The Canadian Lutheran July/August 2019

The

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LUTHERAN www.canadianlutheran.ca

Volume 34 Number 4 - July/August 2019

Where Do You Find Your Worth?

CANADIAN

LUTHERAN.ca More than a magazine.

www.canadianlutheran.ca

Contents Features www.canadianlutheran.ca Volume 34 Number 4

July/August 2019

National Youth Gathering 2019:

LCC Youth Find Their Worth in Christ Worthless?

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Departments LCC Youth Find Their Worth In Jesus Page 6

Table Talk

Train Up a Child

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Presidential Perspective

Our Partnership in the Gospel

42

News Section International News

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German Lutherans declare fellowship with six church bodies • LCMS reelects President Harrison • Swedish Lutherans consecrate bishop • LCMS recognizes fellowship with four church bodies • LCMS commends LCC report on cremation • Latvian and English Lutherans seek closer ties

National News

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Churches targeted in new scam • Lutheran Hour features Canadian pastor • CTCR at work • LCC seeking new Communications Director • Military chaplains gather in Ontario • Supporting CREW Ministries The Canadian Lutheran is the national publication of Lutheran Church–Canada, published in Winnipeg six times per year: January/ February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, November/December under the auspices of the Board of Directors (Committee for Communication and Technology).

ISSN #0383-4247 Member: Canadian Church Press Editor: Mathew Block Advertising: Marlene Mohr Subscriptions: $20/yr E-mail: editor@lutheranchurch.ca Cover Photo: Ben White on Unsplash

All material and advertising should be in the office of The Canadian Lutheran five weeks prior to publication date. Advertising rate card available upon request.

The Canadian Lutheran 3074 Portage Ave. Winnipeg, MB R3K 0Y2 Telephone: 204-895-3433 FAX: 204-897-4319 E-mail: editor@lutheranchurch.ca Materials published in The Canadian Lutheran, with the exception of Letters to the Editor, news reports, and advertising, receive doctrinal review and approval before publication. Contents of supplements are the responsibility of the organization purchasing the space. ©2019 Lutheran Church–Canada. Reproduction of a single article or column for parish use does not require the permission of The Canadian Lutheran.

Such reproductions, however, should credit The Canadian Lutheran as the source.

West Region

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Church Worker Conference • Okanagan considers church health • LWML district convention • Ministry anniversaries • Mortgage burning

Central Region

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Beard Shaving for a cause • Ministry anniversary • Central LWMLC convention • CLWR Work Day • 95th anniversary • Preachers Retreat

East Region

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Ontario District LWML convention • Hats and Mats • London pastor serves despite health challenges • RMMC meeting

Mission News

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Diaconal Coordinator for Central America • Anyuak pastor installed in Winnipeg • Deaconesses meet in Costa Rica • Ukraine holds Days of Faith • Pastoral training in Haiti

Education News

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When You Fast: New Book from CLTS professor • Learn Hebrew online with CLS

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Classifieds and Transitions

Supplement

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

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Good News for Every Language L U T H E R A N B I B L E T R A N S L AT O R S O F C A N A D A

Summer 2019

Bible House in Cameroon – progressing amid challenges

T

he Bible House construction project has been the big news in LBTC circles for the past few years. And the

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN July/August 2019 quality of the fixtures will also help ensure that they will last longer.

The bottom line—an extra $40,000 is needed to

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Train Up a Child A

month ago my daughter c e l e b ra t e d h e r f o u r t h birthday. A few months earlier my son turned two. As my children get older, I increasingly find myself pondering the words of Proverbs: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when is old he will not depart from it” (22:6).

And yet, departing from the faith has become the default position today for many young people. At a conference in Winnipeg earlier this year, I heard a presentation b y t h e sociologist Sarah WilkinsLaflamme about the rise of the non-religious in Canada.

Her research tells us what those of us in the Church have known for some time: active participation in religion is in deep decline.

It’s not that young people today are all atheists. The number of Canadians aged 18-35 who firmly deny belief in God in favour of a secular, materialistic universe remains at about 14 percent. But there aren’t many more people who believe in God in a way that is firmly grounded in the teachings of their religious affiliation either: just 22 percent.

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THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN July/August 2019

Most people live in the mushymiddle: 26 percent “believe in God, but in my own way”; eight percent believe in a higher power but don’t necessarily call it God; and another 18 percent aren’t sure whether they believe in a higher power but do believe in a mysterious, interconnected universe.

A further nine percent haven’t made up their minds yet about God while four percent have never really thought about religion at all. (Statistics are

taken from portions of the 2019 Millennial Trends Survey, selections of which have been published on social media by Wilkins-LaFlamme.)

How did we get here? The major factor seems to be a lack of consistent exposure to religion when younger. In earlier research, WilkinsLaflamme and her colleague Joel Thiessen have demonstrated that regular participation and education in

a religious tradition are major factors in predicting religious participation when a child grows up. The more regularly faith formation takes place, the more likely a child is to grow up to be faithful.

Perhaps that’s not surprising. But as the father of two little children— two children I want desperately to grow up to be faithful Christians—it is certainly a challenge. In the past, Christians in the West could count on wider society to reinforce Christian faith and morality.

Those days are long gone.

Society is increasingly h o s t i l e to public expressions of faith (consider recent fights over Trinity We s t e r n University’s law school or the challenges f a c i n g Christian physicians who do not want to be a party to assisted suicide). Public school systems regularly undermine traditional Christian morality on issues like sexuality and gender. So what is a parent to do?

The answer in part is to recognize that Christian formation begins in the home—not just in church. God tells the Israelites in the Book of Deuteronomy that they must make study of His Word a regular part

Table Talk

by Mathew Block of family life. “These words that I command you today shall be on your heart,” God says. “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (6:6-7, cf. 11:18-19).

God’s Word creates and sustains faith (Romans 10:17). It’s vital then that we make time in daily life for that Word. That’s one of the reasons in our house the bedtime routine for our children begins with a Bible story and ends in prayer. Everyday our children need to hear from the Word of God and to spend time in prayer. (On that note, it’s important to spend personal time in prayer and Scripture study as well.)

We also try to hold regular family devotions throughout the week: a hymn together after supper, for example, and occasional services of Matins. We don’t always succeed at being as regular as we ought. In fact, as I write this, I am reminded how lax I have been in encouraging these practices in our home lately. But spending time together as a family in prayer is a vital part of “training up a child in the way he should go.” God desires a deeper relationship with us than just an hour every other Sunday; show your children that is true by making faith a regular part of your homelife.

But it’s not just about homelife, of course; you need to make church attendance a priority. You need to be there regularly with your family to hear God’s Word and receive the Sacraments. Christ comes to

you with His mercy and His Word weekly. If you choose to sleep in, or let your children participate in activities that take them away from Divine Service, what does that teach them about the importance of Christ?

E x p l o re o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r Christian education in the wider community too. If you can, send your children to a Lutheran school. If there isn’t a Christian school nearby, see if there’s interest in one. (My wife and I are working with other parents here in Swan River, Manitoba to explore opening a classical Christian school.)

Or perhaps you might consider

Lutheran Church–Canada’s 2019 National Youth Gathering (page 6).

Rev. Glenn Worcester, meanwhile, provides us a taste of what youth at the gathering were learning; his article “Worthless?” (page 9) draws on the talks he gave as the gathering’s headline speaker, encouraging youth (and us too) to find our worth in Christ.

Help your children grow in their Christian identity. Model faith in the home. Keep them in church. Provide them with opportunities to learn more. Connect them with Christian friends. And more than any of these things, pray. Pray that God will keep your children in the faith. Pray to the Father who calls you and your children His own. Pray for wisdom to raise them as you ought.

“See what kind of love the Father has given to us,” St. John writes, “that we should be called children of God; and so we are” (1 John 3:1). God loved us so much that He was willing to sacrifice His own Son on a cross, that through the death and resurrection of Jesus we might be restored to the family of God and made fellow children with Christ of our heavenly Father. You can trust God to care for your children as if they were His own children—because they are.

So do your best to be a good parent.

Do your best to raise your children in the faith. But know that they have an even better Father deeply concerned for their spiritual well-being. Jesus has promised that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to little children like yours (Mark 10:14). Trust Him to keep His promises.

You can trust God to care for your children as if they were His own children— because they are. homeschooling and partnering with other local Christian families for larger events.

Take an interest in your child’s confirmation classes. Ask them what they’re learning. Help them with the homework. The confirmation curriculum I went through as a youth included parent participation; the time I spent with my mother and sister studying the Bible was deeply formative in my own faith walk.

This issue of The Canadian L u t h e ra n h i g h l i g h t s a n o t h e r opportunity for Lutheran children to grow in their faith: through youth ministry and youth gatherings.

Michelle Heumann reports on

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN July/August 2019

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National Youth Gathering 2019

LCC Youth Find Their Worth in Jesus

by Michelle Heumann

F

rom July 5-9, 2019, approximately 250 youth, leaders, and volunteers gathered at the beautiful campus of Trinity Western University in Langley, B.C. for the eleventh Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) National Youth Gathering (NYG). The theme was based on Romans 5:8, encouraging participants to find their worth in Jesus.

A common phrase repeated during the sessions and the accompanying Bible studies was “You are worth nothing less than the precious blood of Jesus.”

Rev. Glenn Worcester was the main session speaker.

Despite the large group, he was able to have the youth participate in sessions using a website called Menti, that allowed them to use their phones to respond to his questions.

Their answers scrolled across the screen at the front of the room, giving everyone a chance to provide input on the various questions Rev. Worcester asked, like “Who are you?” and “What makes you feel worthy?”

The five main sessions were titled “What do you say you’re worth?”, “What is God’s worth to you?”, “What does the world say you’re worth?”, “What does God say you’re worth?”, and “Telling the world what they’re worth.”

Rev. Worcester shared personal stories and encouraged the

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youth to find their worth in Jesus, and the accompanying Bible studies examined the book of Jonah, connecting with the themes of the main sessions. “God’s message to you is that you are worth dying for,” wrote Rev. Worcester after the fourth session, connecting the story of God’s message to Nineveh through Jonah to Jesus’ message for the world. The small group Bible studies, divided by age, are an important opportunity for youth to meet each other and to discuss the content of the main sessions, ask questions, and apply it to their own lives.

Main sessions also included music by local group Fall7, from Walnut Grove Lutheran Church; the shenanigans and announcements of emcees Ben Drung and Rev. Scott Brayall; and American comedian group These Guys, who have been regulars at recent National Youth Gatherings, providing some comic relief in the form of skits and other humour.

While NYGs usually revolve around the main sessions, the youth also participate in worship services everyday: Morning and Evening Prayer led by the chaplain, Rev. Scott Gamble, and Sunday worship with members from Walnut Grove Lutheran, who travelled to campus just for that morning. Many of the pastors participated in the Sunday

Communion service in a variety of roles, including Rev. Gamble and Rev. James Paulgaard as liturgists and LCC President Timothy Teuscher as preacher. West Regional Pastor Robert Mohns, Rev. Worcester, Rev. Brayall, Rev. Brian Falkenholt, and Rev. Eric Moffett also assisted with the service.

Other activities included: breakout sessions on a wide variety of topics from pop culture to creation to song writing; games including Frisbee baseball, crab ball, and capture the flag; excursions to Grouse Mountain and a local beach; and servant events ranging from a beach cleanup to assisting at an urban mission project to uprooting invasive plants.

There were also several opportunities for youth leaders to be equipped and encouraged. Rev. Dr. John Oberdeck came specifically to offer two sessions for leaders. Those who attended his session were given a copy of a brandnew publication called 7 Practices of Healthy Youth Ministry, provided by the Youth Ministry department of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod. There was also a youth leaders’ round table, hosted by the NYG and the IMPACT Y o u t h Gathering (formerly the ABC District Gathering), which gave leaders a chance to discuss their joys and struggles, and to encourage one another. They also discussed youth gathering logistics, including timing of when to hold them, and the benefits of gatherings. There is a clear desire for more training and resources to be made available to LCC youth leaders, and a great appreciation for the community and support found at the NYG. One leader spoke strongly about the importance of gatherings in giving youth role models, and especially in giving boys strong male role models. The part pastors play in gatherings is very important—from encouraging their congregations to prioritize youth ministry to attending in person to offer teaching, prayer, and counsel. At the gathering, Bible study groups are led by the youth leaders who then have an opportunity to spend time teaching and getting to know youth from other congregations while youth have the opportunity to learn from church leaders they might not otherwise meet.

A gathering is a unique opportunity for youth to connect with the larger church and grow in the faith.

Even if a congregation doesn’t have a youth group that meets regularly—especially if a congregation doesn’t have a youth group!—a gathering is the perfect opportunity to help connect young people to the church. Lutheran Church–Canada is a wonderful community of believers, and members are never too young to start building those connections. Many adults in leadership today credit the community they found and the teaching they received at gatherings with helping them remain in the church and grow into the roles they now have.

In his sermon at the closing worship service, Rev. Gamble recounted his first youth gathering experience at Yörkin Börkin Tü in 1998, saying: “People shouldn’t underestimate the importance of youth gatherings” when considering ways to connect young people with the church, and to keep them connected. He attended as many gatherings and youth retreats as possible, and credits them with teaching him that “I was dearly loved and saved by the Creator of the universe,” and for giving him a place where he “built relationships a n d connections with brothers and sisters in Christ that encouraged and sustained me through those tough, awkward years of being a teenager, and into young adulthood and even still today. Some of those people I met over the years are here today, and I count them as the dearest friends, mentors, and family I have.”

NYG co-chair Lisa Olding speculated at breakfast one day about “how many future pastors, Lutheran teachers, and youth leaders were sitting in that cafeteria with their youth group enjoying their first NYG. Perhaps even the future cochair of an NYG was there enjoying the scrambled eggs with their friends.” A huge benefit to having gatherings like this is the fellowship, and “while connecting the church body from coast to coast is just one reason why we have NYGs, I believe it is so important for our youth and leaders to know they are part of a larger group. The relationships that were formed over those five days in July will continue to impact many of the youth and leaders throughout their lives.” Six of THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN July/August 2019

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the ten planning committee members attended gatherings as youth, as did many of the other volunteers who were there as youth leaders, iBods, and committee support volunteers.

Another important aspect of a gathering is giving the youth a safe place to ask questions about hard topics.

Topics the youth asked about in breakout sessions included evolution, carbon-14 dating, dinosaurs, sexuality in general and LBGTQ-related issues in particular, the authority of Scripture and the accuracy of the Old Testament, mental health, and a range of theology-related topics. The National Youth Gathering provides time for youth and leaders to talk over a meal or between sessions about things they might otherwise never get a chance to discuss in the business of life at home. As one youth leader put it, a gathering is like a vacation “for your soul,” providing opportunities to be spiritually rejuvenated that might not be found anywhere else.

