The 2025 ELCIC National Convention took place at the University of Manitoba, in Winnipeg, MB, July 10-13. Delegates, special guests, visitors and volunteers gathered over four days for worship, business sessions, bidding a proper farewell to our outgoing National Bishop, Susan Johnson  and electing a new National Bishop - the Rev. Dr. Larry Kochendorfer.  You can read all the highlights from the convention here. For full election and motion results, photos, and news stories, you are invited to visit: elcic.ca/national-convention. If you'd like to watch the convention, the livestream has been archived on the ELCIC YouTube channel.

Pastor Vida will be on vacation from July 21 - August 6.  She will remain available for pastoral emergencies as she and Al will be enjoying time at home and local adventures.  Ha Na will be on vacation from August 6 - 26. 

You may be surprised to hear that the recovery house opened ten years ago! We have been supporting them in partnership with St. Catherine’s Anglican church for much of that time. As of this date, 470 women have attended the program, taking our blessings and hope with them into the world! You have made this possible!

The participants often arrive with nothing of their own, so finding a gift basket in their room when they arrive is amazing! They have come from detox, then stabilization
before arriving at Turning Point for the final step in their recovery process, learning how to maintain their sobriety with a number of tools, including yoga and mindfulness.

At Gloria Dei we have additionally supported them with the donation of our back yard for the growing of organic produce in partnership with the Edible Garden Project, a program of North Shore Neighbourhood house. The women from Turning Point often participate in the garden program by watering during the summer and sometimes being involved in the planting. They also have a say in what type of produce is grown so that they ensure that what they receive is the best choice for them.

The Recovery House helps women all over the Lower Mainland, and occasionally from other parts of B.C.

Thanks to all of you for your generous support for 10 years!

Submitted by Lin 

The picnic table’s loaded

Beneath the spreading trees, 

And all of our relations

Are buzzing round like bees. 

The men are going fishing

By the river in the reeds

And kids are doing battle

With watermelon seeds. . . 

Old folks are finding berries

To fill a battered pail,

Where allow daisies cluster

Beside the dusty trail.

The young and old are laughing

By the river green and deep,

And they will still be busy talking 

When it’s time to go to sleep.

From “Poem, Quirks and Knowledge of Yesteryear, Vol 1