Donations collected for the North Shore Lookout Shelter

George and Pr. Kim dropping off blankets, socks and a cheque to the North Shore Lookout Shelter.

Then David Newberry the community liaison worker gave Pr. Kim a tour.

Three things Pr. Kim learned on the tour:

1) NS Lookout provides 45 year round minimum barrier shelter beds, and offers up to 20 overflow sleeping mats in extreme weather.

2) The people who use this shelter view the N Shore as their home in exactly the same way as people who live in more affluent areas.

3) When the "big one" hits these folks with honed survival skills would be good to have around.

NEWS RELEASE From the National Office of the ELCIC

Lutheran, Anglican Church Leaders Celebrate the Heart of Christmas

December 14, 2011--In their 2011 joint Christmas video, National Bishop Susan C. Johnson of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) and Archbishop Fred Hiltz, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC), share the story of the birth of Jesus as told in Luke 2:4-14. 

"We wish for you that peace and that joy as you celebrate the birth of our Lord," says Bishop Johnson in the video.

2011 marked the 10th anniversary of Full Communion between the ELCIC and ACC, and among Anglicans and Lutherans in the United States. In 2001, the ELCIC and ACC signed the Waterloo Declaration. The same year the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and The Episcopal Church (TEC) signed Called to Common Mission. A joint celebration of the 10th year anniversary took place on May 1 with parallel services in Fort Erie, Ont. and Buffalo, N.Y. 

This year Anglican-Lutheran cooperation was also highlighted by joint ELCIC National Church Council and ACC Council of General Synod meetings at the beginning of April, signifying an important step in deepening the Full Communion relationship between the two churches. 

In 2012, Lutherans and Anglicans will host a joint National Worship Conference (www.nationalworshipconference.org) and Canadian Lutheran Anglican Youth (CLAY) gathering (www.clay2012.ca). 

Preparations are now underway for a July 2013 joint meeting of the ELCIC National Convention and the ACC General Synod in Ottawa, Ont. 

View the Christmas video greeting here: http://elcic.ca/From-the-Bishop/default.cfm

NEWS RELEASE From the National Office of the ELCIC

ELCIC National Bishop Expresses "Disappointment and Concern" at Government's Decision to Withdraw Canada from Kyoto Protocol

Winnipeg, 14 December 2011--The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada's (ELCIC) National Bishop Susan C. Johnson wrote to The Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of the Environment, to express her "disappointment and concern" over the recent decision of the government to withdraw Canada from participating in the Kyoto Protocol. 

In her letter, Bishop Johnson urges the government to set a national target to cut greenhouse gas emissions at least 25 per cent from 1990 levels by 2020, implement an effective national plan to reach this target, and help developing countries reduce their emissions and adapt to climate change. 

"Climate change is very real," writes Bishop Johnson. "It is urgent that we reduce green house gas emissions in order to limit the effects of climate change." 

The letter references a decision made by delegates at the 2009 ELCIC National Convention which affirmed, "that global warming is the greatest threat to life on earth--that entire populations and ecosystems are threatened by devastating impacts such as drought, heat waves, fires, floods, storms and rising sea levels." 

Bishop Johnson urges the Canadian Government to match the commitment made by members of ELCIC congregations and reduce emissions by 25 per cent, and to support a national plan that helps reduce emissions. 

Read the full text of the letter here:http://www.elcic.ca/Documents/documents/2012December14Lettertoenvironmentministerkyoto.pdf