As I have transitioned into this new call as National Bishop, I have spent some time reflecting on the meaning of our ELCIC tagline: Living out God’s grace & unconditional love.
I’d like to share with you where I’m seeing this lived out.
During our first week in Winnipeg, my wife, Cathy, and I worshipped at an ELCIC congregation and experienced such an incredibly warm welcome. They didn’t know us; we were simply visitors to the congregation. We met a vibrant, diverse, inclusive, intergenerational faith community—fed and nourished well in Word and Sacrament. Strongly connected beyond the church walls, we heard of community needs and of how the congregation was partnering to respond and accompany those in the neighbourhood. And the worship leadership and music were wonderful.
Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) held their September board meeting during the second week after we moved to Winnipeg. The National Bishop serves as an advisor to the board and through my participation, I experienced the incredible ministry and focus which brings flesh to our tagline. This is so clearly seen in the Friends of Creation project where we are working around the Lake Chad basin, to assist all affected by an unravelling ecosystem towards sustainability—the largest project in CLWR history.
During the board meeting we heard from Maria Immonen, director of the Lutheran World Federation’s Department of World Service. Reflecting on both the Canadian and global context, she highlighted the rapid pace of change and uncertainty many people are experiencing, noting that across Europe individuals are “looking again to the church to find ways help find meaning and hope in their lives.” The ELCIC, too, is being challenged to find ways to engage with young people, and people of all ages, looking for community and connection. In this, the ELCIC joins LWF member churches all over the world bearing witness to hope in our world today. Bearing witness to God’s grace and unconditional love.
Stepping into this new call I have seen this tagline living and breathing through the ministry of the national staff in the ways that support, encouragement and affirmation are offered to one another, and in the ways they have shared God’s grace and unconditional love with me. I am so thankful for their ministry with and among us all!
Cathy and I were in the midst of moving from Penticton to Winnipeg via Edmonton while CLAY 2025, Rooted and Rising, was taking place in Saskatoon. I missed being present and participating at CLAY, but the U-Haul was calling. I know from years of national and synodical youth gatherings that these gatherings are tangible realities where the Living out God’s grace & unconditional love is palpable and life transforming.
And there are so many more examples I could share!
Living out God’s grace & unconditional love invites us to be outward-focused, calls us to be a diverse, inclusive community that celebrates all and upholds life-giving relationships, and engages us, reminding us of our call as a church and as individuals. As a community of people, guided by our faith, we strive to embody grace and unconditional love in everything we do.
I invite you to keep your eyes open and your ears tuned for where you see this being lived out in your own context.
The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).
In Christ Jesus — Shalom,
Bishop Larry Kochendorfer
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