A rejuvenating experience like a national youth gathering doesn’t happen without a very long list of people to thank, and the committee designated two pages in the gathering booklet to do just that. The youth were also encouraged to submit thank you notes through Menti, and they submitted nearly 200 expressions of thanks, including to the committee, presenters, each other, and their leaders.

Special thanks to FaithLife Financial, Lutheran Hour Ministries, LWML-Canada, and all the congregations and individuals who financially supported the gathering in order to keep the registration fee as low as possible.

Now that the 2019 NYG has been successfully completed, the hope is to hold the next NYG in July 2021, to avoid conflicting with The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod National Youth Gathering. Plans will be confirmed in the coming months when a new committee is in place.

In a wrap-up letter to gathering participants, Rev. Gamble and Rev. Worcester summed up the theme of the NYG by writing: “Our worth, value, cost is nothing less than the price of Jesus’ life, which He paid in His death and resurrection... You are not worthless, and if you ever doubt that, look to the cross.”

Michelle Heumann is Regional News Editor for The Canadian Lutheran magazine. Photo credits: Chanel Chursinoff.

2019 NYG Planning Committee: Madison Bouwman, Rev. Scott Gamble, Phil Guebert, Deacon Stephanie Mayer, Tony Marchand, Cameron Olding, Deacon Lisa Olding, Rita Rickus, Kaitlin Schmitz, Rev. Glenn Worcester Previous NYGs: 1.1989: Thunder Bay 2. 1992: [Please contact regionaleditor@lutheranchurch. ca if you are able to fill in any of the info missing from this list.]

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THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN July/August 2019

3. 1995: No Mistakin’, Three Hills 4. 1998: Yörkin Börkin Tü, Waterloo, Ezekiel 11:19 5. 2001: While We Wait for Jesus to Come...Again, Vancouver, Ephesians 4:16 6. 2004: Eye of the Storm, Brandon 7. 2007: I AM, Ottawa 8. 2010: belong&believe>>believe&belong, Edmonton, 1 Peter 2:9-10 9. 2013: Stand Firm, Winnipeg, Exodus 13:13-14 10. 2016: Living H20, St. Catharines, John 4:13-14 11. 2019: Worthless, Langley, Romans 5:8

Worthless?

by Glenn Worcester

M

y parents divorced when I was fifteen. After that, I lived with my mom while my brother stayed with my dad. Growing up, my brother was the “bad kid” (he got kicked out of high school in grade eleven for drugs), so I was the “good kid” by default.

But that wasn’t enough. I wanted to be the perfect kid. For me, that included having a perfect body. I started working out. And then I stopped eating.

For the next three years I was anorexic. Going through a divorce that I had no control over, I wanted something I could control—and that was my body. I located my worth in my body image. Some days I looked in the mirror and I felt good. I liked the way I looked. Most of the time I felt pretty good. I felt worthy. School was going well too, but that’s because I didn’t waste time doing things like… eating… or socializing… because when you have

something to hide, it’s best to be antisocial; then you don’t have to hide anything at all.

But while things looked good on the surface, there was so much more under the surface that wasn’t good. There was so much in my life that did not measure up to how I wanted my life to look. My home life was a mess and my anorexia was an even bigger mess (even though it was what I thought I wanted in my life). My spiritual life was non-existent; I don’t really think I had faith then. And all the crap that was happening in life I was just burying so that I didn’t have to deal with it.

My life back then could be summed up in this way: “For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things” (Philippians THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN July/August 2019

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3:18-19). My god was my belly; it was food—or lack of food, really. That was the most important thing in my life. What lay ahead for me was exactly what Paul says: destruction.

Drowning in Galilee

One thing I did in my anorexia was to surround myself with food; the idea is that people don’t suspect you’re not eating when you’re always around food. So when I started university, I got a job in the cafeteria.

They had a policy that, when you worked, you got a free meal. I started to take advantage of the system and started taking more than I was allowed. I was stealing from the cafeteria. The third time I was caught I was fired on the spot and the manager told me to come back the next day. He was required to call the company, he said, and the company usually directed them to call the police and tell the school. At this point, I was a habitual stealer—just like a shoplifter—so I knew I might get kicked out of school or even arrested.

The next day I went back to the cafeteria. The manger told me: “Yep, they told me to call the cops and tell the school.” Then he looked at me and said: “I’m not going to do that.” And he let me walk away free.

This was one of those moments in life you never forget. It was like Peter, sinking in the sea of Galilee, sinking until Jesus reached out His hand and pulled him up.

Eighteen years ago, I wasn’t just sinking.

I was drowning. And I didn’t call out to Jesus to save me; I didn’t even think or know I needed saving. Instead, He reached out and pulled me up, saved me from drowning, and brought me back to life.

Over the next few years I wrestled with the previous three years of my life and how far I had fallen from God’s grace. Even though I knew Jesus had picked me up and saved me, I wrestled for three years with the sins that had taken over my life. Stealing, living my life for food instead of God… that’s First Commandment stuff. Now, when I looked in the mirror, I saw my sins laid bare. And standing in God’s presence, I looked at myself and saw how worthless I was. I understood what Paul meant when he said he considered himself to be the worst of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). That was me.

In our sin, we have nothing to offer God. He requires perfection. But we’re not perfect. He demands obedience.

We obey everything but Him. In that knowledge, we stand before Almighty God and see ourselves as worthless in His presence. In the liturgy, sometimes we say: “I a poor, miserable, sinful being… confess to you all my sins and

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iniquities…” You can add “worthless” to that list. “I a poor, miserable, worthless, sinful being… confess to you all my sins and iniquities…”

When we look in the mirror, yes, we see our sin. We see the punishment that we deserve and we know there is nothing that we can do to save ourselves. But our word is not final. What we have to say about ourselves, good or bad, is not the end. It doesn’t matter if you’re a lifelong Lutheran or you’ve never set foot in a church. It doesn’t matter if you have a strong faith, a weak faith, or no faith, because this is where God steps in.

No matter what you feel today—worthless or worthy— your feelings come and go. God’s Word remains the same, and He says that there is nothing you are worth less than.

That’s the message of Romans 5:8: “God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

There is nothing you are worth less than. That’s because He has created you, and you are here for a reason. And there is nothing you can do to make God love you less.

You are not worthless. You are God’s creation, His treasure, His priceless possession. Or rather, not “priceless,” actually; there is a particular price God paid for you. He paid Jesus’ l i f e. T h a t i s yo u r sticker price, that is your cost, that is your value—how valuable you are to God. That i s h ow m u c h yo u are treasured. “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18-19).

Finding Your Worth in Christ

That was the plan all along. It’s the promise God made to Adam and Eve when they first messed everything up, not just for them, but for all of us as well. He promised a Saviour. Fast forward a few thousand years later and you see an innocent human being, who also just happened to be God, shed not only His blood but also His very life to cover up your guilt and shame and sin. That’s what Jesus Christ did for you. He covers you with His death, blood, resurrection, body, righteousness, and perfection.

His one righteous act brings justification and life to all people. His obedience to death, even death on a cross, makes you righteous. And Christ continues to give the Church—to give you—these blessings. He covers you again with His righteousness in Baptism. He washes away your sin, calling you to remember your Baptism daily—to remember all the

“You want to know who you are? Look to the cross. Look to the empty tomb. You are not defined by your sin, by your struggles, by your storms. You are defined by the One who calmed the storms.” wonderful things God has done for you through Jesus’ death and resurrection. And He gives you that forgiveness, life, and salvation in the Lord’s Supper too. These are the means of grace He’s given the Church.

That doesn’t mean we all of a sudden become perfect individuals who never sin again. But what it does mean is that any time we mess up, give into temptation, or fall, God is there to restore us, when we return to Him in repentance. Believe me, we need that mercy all the time.

And God is always there to give it.

Sin wants to define us. Satan wants us to believe that we can’t come back from our sin. But it’s not true. I’ve had some big moments in my life where I’ve seen God pull me up out of the pit of sin and death. In order to do that, He went down into one—into a tomb, into hell. In His death and especially in His resurrection, Jesus tells us that our sin doesn’t define us.

So who are you? Scripture tells us: “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22). You are made alive! “If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). You are a new creation in Christ.

You want to know who you are? Look to the cross. Look to the empty tomb. You are not defined by your sin, by your struggles, by your storms. You are defined by the One who calmed the storms; who walked on water; who walked to Calvary; carried the cross; carried your sin, struggles, and shame; who was nailed to that cross; died on it; went down into the pit, but rose from the dead to give you the promise

of eternal life, the promise for all who believe—the life that all those who have gone before us in the faith now have.

You may feel like you’re crumpled up, bruised, beaten, and crushed. You may have been told you’re worth nothing—told yourself that you’re worthless. But you have never lost value. You have not been abandoned, you have not been destroyed (Psalm 139:14, 2 Corinthians 4:8). You are not worthless.

If you ever doubt that, look to the cross, and see what God says you’re worth. You are worth the life of Christ.

That doesn’t mean you’ll never feel worthless again.

But in the midst of that, we can do what Scripture tells us to do: “Fix [our] eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of [our] faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

We fix our eyes on Jesus. So, when you feel worthless, look to the cross. Look to the empty tomb. Look to the Lord’s Supper—the body and blood that was shed for you, for your forgiveness. And the Holy Spirit will help you to do this, to look to Christ. God will work in you faith, so that you will see that you are not worthless but rather His own precious child.

Rev. Glenn Worcester is pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in Winnipeg.

He served as headline speaker for Lutheran Church–Canada’s 2019 National Youth Gathering. This article is derived from his daily talks.

Photo credits: Chanel Chursinoff.

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN July/August 2019

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International News www.canadianlutheran.ca

German Lutherans declare fellowship with six new church bodies and a hymn of thanksgiving.

The heads of three of the new partner church b o d i e s — Bishop Thor Henrik With (DELSiN), Bishop Risto Soramies (ELMDF), and Presiding P a s t o r Curtis Leins (AALC)— we re a l l o n hand for the event.

SELK Bishop Voigt (far right) greets (front l-r) DELSin Bishop With, ELMDF Bishop Soramies, and AALC Presiding Pastor Leins following the vote to recognize fellowship. (Photo: Dörte Pape via DELSiN.) SELK’s 2 01 9 S y n o d in Norway (DELSiN), and the GERMANY - The Independent met under the theme: “Good News in Mission Province in Sweden. (The Evangelical Lutheran Church a Fake News World. Speakers for the Mission Province still needs to ratify (Selbständige Evangelisch-Lutherische event were Professor Dr. Christian the agreement with SELK before Kirche) held its 14th National Church Neddens (Oberursel, Germany) and fellowship between the two churches Synod from May 21-26, 2019 in Rev. Dr. Robert Kolb (St. Louis, will take effect.)

Balhorn, Germany, during which time Missouri). Among other business, the “It’s a joy to recognize fellowship the church declared fellowship with church accepted a new document from with our brothers and sisters six church bodies from Europe, North SELK’s Theological Commission on around the world,” noted SELK America, and South America.

“The Lutheran Church and Judaism,” Bishop Hans-Jörg Voigt. “We look The SELK’s new fellowship discussed the role of women in the forward to nurturing the growing partners include the American church, and conducted elections for relationships between our various Association of Lutheran Churches various boards and commissions. church bodies, and looking for new (AALC), the Evangelical Lutheran SELK, the AALC, IELA, ELMDF, opportunities for cooperation and Church of Argentina (IELA), the ILSN, DELSiN, and the Mission partnership in our proclamation of Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese Province are all members of the the Gospel.” of Finland (ELMDF), the Lutheran International Lutheran Council.

The resolution to declare fellowship Church Synod of Nicaragua (ILSN), ILC News was followed by a standing ovation the Evangelical-Lutheran Diocese

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LCMS reelects President Matthew Harrison USA - On June 26, 2019, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) announced that Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison had been reelected as President of the church for a fourth term.

President Harrison was first elected to office in 2010, and his fourth term runs from 2019-2022.

He was reelected with 51.76% of the vote (3,014 votes).

Other candidates for the position, Rev. Dr. David P.E. Maier (President of the LCMS’ Michigan District) and Rev. Timothy M. Klinkenberg (Senior Pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Orange, California), received 39.89 percent and 8.35 percent of the vote respectively (or 2,323 and 486 votes).

In addition to his service to the LCMS, President Harrison

has served on the International Lutheran Council’s Executive Committee since 2018.

The LCMS holds its presidential elections in advance of its synodical convention. Nominations for president were due in February 2019, with the three candidates receiving the highest portion of votes and consenting to serve if elected added to the slate. Voting was held June 22-25, 2019.

The LCMS held its 67th regular synodical convention July 20-25, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. During the convention the LCMS elected Rev. Peter K. Lange as First VicePresident. Rev. Dr. John C. Wohlrabe Jr. will serve as Second VicePresident, Rev. Dr. Scott R. Murray as Third Vice-President, Rev. Nabil

President Matthew Harrison (Photo: LCMS Communications)

S. Nour as Fourth Vice-President, Rev. Christopher S. Esget as Fifth Vice-President, and Rev. Benjamin T. Ball as Sixth Vice-President.

ILC News

Swedish Lutherans consecrate new bishop SWEDEN - On April 27, 2019 Rev. Bengt Ådahl was consecrated as bishop of the Mission Province in Sweden at a festive service in Gothenburg.

Bishop Ådahl was installed by Bishop Roland Gustafsson, who has retired after nine years leading the Mission Province. Assisting Bishop Gustafsson were Bishops Göran Beijer and Lars Artman, as well as the Mission Province’s first Bishop Arne Olsson. Also participating in the service were Bishop Thor Henrik With of the Evangelical-Lutheran Diocese in Norway (DELSiN), Bishop Risto Soramies of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland (ELMDF), and Bishop Hans Jönsson of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia.

Bishop Ådahl introduced his personal episcopal theme with the encouragement to “Look to Jesus,” drawing on Hebrews 12:2. “In all true Christianity, Jesus Christ is at the centre,” he explained. For this reason, Jesus must remain the centre of all Christian faith and practice. He must remain central in our individual lives. He must remain central in our understanding of Scripture. And He

must remain central in the life of the Church.

“It is tempting,” he acknowledged, to follow “what is politically correct, what is liked in media coverage, to feel out which way the wind is blowing right now.”

“But it is fatal,” he warned.

Instead, he said, “we must look to Jesus, search into His Word. We shall be faithful to and adhere to everything that He has shown and made clear to us in His Word. This is precisely what the Lord expects of us: to remain faithful to Himself, to His Word, faithful to the doctrines and confessions of the Church.”

The call to stand firm on Christ and His Word is one the Mission Province in Sweden knows only too well. The Mission was founded first as a reform group within the Church of Sweden in 2003 by those attempting to remain faithful to the Scriptures while the state church increasingly secularized. Their first bishop, Arne Olsson, was installed in 2005. The Church of Sweden responded by defrocking Bishop Olsson.

