You Are Invited
We invite you to continue a journey that began last year - a journey of connecting, reflecting, and growing together as we explore the yearnings we share for the future of our church here in BC.
This gathering is an opportunity to:
- Connect deeply with friends in Christ from across the province
- Reflect on the initiatives we began last year—celebrating what has flourished and learning from our experiences
- Grow new possibilities rooted in the yearnings that call us forward
What to Expect
This is not a conference where we sit passively. It is not a strategic planning session with deliverables and deadlines. Rather, it is a sacred space where we come together to listen, learn, and discern where the Spirit is calling us, and to name the concrete steps we are willing to take in response.
Connect
We will create ample opportunity for authentic connection—sharing stories of courage, struggle, and hope. We will listen deeply to one another, recognizing that connection itself is transformative.
Reflect
Together we will review the initiatives that emerged from our 2025 gathering. We will explore what has moved forward and why, what has stalled, and what we have learned along the way. This is not evaluation or judgment—it is communal learning that will help us discern what to continue, what to release, and what to begin now.
Grow
We will identify and name our yearnings—those deep desires for what does not yet exist but which we wish to bring into being. We will discern which yearnings call forth enough passion and commitment to sustain action, and we will identify the skills, relationships, and simple support structures needed to carry them forward in our congregations and communities.
While the Synod will help convene this gathering and offer light-touch support, the work that emerges will belong to all of us as the body of Christ, not to the Synod office alone.
A Word About Yearning
Yearning acknowledges that there are things that do not yet exist, things we deeply wish would come into being. Yearning reminds us why we do what we do. It is more than an idea or a project; it is a holy longing that unlocks energy and invites us into co‑creation with God and one another.
Where there is genuine yearning, action often follows. Where yearning is weak, we have permission to let things go and make room for what truly matters.
Who Should Attend
Each congregation is invited to send up to four representatives, their called or interim pastor included. This gathering is for anyone who cares deeply about the future of our church in BC. We especially welcome those who attended last year and those who wanted to come but could not. We encourage you to have conversations in your congregation on who should attend.
This gathering is for those willing to:
- Engage in honest reflection and learning
- Share their experiences and listen to others
- Identify yearnings they care enough about to support with their time and energy
- Work collaboratively with others across the Synod
We will gather June 5-7, 2026, at King of Life Lutheran Church, Coquitlam
Schedule Overview
Friday Evening – Arrival, welcome, and initial connecting
(7:00-9:00 PM)
Saturday – Full day of reflection, storytelling, exploration, and commitment
Sunday Morning – Closing circle (8:00–9:30 AM), followed by worship with King of Life (optional)
Worship will be woven throughout our time together, grounding our work in prayer, scripture, and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Important Notes
This gathering builds on the foundation laid in 2025, but it is not simply a status report. It is an invitation to continue co‑creating the future of our church through Spirit‑led collaboration rooted in genuine passion and shared responsibility. BC Synod will cover the costs of the event (gathering program and on‑site costs).
Registration
Registration deadline is April 24, 2026. We cannot guarantee accommodations after that date.
Accommodation will be arranged at Executive Plaza in Coquitlam. This includes parking and breakfast. Since we have to confirm our group booking early, other accommodations will not be reimbursed. Travel costs will be covered by the synod. If air travel is required, please book your air fare early.
Questions?
Contact the BC Synod Office:
Email: bcsynod@elcic.ca
Phone: 604-524-1318
“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.”
— 1 Corinthians 12:12
We gather as one body, united in our yearning for a church that serves the common good, bears witness to God’s love, and creates space for all to flourish.
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Location