Dr.
Dennis Lueck, Rev. Liz Kuglin-Alyea,
Rev. Darlene Harrison, Pastors
Michelle
Rohde, Lay Ministry Associate
e-mail newhopelutheran.regina@sasktel.net website
www.newhopelutheranregina.com (January 1)
Michelle
Rohde ~ October 2009
Now on this glorious day
We will become one
Bringing traditions,
that now we will share
Working together,
through missions and prayer
Chorus
There’s a
On
this a new dawn,
All
for the Glory of God
We
will work as one.
With
each new tomorrow
His
hand guiding us through
There’s
a
It’s not always easy,
letting go what we know
But in worship together,
new seeds we shall sow
With grace God will lead
us, His will to be done
He called us together to
journey as one
Chorus
Our leaders have led us
our ministries are strong
From Children to Seniors there’s place to belong
Lets lift songs of
thanksgiving for the gifts we
all bring
There’s
children to
sing!
Chorus
This song
was composed and sung for the Amalgamation Celebration on November 29, 2009.
May
everyone in our New Hope Lutheran community
sing a new
song of praise and joyful service in 2010 and beyond.
Sunday, February 7, 2010 ~ 1:30 pm
Congregational ‘Soup & Bun-wich’
Lunch ~ 12:15 pm
Agenda
to include:
1. Giving thanks for Amalgamation
2.
Envisioning our Future
Attention Leaders!
Our Annual Leaders’ Retreat
will be held on
Saturday, March 6, 2010
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Watch for
further details ! !
As I’m writing, I can’t believe that it’s been one short
month since I locked the door at my house in
Thank you –
to Pastor Dennis and the men of the congregation who checked on my new house
daily and set up lights on timers. With
my brother’s sudden death, you eased my mind and lessoned my worry at a
stressful time.
Thank you –
for the bread, milk and margarine in the fridge and the generous basket of
fruit and goodies on the counter. It
felt like a feast to me.
Thank you –
for the newly built bookcases in my office; for popping in to introduce
yourselves; for hugs; for words of wisdom about the weather; for saying “we’re
glad you’re here.”
Thank you –
to Pastor Darlene, Michelle and Carol for “taking me under your wings” as I
learn the rhythms of parish life.
God has
provided abundantly for my needs through you all. God has made a smooth way for me to travel in
my move here and my faith journeying through the many losses and the many
wonderful and joyous discoveries a move entails. I am so very grateful.
Now some
things about me: I was raised on a farm
in central
I had a
pivotal experience in my teens through which I became aware that I would have a
much deeper relationship with the church.
I never acted on it. But God did
and I describe my experience of wrapping up my law practice to go to Seminary
as the Spirit pushing me all the way. It
wasn’t all smooth sailing. My marriage
crumbled en route but the Spirit was still there, pushing me even more. So with two little boys, I finished my Master
of Divinity degree, was ordained and took my first call as a mission developer
serving
I’m also
the proud mom of Ian and Joe. Ian and
his wife Natasha, both medics with the Canadian Forces, are presently posted to
C.F.B. Esquimalt in
I’ve found
a bungalow to call home. Once the
cartons are unpacked, I’ll get back to my fabric dying and printing, and
textile arts . . . and dreaming of garden plans.
And
something important happened this morning.
As I left the house in –32C cold, looked up at the wide sky with it’s incredible colors and drove up the Lewvan
to the church, my heart was filled with joy.
I am blessed to be here. This is
my home. God works in a way that is
beyond our knowing and has led me on this wondrous and wonderful journey. Thanks be to God!
Pastor
Liz Kuglin-Alyea
Momentum Toward Full
Amalgamation
The seeds of partnership and
amalgamation began when St. Timothy congregation was without a called pastor,
beginning in the fall of 2005. Pastors
from Faith along with other pastors led the Sunday worship services for the
next year. In 2007, a formal Partnership
Agreement was approved between Faith Lutheran and St. Timothy Lutheran
churches. The agreement included some
shared worship services, some educational ministries (including Confirmation
and adult studies) and jointly hosting an intern student pastor, Wallace Bornhuse.
In May, 2008, a Letter of Intent
between Faith Lutheran and St. Timothy Lutheran confirmed the intention of both
congregations to work collectively together toward full amalgamation by the end
of 2009. The congregation of St. Timothy
moved over to the Faith congregation location beginning June 1, 2008 for joint
worship and ministries, joint pastoral staff and a joint Call Committee to
eventually issue a Letter of Call to Pastor Liz Kuglin-Alyea.
