Rev. Ed Chell and Rev. Barbara Groote are the Synod Council Communications Team. Our goal is to raise the profile of the council in the synod by communicating highlights from our meetings, other information on the things we are working on, fun bits about ourselves, etc.
National Bishop Rev. Dr. Larry Kochendorfer
Bishop Larry joined our meeting, and honoured us with his humor and his humble wisdom. In his report he identified four shifts he is noticing in the church:
We are shifting
- from fixing to listening, discernment and experimenting
- from membership to discipleship (faith formation)
- from one-size-fits-all to mixed ecology (meeting in church, homes, nature, around picnic tables etc.)
- from clergy-led and lay-supported church to lay-led and rostered minister supported church.
Bishop Larry concluded that he is still pondering, listening, learning and seeking to articulate what other shifts are occurring.
Bishop Larry extended an invitation to join the virtual Conversations Across the Church. The first zoom meeting was held on November 30th, at 3PM PT. These conversations are intended to occur quarterly. People needed to register, and were invited to ask a question in their registration. The link to the video from this conversation can be found on the ELCIC website.
Bishop Larry also intends to share 3 minute-videos regularly.
Bishop Larry stated that he is presently guided by the principals of connecting, communicating, and conversing.
Facing Today: Dreaming for the Future Consultation
“Facing Today: Dreaming for the Future” is an ELCIC initiative to imagine being church in our present context. The goal is to help guide the church in all its expressions (national, synodical, congregational, etc) towards a renewed understanding of its purpose and mission, and the best and most sustainable structures for carrying them out. The facilitators Jane Osler and Ian Alexander guided us through three rounds of reflections on what inspires us as the church and gives us hope, what the church is doing, and what we might need to let go of. This process will also reach out to congregations, and the consultation team invites broad feedback. Please send your comments, and questions to dreamfuture@elcic.ca
We Are One Body – Synod-wide Conversations, Part II
We will gather again as One Body to continue our conversations and work as BC Synod ELCIC Lutherans in June 2026. Teams of Lay and Rostered Leaders will again be invited in the lower mainland for a weekend of discussion leading to action. More information will be made available as the planning team prepares.
Companion Iglesia Luterana del Peru, IL-P
The BC Synod is strengthening relationship with our companion Iglesia Luterana del Peru, IL-P, through shared learning, and collaboration. At our meeting it was decided to support our companion with a financial gift to support their ongoing ministry.
GSI - plan sponsor of the ELCIC group benefits and pension plan
Our meeting was joined by Rev Dr. Gordon Jensen, chair of the GSI board, and Barb Fortier, Executive Director of GSI. As part of their presentation, they announced a Zoom meeting for the treasurers of the ELCIC. More information to come.
Bishop Kathy’s Sabbatical
The dates for Bishop Kathy’s sabbatical are January - May 2026. We pray for a rich, and restful time of sabbath for Bishop Kathy.
Each Council member was asked to answer the following question:
"What helps you when hope feels thin?"
"Gathering with others who share the same faith and hope in a God who is passionately committed to the life of this world."
"What helps me when hope feels thin, and my heart is weary, is to look to others to form the words of prayer. Meta Herrick Carlson and her book “Ordinary Blessings,” Sarah Bessey’s book "Rhythm of Prayer,” and “The Cure for Sorrow: A Book of Blessings for Times of Grief by Jan Richardson."
"When hope feels thin, we choose to carry it together. We choose to remain open, to act with care, and to believe that healing and renewal are still possible. We remember that we are not alone. God is with us."
"My mind knows God is always near. To help my heart I talk to people, journal gratitude, sing, whistle and watch comedy."
"When hope feels thin I turn to family and church community."
Trying to remember that most of it isn’t under my control.
"I think that I finally realize that it's time to start listening."
"When hope feels thin, I step back and have a snack, preferably a muffin. Usually things don't seem so bad at that point."
"I tell myself that God is always doing a new thing."
"When hope feels thin i like to read novels, listen to uplifting music, go for long brisk walks, and sermonize."
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