The 2024 BC Synod Convention took place June 20–23 at the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver. The theme was “One Body, One Spirit, One Hope.” It was a time of worship, business and conversation and I am pleased to share a brief overview of the days with you.
On Thursday, delegates, guests and visitors from across the province arrived at UBC. They were greeted at the registration table by members of the amazing local arrangements committee (all volunteers). They collected their name tags and welcome packages and were encouraged to mark their hometown on a communal map.
After supper, people—many of whom were wearing black T-shirts for Thursdays in Black—made their way outside for a smudging ceremony led by Cari Klassen. Opening worship, with Pastor Lori-Anne Boutin Crawford preaching, followed.
Friday saw the start of the business sessions and it was National Indigenous Peoples Day. People wore orange and Cari Klassen shared her artwork and homemade bannock. In the meeting space, St. Mark’s Lutheran was officially welcomed as a congregation of the BC Synod, and the kazoo choir was introduced. Delegates sat around tables during the business session at convention and at each spot was a kazoo. Tables were invited to choose a song and then play it for the room. Once the tune was recognised, people were encouraged to join in. The kazoo choir was a wonderful way to pass the time while waiting for the electronic voting results to come in. Thank you to Pastor Jane Gingrich for organizing it!
On Saturday morning, Celly Manirakoze, Ben Lukenchuk, and Racheal Manyuon shared their stories from the Lutheran World Federation 13th Assembly, held last September in Krakow, Poland. Pastor Erik Bjorgan invited delegates to ponder the future of the church and the challenges and opportunities ahead. Four Synod Council members at-large were elected, and 20 delegates for the 2025 ELCIC National Convention were elected. Eight of the twenty delegates are under the age of 30. The budgets for 2024–25 and 2025–26 were passed. Delegates heard from CLWR and LTS and learned more about the ELCIC’s new logo and tagline.
On Saturday night there was a celebration dinner. Folks gathered for an evening of jazz, tapas and conversation. Those who were celebrating their 10th and 20th ordination anniversaries were celebrated and thanks was given to the local arrangements committee members and the convention manager for their hard work. Bishop Kathy Martin raised a toast to the goodness of God with nonalcoholic apple cider. The evening ended with dancing (but no kazoos).
There was a short business session on Sunday morning complete with conversations about episcopal elections. Rev. Aneeta Saroop was announced as the new part-time assistant to the bishop for diversity, equity and inclusion. Closing worship included thanks to the current Synod Council and the installation of the new Synod Council.
What a full three days! Thanks be to God. —Rachel Genge
Loading ...