Small Congregations & Alternative Ministries Task Force

This task force was struck as a result of a motion from the 2008 Synod Convention which urged the Synod to address the needs of smaller struggling congregations.

The task force is currently composed of five members; Alan & Gerry Oliver from Admiral, SK, Ken Wersch from Rosetown, SK, Barb Weiss from Mossbank, SK and Rev. Greg Kiel from the Southwest Lutheran Parish (chairperson).  Assistant to the Bishop Rev. Roger Haugen has been the Synod representative on the task force and Rev. Dr. Cam Harder from Circle-M has been guiding and assisting us in our endeavours.

The task force intends to share a survey with ten different ministries in the Synod and to follow that survey up with a visit to the ministry to gather all the information possible concerning what is being done in light of the challenges of ministry in a small congregation.  We then hope to have regional gatherings that might include neighbouring ministries and also congregations from other denominations.  The information we gather will be shared to help strengthen and support congregations in similar situations.

Another aim of the task force’s work will be to make recommendations to the Synod in regards to structure, resource development and support.  Our work will hopefully culminate in positive resolutions at the 2012 Synod convention that will encourage and help sustain ministries within our area and beyond.

Submitted by:  Rev. Greg Kiel

• Survey

Youth Assembly Delegates Christina Fowlie-Neufeld, Ben Sartison, David Miner, Charmaine Diehl, Christine Moersch, Trista Gargol, Brittany Schlosser and Youth Assembly Coordinator Pastor George Hind enjoying leisure time.  Missing is Pastor Kristin Soveran the other Youth Assembly Coordinator who is taking the picture.

Newsletter: Thursday, July 8, 2010 - Page 1

Newsletter: Thursday, July 8, 2010 - Page 2

Newsletter: Friday, July 9, 2010 - Page 1

Newsletter: Friday, July 9, 2010 - Page 2

Newsletter: Saturday, July 10, 2010 - Page 1

Newsletter: Saturday, July 10, 2010 - Page 2

Newsletter: Sunday, July 11, 2010 - Page 1

Newsletter: Sunday July 11, 2010 - Page 2

On June 2, 2010 members of Sask. Synod gathered at Indian Metis Christian Fellowship with members of the community and IMCF to sign a Memorandum of Understanding which formalizes a relationship in ministry that has been taking shape for several years.  The new partnership provides opportunity for our members to join with members of the North Central community of Regina in community development, program support and prayer.

In the picture:
Bishop Cindy Halmarson, Rev. Bert Adema Director of IMCF, Lisa Workman, board member of IMCF, Glenda Hunter-Martquardt, board member of IMCF and member of Christ Lutheran, Regina, Dr. Martin Bergbusch, board member of IMCF and member of Bread of Life Lutheran, Regina.

Regina Conference convention held in Edenwold on Saturday, February 20, 2010. The Quad Country Parish delegation (St. Paul Lutheran Duval, Prince of Peace Lutheran Govan, Trinity Lutheran Quinton, and St. Martin’s Anglican Raymore). From left to right, Donna Kelln, Marion Magel, Pastor Rey Dahlen, Bishop Cindy Halmarson, Art Schultz, Ernie Oblander, Albert Kuxhaus

Thirty pounds of potatoes were planted in the backyard of the Synod Office at 714 Preston Avenue, Saskatoon on Monday May 18th by Hans and Elsa Graupe of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Saskatoon.  Over the summer the Graupes weeded and the Synod Office staff watered the crop.  On Saturday September 19th, Andreas, Hans, Elsa and Mathias Graupe along with mom Sylvia harvested 500 lbs of potatoes which were delivered to the Saskatoon Food Bank September 21.

Thanks to the Graupe family and Redeemer Lutheran Church for providing food for the hungry in Saskatoon in response to a suggestion by Bishop Cindy Halmarson when the Synod Office moved into the rental property owned by Redeemer in August 2008.

