Situated near the eastern shore of Lake of the Woods, the tiny community of Bergland, ON, has never been famous, but it has always been beautiful. It’s situated about an hour drive south of the Trans-Canada Highway, nestled against vast forests and meandering rivers. Tourists show up in the summer, eager to unwind in the embrace of its nature, and the people who live there love the place, and each other. In that way, longtime resident Carolyn Kreger says, Bergland is a “hidden jewel in the middle of the bush.”
“We just decided we were either going to close the doors, or God was going to open a window,” Kreger says. “And [God] opened a window.”
In the October- November 2026 issue of Canada Lutheran, Melissa Martin explores how congregations are embracing the gifts of lay leadership as the ELCIC looks toward a more lay-led, clergy-supported future. Through the experiences of congregations in Bergland and Whitehorse, the piece highlights how faith, shared leadership and a willingness to say “yes” can help communities thrive.