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