When the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation arrives in 2017, it provides an opportunity to remember how our past has shaped us and to consider how we want to shape our future. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) is planning to commemorate the anniversary by making a bit of history of its own through the Reformation Challenge.
We are not doing this all by ourselves. This is happening because The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has invited us to be part of the commemoration.
Many of us in the ELCIC are often vaguely aware that we are part of a global Lutheran family that is making a difference in the world. We likely don’t know much about how the LWF enriches our lives and how we in turn also enrich the lives of others in this special communion of believers.
Our feature story will help you to become more aware of our very diverse LWF family, our service in the world and how the LWF fosters our relationships with other people of faith around the world.
At the same time the feature reminds us of the valuable role we in the ELCIC play in the LWF through our generous support of the work of Canadian Lutheran World Relief as well as our individual contributions to LWF deliberations and activities.
As editor of this magazine, I have had the privilege of being seconded to serve as part of the media team for several LWF events. While I helped out, the experiences also broadened and enriched me in ways that continue to influence how this magazine is developed. Many others in the ELCIC have also had and continue to have similar experiences.
Glimpses
Some items of interest in this issue that caught my eye:
The process of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians continues among us. There are several examples in our synod sections.
In Taking “The Plunge” (p. 6), you will learn a bit about one of the opportunities in our global Lutheran family that are available for young adults.
Speaking of families, Kindling (p. 15) uses Mary, Martha and Lazarus to discuss how communities rely on and are enriched by differences.
Kid-Friendly Worship (p. 9) will help you think about the need to include every-one when we worship in community.
And then there’s that “community” that remains a mystery that reveals a truth that is open to faith but elusive to logic, The Trinity Mystery (p.8).
Kenn Ward, Editor
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