Tonight as I write this Sue and I are in a hotel room in London, Ontario waiting for an early morning flight to Calgary. We are returning from a wonderful time connecting with CALC family and old friends from seminary and high school days (it was my 50th high school reunion.
As we were preparing to leave, my sister texted that my mother was doing exceptionally poorly. An hour later she messaged that my mother had gone home to Jesus. She had told me that she was very excited and anxious to be in the arms of Jesus.
Now my high school is a Lutheran boarding school. This means that perhaps we were closer than might be normal in a regular high school. Everyone commented on the godly heritage we received from Biblical teaching that has stood us well through time. Everyone has been through struggles and losses in life, particularly over 50 years. We have made bad choices and decisions. We have seen things that we thought were good choices turn out in ways that were less than positive. But through it all, God was with us.
Today, the day of my mother’s passing, is a Sunday, Trinity Sunday to be precise. We attended a local Lutheran church. During the service we sang this song:
… I love You, Lord
Oh, your mercy never failed me
All my days, I've been held in your hands
From the moment that i wake up
Until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God
… And all my life you have been faithful
And all my life you have been so, so good
With every breath that i am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God
… I love your voice
You have led me through the fire
And in darkest night you are close like no other
I've known you as a Father
I've known you as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God, yeah
… And all my life you have been faithful, oh-oh-oh
And all my life you have been so, so good
With every breath that i am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God, yeah
I will sing of the goodness of God.
May you sing of the goodness of God this day and every day.
Pastor Jim
CALC and the Anglican Network in Canada (ANIC) are co-hosting a weekly Bible Study in Kitchener, Ontario. The study is led by Pastor Zena of ANIC. The group meets weekly on Wednesdays. They will be finishing up their study of Daniel and the Book of Haggi during June. The group will take a break for July and August. They will begin again in September. All are welcome and bring a friend!
Wednesdays at 1:30 -3:30 PM
Sessions in June: 5, 12, 19 & 26
Location Hope Lutheran Church 30 Shaftsbury Drive Kitchener, ON, N2A 1N6
All are welcome! Any questions? You can contact Glenn Kahle (519) 616-3536 or Kahle123@rogers.com with any questions
GOAL: BUILDING COMMUNITY THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD
CALC stands for the sanctity of all human life. We believe that Canada's Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) law is an assault on the sanctity of life. Medical assistance in dying is seen as caring and compassionate. It is seen as a quiet and dignified way of rescuing a dying soul from the pain and suffering they are forced to endure. This video featuring Jordan Peterson and Kelsi Sheren explodes this myth.
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The Canadian government was made aware of the truth behind the lethal injections given Canadians legalized by the MAID act. The truth was revealed by Dr. Joel B. Zivot's testimony before the Canadian Senate Subcommittee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs hearings on Bill C-7 (the bill to expand eligibility for euthanasia to Canadians). Dr. Zivot's testimony drew attention to the painful effects of the family of drugs used in "MAiD", describing the experience as "... more akin to death by waterboarding, which we recognize to be cruel." A copy of this transcript made it's way into the hands of Kelsi Sheren, who brought this to Dr. Peterson's attention. Click here to view the transcript.
INSTITUTE of LUTHERAN THEOLOGY
NEWS & EVENTS
Christ School of Theology Doctor of Philosophy student, Martain Thagliana from Myanmar, has recently translated (in Burmese) and published "Why I am a Lutheran" by Rev. Daniel Preus originally published by Concordia Publishing House. Two thousand copies have been printed. The translation and printing cost was provided by Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA).
Pastor Martain is also working on rechecking the Burmese and Mizo translations of "Church Rites" used by LCA. This work will be of great benefit to the Lutheran Church of Myanmar (LCM) as well as other denominations in Myanmar. Preparation is also underway for the translation of "Luther's Catechism with Explanation" written by David P. Kuske.
About these projects, Pastor Martain says, "In Myanmar, translation of Lutheran theological books and resources are very much needed for our pastors and church leaders. To achieve this goal, LCM recently opened the Lighthouse Resource Center (LRC), a resource library to provide hunger of books to ministers from various churches in Yangon and different parts of the country."
If you are interested in supporting these projects or learning more, contact Dr. Daniel Hackmann, Dean of the Christ School of Theology, by emailing him at dhackmann@ilt.edu.