The state church has continued to punish those holding confessional

Bishop Bengt Ådahl (Photo: Ulf Klingström, CCAS 4.0)

views, barring confessional candidates from ordination. One of those barred from ordination by the state Church of Sweden was in attendance at the consecration of Bishop Ådahl—Bishop Hans Jönsson, who was subsequently welcomed into the Latvian church and made a bishop there in 2016.

The Mission Province in Sweden, together with the ELMDF and DELSiN are members of the International Lutheran Council.

ILC News

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN July/August 2019

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International News www.canadianlutheran.ca

LCMS recognizes fellowship with four new church bodies USA - The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod (LCMS) declared altar and pulpit fellowship with four church bodies during its 67th regular synodical convention held July 20-25, 2019 in Tampa, Florida.

The LCMS’ new church partners are the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Belgium (Evangelisch-Lutherse Kerk in België – ELKB), the Portuguese Evangelical Lutheran Church (Igreja Evangélica Luterana Portuguesa – IELP), the Confessional Lutheran Church of South Africa (CLCSA), and the Evangelical Lutheran Free Church in Denmark (Den evangelisk-lutherske Frikirke i Danmark – ELFD).

While the LCMS has historical ties to all of these church bodies, the votes regularize relations with them. The LCMS was previously in fellowship with Evangelical Lutheran Church in Belgium when it was part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church – Synod of France and Belgium. The ELKB became self-governing in 2002, requiring the development of a new declaration of fellowship.

The LCMS has practiced assumed fellowship with the Evangelical Lutheran Free Church in Denmark for more than a century, having supported the church body since it was young and having trained many of its pastors. The new agreement regularizes that relationship, and follows the ELFD’s formal declaration of fellowship with the LCMS during its July 2018 convention.

The Portuguese Evangelical Lutheran Church was founded in

the 1959 by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brazil, when the Brazilian church was still a district of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod.

The IELP contacted the LCMS in 2016 to request formal recognition of altar and pulpit fellowship, which was granted by the LCMS president.

The 2019 LCMS convention has now endorsed that declaration of fellowship.

L C M S re l a t i o n s w i t h t h e Confessional Lutheran Church of South Africa predate the CLCSA’s official founding in 1989, with the CLCSA’s founding pastor having been provided an LCMS seminary education. The CLCSA officially requested altar and pulpit fellowship with the LCMS in October 2015.

In addition to these declarations of fellowship, the 2019 Convention also moved to simply the recognition of fellowship for new church bodies emerging out of the mission efforts or reorganization of a pre-existing fellowship partner of the LCMS. The LCMS also resolved to clarify its relationship with Lutherans in Sri Lanka, recognizing fellowship with the Ceylon Evangelical Lutheran Church (CELC), which succeeds the defunct Lanka Lutheran Church.

The Sri Lankan church grew out of LCMS missions in the country beginning in 1927, with the church becoming independent in 2001. The Sri Lankan government declared the church legally defunct in 2007; the church reconstituted and was legally recognized in 2017 as the CELC.

The LCMS, ELKB, IELP, CLCSA, ELFD, and CELC all hold varying forms of membership in the International Lutheran Council (ILC), a growing association of confessional Lutheran church bodies around the world.

During the convention, the LCMS commended the work of the ILC and pledged its continuing support.

Among other work during the 2019 convention, the LCMS also adopted resolutions to encourage church planting; condemn the sin of racism; strengthen multi-ethnic outreach; encourage continued international theological education in aid of world Lutheran churches; engage in a comprehensive church worker recruitment initiative; and remember the needs of the persecuted church.

The LCMS also celebrated a number of milestones: the forthcoming 175 th anniversary of Concordia Theological Seminary (Fort Wayne, Indiana) in 2020; 150 years since the founding of Concordia Publishing House; 125 years of international missions to areas outside North America; 125 years since the founding of Concordia University, Nebraska; 100 years of deaconess ministry; 100 years of campus ministry; 60 years of the Director of Christian Education program; and 25 years for the Lutheran Heritage Foundation.

The church also commended the upcoming 175th anniversary of the LCMS in 2022.

LCMS convention commends LCC report on cremation USA - The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod (LCMS) has commended a Canadian theological report on cremation for the study and discussion of its members. The decision came on July 24, 2019 during the LCMS’ 2019 synodical convention in Tampa, Florida.

“Cremation and the Christian” is a report composed by Lutheran Church–Canada’s (LCC) Commission

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on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR). It examines the practice of cremation and its theological implications for Christians today.

LCC adopted the report for study and response during its 2011 convention.

“We in the Canadian church have often benefited from the theological studies that have been produced by our mother church in the United States,” said LCC President Timothy

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN July/August 2019

Teuscher. “It’s a pleasure to see that relationship go the other way too—to have the careful theological work of our own CTCR be commended for the study of members of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.”

You can download the report “Cremation and the Christian” at www.lutheranchurch.ca/who-we-are/ what-we-believe/theological-docs/.

International News www.canadianlutheran.ca

Latvian and English Lutherans seek closer ties b o r n re s i d e n t s throughout the UK. T h e Evangelical Lutheran Church of England has one Latvian p a s t o r serving in the church.

T h e Latvian church currently Representatives of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of England and Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia meet in London for talks. has one p a s t o r UNITED KINGDOM - The serving in the English Midlands and Evangelical Lutheran Church of another pastor serving in Ireland.

England (ELCE) hosted a delegation “It was a pleasure to welcome from the Evangelical Lutheran Archbishop Vanags and the other Church of Latvia (ELCL) for pastors of the Latvian church,” meetings June 12, 2019 at Luthersaid ELCE Chairman Ehlers. “Our Tyndale Memorial Church in two churches are both grounded in Kentish Town, London. the authority of Scripture and the Attending the meetings were four Lutheran Confessions, which gives ELCE clergy, including Chairman us a solid foundation for cooperation.

Jon Ehlers, and twelve ELCL clergy, It’s a joy to consider the ways in including Archbishop Janis Vanags. which we might partner more closely A major point of discussion was how together for the good of the Gospel.” the two churches might work more As a result of the meetings, closely together to minister to the t h e L a t v i a n c h u rc h p l a n s t o large Latvian population living in the connect their members living in UK. As of 2011, the United Kingdom the United Kingdom with the counted more than 61,000 LatvianEvangelical Lutheran Church of

England. The ELCE, meanwhile, has pledged to provide assistance to the two Latvian pastors working in the region, and to invite them to participate in ELCE pastors’ study conferences and other opportunities for theological development.

During the meetings, the two churches took time to explain their history and church structure, as well as their respective understandings of altar and pulpit fellowship.

“We spent a lot of time explaining the history of our churches and our polities, to help us better understand each other,” noted ELCE Chairman Ehlers. “We also agreed to continue talks on these matters to help us work more closely together in the future.”

Another topic under discussion was the possibility of future cooperation between the two churches’ seminaries: Westfield House in England and Luther Academy in Latvia.

The ELCE is a member of the International Lutheran Council.

The ELCL has grown increasingly close to the ILC in recent years.

In 2018, for example, the Latvian church invited the ILC to present at the ELCL’s General Pastors Conference. Archbishop Vanags has also participated in a number of ILC events, most recently the ILC’s 2018 World Conference.

ILC News

Remember Lutheran Church–Canada in your will. www.lutheranfoundation.ca THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN July/August 2019

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National News www.canadianlutheran.ca

Canadian churches targeted in new scam CANADA - Lutheran Church-Canada (LCC) is warning Canadian churches and charities to be on the lookout for a new scam. In the scam, someone posing as the pastor of a local church texts other members of the church asking for electronic gift cards.

LCC Vice President Tom Kruesel’s congregation—Bethany Lutheran Church (Campbell River, B.C.) was one recent target of the scam. An unknown person texted several members of the congregation’s Church Council pretending to be Rev. Kruesel. The texts addressed Council members by name, and asked them to send electronic gift cards.

“As it was only Council members who were texted, and none of these members have a home phone, I believe the fraudster got the information from the Charitable Return that every church files with the Government of Canada,” explained Rev. Kruesel, noting this information is public.

Thankfully, members of Bethany Lutheran did not fall for the scam, but Rev. Kruesel is warning churches and other charitable organizations to be on their guard. “I’m sure they will hit every church in Canada eventually,” he noted. “Churches and other charitable organizations should warn their leadership teams and members about this kind of fraud.”

About a month after Rev. Kruesel’s congregation was targeted, a similar scam was attempted against the national office of Lutheran Church– Canada. An unknown person purporting to be LCC’s president emailed a staff person and, over the course of several emails, eventually requested them to send electronic gift cards. The attempt was recognized a a scam and failed.

Canadian churches and charities should be on the lookout for the scam.

Warning signs may include: 1. A message (via email or text)

Lutheran Hour features Canadian pastor CANADA - The Lutheran Hour featured Rev. David Haberstock as speaker on July 28, 2019. Rev. Haberstock’s message was entitled “You Have No Right to Be Angry,” and drew on Matthew 5:17-26 (the Gospel reading for the 6th Sunday after Trinity in the historic one-year lectionary).

“Anger belongs to God, it is not yours,” explains a summary of the talk on the Lutheran Hour website. “When we feel angry we should be prompted to pray.”

The message was initially intended to be broadcast in Canada on June 30 to coincide with Canada Day commemorations, but Lutheran Hour Ministries decided to broadcast the message throughout all North America.

In addition to being broadcast on radio stations throughout North America, the message is also available online to listen to at the Lutheran Hour’s website. For more information on Lutheran Hour Ministries’ work in Canada and for additional Lutheran media, visit the website of the Lutheran Laymen’s League of Canada at www. lll.ca/radio-tv-and-podcasts/.

Rev. Haberstock is Regional Pastor for Lutheran Church– Canada’s Central Region.

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THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN July/August 2019

that purports to be from a church leader you know, but it doesn’t come from that person’s normal email address or phone number.

2. The writer avoids direct communication with you in favour of emails or texts. (In one case, the scammer claimed their phone couldn’t receive voice calls right now and that they were busy in a meeting.)

3. Atypical writing style. (Ask yourself: Is this word-choice/ capitalization/grammar what you would normally receive from the person in question?)

4. Asking you to do something unusual (like purchasing gift cards).

Remember: if you receive a strange message from someone claiming to be your pastor, always contact your church directly to ask about it. If you have been the victim of fraud, please contact your local law enforcement.

You can also contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.

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National News www.canadianlutheran.ca

Commision for Theology and Church Relations at work WINNIPEG - Lutheran Church– Canada’s (LCC) Commission for Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) met for regular meetings in Winnipeg May 30-31, 2019 to continue the work of synod on church relations and theological inquiry.

Guided by the Holy Word of God and the Lutheran Confessions, the CTCR endeavours to help navigate the theological waters LCC encounters as it continues Christ’s mission of seeking and saving the lost with the Lord’s forgiveness. One increasing area of importance is in church relations.

Lutheran Church–Canada holds regular theological discussions with representatives of the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Church in North America, and the North American Lutheran Church.

In addition, the CTCR also helps to oversee the mission work of LCC, especially by providing oversight for

the various theological education programs synod assists with in Nicaragua, Haiti, and elsewhere. The work of LCC internationally is quite impressive for a synod its size.

The CTCR also focuses on the internal w o r k o f s y n o d , CTCR members present for May’s meetings were CLS President Gimbel; Rev. Michael Keith; Rev. Joel Kuhl; LCC President articulating responses James Timothy Teuscher; Rev. Paul Williams; Paul Walrath; and CLTS to theological questions President Thomas Winger. Cliff Pyle was unable to attend. as well as providing Most recently, the CTCR assisted assistance to various synodical LCC’s Board of Directors in a number entities. Questions of opinion are of policy issues, giving theological brought to the CTCR for advice, which guidance as the new structure required responds sometimes by digging up a great amount of renewal and older documents and opinions from overhaul. Please keep the work of the previous CTCR work, sometimes by CTCR in prayer as it seeks to remain making reference to the work of The faithful to the Lord’s Word and true Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s to our Lutheran confessional heritage.

CTCR, and sometimes by putting Rev. Joel V. Kuhl, CTCR Chairman together a fresh response as needed.

LCC seeking new Communications Director WINNIPEG - Lutheran ChurchCanada’s Synod office in Winnipeg is seeking a Communications Director. The person in this position is responsible for maintaining ongoing communication programs of synod and developing new strategies for communication with internal and external constituencies. Under the supervision of the President of Synod, the Communications Director is proactive in identifying issues and current events to which LCC should respond or report upon. The director is also responsible for online and print publications that share the mission and ministry of LCC. As part of the synodical office team, the Communications Director provides advice and guidance on communication issues for each area of the Synod’s work.

Duties include: - Managing all aspects of LCC’s communication - Developing new communication strategies and resources - Work with the editor to create and maintain www. canadianlutheran.ca and The Canadian Lutheran magazine - Responsibility for InfoDigest and DoorPosts e-newsletters - Supervision of LCC’s web and social media presence - Representing LCC to non-church media

Qualifications: - A strong understanding of the theology of conservative confessional Lutheranism. Knowledge of the particular structure of Lutheran Church–Canada will be considered an asset.

- Excellent writing skills with the ability to adapt writing to reach various audiences. Degrees in communications, journalism, English, or other writing-heavy programs will be considered an asset, as will previous work experience in communications, editorial, and marketing.

- Knowledge and experience working in public relations.

- Excellent computer skills with an adaptability to learn new programs as necessary.

- Photo-editing knowledge (experience with Adobe Photoshop will be considered an asset).

- Graphic design and layout skills, with a focus on desktop publishing (experience with Adobe InDesign will be considered an asset).

- Website design and content management skills (experience with Wordpress will be considered an asset).

- Social media management skills.

- Photography and videography skills would be an asset.

To apply for this position send a copy of your resume to Iris Barta (officemanager@lutheranchurch.ca).

Deadline for applications is September 30, 2019.

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN July/August 2019

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National News www.canadianlutheran.ca

Lutheran Military Chaplains gather in Ontario

President Timothy Teuscher joins LCC chaplains during their 2019 retreat in Cornwall, Ontario.

Pictured (l-r): Capt. Rev. Min Kim, Capt. Rev. David Gallas, Capt. Rev. Victor Morris, President Teuscher, Capt. Rev. Gerson Flor, Lt. Rev. David Jackson, and Capt. Rev. David Godkin.

CORNWALL, Ont. - Chaplains in the Canadian Armed Forces gathered together the week of June 2 for “Called to Serve” in Cornwall, Ontario. This exercise is an opportunity for chaplains to gather for mutual support, to hear from their leaders in the chaplaincy, and to gain some knowledge from specialists that may prove useful in their service as military chaplains.

For two days during that time ten members of the Lutheran Caucus of chaplains—which includes LCC, ELCIC, and LCMS members—were joined by Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) President Timothy Teuscher.

President Teuscher presented a paper and led a discussion on the Catechism and Pastoral Care. This provided an opportunity for the chaplains to discuss their ministry and how they care for souls. It was a safe place for them to tell their personal stories and share their experiences.

