ‘And It is Good’, pairing photos of nature and creation with verses found in the Bible. This exhibition was introduced during the Climate Action Summit and stands to recognize the importance of biodiversity to help affirm that creation is good. A letter of invitation from LWF General Secretary Martin Junge can be viewed/downloaded here. Further resources and materials are also available for use here.
10. Canadian Lutheran World Relief
Tiny Hearts – Gifts for Kids
Help the youngest members of your family or congregation share in the joy of giving with CLWR’s Tiny Hearts poster and sticker set. Use stickers to fill up the Tiny Hearts garden with chickens, goats, trees, seeds and more as they’re donated. Email clwr@clwr.org or call 1.800.661.2597 to get your free poster and stickers today!
11. Martin Luther University College
Former Premier on Faith and Public Life
Kathleen Wynne, who served as premier of Ontario 2013-2018, will be visiting LutherWaterloo to deliver a talk on faith and public life at 10 AM. on Friday, Jan. 24, 2020. Admission is free but please register. Registration information will become available in early January. Check LutherWaterloo’s online calendar or Facebook page for registration details. Hosted by the school’s Centre for Public Ethics.
Martin Luther Lecture Series
In co-operation with Third Age Learning K-W, Martin Luther University College presents Shifting Paradigms: Martin Luther's Enduring Global Impact — an eight-lecture series running Thursday afternoons through January and February 2020. Topics include music, anti-Semitism, care for the soul, and more. For detailed descriptions of each lecture visit the program web page. For more information, see the contact web page.
Monthly Newsletter
For a roundup of the latest news from Luther Waterloo, check out the monthly newsletter Luther. To subscribe, send a note to stayconnected@luther.wlu.ca.
12. Lutheran Theological Seminary
LTS Saskatoon Announces Plan to Move
The schools of the Saskatoon Theological Union have announced that they will be locating together in a single building on the University of Saskatchewan campus, beginning in the summer of 2020. Read more here.
13. Luther College
Luther College Board Members
Newly appointed board members for Luther College have been announced. Read more about who sits on the Board of Regents.
Luther College Fall 2019 Alumni & Friends Magazine
Read the latest Luther Story magazine from both the High School and University campuses.
New Student Information Night at Luther College High School
Luther College High School hosts new student information night for all interested Grade 8 students and their families. Staff, faculty and current students provide information about academic programs, co-curricular activities, bussing and scholarships, as well as to give guided tours of the school. The upcoming information night will be held on January 15, 2020 at 7:00 pm. at the High School, 1500 Royal Street, Regina, SK. Please sign up here.
14. ELFEC Seeks Executive Director
Due to the pending retirement of ELFEC's incumbent Executive Director, their Board of Directors is searching for an experienced, dynamic leader who can guide the organization through its next phase of growth.
ELFEC is a faith-based charitable foundation based in Kitchener, Ontario. They have two primary program areas: responsible investing and gift planning.
Interested persons are invited to find more information and submit an application through the Charity Village website. The application deadline is March 1, 2020, with the successful candidate expected to begin employment on June 1.
Please click here to view this ad from the ELFEC website.
15. Tell Your Story
Do you have a story to share about the work of your congregation In Mission for Others that you would like to see in a future issue of ELCIC News? Send your brief story and a picture to communique@elcic.ca and be featured in an upcoming issue!
16. Share These Resources
Is there someone you know of that you feel would benefit from receiving these resources? Consider forwarding them a copy of this email. Subscribing to ELCIC News is easy! Just send an email to communique@elcic.ca with the word Subscribe in the subject line.