The wonderful celebration in
worship on November 29 represented the culmination of the amalgamation process
of the two congregations becoming one in service to Christ Jesus. “The glory that you (Father God) have given
me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one”. (Jesus’ prayer recorded in John 17:22).
The amalgamation represents
significant completion of several tasks:
1.
Approval of a new constitution and bylaws
2.
Installation of a new computer program that combines
the membership, the financial records
and the
annual budget.
3.
Deciding upon a new identity for our ministries, “New
Hope Lutheran Church, Inc. The legal
incorporation begins on January 1, 2010.
We are
grateful to the Church Council members of both congregations for their vision,
work, and patience to bring about this full amalgamation. We are also thankful for other members and
friends of the congregations who offered so freely of their skills and time to
help with the completion of this process.
May we continue to grow and flourish in our ministries. In the words of our theme song:
There’s a
On this a
new dawn,
All for
the Glory of God
We will
work as one.
Sincerely
in Christ Jesus our light and our hope,
Pastor
Dennis Lueck
It seems
strange to be thinking about Lent and Easter before Christmas but because this
newsletter covers the time until spring we want to tell you that we have plans
in place for a wonderful journey through Lent into Easter.
The Schedule is as follows:
Shrove
Tuesday February 16 Pancake Supper 6:00 pm
Ash
Wednesday February 17 Service at 7:00 pm
Wednesday
Evening Lenten Services February
24, March 3, 10, 17, 24 at 7:00 pm
(Each of
the five Lenten Services will begin with a simple soup and sandwich supper at
6:00 pm)
(Coffee,
cookies and fellowship available after the Services)
Thursday
Lenten Studies February 18
& 25, March 4, 11, 18, 25 at 11:30 am
(Bring a
bag lunch to eat at 11:30 am; study 12:00-1:00 pm)
Palm/Passion
Sunday March 28 Services at 9:30 and 11:15
am
Seder
Supper followed by Maundy Thursday Service April 1 at 6:30 pm
Good Friday April 2 Service at 11:00 am
Easter
Sunday April 4 Services at 9:00 and 11:00 am
Easter Breakfast 10:00-11:00
am
Growing
In the
last Newsletter, Yvonne Warnes asked the question,
“What is God asking us to do to fulfill God’s mission as New Hope
Ministries?” Because of the amalgamation
and call processes, answering that question was put on hold.
But in 2010, it’s time to keep the momentum going and
be about the work of “Growing New Hope.”
Just as God has given a seed everything it needs inside itself to grow,
so God has given us here at
Watch for
further signs of “Growing
After months of planning and prayerful
consideration, Saturday, September 26 began our first Saturday Family
Worship. Our first three months have been very well received by our own
families and community. We have had the privilege to be working with
some very gifted people which has led to the forming
of a strong worship team. In collaboration with Marilynn Richter,
the youth have played an active role in serving at these worship times.
The format we have designed is
contemporary and contains elements to engage people of all ages. There
are messages given in adult and youth versions. We use a lot of
music because of the unique way it touches people's hearts. We have
songs of joy that encourage praise and songs of meditation to help quiet us and
help us be more aware of God's presence. Many of the songs use actions
and signing.
Bible Guy is our special Super Hero who
comes each month to speak to the children and help us all learn more about what
a wonderful book our Bible is.
Following the worship time we all share
in a pot luck supper that has encouraged community building and wonderful
fellowship.
The children then end their time
with us, doing a craft to relate to what they just learned in worship.
Our next service will be on Saturday, January
23 at 5:00 pm. Mark your calendars and come and be a part of
something wonderful!
The Saturday night worship team wishes
all of you a blessed holiday season!
Michelle and Shelley
Do you
like to sing … bass…tenor…alto…soprano…..melody…….in the shower……??
This musical ministry is open to all who
love the Lord and love to sing! We are a
fun-loving, hard-working group practicing on Wednesdays at 7:30 pm in
the church.
You need not read music. You just need to use your talent! And bring a friend!!!
Everyone
is welcome.