President Teuscher also met for discussions with LCC chaplains to listen to concerns or issues that they might be having, and to discuss LCC’s proposed new Military Deanery. The deanery would include a Dean of Military Chaplains who, as representative of the Synod President, will provide

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oversight and support of all military chaplains on the roster of Lutheran Church-Canada.

LCC chaplains present were: Capt. Rev. Gerson Flor (Naples, Italy); Capt. Rev. David Gallas (Petawawa, Ontario); Capt. Rev. David Godkin (Esquimalt, B.C.) who is moving to Winnipeg this summer; Lt. Rev. David Jackson (Edmonton, Alberta); Capt. Rev. Min Kim (Edmonton) who will be moving to a new field of service next year as professor at CLTS in St. Catharines; Capt. Rev. Victor Morris (Wainwright, Alberta) who is moving to Ottawa this summer.

Capt. Rev. Sean Smallwood (Shilo, Manitoba) was unable to attend.

Please remember those in prayer who minister to the armed forces: “O Lord, almighty God, as You have always granted special gifts of the Holy Spirit to Your Church on earth, grant Your continual blessing to all who minister in Your name in the armed forces, that by Your gracious working they may honor Christ and advance the good of those committed to their care; through Jesus Christ, our Lord” (LSB p. 306).

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN July/August 2019

Supporting CREW Ministries CA N A DA - As CREW Ministries begins the process of winding down, it is inviting members of Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) who have been blessed by the organization’s ministry over the past thirty years to consider making a charitable donation to help clear remaining debts.

“We are so grateful to God for everything he has done through this ministry and the impact it has had on the lives of so many,” said Joel Haberstock, founding member of CREW Ministries. “But after two years of discussion and prayer, the board knows winding down operations is the right next step.”

“Before that can happen though,” he continued. “we need to pay off approximately $8,600 of remaining debt.” Outstanding debts are related to the purchase of the van used by full-time CREW Ministries music teams touring the country.

Donations to CREW Ministries are tax deductible and may be made online at GoFundMe. You may also make a gift by e-transfer to office@ crewministries.com or by sending a cheque to: 122 Cornwall Court, Penticton, BC V2A 8K9.

CREW Ministries is also selling out its remaining inventory of music cds. In particular, the BIG little Album can be purchased for $5 each plus postage. This classic album has been a favourite across Canada for almost 15 years, and features 31 children’s songs. Plug the cd into your computer and you can also print off lyric sheets, action sheets, and guitar chords. This album, and others by various full-time CREW teams over the years, are all available from www.crewministries. com/shop/.

CREW Ministries is a Listed Service Organization of LCC.

West Region News

Alberta and British Alberta Columbia and British - Michelle Columbia Heumann, editor

B.C. Church Worker Conference: Rest Coast Theological Retreat PARKSVILLE, B.C. - On May 6-9, 2019, church workers from British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan gathered at Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Resort in Parksville, B.C. Over forty participants enjoyed the opening service hosted by Our Saviour Lutheran Church in Parksville and the inspiring teaching and conversations led by Drs. Jeff Mallinson and Dan van Voorhis on a thoughtful Christian response to those who are leaving the church.

Because of this year’s partnership with Concordia Lutheran Seminary in Edmonton, the “Rest Coast Theological Retreat” was able to take place at a lovely resort and be made open to church workers across Lutheran Church–Canada. The conference organizers hope to continue inviting people from outside B.C. to participate while bringing in encouraging speakers and providing an opportunity for rest and rejuvenation on the West Coast.

Miraculous Mission Vacation Bible School TOMAHAWK, Alt. - Immanuel Lutheran Church held their Miraculous Mission Vacation Bible School from July 15-19, 2019. They were very blessed with great attendance, wonderful volunteers, and incredible response from the community.

Rev. Paul Roggow

Okanagan Considers Church Health

Drs. Dan van Voorhis and Jeff Mallinson

Grace Drumheller supports Central Alberta Pregnancy Care Centre DRUMHELLER, Alt. - On April 4, 2019, church and community members from Drumheller, including members from Grace Lutheran, planned and hosted a dessert night fundraiser to support the opening a satellite of the Central Alberta Pregnancy Care Centre. The Centre offers information and support to women and families dealing with unexpected pregnancies, walking with them in a caring and non-judgmental environment. The event was attended by 180 people, and raised over $14,000 towards the $25,000 goal. The next step will be to hire a director and find a location from which to offer services to the Drumheller community.

Rev. Scott Gamble

KELOWNA, B.C. - What does it mean to be a healthy church? What has God commissioned His Church to do and be? How well are we doing in fulfilling that commission?

Congregations of the Okanagan Circuit gathered at Redeemer in West Kelowna on June 21-22, 2019, for a seminar called “Becoming Healthier Churches”, where they considered these questions and many more. Led by Rev. Marv Ziprick from Bethel Lutheran Church (Sherwood Park, Alberta.), over thirty people learned from God’s Word and one another about taking steps towards better health as a congregation and as the Church.

Pastors and laypeople gathered on Friday evening and all day Saturday for devotions, for learning, and for discussion.

Rev. Ziprick guided the group through some ways to identify the opportunities and challenges we have as Christians in the reality of today’s world, and helped congregational teams identify some practical steps for their own congregations.

Prior to the all-circuit gathering, he also spent a day with circuit pastors and wives, sharing his experience and wisdom, and helping them share their own. All of this was an effort to help congregations and pastors fulfill their vocations in the challenging times in which we live.

Thanks to the people and pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in West Kelowna for their generous hospitality, to West Regional Pastor Rob Mohns for joining the gathering as a devotion leader and participant, to Rev. Ziprick for his ability and willingness to equip others, to the ABC District for providing funding, and to all those who participated and who will take their learning back to their congregations, seeking to better fulfill the commission of God to His church, that, as we go, we make disciples of all nations through baptizing and teaching God’s Word.

Rev. Michael Schutz, Okanagan Circuit Counsellor THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN 2019 THE CANADIAN LUTHERANJuly/August July/August 201919 1

West Region News

Alberta and British Alberta Columbia and British - Michelle Columbia Heumann, editor

ABC District LWML holds 32nd convention CA L G A RY, A l t . - T h e 3 2 n d convention of the ABC District of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League – Canada took place in Calgary on June 20-22, 2019.

District President Linda Horton reported that “the Convention was a success and fulfilled the needs of many, which is due to a lot of hard working, dedicated and gifted team players, forming one body.”

An ingathering supported the Children’s cottage, a crisis child centre in Calgary, and the event included a banquet dinner, a convention choir, a town hall

forum, the distribution of mission grants to seven different projects, a mission walk, and several intersession p re s e n t a t i o n s o n va r i o u s topics. Rev. Joseph Nhial presented on the Pastors with Alternate Training (PAT) program, retired Mountie Dan Oystryk spoke about posttraumatic stress disorder, and by the Parkland Zone (central Alberta) Dr. Leah Koetting presented on a in the summer of 2022.

Adapted from the LWMLC Christian perspective on Medical ABC District newsletter Assistance in Dying.

The District has announced that the 33rd convention will be hosted

From the regional pastor What kind of trouble can you get into?

I

n the last months, I have had the opportunity to attend both the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League (ABC District) convention and the National Youth Gathering.

I would like to commend the organizing committees, councils, volunteers, leaders, and participants at these events! We are blessed by God to be provided with opportunities such as these to gather up the saints for the study of God’s Word, for worship, for times of prayer, for sharing inspiring stories and encouraging fellowship, and to grow in the awareness of the ministry’s joys, sorrows, and opportunities.

I am reminded of the importance of the various and diverse ministries of Lutheran Church–Canada. LWML and the youth ministries of LCC were instrumental in my formation as a Christian and as a pastor. You likely have experienced other LCC ministries that have played an important role in your Christian formation. Each of the ministries of LCC is a gift from God to His Church to be received with thanksgiving and supported through the dedication of our time, talents, and treasure. Please join the leaders and members of our various ministries in prayer that our Lord would continue to bless the work He intends to accomplish through them.

I am also reminded of the encouragement St. Paul received from the members of the Philippian

20 ANADIANLL UTHERAN July/August July/August2019 2019 2 TTHEHECCANADIAN UTHERAN

congregation when they supported him. All ministry is of the Lord and dependent entirely upon Him. In His great concern for the ministry of His church, the Lord stirred up in the Philippian congregation a concern to support Paul’s ministry. God continues to revive His church’s concern for ministry today and to provide opportunities to help.

Paul wrote in Philippians 4:10-14: “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.”

Paul’s last statement begs the question, “What kind of trouble can I get into?” Or more to the point, “Whose trouble can I share in?” I pray that our God who is rich in grace, and who has filled us with His abundant grace and mercy, would grant us the awareness, opportunities, and desire to share in others’ trouble... for Jesus’ sake.

Rev. Robert Mohns

West Region News

Alberta and British Alberta Columbia and British - Michelle Columbia Heumann, editor

Rev. Harold Witte celebrates ministry anniversary

E D M O N T O N , A l t . - Re v.

H a ro l d W i t t e c e l e b ra t e d h i s 50th anniversary of ordination on June 22, 2019. He was from Chicago, Illinois, but was raised in Edmonton where his father was a science professor at Concordia College. He received a M.Div. degree from Concordia Theological Seminary (St. Louis, Missouri) in 1969, and served four Lutheran Church–Canada congregations: Redeemer Lutheran (Bramalea, Ontario), Connaught Hill Lutheran (Prince George, B.C.; the name was changed to Zion Lutheran in 1988), St. Matthew Lutheran (Stony Plain, Alberta), and All Saints Lutheran (Edmonton). Since retiring in 2008, Rev. Witte has served as the protestant chaplain on ten cruise ships in the Holland American fleet, and assists pastors through consulting, coaching, affirming, conflict resolution, and mentoring.

Nine students confirm their faith in Jesus LETHBRIDGE, Alt. - On June 9, 2019 (Pentecost Sunday), nine students from Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lethbridge celebrated their confirmation. Rev. Lee Loveridge reported: “We are passing faith in Jesus on to the next generation,” and thanked the congregation for contributing and partnering “to pass on the faith.” He also said, “We are so thankful to our Heavenly Father for the gift of faith in His Son, Jesus worked in us through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Rev. Lee Loveridge

Rev. Lee Loveridge, Teilyn Symonds, Kristian Eufemia, Brooklyn Meyers, Sam Murray, Shay Lindemann, Logan Fedoruk, Mackenzie Meyers, Tayler Sparvier, Terra Friesen

Miraculous Mission Vacation Bible School EDMONTON, Alt. - Eighteen children went on a Miraculous Mission from July 8-12, 2019, at All Saints Lutheran Church. Through storytelling, songs, games, crafts, puppetry, and more, students learned how Jesus saves the world. New this year was an adult class attended by ten people, and about sixty people attended the Thursday Night barbeque and closing program.

Denise Hellwege

Foothills and Drumheller meet for slo-pitch games DRUMHELLER, Alt. - On June 23, 2019, Foothills Lutheran (Calgary) visited Grace Lutheran (Drumheller) for two ballgames to kick off the summer season and warm up for the ABC District Slo-Pitch Tournament in August. Both congregations seemed to enjoy watching their pastors face off across home plate, but since the Foothills team was rounded out by players borrowed from Drumheller, and Drumheller will be joining Foothills at the tournament, the competition was friendly.

Dinner was hosted by Grace, and everyone enjoyed the good weather and fellowship.

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN 2019 THE CANADIAN LUTHERANJuly/August July/August 201921 3

West Region News

Alberta and British Alberta Columbia and British - Michelle Columbia Heumann, editor

Hope Lutheran celebrates mortgage burning PORT COQUITLAM, B.C. - On June 2, 2019, the congregation of Hope Lutheran Church, Port Coquitlam, gathered outside the front doors of the church and school to celebrate the retiring of the debt by burning the mortgage.

Almost forty years ago a fire significantly destroyed the church, and funds were borrowed to rebuild.

When the congregation opened a school twenty-five years ago, more money was borrowed to add classrooms, then to build a south wing to house four classrooms, and then again in 2014 to build two more classrooms. During all this time, both church and school partnered to pay down the debt until the last

payment on the mortgage was made in May 2019.

Two charter members, Bernice Ulmer and Joan Striha, from when the congregation started over sixty years ago, were called on to officially burn the mortgage. Rev. Laverne Hautz led the brief outdoor service, with well over a hundred people gathered. Scripture passages were read, prayers were offered, and those in attendance lifted up their voices in praise, singing “Now Thank We All Our God.” Following the mortgage burning, the people moved inside for the day’s Communion service, and back outside again to a local park for a picnic in the afternoon.

Rev. Laverne Hautz

Bernice Ulmer (left) and Joan Striha (right), charter members of Hope.

Looking back with gratitude: Rev. Fraser Coltman celebrates ordination anniversary NANAIMO, B.C. - July 10, 2019, marked twenty-five years since Rev. Fraser Coltman was ordained to serve as a pastor. That service took place among the people of Zion Lutheran Church in Morden, Manitoba, joined by the people of Trinity Lutheran Church of Winkler. Rev. Dr. Norman Threinen preached for the anniversary event and Rev. Glenn Stever presided.

The eight years of life and ministry in Winkler and Morden were time of learning and growth. Two different congregations consisting of people with two distinct mindsets—town and country—taught Rev. Coltman about life, faith, grief, and hope. The Lord enabled the people of Trinity to build a beautiful new place for their worship and work together, and they continued to serve together in a new part of their town. The people of Zion were keen to serve the Lord through their LWML and Ladies’ Aid groups, Sunday School, and summer Vacation Bible School. They were good years for the Coltman family.

In 2002, Rev. Coltman was called to join Rev. Bryan Schindel in serving a newly formed regional parish encompassing congregations from the communities of Cranbrook, Kimberley, Invermere, Fernie, and Elkford.

Life grew much more complicated there. Sundays, once a family day, became a busy travel and work day with preaching in either Cranbrook, Fernie and Elkford, or Kimberley and Invermere. Learning to work in team ministry with another pastor and with members of the congregations gave Rev. Coltman a deeper appreciation for gifts Jesus gives to His Church for His work.

However, the demands of the work in the East Kootenay exposed stress and temptation, and in October 2008, Rev. Coltman stepped back from the work for a medical leave. Rest, medical care, counselling, and attention to Scripture and prayer were the means by which our Lord restored him to work in February of the next year.

During his leave, he was supported

Send news, photos, articles, and announcements to: Michelle Heumann, Regional Editor regionaleditor@lutheranchurch.ca

22TTHEHECCANADIAN ANADIANLL UTHERAN July/August July/August2019 2019 4 UTHERAN

by members of the parish and by Rev. David Morton, with whom Rev. Coltman enjoyed nearly six more years of team ministry.

In 2015, Rev. Coltman was called to serve St. Paul’s in Nanaimo.

