Ordination Service for Rev Dawn Myrfield, July 17, 2011 at Lutheran Theological Seminary, Saskatoon

Update and New Survey On Structural Renewal

January 16, 2012

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

The Synod Implementation Team for MNO and SK Synods has met twice in person and once by teleconference since the national convention approved, in principle, motions to proceed with structural renewal including the creation of a new synod incorporating MNO and SK Our team has grown slightly and now includes nine individuals: Chris Bishopp (SK), Scott Janke (MNO), Mark Koenker (MNO), Karen Koster (MNO), Joan Meyer (SK), Larry Ring (MNO), Kim Sherwin (SK) and the bishops of each synod.

Our next meeting is a teleconference on February 9.

When we met on December 3 in Russell, MB, we reviewed the 172 responses we received from the survey circulated in November. Thanks to those who shared their impressions and suggestions for this huge undertaking! We know that more information is needed for delegates to make an informed decision at the synod conventions in late April (MNO) and early June (SK). We share the concerns of many of the respondents who wondered how one bishop will cover the territory. We are working hard to define the role of the bishop and synod staff, the areas, and area leadership teams so that congregations and leaders are challenged and supported for mission. In the next few weeks you’ll be invited to answer two or three more surveys to help us in our mandate to propose a working structure for a potential new synod. We are counting on your input to help us shape the vision of a new synod!

Our deadlines coming up include: (1) a written report to Synod Councils in early March, (2) a presentation to Synod Conventions in the spring and (3) transition plans to enable the new synod to be constituted in 2014. Our written report will include a proposed new synod constitution and motions that will lead to the creation of a new synod and dissolution of the two existing synods. Should our synods approve these motions and constitution, then we will proceed with steps required to integrate our synods into one.

Our team was touched by the expressions of support and prayer included in the survey responses.

We ask you to keep praying for our team, our synods and our church as we seek God’s help in reshaping our church for mission.

Blessings to all on behalf of our team,
+Elaine Sauer, MNO Synod +Cindy Halmarson, SK Synod

A new update and survey are available for your response until January 31.
Please take the time to read the accompanying materials and sign on to complete the survey.
Your input is essential for us to develop proposals that will strengthen ministry and mission in our church and congregations.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MNO-SK-Synod-MembershipSurvey

• Proposed MNO & SK Areas and congregations

• ELCIC Restructuring: Role of the Synodical Bishop

The following are the Recommendations reported in the ELCIC Structural Renewal Task Force Report:  Click Here

The full report (42) pages is found on the ELCIC website:  Click Here

Find the survey by clicking here.  Please take a few moments to help us out.  Your feedback is very important to the Implementation Team, to Synod Staff and to Synod Council.

Seeking a Director of Mission

LutherCare Communities (LCC) is currently seeking a Director of Mission. This position is responsible for fostering awareness and understanding of the Vision, Mission, and Values of LCC. Application deadline is January 31, 2012. Inquiries and applications can be forwarded to: Vivienne Hauck, CEO, LutherCare Communities, 1212 Osler Street, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 0T9 or email to: vivienne.hauck@luthercare.com

Click here for a position description.

Mission Moment

I therefore, a prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.                                                                           Ephesians 4:1-6

As we live out our calling as Christ followers, called by the one Lord, who is above all, through all and in all, we are joined together as one body, each of us bound one to another through Christ. Through the waters of our baptism, we share the mission of being a part of what God is doing in the world. And God is doing wonderful and amazing things among and through God’s people.

I share with you a story of God’s amazing presence. In September of 2003, I met John Mayer Dut. We sat together in a circle of chairs with a group of rather dazed and confused looking first year seminary students. John is from the Sudan and had come to Saskatoon through British Columbia with his family to attend Lutheran Theological Seminary to become a pastor. I didn’t know it at the time, but there was and still is a growing Sudanese community in Saskatoon; a community drawn together by their common heritage and love for God. John immediately began the work of trying to bring the Sudanese community together for worship and study, starting in his house.

John and a core group of faithful people from the Sudanese community continue the work of inviting others to come and join them in worship and discover the good news of the Gospel. John completed his internship with King of Glory Lutheran Church and that relationship continues in the area of children’s ministry and occasionally offering Holy Communion once a month. This community of faith has passionately taken hold of the Spirit’s calling to them to be in mission to the growing African and Arabic peoples in Saskatoon.

The Sudanese Community Church in Saskatoon was formed in October of 2010 with John Mayer Dut as the intern pastor. Their vision statement is “To be a reproducing community of Christ following that supports and disciples one another as we live and proclaim His Kingdom in this world.” They meet together for worship and praise every Saturday in a space rented from another church. In a meeting with John and some members of the church board, I asked what their worship gatherings meant to them. What a wonderful expression of a passionate love for God as they shared how God had blessed them bringing them from the pain and suffering of their homeland to the safety of Canada; how God had blessed them by giving them their church, a place where they and their families can sing and pray and praise God. God does and will provide. Amen!

The Sudanese Community Church of Saskatoon is one of the ministries the Canadian Missions Committee chose to support this year by providing some monies to pay John a salary for the first time since the church started in his house eight years ago and some monies to pay for the rental of their worship space.
Money isn’t all this community of faith needs. They do without many of the things we take for granted in our churches. I know from personal experience that there are rooms in the back of our churches that house those things we no longer use, but just can’t bear to throw away. Now there is a place where you can gift those items. The Sudanese Community Church would be blessed by you to have the following items:

• Minister’s desk edition of the ELW

• English Bibles

• Communion ware

• Paraments

• Piano or organ

• Sunday School materials

And most of all, your prayers for their ministry, prayers for employment for their community, prayers for peace and hope in the midst of a new and foreign country and culture.

Thank you for your prayers and help. If there are items that you would like to gift to the Sudanese Community Church in Saskatoon, please contact me via email at lhall@elcic.ca or by phone at 306-774-9078. May our eyes be opened to see God’s mission in, through and among us.

In Christ

Linda Hall
SK Synod Mission Coordinator

Due to the lack of delegate availability the Swift Current Conference Executive in consultation with Bishop Cindy Halmarson has decided to postpone the Convention that was scheduled for this weekend Feb. 11. We will announce a new convention time in the weeks to follow so the regular business of the conference can be completed. Please watch for an announcement in the Sask Synod news

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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: sksynod@elcic.ca
Email the Bishop: chalmarson@elcic.ca
Email the webmaster: farmer@familyfarmers.com