EPAPHRAS PRAYER LETTER
By: Rev. Timothy J. Swenson, ILT Dean of Chapel
1st Sunday After Trinity June 2, 2024
These words challenge us. They confront us with the question, “Do you have ears to hear?” Like Jesus’ frequent admonition, “Let the one with ears, hear,” these words from the Abraham of Jesus’ story call into question our ability to hear. Those original twelve disciples (and perhaps the others who followed along with them) didn’t have ears to hear. They couldn’t hear the Son of Man as he was preached through Moses and the Prophets. Jesus had to open their minds to understand what the Scriptures said about him. Certainly, the Pharisees, Sadducees, and the other religious leaders didn’t have ears to hear. Otherwise, what was Jesus doing there hanged on a cross? And the Romans? They like Pilate most likely scoffed at words from such a parochial, itinerant preacher as Jesus. But now… now in this day… Jesus has risen from the dead. Now… now the question is, “Do you have ears to hear?” Thanks be to God that Jesus has not stopped opening minds… opening them through your ears. He and his Father insist that you hear… they insist that your ears work… they insist on delivering the Holy Spirit to you and for you whenever the Word of God is preached. Preached so that you might hear and believe (cf. Ro. 10:17).
Prayers from the hard of hearing…
Father, you have promised faith through our hearing of the Word of Christ, give us ears to hear that Word when it is proclaimed to us. For Jesus’ sake. Amen
Father, you have promised faith through our hearing of the Word of Christ, in the hearing of that Word deliver us into faith… faith that you have made us a new creature in the New Creation. For Jesus’ sake. Amen
Father, you have promised faith through our hearing of the Word of Christ, grant that as the new creature we may live in this old creation through faith in the gospel rather than faith in our obedience to the law. For Jesus’ sake. Amen
Father, you have promised faith through our hearing of the Word of Christ, as we live out of this gospel faith, turn us to our neighbors in spontaneous acts of usefulness. For Jesus’ sake. Amen
Father, you have promised faith through our hearing of the Word of Christ, as we are useful to our neighbors in their needs, grant that they in turn are useful to us in our needs. For Jesus’ sake. Amen
Father, you have promised faith through our hearing of the Word of Christ, continue to hold the Institute of Lutheran Theology in the faith of Jesus Christ. For Jesus’ sake. Amen
Father, you have promised faith through our hearing of the Word of Christ, grant this faith to be renewed upon every occasion that the Word of Christ is poured into our ears. For Jesus’ sake. Amen
TABLE TALK
By: Rev. Timothy J. Swenson, ILT Dean of Chapel
1st Sunday After Trinity June 2, 2024
Here Jesus tells a story bringing to life the reality of his mother Mary’s proclamation in what has become known as The Magnificat (Lk. 1:46-55). In her song, Mary declares the greatness of the Lord. That greatness is exemplified by the reversals which the Lord brings about: the mighty are cast down, the lowly are uplifted; the hungry are filled, the but the rich are sent away empty (Lk. 1:52-53). The telling of the story with its careful choice of details reflects more on Jesus’ agenda rather than an accurate depiction of the afterlife.
The narrative is carefully constructed to emphasize the reversals taking place between the two characters, Lazarus and the Rich Man. The Rich Man, who dined so sumptuously at his table without giving a thought to the crumbs that fell from it, contrasts with Lazarus, who received comfort from the dogs and who desired like a dog to eat the crumbs that fell from the Rich Man’s table (Mt. 15:37). But after death the Rich Man received torment in Hades while Lazarus received comfort at Abraham’s side. In this life, the Rich Man had a mansion on an estate while Lazarus possessed only a space at the estate’s gate, but in the afterlife, Lazarus had blessed rest in the company of his father Abraham while the Rich Man suffered without rest or blessedness. While in the world, the Rich Man had no awareness of Lazarus or his condition but after this world, the Rich Man was acutely aware of Lazarus and his circumstances.
Abraham is harsh in his refusal of the Rich Man’s plea (vs. 25) … even harsher in his rebuttal of the request to send a messenger (vs. 29) … and even harsher still in his rejection of those who do not hear Moses and Prophets (vs. 31). But God has one more reversal in mind. The rest of this story is completed by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This Jesus and his Gospel… this Jesus and the Holy Spirit that he sends… this Jesus who even welcomes tax collectors and sinners and eats with them… this Jesus turns the Lazarus and the Rich Man tale into an account of God’s mercy as well as his judgment.
Table Talk: Discuss the Gospel’s freedom vs. strict accountability under the Law.
Pray: Father, give me Jesus’ word not Abraham’s. Amen
Luke 16:19-31
19 There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24 And he called out, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us. 27 And he said, Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— 28 for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 But Abraham said, They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent. 31 He said to him, If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.
ilt.edu - PO Box 833 Brookings SD - (605) 692-9337
Beautiful on the outside. Beautiful also within. So we remember our mother and grandmother, wife, sister, and dear friend, Carol Vanker. We gathered at her bedside to bid our earthly farewell and committed her to God's love and eternal care. Her long battle with cancer is over. She is now at rest and peace.