Thanks to God’s gracious work accomplished through Rev. Colin Liske, Rev. Al Dudiak, and members of the congregation, he is blessed to be preaching, teaching, administering the Sacraments, and serving among a people in a community where he feels at home. God has blessed them with many opportunities for Bible study, seniors’ ministry, and social ministry, and Rev. Coltman gives “thanks and praise to Him for the great salvation that is ours in His Son and for good works He gives us to do helped by His Spirit!”

Contact Regional Pastor Robert Mohns at: rmohns@lutheranchurch.ca 1-855-826-9950

Central Regional News

Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and NW Manitoba, OntarioNW - Michelle OntarioHeumann, editor

Pastor shaves off 41-year-old beard to support youth ministry HUMBOLDT, Sask. - On June 9, 2019, Rev. Clint Magnus allowed his forty-one-year-old beard to be shaved off as a fundraiser to send four youth and one leader to Lutheran Church–Canada’s 2019 National Youth Gathering.

Rev. Mangus said: “My wife has never seen me without a beard, my six children have never seen me without a beard, and quite frankly, I could hardly remember what I looked like without one. So, the first thing I needed to do was ask Joyce if she was OK with this, and she agreed that this was a worthy cause.” Raising almost $2,000, the project also attracted the attention of the local news media.

Rev. Magnus reported, “The question always came up ‘Why?’ And that would give me the opportunity to tell them that we have four young people who love the Lord who want to grow in their faith and be together with other like-minded Christian young people from across the country.

And so if I can help them grow in their faith in Christ by shaving off my beard, that’s all good.”

After the shaving, Mrs. Magnus is reported to have said “I married a man with a beard, and I think I want to stay married to a man with a beard.” Rev. Magnus concluded “The beard will grow back…it’s a small price to pay for the growth of faith in these young lives.”

With notes from Rev. Magnus

Rev. Alvin R. Borchardt celebrates ministry anniversary NEEPAWA, Man. - On July 7, 2019, Rev. Alvin R. Borchardt celebrated his eighty-fifth birthday, and in September will celebrate sixty years in the ministry. He says that “it is by God’s grace and blessings that I have accomplished anything.”

Rev. Borchardt graduated in May 1959, and on September 13 the same year, he was ordained in Christ Lutheran Church (Langenburg, Saskatchewan) by his father, Rev. Alvin O. Borchardt.

His first call was to Connaught Hill Lutheran Church (Prince George, B.C. – the name was changed to Zion Lutheran in 1988), and he also served Christ (MacNutt, Saskatchewan), Immanuel ( L a n d e s t re u , S a s ka t c h ewa n ) , Christ (Red Lake, Ontario), St. Paul’s (McCreary, Manitoba) Christ (Neepawa, Manitoba), and Zion (Plumas, Manitoba).

Rev. and Mrs. Borchardt report that they “have much to thank and praise God for.”

Jean Borchardt

Youth from Humboldt at the 2019 NYG

Immanuel in Winnipeg welcomes new pastor WINNIEG, Man. - The members of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Winnipeg were thrilled to receive Rev. Mark L.H. Just as their new pastor during an installation service on December 9, 2018. Rev. Just and his wife Melony have two sons, Matthew and Maddox, and three foster children, Riley, Ian, and Charlotte. The Justs have been members of Immanuel for the past five years. After the installation, a time of fellowship was had with coffee and cake served to all in attendance.

Karen Kroll

Back Row: Rev. Richard Beinert, Rev. Ward Yunker, Rev. Thomas Prachar, Rev. Will Rose, Rev. Cameron Schnarr. Front Row: PAT Oboya Ochalla, Rev. Brad Schollenberg, Rev. Mark L.H. Just, Rev. Harald Schoubye THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN 2019 THE CANADIAN LUTHERANJuly/August July/August 201923 1

Central Regional News

Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and NW Manitoba, OntarioNW - Michelle OntarioHeumann, editor

From the regional pastor A Faithful Summer

S

ummer is upon us, and before a recent camping trip with my family, I was limping toward summer holidays like a teacher in the last week of school.

Summer is a time for rest and renewing relationships with far-flung family and friends for pastors and parishioners alike. But with all that travel comes the question: when away from home, how will you be fed spiritually? Just because you are away from your fridge and kitchen doesn’t mean you stop eating.

Similarly, there are dire consequences if you stop being spiritually fed.

Before you go, take a few minutes to search for places where the faithful gather to be fed God’s Word and the blessed Sacraments of Christ our Lord. When my family travels we always spend time thinking about where we’ll be, budgets, and if there are special restaurants or foods we want to have. (We’re hoping to have some good barbeque in Kansas City this summer!) In the same way, I always spend a bit of time online searching for local Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) or Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod congregations where I am going.

When attending churches you don’t know, there are a few considerations. First, is there even a LCC congregation near where you are going? If you don’t know, Google it or use the “Find a Congregation” feature on lutheranchurch.ca (or, if you’re travelling in the United States, on lcms.org). Once you find a congregation, spend some time on their website to make sure you know when and where service is so you can be sure to fit it into your schedule.

Often their communion schedule is listed and you’ll be able to figure out if they are receiving our Lord’s holy body and blood that day. If so, do yourself and the pastor the favour of calling or emailing ahead, or showing up early to introduce yourself to the pastor to ask if you can commune. This is actually an expectation that we have for ourselves in LCC—that you would introduce yourself, what congregation you are a member of, and announce your desire to commune to the pastor of the church you visit. (Did you know that in the early Church you didn’t commune outside your own church without a letter from your pastor to the pastor of the church you were going?) It makes everything easier for all involved, as the pastor then knows who you are (he may even

24TTHEHECCANADIAN ANADIANLL UTHERAN July/August July/August2019 2019 2 UTHERAN

remember your name at the communion rail) and can commune you knowing that you receive the sacrament worthily and not to your harm (see 1 Corinthians 11:2732). Every congregation does things a little differently and the pastor can then inform you about things at this congregation.

If there is no LCC congregation near you and you choose to attend a church belonging to another denomination, be aware that every church body has its own confession of faith. This means that a “church” or a “communion” is united by its shared confession of doctrine. And as Scripture says, “How good and how pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity!”

(Psalm 133:1). This is also why there are different church bodies, because not all churches teach the same thing.

Therefore, when you partake of communion at a church, you are not merely coming into union with God through the body and blood of Christ but with all of the fellow Christians at that table. Your attendance at an altar declares that you are in full unity with those Christians around you. If you commune in a Roman Catholic church, then, you are saying you believe that the Pope is the head of the Church on earth, a higher authority than Holy Scripture. Or if you commune at a United Church congregation, you say you are in full agreement with everything they have taught about sexuality for the last decades. By communing in a Baptist church, you confess that the body and blood of Christ are not present in, with, and under the bread and wine of the Lord’s Supper—that the bread and wine are only a memorial of something that once happened. Rather than confessing things you do not believe, you may wish to speak with the pastor beforehand to note you are visiting from another church tradition and, while unable to commune, wish them sincere good wishes in Christ.

If you happen to be camping or away from a church all together, you can still hear the Word of God on your phone through sources like your church’s website or the Lutheran Hour Ministries app.

Wherever you are this summer I pray that God’s Word of truth strengthens you in the forgiveness of your sins, granting you life and salvation.

Rev. David Haberstock

Central Regional News

Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and NW OntarioNW - Michelle Saskatchewan, Manitoba, OntarioHeumann, editor

Central LWMLC convention YO R K T O N , S a s k . - F r o m June 7-9, 2019, the Lutheran Women’s Missionary LeagueCanada (LWMLC) Central District Convention met for business and fellowship. District President Pa m B u r n s c a l l e d t h e e ve n t “a mountain top experience.”

Highlights included an ingathering of 250 prayer cards, and financial donations to be distributed to the three camps; Aurora (Thunder Bay, Ontario), Jackfish (Roblin, Manitoba), and Lutherland (Fort Q u ’A p p e l l e, S a s k a t c h e w a n ) .

Speakers and presenters included Rev. Dr. Richard Beinert, Rev. Robert Grout, Rev. Lucas Albrecht, Rev. Paulo Brum, Rev. Will Rose, Dr. Leah Koetting Block, and Rev. Dr. James Gimbel.

Business included bylaw revisions, elections, and distributing mission grants. Approximately thirty ladies participated in a mission walk at Ravine Ecological Preserve, raising almost $8,000 to support the three camps. A turkey banquet was provided, followed by a presentation from National LWMLC President Linda Long. She also presented thirtyone anniversary certificates to societies celebrating twenty-five to sixty-five years of service. Special appreciation gifts were given to all those who have served on the board and committees from 2013 to present.

Pam Burns

LWML mission walkers

Young women attending the convention (l-r): Janice Tide, Parkland Zone; Mattea Gerl, Capital Zone; Sara Dennis, Capital Zone; Monica Lankapalli, Wheatland Zone

Youth help out for CLWR Work Day WINNIPEG, Man. - On June 1, 2019, the youth group of the Trinity/Zion parish in Winkler and Morden, Manitoba, spent the morning packing We Care kits at the Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) warehouse in Winnipeg.

After helping out, the youth enjoyed lunch in the food court at Polo Park Mall followed by a little shopping before returning home.

Six of the parish’s youth, the youth leader, Kelly Klages, Rev. Alex Klages, and Vicar Adam

Chandler were joined for the day by former Vicar Shiekh Lief Mauricio, now pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran in Valleyview, Alberta. Everyone enjoyed working at the CLWR warehouse and were unanimous in their desire to do a work-andfun trip like this again soon.

Rev. Alex Klages

Youth participate in CLWR’s Work Day in Winnipeg (Photo credit: Cody Cleave, CLWR)

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN 2019 THE CANADIAN LUTHERANJuly/August July/August 201925 3

Central Regional News

Saskatchewan, Manitoba, OntarioHeumann, editor Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and NW OntarioNW - Michelle

Great is Thy Faithfulness: 95th Anniversary Celebration REGINA, Sask. - On June 23, 2019, Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church celebrated its ninety-fifth anniversary.

A service of thanksgiving to God for all His gracious blessings was followed by a reception and banquet.

Members of Grace, family, friends, and former members, along with three former pastors, joined in the celebration. Written greetings from others who could not attend were also shared. It was a wonderful day, and the congregation looks forward with eagerness to those opportunities the Lord will continue to provide for them to share His Word and bless their community.

Rev. Aaron Gust

LCC President Timothy Teuscher, Central Regional Pastor David Habberstock, Rev. Arron Gust, Rev. Lowell Dennis, and Rev. Don Koch.

Thirteenth annual St. John Chrysostom Lutheran Preachers Retreat

Pastors listen in during the John Chrysostom Lutheran Preachers Retreat.

REGINA, Sask. – Twenty-one pastors gathered in Regina from June 10-12, 2019, to welcome Rev. David Pedersen to the thirteenth annual St. John Chrysostom Lutheran Preachers Retreat. Rev. Pedersen’s topic for this year’s retreat was “Preaching for catechesis as well as conversion.”

Over three days the pastors were immersed in preaching and teaching, finding rest in the Word

Rev. David Pedersen teaches during the Preachers Retreat.

and a renewed spirit toward the task of preaching repentance and forgiveness in Christ. This year the retreat invited the local laity to join in the opening Divine Service at Mount Olive Lutheran Church.

The offering from the service will be given to Concordia Lutheran Seminary in Edmonton and Concordia Theological Seminary in St. Catharines.

Send news, photos, articles, and announcements to: Michelle Heumann, Regional Editor regionaleditor@lutheranchurch.ca

4 UTHERAN 26TTHEHECCANADIAN ANADIANLL UTHERAN July/August July/August2019 2019

Retreat participants are incredibly thankful for support from the Central District Presidential Speakers Fund, without which this retreat would not be possible, and look forward to continued support from the Synod as they ever seek to faithfully preach Christ and Him Crucified.

Plans for the fourteenth annual retreat will be announced in the fall.

Rev. Arron Gust

Contact Regional Pastor David Haberstock at: dhaberstock@lutheranchurch.ca 1-800-663-5673

East Region News

Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic Canada Michelle editor Ontario, and Quebec, New Brunswick, NovaHeumann, Scotia

Ontario District LWML Convention Lef t: Past presidents Betty Berlet, Joyce Nauman, Ardith Pollex, Fran Van Vorst, and Janice Buchner Right: The new District board: Lorna Kingston, Phyllis Gilbert, Cathie Smith, Diana Grant, Linda Schapper t, Barbara Jurgens Doris Osgood (missing: Lois Munz)

WATERLOO, Ont. - From June 6-8, 2019, the Ontario District of Lutheran Women’s Missionary League-Canada met at the Delta Hotel in Waterloo with the theme “Rejoice, Be Glad.” The convention opened with a Divine Service with Holy Communion with Rev. Marvin Bublitz as preacher.

During Friday and Saturday those present heard from many organizations and from speakers such as LWML Canada President Linda Long; Lisa Jackson from Lutheran Hour Ministries; Rev. Dr. Thomas Winger; Rev. Marvin Bublitz; Jennifer Ardon from Canadian Lutheran World Relief; Lutheran Bible Translators of Canada’s Rev. Ron Mohr; and keynote speaker Brenda Ryan. On Friday evening a banquet was held and entertainment was provided by the Waterloo Regional Police Choir, which, along with a delicious meal, was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

The newly elected officers a re : P re s i d e n t , D i a n a G ra n t ; Vice President Mission Grants and Mission Services, Linda Schappert; Vice President Mission Education and Mission Inspiration, Barbara Jurgens; Vice President Communications, Lois Munz; Re c o r d i n g S e c r e t a r y, L o r n a Kingston; Corresponding Secretary, Doris Osgood; Financial Secretary, Cathie Smith; and Treasurer, Phyllis Gilbert.

The convention supported Medical Mission, the Historic St. Paul’s Community Cupboard, Anselma House, and House of

Friendship, and also voted to support the following projects over the next three years: • We b - b a s e d s e m i n a r s a t Concordia Reformer Seminary, Dominican Republic; • A s s i s t a n c e t o Pa s t o r / Missionary Suchart Chujit, Thailand; •Assistance to Quinte Lutheran Church, Trenton, Ontario; •Deaconess Support, Cambodia; •Seminary Pantry, Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary, St. Catharines;

•An Augmentative and Alternative Communication (ACC) Device for the Y’Awesome Program at Grace Lutheran Church; •The Interim Mission Opportunity Fund.

Thanks to co-chairs Doris Schaeffer and June Williams and their various committees, to the pastors involved, especially to Rev. Mark Koehler and Rev. Richard Juritsch, and to President Janice Buchner for her dedicated service to the LWMLC Ontario District over the past six years.

Diana Grant and Doris Osgood

Kitchener Circuit Ascension Day Service KITCHENER, Ont. - On May 30, fifty-one members from the Kitchener Circuit attended an Ascension Day worship service at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Elmira. The worship service was the fourth annual Circuit Ascension Day Service held at St. Paul’s. Participating in the worship service were pastors of some of the Kitchener Circuit congregations and Rev. Ron Mohr, Executive Director of Lutheran Bible Translators of Canada (LBTC), who preached at the worship service. In addition to the proclamation of the Word of God, the worship service included the Lord’s Supper, and the choir of St. Paul's sang a communion anthem before the distribution of the sacrament. The offering was designated in support of LBTC, and

following the service, refreshments were served in the fellowship hall.

