ELCIC News - Weekly (Beginning November 22)

1. Supporting students in schools of the ELCJHL

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 significant difficulties with paying tuition for the 2020-21 school year, which is on average $1,600/year per student.

In a recent video message, ELCIC National Bishop Susan Johnson invites you to participate in the ELCJHL Scholarship Appeal.

Donate toda y and also consider how you can get your congregation and community involved.

2. Ecumenical partners, groups write to the Minister of International Development on UNRWA Funding

Christian denominations, church agencies, ecumenical organizations and networks who work with long-standing Palestinian and Israeli partners towards a just and lasting peace, have written to the Minister of International Development and The Honourable Karina Gould. The letter urges the Canadian government to make an immediate substantial emergency contribution to support United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) programming, and to commit to maintain or increase Canada's previous contributions of $25 million to UNRWA programming in 2021.

The letter was signed by The Rev. Susan C. Johnson (National Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada), The Most Rev. Linda Nicholls (Primate, Anglican Church of Canada), The Rev. Ian Ross-McDonald (General Secretary, The Presbyterian Church in Canada), Rev. Michael Blair (General Secretary, The United Church of Canada), Lana Robinson (Clerk, Canadian Friends Service Committee), Rula Odeh (Chair, Canadian Friends of Sabeel), Jennifer Henry (Executive Director, KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives), Anne-Marie Jackson (Chair, Catholics for a Just Peace in Palestine and Israel), Rick Cober Bauman (Executive Director, Mennonite Central Committee Canada), and George Bartlett (Chair, United Network for Justice and Peace in Palestine and Israel). To read the letter, please click here.

3. 16 Days against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence from November 25 to December 10

16 Days against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
The 16 Days Against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that begins on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and ends on December 10, Human Rights Day. This year, the World Council of Churches is highlighting the links between the household of God, and the fundamental need to make our homes safe and loving spaces. For more information, please visit: https://www.oikoumene.org/events/16-days-against-sexual-and-gender-based-violence .

A video message on gender-based violence commemorating National Domestic Violence Awareness Months was produced with Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) National Bishop Susan Johnson and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton discussing gender-based violence and praying for all those who are victims of gender-based violence.

In the video, Bishop Susan was quoted as saying, "Christian leaders have a special responsibility to teach, preach and lead in ways that do not promote or cover up domestic violence, and to advocate for just policies to prevent it. As we tell the truth, and model and demand accountability, we create safe spaces for people with their own truths to tell." To watch the joint video message, please click on this link.

The following are resources to provide you with more information.

4. Lutheran, Anglican Leaders Lift Up National Housing Day

On National Housing Day, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada National Bishop Susan Johnson, Anglican Church of Canada Primate Linda Nichols, and Anglican Church of Canada National Indigenous Bishop Mark MacDonald encourage prayer and advocacy to ensure all have access to safe, affordable housing. To read the full version of the joint letter, please click here.

More about National Housing Day
November 22nd was National Housing Day - a day to acknowledge the work done by various organizations, communities and individuals, ensuring everyone across Canada has the dignity of a home. It was also an opportunity to reflect on the work that still needs to get done. The following are links to resources addressing homelessness and affordable housing.

National Youth Project: Welcome...Home!
Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness
Recovery for All - an advocacy campaign to end homelessness in Canada
Dignity for All - the campaign for a poverty-free Canada
KAIROS Canada: A Green and Just Recovery

5. Call for youth-led climate justice projects

The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) calls for small-scale climate projects initiated and led by youth (persons aged 30 or younger). Proposals are invited until December 6. Each project initiated and led by young people, requires endorsement by an LWF member church. Projects should run from December 2020 to March 2021. Application details can be found on the following link: https://www.lutheranworld.org/content/applications-lwf-climate-justice-projects. Please contact Gretchen Peterson at gpeterson@elcic.ca to request the needed ELCIC application endorsement.

