After a fifth ballot, delegates to the Eastern Synod Assembly were pleased to welcome their new bishop-elect Rev. Carla Blakley (at right, with National Bishop Susan Johnson). Bishop-Elect Blakley currently serves as the senior pastor of Lakeview United Lutheran Partnership in Regina, SK; and will begin in office on October 1. Details about Bishop-Elect Blakley’s ordination will be announced in due course.
Following an earlier nomination and selection process, Chris Hulan and Fred Mertz (L-R) were elected as the new secretary and treasurer of the Eastern Synod. Both Chris and Fred have been “job-shadowing” for several months and are eager to take on these new roles in the life of our church.
Sara Whynot is a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, Mahone Bay, NS, and has been elected as the new vice-chairperson of the Eastern Synod. Sara’s election is historic in that it is the first time a person residing in Atlantic Canada has held an officer position in the Eastern Synod.
On Friday evening, a Celebration of Leadership was observed during the convention banquet. Emcees Rev. Adam Snook and Rev. Christie Morrow-Wolfe (at left with Bishop Michael Pryse) at the banquet offered thanks to Synod Council members whose terms have ended, ordination anniversary celebrants, as well as outgoing officers. Collectively, Keith Myra, Wendell Caron Grahlman, Laurie Knott and Bishop Michael Pryse have served over 90 years.
There were many highlights to the evening, which was capped off by the performance of a new hymn commissioned in recognition of Bishop Michael’s 26 years of service as bishop. To Lead God’s Flock with Shepherd’s Staff was written and composed by Trevor Hicks and will be available for free use in Lutheran, Anglican and Moravian congregations.
A living church needs a living altar! During opening and closing worship, presiders were assisted by delegates who served the church by physically forming the altar. Worship was joyous and prophetic in its call to “be the church” in God’s world.
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