The
coordinators and teachers for the Children’s Ministry thank you for entrusting
your children to us on Sunday mornings to learn about God. The leaders who are
generously volunteering their time to guide the children include:
§
Caroline J, Katherine & Ruben M – age 3
§
Julie V and Kathy P – ages 4 and 5
§
Pat L – grades 1 and 2
§
Rochelle R – grades 3 and 4
§
Garth M, Tammy & Larry G - grades 5 and 6
§
Substitutes & Helpers – Shannan S, Gail
B, Cheryl M, Stephanie C, Brittany N, Brittany A
This year the
Children’s Ministry program has 65 children registered. Our Akaloo
program provides families with access to on-line, age-appropriate games and
activities related to the children’s lessons. Have you checked out the website
with your children yet? Please contact a coordinator if you have questions.
The Advent
project in which the children will be participating involves raising funds to
purchase a pair of goats and a flock of chickens from the “Gifts From the Heart” catalogue of C.L.W.R.
Our Christmas program on December 20 is titled,
“Guess Who’s Coming to
Children’s
Ministry will start up again January 10, 2010. In 2010 the children will explore the topics
about “Experiencing God”, “Becoming a Disciple”, and “
Merry
Christmas from the Coordinators,
Kathy,
Gail and Cheryl
Where does time go? We are
nearly at the midpoint of the year’s confirmation program and it feels like we
have only just begun! Super Saturday sessions continue at
Our schedule for 2010 is as
follows:
|
Super Saturday events 9:30 am: |
|
Tuesday Classes 4:30 OR 6:30 pm: |
|
January 9 February 6 March 20 April 17 May 8 |
|
January 19 February 16 March class moved to April 1 (Seder Supper) April 27 |
|
|
|
|
Even with the busy sport schedules, dance, choir, and other social activities
we strongly encourage students to attend each event. Parents are always welcome.
Instead of planning to go to
We
have already chosen the date for Confirmation Sunday for the second year
students. They will affirm their baptism on Sunday, September 19.
You can make long range plans with grandparents, aunts and uncles and friends.
The following Sunday, September 26 will be our confirmation banquet at
If you
have any concerns please feel free to contact Pastor Darlene, Pastor Dennis or
Pastor Liz.
The youth have had an exciting and busy Fall
are looking forward to 2010 – the year of the next youth Gathering! The following are the events we have
currently planned:
January 17
– Brunch Bunch
January 23
– Assisting with Saturday Worship
January 24
– Skating
February 12
– Church Sleep-over
February 21
– Brunch Bunch
February 27
– Assisting with Saturday Worship
February 28
– Silent Auction at the church
(fundraiser)
Early March
– Event to be determined
March 21 –
Brunch Bunch & planning for Easter Service
March 27 –
Assist with Saturday Worship
April 4 –
Participating in Easter Service (also helping set
up & serve
breakfast)
April 18 –
Brunch Bunch
April
(exact date to be determined) – World Biggest
Garage Sale
The youth and leaders would like to
thank the congregations of Faith and St. Timothy (now New Hope Lutheran) for
their ongoing support, encouragement and prayers.
Blessings,
Shelly S, Lisa G, Joel R, Michelle K
Men’s Ministry
Our Men’s
Ministry consists of three groups of caring, supportive men gathering to study
God’s Word using the Lutheran Men in
The meetings
are scheduled for approximately one hour with each of the groups meeting twice
a month. Meeting times and dates are flexible to accommodate the group members.
One Group meets the second and fourth Wednesday mornings at 9:00 am at New Hope
Lutheran. Another group meets the first
and third Tuesday evenings
of each month at 7:30 pm also at
Men’s Ministry
wants to make the meetings accessible to any who want to join. If you wish to
join any one of these groups please contact:
Stan H; Myron B; Gord L; Pastor Dennis ~ 543-0118.
If you have a
group of two or more men wanting to start your own group we can provide
assistance and leadership
to get you going.
Marriage Preparation
Marriage is one of the most
significant decisions that couples make and one of the most challenging to
continue in a fulfilling way. A seminar
is offered at
Sundays, March 7 and March 14, 1:00-5:00 pm each Sunday.
Couples who are being married by
someone other than our pastors are also invited to register and attend. Many issues are covered and insights offered
for building and maintaining strong marriages.
Various options are offered for creating a very meaningful,
inspirational wedding ceremony.
Note: It is important for couples
to contact
Supervision
will resume on January 11, 2010.
Gifted to Care
Spiritual gifts are gifts
to give away. God gives them to us and we use them to serve others. How are you
using your gifts right now? Are you looking for a new way to use them? If your
spiritual gifts include one or more of the following--faith, mercy, teaching
the faith, encouragement, or knowing--consider Stephen Ministry, our
congregation's one-to-one caregiving ministry. This
may be just what you've been looking for! Contact our training coordinators,
Yvonne Warnes, Donna Christensen or Pastor Lueck to learn more about this
ministry.
