ELCIC News - Weekly Updates (Week Beginning October 11)

1. Thursdays in Black ambassadors map positive future

Photo Credit: World Council of Churches website

The World Council of Churches' global ambassadors for Thursdays In Black gathered online as they looked ahead at what they can accomplish together, as well as ways to deepen their commitment even more to ending gender-based violence.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) National Bishop Susan C. Johnson urged people to continue to use social media to keep the message of working for a world without gender-based violence in front of churches across the world. "I have found many UN Women tweets that have echoed our messages," said Johnson.

To read the full article, please visit: https://www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/news/thursdays-in-black-ambassadors-map-positive-future

The Thursdays in Black campaign was started by the World Council of Churches in the late 1980s, as a form of peaceful protest against rape and violence - especially taking place in areas of conflict. Thursdays in Black focuses on ways through which individuals may challenge attitudes that lead to gender-based violence. It also lifts up concerns for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. #ThursdaysInBlack

2. 2020-21 Congregational Stewardship Resources

This year's stewardship materials focus on the theme Faithful, Loving, Hopeful, based on 1 Corinthians 13:13. This verse is often more commonly associated with weddings but generosity is indeed a matter of the heart and attitude. A good steward has a faithful, hopeful and loving heart.

The ELCIC National Office provides stewardship resources to congregations at no cost! Find out more about what's available and order your resources today by checking out the following link: https://elcic.ca/Stewardship/default.cfm

3. Eternity for Today Cover Series: Call for photos

We are looking for photos for our 2021 Eternity for Today cover series! Eternity for Today is a printed publication of daily devotions from rostered leaders across our church. For next year's covers, we are looking for ELCIC members to share their photos and selfies of them reading the Bible as part of our emphasis on the Living our Faith - Read: Bible Book Club. Please consider how you might be able to help and send your photos to info@elcic.ca.

4. Living our Faith - Read: Bible Book Club

You are invited to a year of reading the Bible!
ELCIC National Bishop Susan Johnson invites you to form a Bible Book Club with members of your church, your friends, family or others from your community as a way to study scripture and discuss the Bible together.

September 2020 marked the second year of the Living our Faith initiative, to which our emphasis has shifted from prayer to reading. Each month we will focus together on a different book of the Bible. Our first month, September, had us reading the book of Genesis. For the month of October we have moved to reading the book of Deuteronomy.

Did you participate in a Bible Book Club this month? We want to hear from you!

Participating in the Living our Faith - Bible Book Club is easy. Form your book club, use the introduction we provide from the Lutheran Study Bible, read the appointed book, download the prepared questions and join in the discussion!

We look forward to hearing about your year of reading the Bible!

Looking for additional Bible study resources?
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Colombia is offering weekly Bible studies prepared by the Latin America and Caribbean Women's Network to encourage churches who are going through this time of crisis. View the resources here.

5. Supporting students at schools of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land

As schools around the world are beginning a new academic year in very challenging circumstances, so too are the students at schools of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL). Earlier in the COVID-19 pandemic, the schools dealt with closures and lock down periods by embracing digital technology and distance learning. Sadly, the continued lock downs have impacted families served by the schools in many different ways. COVID-19 restrictions have meant further barricade closures and a significant loss of tourism for the region resulting in job loss and substantial reduction in income to household. Many families are now facing signifiant difficulties with paying tuition for the 2020-21 school year, which is on average $1,600/year per student.

To help support our Global Mission partner, the ELCIC has launched an ELCJHL Scholarship Appeal for the 2020-21 school year. You are invited to consider how you can financially support scholarships for students of the ELCJHL. Donate toda y and also consider how you can get your congregation and community involved.

Click the photo above to watch a video prepared by Bishop Ibrahim Azar of the ELCJHL.

6. One Body Working Together

Employment Opportunity: Program Executive for Youth at The Lutheran World Federation
The Department for Theology, Mission and Justice (DTMJ) of The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is seeking for applicants to fill the position of Program Executive for Youth. If you are interested in joining an organization with a meaningful purpose and would want to work with the possibility to raise the participation of the youth within the network of LWF member churches, please apply for this position. Applicants are to include an updated curriculum vitae (CV), a church endorsement from your member church, and a personal letter explaining why and how you would like to develop and strengthen the youth work of the LWF. Do you know a good candidate? Please share this and encourage them to apply. To read the full job description and vacancy announcement, please click here. Applications are to to be submitted online on the LWF website. Closing date for applications at the LWF is on November 16.

Join Gathering God's Harvest: An Ecumenical Stewardship Webinar Series
You are invited to join the ecumenical stewardship webinar series, Gathering God's Harvest on Thursdays from October 22 to November 19 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. (Saskatchewan Time) via Zoom. Each webinar comes with a presentation, breakout sessions and Q&A. The 7:00 p.m. timeslot is a repeat of the 3:00 p.m. session with the recorded presentation on that Thursday, new breakout sessions and Q&A This series is organized in the spirit of the LAURC Covenant by the Anglican Diocese of Qu'Appelle, the Saskatchewan Synod of the ELCIC, and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Regina. If you are interested in participating in this webinar series, please register by sending an email to Nick Jesson at njesson@archregina.sk.ca

KAIROS: Climate Action Month wrap-up
The second annual KAIROS Climate Action Month wrapped up on September 30. This year's campaign, during a pandemic - amplified calls for a just recovery that respects the integrity of the planet and the dignity of all peoples. We featured stories from KAIROS members and global partners, shared resources on climate policy, environmental racism, Indigenous rights, and created opportunities for collective action for climate justice. It doesn't end there. To find more information, access resources, and continue to take action, please click here.

