From July 14 to 17, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) will hold its 13th biennial national convention in Saskatoon, Sask. Archbishop Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, and other General Synod staff will support the ELCIC convention as it meets under the theme “Covenant People: In Mission for Others.”
At convention, ELCIC delegates from across Canada will consider a variety of business items, including a motion that encourages right relationships with Indigenous Peoples and a motion addressing sexual exploitation and human trafficking.
Delegates will also consider recommendations from a Structural Renewal Task Force, which suggested, among other things, that the ELCIC be re-organized into three synods from five.
A proposed social statement on human sexuality—the result of four years of study, discernment, and church-wide consultation—will also be a major business item. The ELCIC’s Faith, Order, and Doctrine Committee has prepared accompanying motions, which relate to unity of the church, presiding at or blessing marriages, and standards for ordination and consecration.
Elections will be also held for the positions of national bishop, secretary, and treasurers. Current national bishop, the Rev. Susan C. Johnson, is willing to serve, if elected, for a second four-year term.
As full communion partners of the ELCIC, Anglicans will support the meeting in a variety of ways. Archbishop Hiltz will offer greetings from the Anglican Church of Canada and will preside at the closing Eucharist. Brian Bukowski, web manager, and Ali Symons, senior editor, will support convention communications. ELCIC leaders and staff offered similar support at the Anglican national meeting, General Synod 2010.
To follow ELCIC convention highlights, visit the convention website for webcast of daily events. Highlights will also be shared on the ELCIC’s Facebook page, Twitter feed, and the ELCIC’s YouTube channel. Daily highlights and information will also be posted on the ELCIC website and distributed via news releases to those subscribed to ELCIC INFO (to subscribe, email [email protected] with “subscribe” in the subject line).
ELCIC and ACC members are encouraged to support the convention in prayer, using these words from Evangelical Lutheran Worship:
Almighty God, your Holy Spirit equips the church with a rich variety of gifts. Grant that we may use them to bear witness to Christ in lives that are built on faith and love. Make us ready to live the gospel and eager to do your will, so that we may share with all your church in the joys of eternal life; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
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