What
is
Stephen Ministers do not make
cold calls. They are assigned only to people who agree to receive the care of a
Stephen Minister.
Stephen
Ministers are not counselors. They are trained Christian caregivers. Their role
is to listen and to care—not to counsel or advise.
Please do not refer to Stephen Ministers as counselors.
The next Stephen Minister Training
is planned to begin in April, 2010.
2010
Leader’s Training Course Opportunities –
We are
looking for those interested in training to become a Stephen Leader. Needed are leadership gifts and skills, a
heart for caring ministry and the ability to work well with other
Please note the poster on our
E-link
on the congregational website – The church website http://www.faithlutheranregina.com now includes a link for “Prayer
Requests”. Clicking on this link will
open a confidential email to Pastor Dennis and he will initiate prayers for you
as requested.
Dates for upcoming Stephen Ministry
Continuing Education and Supervision are:
January 11 – Supervision
February 22 – Continuing
Education topic “Prayer with Scripture” - Supervision
March 22 – Supervision
April 26 – Continuing Education
topic “Symbolism and Prayer” – Supervision
May 17 and June 21 – Supervision
To all who participate in Stephen
Ministry and to you who pray for these caregivers, thank you and we wish you a
Blessed New Year in 2010!
Carol L, Awareness
Coordinator
You are invited to a comforting,
healing seminar that offers support and insights through the death and loss of
a loved one. The seminar features
videos, printed outlines, and confidential sharing on a journey of healing.
When: Tuesday evenings beginning January 26,
7:00-8:30 pm
Where: New Hope Lutheran
Who: Leaders
will be Brenda B, Elffie Z and Pastor Lueck
How: Register
by calling the Church Office, 543-0118
Did you know that each month a group of like-minded women
gathers in a local restaurant to enjoy good food, great
conversation and an amazing opportunity to get to know one
another? We usually go out on the 4th Tuesday of
the
month. Our next outing is January 26 when we
dine at Pasta Prima at
Did you know that we call our group “Shalom”?
Did you know that all ages are welcome?
Did you know that you are welcomed to bring a guest?
Did you know that we take the evening off? That means
we don’t have to cook or wash dishes or bring anything besides
your appetite!
Did you know that the only task-related event during the
year is the gathering of gifts in December for Transition House
(a women’s shelter)? In December 2009 we were
overwhelmed with wonderful donations from the congregation. The
gifts overflowed the
storage area at Transition House allowing us to donate to other care giving
places in the city.
Many thanks!
And … did you know that all you have to do to join us is to let the hostess of
the month know that you plan to attend?
You will be
welcomed! Check the bulletin and/or church calendar for date, place and hostess each
month. Let the
hostess or Carol at the office know if you need a ride. Looking forward to sharing
Shalom with you.
Blessings;
Pastor Darlene
We are meeting at St. Michael’s
7:00 pm on Friday
(February 5) and conclude at 4:00 pm on Saturday (February 6).
Our theme is “Journey” and we plan to
journey with prayer, in music, in silence, around great conversation, through
Bible study and worship
using our creative God-given gifts as we explore our personal and communal
journey.
Registration forms will be available
early in the New Year. The cost is $85
if you can stay over-night. The fee will
be
a little less if you
commute. Financial assistance for
registration is available. The organizing committee is working
diligently to assure
a great weekend. We need your
participation to make the event a success!
Mark your calendars … watch
for further details.
Are you looking for fun and
friendship? Come and join the Faith Blazers every 1st and 3rd
Wednesday of the
month at 1:30 pm. We enjoy all sorts of activities: games,
tours, guest speakers, socializing, food and refreshments.
Events for the New Year are not
yet planned so watch the bulletin and calendar for dates and details.
Hostesses are: January – Mabel & Marge; February –
Muriel & Rose;
March – Bev, Anne & Hans; April – Edna
& Doreen.
For more information about
dates or activities, watch the Sunday bulletin or contact the church office.
Come, join us for
the fun -- stay for the friendship !
In Hospital
Our pastors want to know
who is in the hospital to offer prayer support and encouragement during
illness. The privacy act is keeping us
from always knowing who is in the hospital through chaplaincy records.
We ask all members to let us know as
soon as possible when a family member is in the hospital or plans to be a
patient. Give us a quick call at
543-0118, so that we can respond quickly and appropriately.