COVID-19: Latin America and the Caribbean Lutheran leaders issue pastoral letter
The Lutheran World Federation Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) church leaders have issued a joint pastoral letter of solidarity to the people and churches of LAC that are devastated by the effects of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. "We are more interconnected and interdependent than we thought" and we have "rediscovered our humanity and all its inherent contradictions," they wrote. To read the full letter, please click here.

Anglican-Lutheran Cycle of Prayer
The following are the prayer petitions for Sunday, October 18.

ACC: Bishop Lynne McNaughton, the clergy and people of the Diocese of Kootenay
ELCIC/ACC: The dean, council, and congregations of the Vancouver Island Region of the British Columbia Synod

7. Child of God you are growing up - copies available

We have received a limited number of new, never used copies of the book Child of God you are growing up written by the Rev. Don Johnson and illustrated by Friedrich Peter here in the National Office. We would like to make these available to individuals and/or congregations who might be interested. The suggested retail value of the book is $10.95 plus tax. We are willing to mail these out at no charge and ask you to consider a donation to the ELCIC Praise Appeal. Please send your requests to tgallop@elcic.ca. Limited copies only.

Child of God you are growing up is intended to be given to children and their parents at baptism, or on the occasion of the anniversary of their baptism. It is also written so that congregations might invite children, parents and godparents to a special day in the church to renew their baptism and give a copy of this book. The book is to be read by children and their parents together. It is hoped that both will grow together in their understanding of the gifts that are theirs.

8. Reconciled Relationships

Rights for People, Rules for Business - a virtual rally for real Canadian corporate accountability

Come together online with Canadians across the country on October 18 at 4:00 p.m. (EDT) for a one-hour virtual rally for Real Canadian corporate accountability. Hosted by the Canadian Network on Corporate Accountability (CNCA) for its #Open4Justice campaign, we will symbolically deliver a petition to the House of Commons calling for concrete measures strengthen the rules for businesses and uphold human rights. To join this virtual rally, please register when you click here. For more information, please visit this link.

World Food Day - October 16
Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) gives you Your Kingdom Banquet Come - a worship resource for World Food Day. In this worship package, you'll find resources to give, pray, learn and advocate for an end to global hunger. CLWR if a member of CFGB. To avail of this free worship resource, please visit: https://foodgrainsbank.ca/resources/world-food-day-your-kingdom-banquet-come/ .

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty - October 17
Chew on This! is an annual campaign inviting people from across Canada to call for an end to poverty. The Dignity for All campaign is calling on the Government of Canada to:

Fulfill the legal obligation to protect people's rights to an adequate standard of living and end poverty in Canada by 2030.
Set specific targets to end poverty and improve measures of well-being and equity among communities experiencing systemic oppression.
Prioritize funding for strategies that reduce poverty and improve measures of well-being and equity among communities experiencing systemic oppression.

For more details and to take action, please visit: https://dignityforall.ca/chew-on-this-2020/

9. Courageous Innovation

World Day of Prayer Canada NOW - next Facebook Live event on October 16
In anticipation of World Day of Prayer 2021, the Women's Inter-church Council of Canada (WICC) invites you to participate in World Day of Prayer Now on Facebook. Twice a month, on the first and third Fridays at 1:00 p.m. (EST), WICC will be hosting a 15-minute Facebook Live event highlighting and praying for World Day of Prayer-related prayer concerns such as Vanualu (the WDP writing country for 2021), Zimbabwe (the 2020 WDP writing country), social justice issues, and global concerns like COVID-19. The next FB Live will be on October 16. Events are recorded and posted on wicc.org. For more information, please visit https://wicc.org/get-involved/events/ and https://www.facebook.com/WICCanada .

10. Seminaries and Schools

Martin Luther University College (MLUC): Auxiliary disbands after more than a century of service

Photo Credit: Martin Luther University College website

The Luther community extends its deepest gratitude to The Auxiliary of Martin Luther University College as its executive recently announced that the group has disbanded. Helen Weber, the auxiliary's last president, and Interim Principal-Dean, Kristine Lund announced the news in a joint letter. A reception to honour auxiliary members for their service was planned for this past spring, but it has to be cancelled due to pandemic safety protocols. It is hoped that the reception will take place next spring. Further details will be posted on MLUC's website and social media channels.

The Rev. Dr. Marc Jerry to be installed as eighth President of Luther College

In Photo: The Rev. Dr. Marc Jerry, eighth President of Luther College.

For over a century, Luther College has provided quality education in a Christian context to hundreds of thousands of secondary and post-secondary students. There have been seven Presidents of Luther College during this time, each making their own unique contribution. Their strong leadership and dedication have helped shape the College into what it is today - a well-respected institution that is distinguished by the Lutheran heritage of excellence in scholarship, freedom to pursue the truth, and an awareness of living in God's grace.

The Rev. Dr. Marc Jerry will carry on this proud tradition as he is installed as the eighth President of Luther College on October 18, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. (Saskatchewan time). The link to the live streamed service will be available soon when you click here.

11. Live Stream and Worship Resources

The following are a number of ELCIC online worship services and resources that may be helpful to you during this time of intentional physical distancing. Have something you think we should add to the list? Please email tgallop@elcic.ca with your suggestions!

12. Mark Your Calendars