Carol's life began in Kitchener on September 7, 1941, and ended peacefully in Markham on March 2, 2024. She was predeceased by her parents Margaret (nee Schenk) and Fred Strebel. Ruth will miss her big sister dearly. Carol has left a huge chasm in her spouse Peeter's heart and life. They had recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
Family was everything to Carol. Her children, Mark (Sylvia), and Lynn (Chris), and her grandchildren, Jenna, Nadia, Jakob and Pearce, whom she adored were blessed with her unconditional love and active presence in their lives.
Carol was a lifelong teacher whose classroom career spanned five decades and a number of cities, with her last 20 years in Markham. She was also a lifelong learner and enjoyed travelling the world with Peeter and her family.
We consider ourselves privileged to have known her, loved her and been loved by her. We thank all of you for your loving thoughts and prayers to remember and support Carol during this difficult final portion of her life's journey.
The family will make various donations in Carol's memory to some of the charitable organizations they support and invite you to consider doing the same.
Her funeral service was held on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. at the Dixon-Garland Funeral Home (166 Main Street North, Markham).
Carol's husband, Pastor Peeter Vanker served on the Board of Elders and CALC's National Council. May God bless and comfort Pastor Peeter, son Mark, daughter Lynn and their children as they continue their journey in life. May their memories and legacy of their beloved wife, mother and grandmother Carol inspire and guide them each day.
Garfield Gilbert Vikse, beloved child and ordained Pastor of the One True King, went to be with his Heavenly Father on May 7, 2024 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Garfield was born in Camrose, Alberta on November 30, 1953 to Donald and Evelyn Vikse. They lived on a farm near Donalda, Alberta, where he farmed with his Dad. He enjoyed riding horses, exploring the coulees, playing baseball, hunting, and fishing. In the winter of 1973/74 he attended the Canadian Lutheran Bible Institute where he met his wife, Marianne. They were married on August 30, 1975 at Messiah Lutheran Church in Camrose, Alberta.
They set up their home on his parents’ farmstead, where he had a mixed farm of cattle and grain. They raised three girls and one boy, with whom he shared his love of camping, fishing, hunting, and telling stories. And whether they were on holidays or bringing a load of grain into Donalda, stopping for ice cream was a must.
In 1997, Garfield left farming and entered construction. In the fall of 2002, he and Marianne moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota where he attended The Master’s Institute Seminary. His first parish was in Leader, Saskatchewan, 2005-2011. In the fall of 2011 they accepted a call to Kingman and Round Hill, Alberta where Garfield ministered until his retirement in the summer of 2019. Shepherding the body of Christ was fulfilling and brought great joy to his heart.
Garfield and Marianne enjoyed living in Airdrie, Alberta with their son and his family for a couple of years after retirement, then doing some traveling to places they had always wanted to go.
Last September, Garfield’s life took a turn as he was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. This past winter, the Lord blessed him with many precious moments spent with family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Marianne, daughters Arron (Mark; Rachel & Cello, Kaden, Matthew), Holly (Conrad; Emmett, Jasper, Toby), Julie (Colin; Mackenzie, Jonah, Morgan), and son Jared (Candice; Ada, Cora, Freya), four sisters and one brother. He was predeceased by his father and mother (Donald and Evelyn Vikse); brother-in-law, Afton Olson; niece, Heather Olson; and great niece, Evelyn Adam.
A funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m., on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at Resurrection Lutheran Brethren Church in Camrose, Alberta.
Memorial donations can be made to the Canadian Food Grains Bank in Winnipeg, Manitoba or to a charity of one's choice.
The three congregations Pastor Vikse served are members of CALC. With Marianne, daughters Aaron, Holly and Julie and son Jared and the Vikse clan, we thank God for giving Garfield to them to know and to love as a true companion in their pilgrimage on earth. We thank God for Jesus and the hope of eternal life. We pray they will walk through life confident that they will see Garfield again.
Contact information for CALC
All general correspondenceaddressed to CALC should be mailed as follows:
Canadian Association of Lutheran Congregations
Att: Sarah Dunphy 5583 South River Drive, P.O. Box 6295
Manotick, ON K4M 1J4 Telephone: (613) 324-6554
Correspondence to CALC's Treasurer should be addressed as follows:
Helen Zacharias, Treasurer
890 Gilmour Street,
Morden, MB, R6M 1R9
As always, we hope you were blessed by this month's edition of the e-Connector. Our hope and prayer is that this electronic newsletter will truly keep CALC informed and connected.
We will not be publishing an issue of the e-Connector for July or August. Our Fall edition will be available Sunday September 1st.
If your congregation is celebrating a milestone, such an anniversary, the installation of a new pastor, new construction, a mission activity, and/or the launch of a special new ministry, let us know. We would love to share your joy with the other members of CALC
Contact info for the editorial team: Pastor Ed Skutshek: Tel: (250) 801-3860 Email: skutsheke@gmail.com Sarah Dunphy: Tel: (613) 324-6554 Email: sarahdunphy@calc.ca