Ordination of Rev. Rey Dahlen at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Saskatoon on April 27, 2008

Synod Special Appeal for Office Relocation

Donations are welcome to offset the one-time costs (estimated $18,000) of renovations, new purchases and moving expenses. Make cheques payable to “Saskatchewan Synod” and indicate “Synod Special Appeal” on offering envelope. Include  your name and address to receive a charitable receipt for tax purposes.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
Saskatchewan Synod Office
714 Preston Avenue
Saskatoon, SK
S7H 2V2

The United Evangelical Church of Argentina is pleased to invite you to a celebration of Grace and Thanksgiving on the occasion of 100 years since the Spanish speaking Mission in the River Plate (Rio de la Plata) began.  We hope to see you on November 2nd at 5:00 pm at Redeemer congregation, located at Simbron and Puenca, Province of Buenos Aires.

Other signatories were Roman Catholic Archbishop Daniel Bohan,  Anglican Bishop Gregory Kerr-Wilson, and the Franciscan Friars.

Representatives from each of these faith traditions form the St Michael's Interchurch Board along with Franciscan Friars.

The Interchurch Agreement at St Michael's is unique in Canada if not the world.

The ELCIC's Stewardship of Creation Initiative

As members of the ELCIC we are a people called to be In Mission for Others . Increasingly, it is becoming clear that the "others" that we are to care for must include God’s creation. We are learning that Christ’s command to love one another, and to care for the “least of these” must now include all of creation. We are remembering what the early Church knew, that Christ came to redeem all of creation. So, as a church, as we celebrate our Evangelical Declaration. We commit our selves to practice our Stewardship of Creation.

Join us in this commitment!

As a Congregation.

As individuals.

The Stewardship of Creation is a part of GHDA’s Signs of Hope Campaign. Learn more and become a Sign of Hope.

Installation of Rev Mark Hedlin at Trinity, Saskatoon.  From left to right: Mark Kleiner (intern), Rev Reinhold Propp, Rev Rick Johnson, Bishop Allan Grundahl (retired), Rev Arlene Brown, Rev Mark Hedlin, Rev Greg Fowlie-Neufeld, Rev Ed Hedlin, Rev Scott Brown, Rev Hugh Farmer, Rev Faith Rohrbough, Rev Jim Halmarson, Rev Vivian Roberts, Rev Bruce Ehlert, Rev David Hunter, and Rev Harold Hesje

Bishop Cindy Halmarson with Janet Kostyna at Janet's ordination on September 15, 2007.
Janet has taken the call to St Paul, Gravelbourg and Trinity, Mossbank

Installation of Kirk Tastad on September 23, 2007 at St. John's Edenwold
Kirk has taken a call to Edenwold.
Back: Rev. Dr. Dennis Lueck (Regina), Wallace Bornhuse (intern at Faith)
Front: Rev. Colette Baker (Yellow Grass), Rev. Darlene Harrison (Regina), Rev. Kirk Tastad (Edenwold), Rev. Frank Armistead (Regina)

Ordination of Colette Baker on May 13th at 
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Melville

Colette has taken the call to the Yellow Grass United Lutheran Partnership.

Back:  Rev. Dennis Lueck (Regina), Michael McIntyre, Rev. Ali Tote (Ratner/Fairy Glen), Rev. Darlene Harrison, Rick Laurendeau, Bishop Cindy Halmarson, Rev. Dr. Faith Rohrbough, Rev. Mark Koenker (Rural Beausejour, MB)

Front:  Jennifer Marlor, Linda Hall, Rev. Colette Baker (ordinand), Rev.
Lynda Wowk (GSLC Melville), Rev. Dr. Jann Boyd (LTS), Prema Samuel

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada - Saskatchewan Synod Office
714 Preston Avenue
Saskatoon, SK
S7H 2V2
Phone: 306-244-2474
Fax: 306-664-8677
Email the office: smckeown-closs@elcic.ca
Email the Bishop: chalmarson@elcic.ca
Email the Assistant to the Bishop: rhaugen@elcic.ca 
Email the webmaster: webmaster@sasksynod.elcic.ca