Taxi
Service
This service is available for people
with disabilities OR who are unable to drive to church. It is our desire to
provide worship opportunities to all. Phone
Capital Cabs 791-2222 on
Sunday morning before 8:30 am to request a ride to church.
Evangelical Lutheran Women
Welcome
to the New Year!!
What is ELW? It is a Christ centered community of women
who are committed to
nurturing our faith and spiritual strength to enable us to be people
of God in
You
are invited to join us for monthly Bible Study – if you can’t attend regularly,
come when you can. The theme for 2010
is “The Word Made Flesh” written by Pastor Darlene Harrison and Pastor Carla Blakley. It is a
wonderful opportunity for learning and fellowship. The times are:
- 9:30 am on the 1st Tuesday of the month at the church
-
7:30 pm on the
2nd Tuesday of the month at the church
-
7:30 pm on the
3rd Saturday of the month (call Cheryl for location – 789-0460)
2010 Coming Events
- Installation of Executive – February 14
- General Meeting/Potluck Lunch -10:45
am - following the first service – April
18
quilts, layettes and other kits for CLWR. In November Reta T
and Laura L raised over $400.00 for CLWR by creating and selling many
articles!!
-
to all who are willing to help in any of the needed roles – we can not function
without your help. (ELW runs with an executive of four plus various
committees.)
2010
will be a time of exciting new beginnings and
If
you have any questions about the ELW call Valerie or Mattie.
Beginning January
13 & 27
and every 2nd
and 4th Wednesdays of the month
we gather
downstairs to quilt.
When the
cupboards get full
another shipment
leaves for C.L.W.R.,
Transition
House and other charities.
No sewing
experience necessary.
Join us if
you can!
Perfumes
and colognes dramatically affect the health of some people. Please refrain from using them
when attending worship and events at church.
Be “scentsitive”!
Did you know we have a Library?
Our
library is located in the
Meeting Room. There are many inspirational books,
autobiographies and novels. Please feel
free to
borrow
books. All you have to do is put your
name
and the
current date on the card provided in the little grey box. When you return the book, put the date it is
returned on that same card and then place the book back on the shelf, e.g. if you
were reading “Held for Ransom” you would place it back in the “H” section. There is one exception: if the title of the book starts with “The”, you go to the first
letter of the next word
in the title
and file it under that letter.
The Library
is there for everyone to use --- so, during the long winter months treat yourself to some wholesome reading.
This
year's theme “New Love, New Mercy” is based on Lamentations
3:21-24: “But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope: The steadfast
love of the Lord never ceases, God's mercies never come to an end; they are new
every morning; great is your faithfulness!
The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in God.”
Here is the
basis of our hope – God gives us the opportunity to live out such hope in the
way we receive, give, use, manage, and share all that He has given us,
beginning and ending with our every life breath, and including everything we do
as we think, talk, and act hopefully. It
is this trust and hope that is our foundation for freedom in giving.
As
we look back over the past year at Faith/St. Timothy (
Many
ministries and programs are available and are being carried out by our pastoral
staff, committees, and members of our congregation.
Our commitments as a
congregation are a challenge. Your
giving, volunteering, prayers, and witness make it possible to reach many of
the goals that we have set for ourselves.
Let us also remember that we are a congregation “In Mission for Others.”
Thanks
to all who attended our stewardship Bible study class
in October entitled “Living Carefree Experience.” We thank God for being with us as we shared
our thoughts, prayers and experiences.
The
amalgamation of our two congregations – a new name, new love, new mercy, new
hope, a new pastor, and a new revised constitution, are all things that we
appreciate and take pride in. Let us
join together as a caring congregation to share our gifts and make the world
around us a little bit brighter.
For
those of you who wish to make a financial contribution or pledge, there are
commitment cards available on the stewardship table in the narthex. Your prompt response helps us plan our
congregation's financial life and determines the scope of our ministry
together.
Thank
you again for your generous giving and service, and may
God bless you richly in everything you do.