6. Congregations Go Online for Bible Book Club

The ELCIC recently began a year-long Living our Faith emphasis on reading the Bible. ELCIC members are encouraged to gather together for a Bible Book Club once a month - either online or together as it is safe to do so, for discussion on the chosen monthly Bible book selection. Questions for the book club gathering are provided which makes it even easier for the group leader. A news story on the Bible Book Club had just been published where two congregations detail their monthly online "gatherings" within the highlighted focus. Please read the full article by clicking here.

7. Reconciled Relationships

Online Event: UN's International Decade for People of African Descent (IDPAD, 2015-2024)
The Canadian Council of Churches (CCC) invites Christians across Canada to Recognition, Justice, and Development: Peoples of African Descent and Canadian Churches, a Cross-Canada Council event that will take place on November 26, 2020 (7-8:30 PM EST). This event will be fully accessible and bilingual in both English and French. The evening will feature a keynote presentation by the esteemed Dr. Afua Cooper on the realities of current systemic anti-Black racism in the Canadian context and challenges to the Canadian church as well as a multi-faceted panel discussion from diverse Christian voices across Canada, small group discussion in breakout sessions, and a time of prayer. Register for this event on Eventbrite.

For the Love of Creation fall online forum and new website

Every Monday in November from 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (EST) via Zoom, join us to learn more about our collective work for climate justice. Have the opportunity to engage with guest speakers and take action for climate justice together online. English/French translations will be available for all sessions. If you are interested in participating, please register here. Connect with us and be part of the journey on our Facebook page. If you have any questions, please send an email.

New Website
Canadian churches and faith-based organizations have now launched their new For the Love of Creation website. This includes information on hosting local climate conversations, and on a national Fall Online Forum series of hour-long sessions, being offered every Monday this November starting at 7:30 p.m. (EST). The ELCIC participates in For the Love of Creation. Read the press release For the Love of Creation in English or French.

8. Empowered Disciples

KAIROS Blanket Exercise Teaching & Sharing Circles - registration is open
Led by Indigenous Knowledge Keepers with extensive experience facilitating the KAIROS Blanket Exercise (KBE), these interactive Zoom-based sessions aim to build positive relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people through truth, sharing and open dialogue. Based on Indigenous worldviews and using Indigenous teachings and protocols, this new series addresses both historical and contemporary topics in an honest and personal way.

Upcoming sessions:
The Impact of Residential Schools in Canada - Dec. 3, 7-9pm EST | $25
Led by Tracey Whiteye, an Oshkaabewis kwe/woman helper

For more information on these upcoming session and to register, please click here.

Youth, Mental Health and Self-Care
Back in August 12, 2020, the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Youth invited the world to think seriously about suicide prevention and mental health. Listen to the recording when you click here.

9. One Body Working Together

Anglican-Lutheran Cycle of Prayer
The following are the prayer petitions for Sunday, November 29.

ACC: The people of the Anglican Church of Canada.
ELCIC: The people of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.

10. Advent resources

Several synods across the ELCIC have created resources for Advent.

The Task Force for the Resumption of In-Person Worship of the Eastern Synod has developed a new series of worship resources to support congregations during the seasons of Advent and Christmas. This expansive collection features a number of new, original worship texts created by Rostered and Lay Leaders across the synod.
Advent in Action Calendar is a new resource from the Manitoba/Northwestern Ontario Synod, and specifically an initiative of the MNO Synod young adults. The calendar provides daily actions to invite reflection on how we are preparing our hearts and lives for the in-breaking message of Jesus.

Help others connect with your congregation this Advent and Christmas.

The ELCIC website offers a listing of live streaming and pre-recorded worship from across our church. Make sure your listing is up-to-date by checking here.
Now is also a good time to make sure your congregational website, Facebook page, and other social media sites are up-to-date with your current worship times and services. Sometimes we can forget about this in the midst of everything else that is going on! Take a moment to visit your congregation's website and see if you need to update whether you are having in-person or online worship, and make sure your members and others can find the information they need.
And finally, have you checked your information on the ELCIC/Anglican Church of Canada Find a Church resource? It is most important to make sure the contact information for your congregation is current. Find your congregation, review the information, and if there are updates that you'd like to make please scroll to the bottom of your congregation's page and click on the link that says "Is this your congregation? Update and correct."