Rev. Richard A. Frey

Rev. John Rapp, Rev. Rob Korsch, Rev. Rick Frey, Rev. Ron Mohr, Rev. Warren Hamp

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN 2019 THE CANADIAN LUTHERANJuly/August July/August 201927 1

East Region News

Ontario,and Quebec, New Brunswick, NovaHeumann, Scotia Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic Canada - Michelle editor

From the regional pastor “We don’t need them”: A tale of two congregations

P

icture for a moment two congregations. One is doing well and can stand on its own. The other is struggling to provide Word and Sacraments to its members. How should they view each other? Should the stable congregation say “We don’t need them”?

Should the struggling congregation say “There is no hope for us”?

I know of one pastor who, when a neighbouring congregation was vacant, said to his congregation, “We don’t need them, but they need us.” In a financial sense, it was true: the healthy congregation didn’t need support from the struggling congregation.

But in a deeper sense, all members of the Body of Christ need each other. In true Christian love for their brothers and sisters in need, his congregation therefore paired with the vacant congregation as a dual parish.

Every year when the reading from Philippians 2 comes up in the lectionary, I think of that pastor’s words: “We don’t need them, but they need us.” The Holy Spirit inspired St. Paul to write in Philippians 2:3-8: “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

In the world there is so much done out of selfishness. The first question often considered when one is asked for help is “What’s in it for me?

If I get nothing out of it, why should I help?” Such is the way of the sinful world. But in the Church things are to be different. We are to have the mind

28TTHEHECCANADIAN ANADIANLL UTHERAN July/August July/August2019 2019 2 UTHERAN

of Christ among us. And what does it mean to have the mind of Christ? St. Paul spells it out: in humility we are to look to the needs of others, not only our own. In Christ-like fashion, we are to sacrifice for the sake of others.

But because we are sinful, we tend more often to be like Adam and Eve. We reach out and grasp whatever we want, when we want. We, like Adam and Eve, want to be the gods of our world. So we set aside the wants and needs of others for the sake of our wants and needs. Sacrifice is all well and good if someone else does it for us, but don’t expect me to sign up to do it.

“We don’t need them, but they need us.” I encourage every congregation who is in vacancy and every circuit that has a vacancy to consider their neighbouring congregations and ask: “Do we need them? Do they need us? How might we work together in humility, having the mind of Christ among us?”

Such thoughts, talk, and actions do not come naturally to us. Rather, the Holy Spirit works this mindset in us as we are baptized into the family of God, as we gather to hear the Word of God, as we gather to receive Holy Absolution, and as we take and eat and take and drink our Lord’s true Body and Blood. Then, He who in humility put us first and sacrificed for us, will empower and equip us to be Christ-like in our care for each other, in our works of service to each other, and in our financial support of each other. Then, as we hear in the book of Acts that the early Christians did, we can use the blessings the Lord gives us as Christ-like stewards, distributing to any as they have need.

Rev. Marvin Bublitz

East Region News

Ontario,and Quebec, New Brunswick, NovaHeumann, Scotia Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic Canada - Michelle editor

Seminary graduate ordained in Windsor and installed in Stratford S T R AT F O R D , O n t . – Rev. Matthew Fenn, a recent graduate of Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (CLTS), was ordained in a festival service at First Lutheran Church on Pentecost, June 9, 2019.

Rev. Fenn was installed at St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Stratford on July 14, 2019.

A native of St. Thomas, Ontario, Rev. Fenn attended St. Clair College and recently earned a B.D. (Bachelor of Divinity) degree through the external studies program of the University of London, England.

Raised among Jehovah’s Witnesses, his convictions about Christ and the Bible led him first to evangelical circles and later to seek membership in the Lutheran church. While a member at First Lutheran, he was encouraged to consider studying for the ministry, and enrolled at CLTS in St. Catharines. His vicarage year was spent in the dual parish of Dryden and Vermillion Bay in northwestern Ontario.

The afternoon festival was attended by over a hundred people, at which the English Choir of First Lutheran participated under the direction of Suzanne Eberhard, a rostered deacon and principal of

(Front Row): Rev. Robert Bugbee, Regional Pastor Mar vin Bublitz, Rev. Matthew Fenn, Rev. Kirk Radford; (2nd Row): Rev. William Ney, Rev. Larry Ritter, Dr. Wilhelm Torgerson, Rev. Timothy Schneider, Dr. Thomas Winger (3rd Row): Rev. Gilvan de Azevedo, Rev. Esko Murto, Rev. Jonathan Sachs, Rev. Rober t Voelker (Back Row): Seminarian David Zakel, Rev. Daniel Bonato, Rev. Jordan Simon

First Lutheran Christian Academy.

Mike Ricketts provided organ accompaniment. The service was followed by a potluck dinner in the church auditorium. First Lutheran’s council president, Bryan Johnson, brought greetings and presented a gift to the Fenn family on behalf of those in attendance.

The special Vespers service to install Rev. Fenn at St. Peter’s was attended by more than 150 people.

St. Peter’s Choir performed three choral pieces, and after the service, a special catered meal was held to welcome him and say farewell to vacancy pastor Rev. Bill Ney. The Fenn family was blessed with

a large donation to their kitchen pantry by the members of St. Peter’s. Both Rev. Fenn and St. Peter’s are excited to begin their work together.

Rev. Fenn and his wife, Laurin, have been happily married since 2015, and the Lord has blessed them with two sons, Isaac and Micah.

With notes from Rev. Robert Bugbee

Berea Lutheran Church’s Hats and Mats Project BEREA, Ont. - Between September 2018 and June 2019, Berea Lutheran C h u rc h i n s o u t h e r n O n t a r i o contributed approximately 4,500 items to people in need, donating textiles to Ontario organizations in Owen Sound, London, Goderich, Sarnia, Aurora, and Toronto. Donations included knit hats, knit mitts, sleeping mats made from repurposed milk bags, socks, facecloths, scarves, toiletries, bags, blankets, cushions, clothing, and more.

Berea Lutheran thanks all the contributors throughout their community, including the group of ladies pictured, and more who were not in attendance at the last meeting in June. The group, which meets

weekly through the year at Berea Lutheran, will meet again starting in September. Even though the group doesn’t formally meet through the summer, deliveries still continue as

requested, and the community is always invited to donate clean, dry milk bags and acrylic yarn.

Heather Ball

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN 2019 THE CANADIAN LUTHERANJuly/August July/August 201929 3

East Region News

Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic Canada - Michelle editor Ontario,and Quebec, New Brunswick, NovaHeumann, Scotia

London pastor continues to serve despite health challenges LONDON, Ont. – Rev. Kenneth Vo e g e, p a s t o r of Our Saviour Lutheran Church, had his first hip replacement surgery after arthritis had ruined both of his hips. He had to undergo six surgeries on his left hip and four on his right, with at least one more surgery planned as the second of a two-stage procedure.

Trouble with infection was behind his most recent return to hospital, after Rev. Voege noticed redness around the surgical site. The redness continued to grow and a few days later, he was back in surgery for a life-threatening infection. Currently, Rev. Voege does not have an artificial joint in his right hip, or even a spacer, which is typical for this two-stage process. In the meantime, he continues to serve his congregation from a wheelchair.

“There is a temptation to blame God for bad things that happen to us,” notes Rev. Voege. “Every day before the infection hit, I had prayed for God to keep infection from coming back.

At first I wondered what use those prayers had been. I wondered why God had abandoned me. But He had heard every one of my prayers.”

“He did not cause the infection to return,” he continues. “That was due to the corruption of the flesh that each one of us has because of mankind’s fall into sin. God was always with me as my loving heavenly Father to help when my weak flesh failed me. His hand reached out to me, providing me with an empty Emergency waiting room and giving me doctors who knew

exactly what to do and when to do it.

And He has given me a surgeon who is skilled and caring.”

Rev. Voege expresses his gratitude to his Circuit Counsellor, Rev. Don Schieman, who brought him the “medicine of immortality” (the Lord’s Supper) in the hospital, and to East Regional Pastor Marvin Bublitz who also brought him the Lord’s supper.

“Both of these pastors knew what I needed to strengthen me against the devil’s temptation, which would have me blame God for my troubles,” he says. “Through faith, strengthened

by Christ’s forgiveness, I give thanks to God, my rock and my salvation.”

On June 16, 2019, Rev. Voege was once again able to lead the sheep entrusted to him in worship, and to feed them Lord’s Supper. “When I entered the sanctuary and saw Pastor Voege vested and seated, prepared to lead the service, my heart jumped for joy,” notes Regional Pastor Bublitz.

“But the greater joy came during the service as I received from his hand my Lord’s Body and Blood. In all this he has been a faithful example to me of enduring suffering while trusting in the Lord. I thank the Lord for His care of Pastor Voege and for the strength he has given me through him.”

With notes from Rev. Bublitz

Send news, photos, articles, and announcements to: Michelle Heumann, Regional Editor regionaleditor@lutheranchurch.ca

30 ANADIANLL UTHERAN July/August July/August2019 2019 4 TTHEHECCANADIAN UTHERAN

First meeting of East Region Mission and Ministry Council WATERLOO, Ont. – On March 29, 2019, the East RMMC met for the first time, hosted by Redeemer Lutheran Church, Waterloo. The opening devotion was led by Redeemer’s pastor, Rev. Joel Kuhl, with Regional Pastor Marvin Bublitz preaching. A delicious pork and sauerkraut lunch was provided by Rev. Don Schieman.

Re v. D o n S c h i e m a n w a s appointed as RMMC Chairman, and Rev. Kevin Walrath was appointed as Secretary. The council reviewed the Scope of Duties and the bylaws that pertain to the RMMC, and discussed the prioritizing of subsidy requests.

Stephen Klink was appointed to create and maintain a database of resources to be available when a congregation has a question in an area where someone has experience.

The following sub-groups were created to accomplish the various tasks the RMMC will endeavor to carry out: •Congregational Services: James Krestick, Rev. Kurt Lantz, Rev. Kevin Walrath, Jane Jacob, Rev. Brian Dunlop •Social Ministry: Ron Groskleg, Rev. J o h n T re m b u l a k , S t eve Otterman •Communications & Technology: Rev. David Smilek, Stephen Klinck, Dan Putzman •Convocation: Rev. Richard Orlowski, Stephen Klinck, Jane Jacob, Gerrald Klages •Assistance Review Committee: Rev. Kirk Radford, David Chant, Paul Otterman •Budgeting: Rev. Don Schieman, D av i d C h a n t , Rev. M a t t h ew Habermas The next meeting is scheduled for September 2019.

Contact Regional Pastor Marvin Bublitz at: mbublitz@lutheranchurch.ca 1-855-893-1466

Mission News www.canadianlutheran.ca

Diaconal Coordinator for Central America appointed CANADA - Lutheran Church– Canada’s (LCC) Committee for Missions and Social Ministry has appointed Dcn. Olga Groh as Diaconal Coordinator for Central America.

For many years, training of Lutheran deaconesses has been an important part of Lutheran Church–Canada’s international mission work. Deaconesses—a special class of deacons—are female professional church-workers who have been trained to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through works of mercy, spiritual care, and teaching the Christian faith.

Dcn. Groh is a LCC-rostered deacon who trained as a deaconess in The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS). Her work on behalf of LCC came about through a serendipitous dinner encounter at a restaurant in Managua, Nicaragua a decade ago. That encounter led to Dcn. Groh’s service developing annual seminars and retreats on the sacraments and diaconal life for the deaconesses of the Lutheran Church Synod of Nicaragua (Iglesia Luterana Sínodo de Nicaragua – ILSN) as part of LCC’s continuing education program for ILSN church workers.

The success of that experience prompted LCC Missions to ask Dcn. Groh to take on the development of a Christian education program for ILSN children.

In 2019, LCC invited her to serve on a broader basis as Diaconal Coordinator for Central America.

The position combines the two previous LCC endeavours with new responsibilities coordinating Christian education affairs and diaconal training in the ILSN, in collaboration with LCC missions and the ILSN. Dcn. Groh brings to the position a wealth of experience. She is a psychotherapist and LCMS-trained deaconess, and fluent in Spanish.

She formerly served as Project Management Director in Latin America and the Caribbean with LCMS World Mission and LCMS

World Relief and Human Care. Dcn. Groh’s competence, experience, knowledge, and theological acumen are undergirded by her profound attitude of servanthood, evident in all she does in the Lord’s church.

The responsibilities of the Diaconal Coordinator are defined

by LCC Missions as follows: The Diaconal Coordinator (DC) is a called deacon of Lutheran Church– Canada. She is a deaconess who is a witness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through works of mercy, spiritual care, and teaching the Christian faith.

The DC is bilingual in English and Spanish, has cross-cultural ministry experience and possesses skills that will support the ministry partnership in the following areas: 1. The Diaconal Coordinator will oversee the catechesis and spiritual formation of deaconesses and diaconal candidates in Central America.

2. The DC will develop a curriculum for the training of deaconesses, and guidelines for their spiritual care through formal consultation with, and within the guidelines of, LCC. 3. The DC will plan workshops, seminars, and retreats for deaconesses and candidates (family members, friends and women in the community may also attend certain events at the DC’s discretion).

4. The DC will also offer consolation and encouragement to ILSN deaconesses currently serving the Church in Central America.

5. The DC may assist pastors and deaconesses in developing plans for catechesis in the local congregation, as well as assist church workers in developing programs of spiritual care for women, widows, orphans, and young children.

6. The DC may also be asked to assist congregations in assessing community needs and implementing mercy projects.

7. The DC may also draft project proposals and present them to LCC for approval.

Dcn. Olga Groh.

8. The DC will foster a spirit of sisterhood grounded in Word and Sacrament and mutual encouragement within the ILSN diaconate sisterhood, by the deaconesses themselves.

Lutheran Church–Canada encourages its members to remember Dcn. Groh’s work on behalf of LCC and the ILSN in their prayers.

LCC’s Mission Work Support LCC’s missions through online giving at www.lutheranchurch.ca or by mail at: LUTHERAN CHURCHCANADA 3074 PORTAGE AVENUE WINNIPEG MANITOBA R3K 0Y2

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN July/August 2019

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Mission News www.canadianlutheran.ca

Anyuak pastor installed in Winnipeg

Left Image: Rev. Oboya Ochalla is ordained and installed in Winnipeg. Back row (l-r): Rev. Cam Schnarr, Rev. Brad Schollenberg, LCC President Rev. Timothy Teuscher, Central District President Emeritus Thomas Prachar, and Rev. Assefa Aredo. Front row (l-r): Rev. Dr. Richard Beinert, Rev. Oboya Ochalla, and LCC Central Regional Pastor David Haberstock. (Missing: Rev. Mark Just, Rev. Ward Yunker.) Right Mosaic: Scenes from Rev. Ochalla’s ordination and installation.