Faith/St. Timothy (
|
“You
Can’t Get There From Here” by Pat Cook We are excited to announce
that we will be producing another Dinner Theatre event. The Lutheran Church Theatre Group will
perform a main stage play entitled “You Can’t Get There From Here” on April 21-24, 2010. The play is a comedy about a young
journalist who gets stranded in small town a huge pothole and his car breaks down. He reluctantly needs to stay at
the only place in town, the Mavis Garner Bed and Breakfast, run by
a couple of eccentric sisters. He discovers that there is something fishy
about the pothole and decides to expose seemed at first and everything is going along fine until his boss shows up. For an evening of
entertainment and great food ensure you get your tickets as soon as they are
available. The performance on April 21 will include Coffee
and Dessert. The performances on April 22, 23 and 24
will be a Dinner Theatre format and will include a full course
meal. As we discovered last year, this
is an exciting and fun event that will require many volunteers. There are still lots of
opportunities to get involved. If you are unable to help with the production
or meals, then we appeal to you to
volunteer to sell at least four tickets.
Let’s sell out this event! We came very close last year. If you are interested in getting
involved in this fun event, you can
contact Play Director Glen B. |
In 2007, nine members of Faith
travelled to the
At the orphanage the children receive
clothing, nutritious food, education and a loving Christian environment in
which to grow. In direct contrast the
children out in the work camps endure life with very little value, filthy
outhouse bathroom facilities, no toys or shoes, limited clothing, a lack of
calcium and protein in their diets and no refrigeration. Housing for a family consists of a
metal-roofed 10x12 concrete building.
Laundry is done in a long concrete trough with a concrete wash board.
Twice weekly volunteers and (orphanage)
staff go out on evangelism trips to outlying villages and camps. Videos are shown to both children and adults
followed by prayer support if requested.
Once monthly a meal of hot dogs in tortilla shells, cookies and a drink
is provided for the whole camp.
In addition, twice weekly, there is
evangelism to the children. What an
unforgettable experience! Teams in vans
arrive and are announced by a loudspeaker.
Droves of children gather with a spoon and a glass. A Bible story is told followed by an
activity. The children line up to
receive a large cup of milk and a heaping tablespoon of peanut butter.
We have begun taking Spanish lessons in
preparation for another Mexican Mission Trip.
If you are interested in joining us in 2010, please call us at 757-9134
or call the church. There is also a sign
up sheet on the
Please
prayerfully consider joining us May 22-30, 2010. I believe we can make a difference in the
lives of people we will encounter on the Mexico 2010 Mission Trip. For more information call Stan or Pat H.
Your delegates
Linda M, from St. Timothy and Yvonne W and Pastor Darlene Harrison, from Faith,
wish to thank you for the opportunity of representing you at our National
Biennial Convention held in
Delegates
included 176 lay and 166 ordained with 140 registered visitors gathered under
the theme “In Mission for Others – Signs of Hope.” As well as acting as a
delegate Pastor Darlene served on the Reference and Counsel Committee which was
kept busy sorting through the many resolutions, presenting them to the plenary
sessions and making recommendations for action.
On the first
day National Bishop Susan Johnson delivered her “state of the union” address in
which she recounted a whirlwind of “firsts” and shared her signs of hope for
our church. One challenge facing the ELCIC is a sheer matter of numbers.
We have approximately 24 percent fewer baptized members than it had when in was
formed in 1986. Another challenge has to do with financial realities
which affect the church on many levels. Bishop Susan noted that the church
is looking at ways to restructure and partner with other churches and
organizations so the ELCIC can continue to fulfill the mission to which God is
calling the church.
Inspiring presentations from Bishop Mark
Hanson of the
Bishop Hanson
said, “The church should “Go with the flow – of the Spirit poured out.’” He
told us that the
hallmarks of a
Spirit-filled church are a restored community, confident hope and unity within
diversity.
Archbishop Hiltz
encouraged delegates to describe signs of hope in our congregations and we were
challenged to imagine the next ‘bold step’ the Anglican Church and the ELCIC
could take in their mission together.
Bishop Younan spoke passionately about the church’s role in
promoting peace and justice in the
Certainly one
of the highlights was the worship life of the convention. The exuberant opening
worship with bold singing, droplets of water and parasols with chiming bangles,
daily morning communion services and the telling of faith stories by Synodical Bishops and National Church Council members, a
service of healing and the energetic closing worship with a call to love filled
us with hope for the future of the church.
A festive
celebration of “Signs of Hope” was held on Saturday evening with an
amazing array of talent from the BC Synod interspersed with stories of hope
from each Synod.
Despite an
undercurrent of fear that at times threatened our unity, delegates were on the
whole able to see the necessity for us to agree to disagree on some topics.
And to quote Bishop Susan as she declared the convention ended and sent the
delegates out into the sunny Sunday Vancouver morning, “Let love be genuine;
hate what is evil; hold fast to what is good.”