Signs of Hope
 Many signs of hope were shared throughout the convention:  stories of mission and renewal from individual congregations; stories from the bishops of four different church bodies; Bible studies focusing on signs of hope; and inspiring worship and music.

 

Pension Plan News
 As many of you know, in 2003 a plan was put in place to deal with an unfunded liability of $16 million in the retiree portion of the ELCIC Pension Plan.  It was a 15 year plan, with congregations contributing extra each year in order that our retirees can continue to receive a pension.  A number of steps have been taken since that time that will enable the liability to be paid off in 2013 rather than in 2018 as originally planned.  The unfunded liability now sits at $5.6 million.
 This report was greeted with a standing ovation from delegates.

 

Global Hunger (GHDA)
 As of July 2009, the Global Hunger and Development Appeal is no more.  All contributions will now go directly to Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR).  An agreement has been reached that will enable the work of GHDA to continue through CLWR: addressing poverty in Canada and supporting ecumenical justice work.

 

A Resolution on the Holy Land
 One of the main motions brought forward from National Church Council calls for peace with justice for both Israelis and Palestinians in the Holy Land.  This motion was adopted by the convention.
 Especially meaningful was the presence of Bishop Munib A. Younan from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL).  Bishop Younan led one of the Bible studies and shared signs of hope out of a seemingly hopeless situation.  The primary ministry of the ELCJHL is to children, as church-run schools teach peace and co-existence.  The schools also promote the full equality of women and human rights for all.

 

Other motions adopted by the convention:
• Constitutional changes to allow for diaconal ministers as well as ordained ministers in the ELCIC
• Support for “Kyotoplus” (reducing carbon footprint)
• Addressing the need for more low-income housing
• Support for the cancellation of illegitimate foreign debts
• Supporting efforts to prevent human trafficking at the 2010 Olympics
• Support for First Lutheran Church, Vancouver as they offer sanctuary to Mikhail Lennikov
• Attending to the stewardship of creation at future conventions (i.e. less waste)
• Exploring ways of increasing seminary enrollment

 

To discuss or not to discuss?
 A number of resolutions came before the convention which delegates chose not to debate at this time.  Voting on “No Action” caused much consternation and procedural debate.  However, in the end delegates upheld the recommendation of “no action” on some of the more controversial resolutions.  In each case, there were various reasons for not having the discussion at this time.
 

Standing “O” for the National Bishop
 I have to admit that I’ve never before seen a National Bishop’s report receive a standing ovation.  Yet, this was the response to National Bishop Susan Johnson’s report to the convention.  Her report on the past two years was very honest, outlining both the challenges and the signs of hope in our church.
 Bishop Johnson’s report concluded with the image of two doors – both of which actually exist in the Holy Land.  The first door is at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem and has gotten smaller and smaller over the years.  Each time the door was reduced in size, it was out of fear of attack.  Now, one has to bend over in order to enter – a vulnerable position if somebody on the other side of the door has a sword!
 The second door has a patch in the middle where a hole was once hacked through it.  The purpose of the hole was actually so that a hand could be extended through the door in a gesture of peace.  Although I don’t remember the details of the situation, reconciliation was the result.
 Bishop Johnson used these doors to ask if we are going to get smaller and smaller out of fear or extend a hand of reconciliation through the door to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

 

Elections
 Elections were held for National Church Council as well as a number of other boards.  A new Vice President was elected for the ELCIC: Sheila Hamilton.  Sheila is a member of St. Philip’s Lutheran Church in Toronto and has gifts in the area of strategic planning.  She brings experience with her from a number of other governing boards within the church.

 

Bible Studies
 Daily Bible studies were led by three visiting bishops: Archbishop Fred Hiltz of the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC), Bishop Munib A. Younan of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL), and Bishop Mark Hanson of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).  Each bishop shared signs of hope from their own churches and engaged us in reflection on the Scriptures.

 

Spirited Discipleship Forum
 This was one of many forums offered to delegates at the convention.  I happened to attend this one, which included presentations from the Eastern Synod’s “taking it to the streets” group (In Mission for Others), the Evangelizing Church project (Calgary), and First Lutheran Church in Vancouver.  First Lutheran has moved from being a struggling congregation, to being a vibrant, multi-cultural community, to being a place of sanctuary for Mikhail Lennikov and his family.  As Pastor Richard Hergesheimer warned us, be careful about asking to be renewed!

 

Youth Delegates
 For the first time, youth delegates had both voice and vote at a national convention.  They participated fully, lending their voices to the debate and bringing forward the motion on stewardship of creation.

 

Mission in the World
 ELCIC Mission in the World will now be handled through the ELCA offices in Chicago.  Our current missionaries will continue to receive ELCIC support, but there will no longer be a Mission in the World staff person at the national office.

 

For more info:
http://elcic.ca/In-Convention/2009-Vancouver/DailyHighlights.cfm

  In Christ,
  Pastor Lynne Hutchison