WINNIPEG - On June 22, 2019, Rev. Oboya Ochalla was ordained and installed as Assistant Pastor of St. James Lutheran Church in Winnipeg where he will focus on outreach to the Anyuak and Amharic communities. “ I t ’ s a j oy t o b e o rd a i n e d into the pastoral ministry,” said Rev. Ochalla. “I look forward to continuing to serve God’s people— b o t h A ny wa a ( A ny u a k ) a n d others—as the Lord opens doors and provides opportunities.”

Rev. Ochalla was ordained and installed by Rev. David Haberstock, Lutheran Church–Canada’s (LCC) Central Regional Pastor, with a number of local Lutheran pastors participating in the installation.

The service welcomed several Anyuak guests from Western Canada and the United States to celebrate the occasion.

Rev. O c h a l l a wa s b o r n i n Sudan but raised in Gambella, Ethiopia. He belongs to the Anyuak (Anywaa) cultural group, a group which speaks Dha-anywaa and whose traditional lands extend across southern Sudan and western

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Ethiopia. Rev. Ochalla trained as a teacher in Gambella, and taught there for three years before fleeing as a political refugee in 2000. While living in a refugee camp in Kenya, he found work again as a teacher, this time for children of the refugee camp. He continued this work until 2003 when he came to Canada.

Over the next number of years, he worked to upgrade his education and to bring his wife and son to Canada as well. Since the family was reunited in Canada, he and his wife have been blessed with five more children.

About ten years ago, the Anyuak community in Winnipeg came into contact with Lutheran Church– Canada when a member of the community was badly beaten. The Anyuak community connected with a LCC pastor during that time, who went to visit the man in hospital during his long recovery. This led in time to a relationship between LCC and the wider Anyuak community in Winnipeg.

Oboya Ochalla was eventually selected to participate in Lutheran Church–Canada’s Pastors with

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN July/August 2019

Alternate Training (PAT) program.

T h e PAT p r o g r a m p r e p a r e s candidates for culture-specific or site-specific pastoral ministry. PAT students participate in intensive short-term courses at LCC seminaries, take distance courses, and receive one-on-one training and education with a pastoral mentor.

Rev. Ochalla was mentored by Rev. Dr. Richard Beinert, with whom he will continue to serve at St. James Lutheran Church in Winnipeg.

After five years of study, while continuing to work full-time, Rev. Ochalla has finished his pastoral studies. He received his theological diploma during Concordia Lutheran Seminary’s 2019 Convocation service in Edmonton on May 24, 2019.

In addition to pastoral ministry, Rev. Ochalla continues to work full-time with Equal Opportunity West, an organization that provides job training and social support f o r a d u l t s w i t h p hy s i c a l a n d intellectual disabilities. He also continues to study, as time allows, at the University of Manitoba.

Mission News www.canadianlutheran.ca

Central American deaconesses meet in Costa Rica COSTA RICA - The months of January to June, 2019 were packed full of exciting preparations for a new deaconess experience in Central America: Vida en Comunidad (Life Together). This time, the Encuentro (retreat) was to be held in Cartago, Costa Rica, where participants would spend a week together as sisters in Christ.

The Encuentro de Hermanas en la Fe (Sisters in Faith Retreat) hosted by the Iglesia Comunidad Luterana Confesional in Costa Rica was held June 24-29, 2019, planned through the initiative of Lutheran Church– Canada (LCC) missions and supported by a generous grant from Lutheran Women’s Missionary League-Canada.

The event, locally organized by Rev. Edmundo Retana and Betty Solórzano, managed through the LCC Mission office in Chinandega (Lic. Zepeda), and led by LCC’s Committee for Missions and Social Ministry Services (CMSMS) Diaconal Coordinator, Dcn. Olga Preisz Groh, brought together deaconess leaders from the ILSN, the mission in Honduras, and sisters of the congregation in Cartago.

Fifteen deaconesses from Central America gathered for the “Encuentro.”

From Costa Rica: Betty, Yolanda, María Luz (Cucky), Evelia, Vicky, AnaJancy, Priscilla, Jessica, and Jamie. From

Honduras: Ro s i t a a n d Claudia. From Nicaragua: Maricela, Odily, Cristina and Jeryll.

T h e experience provided t h e wo m e n with an opportunity to get to know e a c h o t h e r Participants in the 2019 “Life Together” deaconesses conference in Costa Rica. (in most cases for the first time), the local community, and cooking and to begin to establish a closer meals, eating, and cleaning together, relationship and mutual support as all which was done with joy and sisters in Christ. The Nicaraguan and excitement, and as a team.

Honduran sisters had an opportunity This was a critical step for raising to gain experience in how to organize up and strengthening deaconess Life Together Retreats that could be leaders within the church in Central replicated in their own communities.

America. It was also a blessed way to A smaller version of the “Vida continue forming deeper relationships en Comunidad Seminar-Retreats” between the ladies around the life in Nicaragua, the “Encuentro” together that is founded on the rock of encompassed everyday life together in Christ’s Word and Sacraments. prayer and worship, Bible, hymnal, and Please keep these women in your catechetical studies combined with heart and in your prayers, along with discussion and artistic expressions all the deaconesses of Central America. around the theme of the blessings of As the body of Christ, we are all Holy Communion. Participants also blessed by seeing them grow. enjoyed many moments of friendship and fellowship celebrating their Dcn. Olga Preisz GrohCMSMS sisterhood, serving each other and Diaconal Coordinator

Ukranian Lutherans hold “Days of Faith” UKRAINE - The Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine (SELCU) held its annual “Days of Faith” theological conference during the final week of June 2019, with Lutheran Church– Canada (LCC) pastor Rev. Kurt Reinhardt serving as this year’s main speaker.

Rev. Reinhardt spoke on the topic of “Life in Christ,” drawing on John 16:1-11. “Pastor Reinardt and his well-prepared, solid Lutheran theological teaching was wellreceived by SELCU’s members,” noted LCC missionary and SELCU

pastor Rev. Oleksiy Navrotskyy.

He noted that approximately 130 people (including adults and children) gathered daily to hear Rev. Reinhardt’s evening lectures.

The “Days of Faith” conference is geared towards laypeople, and features an intensive week of Bible study, prayer, and worship.

Lutheran Church–Canada has been a close partner to the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches in Ukraine since its inception.

I n a d d i t i o n t o f u n d i n g Rev. Navrotskyy’s work, LCC operates SELCU’s seminary and supports

Rev. Kurt Reinhardt and his translator on stage at the “Days of Faith” conference.

various mission and social ministry projects within the Ukrainian church, including the “Days of Faith” conference.

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Mission News www.canadianlutheran.ca

Pastoral training in Haiti through HLMS

Rev. Warren Hamp leads a course in Haiti on “Teaching the Catechism.”

by Wally Bogusat and Harold Ristau

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he Haiti Lutheran Mission Society (HLMS) has recently struggled with the following question: “How much time, energy and money should be devoted to physical needs of Haitians versus the spiritual needs?”

In the past, HLMS has tended to focus on the humanitarian needs of Haitians. While this continues to be an important priority, in the last couple of years there has been a growing desire from Haitian lay leaders and Lutheran Church–Canada for increased theological education for Haiti. In a country lacking ordained pastors and opportunities for education, churches are often led by lay leaders who, although meaning well, have little or no training in the study of Scripture.

This is a tragedy given the importance that our Lord Jesus places upon the faithful teaching of His holy Word, which is necessary for salvation and eternal life. It is food for our souls. False teaching, by contrast, is like poison hidden inside that food. Like a loving father who wants to ensure that His child

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receives the best of nourishment, Jesus cares about our spiritual nourishment. But when teachers and spiritual leaders do not have the opportunity to receive teaching on the Bible themselves, it’s common for them to end up teaching error, though often without intent.

The results? God’s precious hearers suffer. The Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ crucified for the forgiveness of our sins through which He restores our broken relationship with God, is not consistently preached. Poor desperate Haitians are deprived of the unique hope offered to them by our gracious Heavenly Father.

To make matters worse, much of the spiritual darkness in Haiti can be attributed to their voodoo and occult culture, which is often blended with Christian practice and teaching (this is what we call “religious syncretism”).

Due to this religious climate in which the Devil is hard at work, Christians suffer when they do not receive clear Christian doctrine. Haitians are some of the physically and spiritually poorest brethren on earth.

The Haiti Lutheran Mission Society remains devoted to

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN July/August 2019

helping. Last year we sent Rev. Warren Hamp to teach a course on “Teaching the Catechism.” We are hoping to provide such theological courses bi-annually. Unfortunately, due to the political and economic corruption in Haiti, delivering such a course costs about fifty percent more than doing the same thing in other countries of the developing world. Still, this obstacle does not hinder our desire to bring the Gospel to these Christians, in spite of the cost.

Sometimes in families, there are members that require more time and attention than others. St. Paul talks about the Church as a body in the same way. In the family of God, Lutherans in Haiti are crippled in their spiritual growth and even physical survival in ways that can seem unfathomable to us in Canada. But every member counts in the Body of Christ, so we are asking members of Lutheran Church–Canada to not only remember this vital mission in their prayers, but consider serving with us as volunteers. You can also make a financial donation. In these ways we can continue to share the love of Jesus with our Haitian brothers and sisters in both Word and deed. Your help is needed and greatly appreciated.

The Haiti Lutheran Mission Society is a Listed Service Organization of Lutheran Church– Canada. Donations may be sent by mail to: Haiti Lutheran Mission Society 213 Linwell Rd. St. Catharines, ON L2N 1S1

Wally Bogusat is Chairman of the Haiti Lutheran Mission Society and Rev. Dr. Harold Ristau is Associate Professor of Theology at Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Catharines, Ontario.

Education News www.canadianlutheran.ca

When You Fast: New book from CLTS professor ST. CATHARINES, Ont. - Rev. Dr. Harold Ristau, Associate Professor of Theology at Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (CLTS), has authored a new book, When You Fast: The Sacramental Character of Fasting.

The new book is published

by Wipf and Stock Publishers, and features a foreword by CLTS President Thomas Winger.

“In our present age in which apostolic Christianity is a foreign notion to many Christians, it is of little wonder that many of the beliefs of our ancient fathers have been deemed outdated, including the importance of fasting,” notes a press release on the book’s publication. “By exploring the Holy Scriptures, patristics, Christian tradition, and personal experience, Lutheran seminary professor Harold Ristau seeks to answer the question ‘Why fast?’”

The release continues: “Through this concise examination of a historic Christian practice, which is as rich with meaning today as it

was in antiquity, the reader is left with a deepened appreciation for Christian fasting.

Ristau’s lively re f l e c t i o n s o n t h e relevance of fasting for catechesis, evangelism, and spiritual warfare fill the soul with great consolation. After all, our Lord Jesus’ words—“when you fast”—presume that this vital discipline is already happening, and perhaps without you even knowing it.”

The book is available from Wipf a n d S t o c k ( w w w. wipfandstock.com/ when-you-fast.html) as well as from the C LT S b o o k s t o r e ( w w w. c o n c o r d i a seminary.ca/ bookstore/).

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN July/August 2019

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Education News www.canadianlutheran.ca

Learn Hebrew online O N L I N E - Starting Tuesday, September 3, 2019 Concordia L u t h e ra n S e m i n a r y ( C L S ) i n Edmonton is offering a ninemonth evening course in Biblical Hebrew (BL-090/091) by distance education. Potential students can access it on the internet from anywhere.

B i b l i c a l H e b rew c a n m e e t d i f f e re n t g o a l s f o r d i f f e re n t people. Laypeople will gain the ability to read the Old Testament in its original language. Preseminary students will acquire the competence they need to begin seminary classes. Pastors will refresh their ability to prepare for sermons and Bible classes.

T h e c o u r s e i s t e n t a t i ve l y scheduled to meet Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7:00-

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8:30 p.m. (Mountain Time). The instructor is Rev. Dr. Stephen Chambers, the seminary’s Academic Dean and resident professor of New Testament.

In addition to the twice-aweek live online classes led by Dr. Chambers, the course relies heavily on students’ independent work using the course’s textbook, workbook, and online materials.

The course follows Basics of Biblical Hebrew (2nd edition) by Gary Pratico and Miles Van Pelt.

A detailed course schedule and syllabus is available upon request.

The course is reasonably priced at $250 per semester. Churchworkers in Lutheran Church– Canada pay even less.

For more information, contact the registrar, Anna Yang at ayang@

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN July/August 2019

concordiasem.ab.ca or 1-780-4741468 ext. 227.

G o o d New s f o r E v e r y L a n g u a g e L U T H E R A N B I B L E T R A N S L AT O R S O F C A N A D A

Summer 2019

Bible House in Cameroon – progressing amid challenges

T

he Bible House construction project has been the big news in LBTC circles for the past few years. And the excitement continues to mount as the building nears completion.

Bill and Freda Klassen spent three months in Cameroon—November 2018 to February 2019— assisting Martin Weber in managing the Bible House Bible House under construction.

Oumarou has never built an allproject. Many thanks to them for metal roof. The estimate provided their service to the Lord and the Bible to him for his contract was flawed. translation ministry. Their heart for Quantities were wrong regarding mission work shone through in their the structural steel and some of time in Ngaoundere. the I-beam sizes needed to be While Pastor Mohr and his wife, increased due to the octagonal Karen, were in Ngaoundere in April, shape of the building. they met Mr. Oumarou Hamidou Since Ngaoundere is a small and the men doing the construction city, availability of some required work under his watchful eye. They material is limited. Some needed to prayed with these men, asking for be special ordered which added time God’s protection for them as they and expense. What we hoped would work. They saw first-hand the be a nine-month project has become commitment to excellence as the more then double that. With each workers proudly showed off the delay the cost of material increases.

Bible House. Oumarou has been While we are doing everything able to maintain his rigorous quality possible to keep labour costs down standards throughout the project. they are still higher than expected. In He is both experienced and honest; addition, it is important to complete and rightfully proud of his work. It the interior of the Bible House to the is already proving to be a formidable same quality standard as the exterior. and beautiful structure.

LED lights, quality light fixtures, tile The financial picture of the Bible flooring and bathroom fixtures will House project is proving to be a ensure that the translators will be challenge as the cost of materials able to accomplish their work in and labour have gone considerably the best possible conditions. The over contract due to several factors.

quality of the fixtures will also help ensure that they will last longer.

The bottom line—an extra $40,000 is needed to complete the Bible House.

On Wednesday, April 17, 2019, about 50 people gathered in front of the Bible House for a service of blessing. The leadership and staff of the Lutheran C hu rch of C ame ro on (EELC) attended.

Pastor Touka, director of EELC’s Translation Department, served as liturgist. The EELC bishop made some introductory comments.

