Convention Newsletter #2

Transcription

Convention Newsletter #2
THY WILL BE DONE
Wednesday started with a devotion led by Rev. Arron Gust (Langenburg/
Landestreu/MacNutt, SK) on the theme of the third petition of the Lord’s
Prayer, “Thy will be done”, considering how we know what God’s will is,
exploring the explanation in the Small Catechism.
JESUS AND HIS PRAYER LIFE
The 10th (49th) Regular
LCC Central District Convention
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
April 13-16 2015
GATHERED
Newsletter
#2
Thursday
April 16
The second part of Dr. Gimbel’s essay focussed on Jesus and His life of
prayer. He examined how Jesus Himself prayed and how He taught His
disciples to pray. An emphasis was made once again about prayer is about
the relationship between God and us, and, as such, how Jesus’ interactions,
as God incarnate, are also models of how God responds to our prayers. As
Christians, we have a special relationship with God. Prayer engages us in a
unique and distinct way with God.
MISSION MOMENT #2
Rev. D.J. Kim (Regina) presented about
his Regina Street Ministry. He serves as a
police chaplain and does as much
ministry for the folks “in the back of the
car” as in the police service. His street
outreach ministry is based on caring
with the love of Christ for those who are in gangs and other difficult
situations. He shared some stories of some of the situations into which he
has been privileged to bring the good news of Christ. He requested our
ongoing prayer and support.
ELECTIONS
District Committee on Nominations
92 ballots cast, 1 spoiled
Pastors: J. Bosma 69, T. Hoeffs 69, E. Mielke 41
Lay: J. Cullen 88, H. Riggs 90
Elected: J. Bosma, T. Hoeffs, J. Cullen, H. Riggs.
Synod Committee on Convention Nominations
90 ballots cast
Pastors: R. Pastucha 87
Lay: R. Baker 41, R. Johnson 48.
Elected: R. Pastucha, R. Johnson.
Circuit Counsellors
Assiniboine: B. Wood; Northland: R. Grout; Ontario: K. Blom; Portage: A. Toms;
Qu’Appelle: G. Andersen; Red River: J. Schnarr; Saskatoon: R. Heide; Southland:
R. Kleemola; Wascana: J. Chimirri-Russell
Editor: Rev. Alex Klages
Photos: Rev. Jason Schultz
Oromo community. They
will be hosting the
International Oromo
Churches Conference from
July 22-26 in Winnipeg.
RESOLUTIONS
2015-4-01: To Adopt the Minutes of the 2014 Annual Meeting.
CARRIED as corrected.
2015-4-02: To Adopt the Report of the Treasurer. CARRIED.
2015-4-03: To Adopt the District Work Program. CARRIED.
2015-5-03: To Request the CCMS to Propose Changes to the LCC
Structure. CARRIED as revised.
2015-5-04: To Ratify the Board of Directors’ Approval of
New/Amended Congregational Constitutions. CARRIED.
2015-6-01: To Study the Permissibility of Holding Multiple Calls
Simultaneously. CARRIED.
2015-6-02: To Recommend the Approval of the LHI as the
Official Archives of LCC-CD. TABLED.
2015-6-03: To Request the Synod in Convention to Implement A
Unified Archive Location for Synod, the Three Districts, and
Other Entities of LCC. DECLINED.
CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF
ALBERTA
Dr. Jonathan Strand brought greetings on behalf of
CUCA. As of May 1, it will be changing name to Concordia
University of Edmonton (CUE). He updated the gathered
delegates and guests on some of the recent changes and
challenges facing CUCA, including a restructuring of the
Board of Directors for the university. CUCA enjoys a
strong ecclesiastical bond with LCC
and requests our ongoing prayers,
support, and to encourage our
students to consider attending
there.
MILITARY CHAPLAINCY
Rev. Neil Otke (Thunder Bay) and
Rev. Terry McLaughlin from the
Canadian Forces Chaplaincy gave a
presentation on the continuing
need for chaplains in the Canadian Forces. Currently 15
LCC pastors serve as chaplains with active and reserve
forces.
MISSION MOMENT #3
The Rev. Assefa Aredo, Missionary-At-Large to the
Oromo community in Winnipeg, presented on his work
with the Oromo community in Winnipeg. The Oromo
congregation is now using the congregational facilities
of Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Winnipeg. Rev.
Aredo presented a slideshow of his ongoing work in the
SEMINARY UPDATE
Dr. Gimbel of CLS, Edmonton and Dr. William Mundt of
CLTS, St. Catharines gave the assembly an update on the
current status of the two seminaries. CLS in Edmonton
continues to recover from the fire in the library and is
hoping to be back to normal for the fall session. CLS has
been adversely affected by the ongoing CEF trouble in
the ABC District, as some of their endowment holdings
were invested in the CEF. Currently there are 12
students at CLS, 4 due to graduate this spring. CLS is
trying to cooperate with CUCA to ensure the
continuance of the DPS program. CLTS in St.Catharines
also has 12 students, 2 graduating, and 3 vicars heading
out this year. It continues to have a good relationship
with Brock University, on whose campus it is located.
Both seminaries desire our prayers and continued
financial and student support.
TASK FORCE ON VACANT NOT-CALLING
CONGREGATIONS
The Task Force reported on their work, beginning with a
brief presentation by Rev. Jeremy Swem (Grace, Regina)
about the Biblical doctrine of the office of the ministry
and its relationship to the establishment of the
congregation. Following a slideshow summarizing some
of the options for vacant congregations to consider,
including multi-point parish, deanery, and circuit-rider
ministry, the delegates were given a chance to discuss
and explore various options in a round-table format.
Responses from the round-table groups are being
analyzed by the Task Force.
LIVING H2O
Pastor Glenn Worcester (Peace, Winnipeg) gave a brief
presentation about the LCC National Youth Gathering
July 8-12, 2016 to be held in St. Catharines, Ontario. The
website and more information will be available soon.
LUTHERANS FOR LIFE
Rev. David Mellecke (Luseland) brought greetings to the
convention on behalf of LFL Canada. He reminded us of
the importance of the truly pro-life stance which we
have as Lutherans — a much needed focus in the age in
which we live. He also mentioned some of the events of
LFLC, and encouraged the delegates to look into having
a Life Ministry Coordinator for each congregation.
MISSION MOMENT #4
The work of the LaRonge Lutheran Fellowship was the
focus of Mission Moment 4. Recently retired pastor
Wayne Olson, DPS Melissa McNeil, and Vicar Cody
Cooper took turns describing the special work and
outreach of the Central District’s most northerly
congregation. Some of the key focal points of their
ministry are
youth ministry,
family ministry,
and outdoor
ministry. They
carry out a good
number of
programs in
LaRonge and
surrounding
communities in
order to create points of contact with these
communities and open doors for God’s Word to be heard
and for baptism and catechesis to occur. Pastor Olson
observed that he has been greatly blessed by his 30 years
in LaRonge. Vicar Cooper explored some of the
excitement and uncertainty involved in his year thus far
serving in that area. DPS McNeil also noted that her
work in the community has led to her also having a job
as a Mental Health Worker in the community alongside
her church responsibilities.
THANK YOU
Toshiba Canada for the use of the colour photocopier/
printer in our convention office!
SCENES FROM WEDNESDAY