Pastor Mohr served as preacher and he and his wife sang a duet, adding a bit of western music to the African celebration. LBTC and the whole EELC are looking forward to the formal dedication of the Bible House at the end of 2019.

Photos from the service of blessing in April.

Recruitment – meeting a multitude of needs The need for the Lord to send forth labourers into His harvest fields is very great. There are at least three language groups in Cameroon urgently inviting LBTC to take on Bible translation work in their communities. And now there are several exciting developments regarding people interested in serving in the mission field with LBTC. J E S S I E BRANSON (surrounded by C a m e ro on i a n friends in the lower centre photo) has served very well as the Kuhn’s nanny for this past year.

Recently she contacted me about furthering her education to qualify her to serve in a more mission-oriented role. At this point she is considering returning with the Kuhns when their furlough ends and again serving as their nanny. But she is also considering beginning her linguistics training and other courses so she can possibly serve LBTC in other ways.

ADRIANNA BLITTERSWYK (upper left) is a student at Concordia University of Alberta, Edmonton, and a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Simcoe, Ont. Through her friend, Travis Heide, she became interested in the mission work of LBTC. She is participating in this year’s Crossroads trip to Ethiopia with LBT US. Amanda has been on

several overseas mission trips already and is quite open to how the Lord Jesus will direct her in mission work in the future.

K A Y L A FALKENHOLT (upper right), daughter of Pastor B r i a n Fa l k e n h o l t o f C h r i s t Lutheran Church, Thunder Bay, Ont., is finishing her third year of a Bachelor of Music Degree in Harp Performance. She has been keenly interested in mission work for several years, especially with LBTC. She will be attending the Concordia Missions Institute in Concordia, Missouri, this July. She is considering child-care work through LBTC but is certainly open to other mission-related work both in music and in linguistics.

Please pray for God’s wisdom and guidance for the three young women as they consider serving with LBTC. Pray also for the Lord to bring more people to serve in the various places the Lord is opening up for us to work in.

Dr. Berhanu Ofgaa (left, pictured with Pastor Mohr outside his LBT–Ethiopia office) needs missionary translators and other mission workers for the many language groups where he has teams doing translation work. It is LBTC’s hope to also be able to send workers into this mission field which is so ripe for the harvest.

PASTOR MIKE KUHN has been asked to teach a short-term course at Concordia Lutheran Seminary, Edmonton, in May 2020.

PASTOR MOHR continues to make annual LBTC presentations at Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Catharines. These are valuable opportunities to help our LCC seminary students see serving as LBTC missionary translators as a possible way the Lord Jesus may be leading them to serve in His kingdom.

Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Laurie Lonneberg

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Executive director, Rev. Ron Mohr and Laurie Lonneberg at the presentation.

ith thanks and praise to God for many years of service to and support of Lutheran Bible Translators of Canada, Rev. Ron Mohr presented Mr. Laurie Lonneberg with LBTC’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The presentation was made at Laurie’s church, Mt. Calvary Lutheran CALC), Mission, B.C., on Sunday, June 16, during the morning worship service.

LBTC Missionary/Translator Martin Weber sent a stirring tribute recounting how Laurie volunteered for several months in the 1980s building a house for the Webers in Cameroon. Over the years, Mr. Lonneberg helped with other LBTC construction projects, served on its board of directors and as the board chairman.

LBTC working with three language groups—Kwanja, Nizaa and Dowayo

Nizaa translation team problem-solving.

NIZAA: Pastor Mike and Kara Kuhn, Gideon, Tobias, and Gloria are back in Canada for their yearlong furlough. What a change for them in weather, culture, home life, and work life. Pastor Mike will be taking some continuing education courses, Kara and the kids will be continuing their homeschooling.

They will be making presentations across the country, telling about LBTC as well as their work in Galim in the Nizaa language.

Often Pastor Kuhn will be making these presentations on his

own, but his family will join him when they are able. One reason the family may not join him as often as they would like is because of the anticipated arrival of their fourth child this fall. We rejoice with them for this wonderful gift from God and pray for God’s blessing upon Kara and their soon-to-be-born child.

Pastor Kuhn has done an excellent job of preparing the Nizaa translation team for the time he will be on furlough. Rev. Ousmanou and Yougouda Bah (pictured with third member of the Nizaa translation team) are carrying on the work of translating the New Testament books into the Nizaa language along with other team members.

They are continuing to work on the gospels of Luke, John, and Matthew,

K WA N J A : Martin and Joan Weber are hard at work with their team in finishing the three-year le c t ionar y in Ndung, a second Kwanja dialect, Martin and Joan Weber working on Ndung, a Kwanja-dialect. which is much like a separate language. They hope translators to work with a wide to have the whole lectionary ready range of genres, writing styles and for dedication in December or vocabularies of different authors and January. of different historical times. Second, Developing a lectionary brings the lectionary will encourage the many blessings to the church, but use of the Kwanja language in the two stand out. First, it provides a worship life and devotional life of great start to the translation of the God’s Kwanja-speaking people. whole Old Testament. The appointed They will hear the Scripture lessons Psalms and Old Testament lessons read in their mother tongue each provide opportunities for the time they gather for worship.

2 & 3 John, Jude, and Philemon.

Martin Weber and Pastor Touka will continue to provide training and guidance and Pastor Kuhn will check in with them from time to time from Canada.

Madame Alice Robs-Ini with her grandson.

DOWAYO: Madame Alice Robs-Ini has several well-trained “promoters” who are taking audio recordings of the Dowayo New Testament into many villages of Dowayo speakers.

There God’s Word is changing people’s lives and bringing them to faith in Jesus.

Madame Germaine Kpengapse is training a dedicated group of literacy teachers who are raising the literacy level of many Dowayo speakers.

The result is that many more people will be able to read the Scriptures for themselves and come to know Jesus as their Saviour through His life-giving Word.

There is an ever-increasing call for hymns and liturgy in the Dowayo language. This, along with a Dowayo language lectionary, will go a long way to keep the devotional and worship life of the Dowayo people growing ever stronger.

Board of directors keeps LBTC running well

Pictured (l to r): Glenn Kahle, Rev. Ron Mohr, Gord Martens, Tim Kuhl, Tara Bradley, Darryll Holland, Pauline Huth, Tim Kuehn (absent: Rev. Phil Washeim).

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hat a great board of directors God has blessed LBTC with in this 2018-2019 term. Their many different talents and gifts were called upon as they dealt with challenges presented by the Bible House project and the vacancy in the executive director position, to name just two of many. The board members have served as excellent representatives of LBTC in their own congregations and circuits

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and on a larger scale at various conventions, conferences, and mission festivals across the country.

Tim Kuhl (chair) provided excellent leadership and was a constant source of support and encouragement to the LBTC staff and missionaries.

Tara Bradley, LBTC office manager/finance manager, kept the mission work of LBTC moving forward during the vacancy, was

Here is my gift of $ ________________ o I prefer to receive one annual receipt each year (only for individuals).

Name: ________________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Email: ________________________________________________ Lutheran Bible Translators of Canada 275 Lawrence Avenue, Kitchener, ON N2M 1Y3 519-742-3361 or 1-866-518-7071 info@lbtc.ca www.lbtc.ca

instrumental in making the new executive director’s transition much easier and smoother, and continues to keep LBTC running well.

Tara and executive director, Pastor Mohr, along with Harry Drews ( LBTC office volunteer) have formed an excellent “home team” in support of both the missionaries and their families in Cameroon and our LBTC family of prayer supporters and donors here at home.

Rev. Phil Washeim and Tim Kuhl have gone off the board for the coming term. New board members are Rev. Larry Gajdos and Rev. Dr. Stephen Chambers. May the Lord bless them, Pauline Huth, the new board chair, and all the members of the 2019-2020 board as they move forward LBTC’s mission of God’s Word in every language!

LBTC IS MOVING! effective August 2019 our new address will be 275 Lawrence Ave Kitchener, ON N2M 1Y3 (in the LCC-East District office) phone numbers will remain the same: 519-742-3361 and 1-866-518-7071

Spending of funds is confined to programs/ projects approved by LBTC. Contributions designated for such will be used as designated with the understanding that when the program/project has been funded or cannot be completed for a reason determined

by LBTC, the remainder will be used where needed most.

Gifts are acknowledged and receipted with an official receipt for income tax.

How To Respond With Your Gift of Support

• By cheque You can also send LBTC post-dated cheques to continue support for several months.

• Online - Visit www.lbtc.ca, select “Supporting LBTC” and click on a blue CanadaHelps button. CanadaHelps will issue a receipt by email. It is possible to set up montly donations through CanadaHelps.

• By credit card Expiry Date _______________ Name on card _____________________________________ Card # ______________________________

Transitions

Remember Lutheran Church–Canada in your will.

Rev. Michael Colbeck from St. John’s (Summerland, B.C.) to Emeritus.

R e v. P e r r y H a r t f r o m B e t h e l (Kitchener, Ontario) to Candidate Status.

Rev. John Nieminen from Trinity/Zion (Neudorf/Melville, Saskatchewan) to St. Andrews, Noa Scotia. Installation: September 7, 2019.

www.lutheranfoundation.ca

R e v. J a m e s Vo s p e r f r o m Tr i Parish (Plumas/Neepawa/McCreary, Manitoba) to Zion (Plumas, Manitoba).

Installation: June 9, 2019.

Tri-Parish of Zion/Christ/St. Paul (Plumas/Neepawa/McCreary, Manitoba) dissolved.

Trial and Appellate Counsel – Commercial Litigation Garfinkle | Biderman LLP 801-1 Adelaide Street East, Toronto, ON M5C 2V9

Jeffrey A.L. Kriwetz

Holy Cross (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) closed: July 7, 2019.

Partner

Zio n Eva ngelica l (Windthorst, Saskatchewan) closed: July 7, 2019.

416.869.7618 jkriwetz@garfinkle.com

Tel 416.869.1234 Fax 416.869.0547 www.garfinkle.com

HAVE YOUR SAY

My Digital Voice: an Introduction to the Digital Conversation Pledge This booklet is the latest release from Lutheran Hour Ministries in the Outreach Essentials/Spiritual Life series.

Nearly 4.5 billion people around the world access the internet regularly, and 3.5 billion of them regularly converse on social media! Communicating in this digital age can be fun and exciting and digital conversations provide us with powerful opportunities to connect with and bless other people. Research confirms that these digital interactions can also tempt us to communicate differently than we would face-to-face. In this booklet we learn about how we can faithfully and powerfully engage in the digital world. You have a digital voice—a voice that is distinct, unique, and matters. We invite you to shine your digital light in a dark world— start by taking the Digital Conversation Pledge.

To find out more about this and other Lutheran Hour Ministries resources please contact the Lutheran Laymen’s League of Canada. info@LLL.ca or 1-800-555-6236 www.LLL.ca

The Canadian L u t h e r a n welcomes letters to the editor on articles published in the magazine. Send submissions to editor@ lutheranchurch.ca with “Letter to the editor” in the subject line.

Letters may also be sent to the following address: The Canadian Lutheran c/o LutheranChurch–Canada 3074 Portage Avenue Winnipeg, MB R3K 0Y2 Letters may be edited for length and clarity. Letters in response to other letters will generally not be published.

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN July/August 2019

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Presidential Perspective

Our Partnership in the Gospel President Timothy Teuscher

“I

thank my God in all my remembrance of you… because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:3, 5). It is significant that the word “partnership” which Paul uses in these verses comes from the Greek word koinonia, and which is translated in English by a number of different words—“fellowship, participation, partnership, communion, association, close relationship with, be connected with, share in.”

Such partnership or fellowship is first and foremost a communion we have with God the Father (1 John 1:3), the Son (1 Corinthians 1:9), and the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:13)—a communion we enjoy as Christians baptized into the Triune name of God (Matthew 28:19-20). It is a coming together of the bread and wine with the very body and blood of Christ, the joining together of the person who partakes of the Sacrament with Christ Himself, and the close relationship of those who partake together of Holy Communion (1 Corinthians 10:1617). And it is a joining together of people—whether they be “Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female” (Galatians 3:28)—in worship services who believe and confess one and the same saving faith in Christ (Acts 2:42).

What was one of the main practical expressions of this fellowship that existed between the apostle Paul and the church at Philippi? It has to do, perhaps surprisingly, with money.

In fact, in 2 Corinthians 9:13, Paul even calls monetary offerings given to supply the needs of others who confess the same faith as koinonias, or “contribution” as many English versions translate it.

42

Paul’s work in Philippi began with preaching the Gospel to some women at a place of prayer by the riverside. It was there that Lydia, a wealthy businesswoman, came to faith in Christ. She then provided for the physical well-being of Paul and his companions by insisting that they stay at her home (Acts 16:15). The work in Philippi continued when, on more than one occasion, the congregation sent help to Paul for his needs while in Thessalonica (Philippians 4:16).

The Philippian congregation later partnered with Paul in his appeal for relief funds for the church at Jerusalem.

He urges the Corinthian congregation to also participate in this ministry, reminding them that the churches in Macedonia, which included the Philippians, “gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part (koinonian) in the relief of the saints—and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us” (2 Corinthians 8:3-4).

Later, while in Rome awaiting trial before Caesar, Paul writes to the Philippians: “I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18).

What’s the point of all this for us today? Just this: congregations of our Synod are joined together in the confession of one and the same faith.

And one of the primary expressions of this fellowship in the Gospel is, just as it was with the Philippian congregation, our gifts and offerings that we send through Synod to provide resources for missions and ministry here in

THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN July/August 2019

Canada and throughout the world— by supporting the training of pastors at our seminaries, assisting other congregations in need who are unable to provide for a pastor, having Regional Pastors and Circuit Counsellors who supervise and care for our pastors and congregations, providing for missionaries and mission-supported churches, and the like. This is why our Handbook states: “Every Member Congregation shall provide the means and opportunity for its members to support and advance the mission of LCC” (SB 1.17 b.).

There are many congregations of our Synod who are giving generously for this purpose. To them, I say in the words of the apostle: “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you… because of your partnership in the Gospel” (Philippians 1:3, 5).

A n i n c re a s i n g n u m b e r o f congregations, however, are giving little to support the work we do together. At a time when we as a Synod are facing a serious financial shortfall, may all of us take to heart the words of St. Paul concerning the money and earthly treasures that the Lord has given to us and which we are to use as an expression of our fellowship and partnership in the Gospel: “For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your confession of the Gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.

Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift” (2 Corinthians 9:12-15)!

Plan. Make a difference, for your loved ones and the ministries you value.

Of the $56 million in gifts designated by donors to specific LCC ministry organizations, one-third will go to congregations.

Plan today for the ministry of tomorrow.

Call a Gift Coordinator today

Is your congregation ready?

1-877-711-4438 toll free

See the suggested Congregational Gift

www.lutheranfoundation.ca

Acceptance and Use Policy on the Foundation’s Resource page.

Lutheran Foundation Canada A FINANCIAL MINISTRY OF LCC

REFLECTING GOD’S GRACE