The Canadian Lutheran July/August 2026

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TOGETHER ONE

Did you or someone you know come to Canada on the Beaverbrae? If so CLWR wants to hear from you. In preparation for the 80th anniversary of the first sailing, we would like to collect stories and memories of the Beaverbrae and its passengers, as well as passengers from other ships that sailed to Canada. Scan the QR code with your phone camera or go to clwr.org/beaverbrae to fill out the form. And stay tuned for more information about our Legacy of Refuge events.

CONTENTS FEATURES WWW.CANADIANLUTHERAN.CA VOL. 41 N0. 4

JUL/AUG 2026

Koinonia in Christ Peace in Christ For Such a Time as This

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DEPARTMENTS TABLE TALK Together in the Storm

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REGIONAL PASTORS West: All My Remembrance of You Central: A Busy Summer in the Central Region East: Together One, For Better or Worse

MISSIONS Photo: Thomas M. Winger

That There May Be Fairness

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PRESIDENT’S PONDERINGS The Canadian Lutheran is the national publication of Lutheran Church–Canada, published in Winnipeg six times per year: January/ February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, November/December under the auspices of the Board of Directors (Communications and Technology Committee). ISSN #0383-4247 Member: Canadian Christian Communicators Association Editor: Mathew Block Advertising: Angela Honey Subscriptions: $30/yr Or Buy-One-Gift-One: $50/yr Email: a.honey@lutheranchurch.ca All material and advertising should be in the office of The Canadian Lutheran five weeks prior to publication date. Advertising rate card available upon request. The Canadian Lutheran 3074 Portage Ave. Winnipeg, MB R3K 0Y2 Telephone: 204-895-3433 FAX: 204-897-4319 Email: editor@lutheranchurch.ca Materials published in The Canadian Lutheran, with the exception of Letters to the Editor, news reports, and advertising, receive doctrinal review and approval before publication. Contents of supplements are the responsibility of the organization purchasing the space. ©2026 Lutheran Church–Canada. Reproduction of a single article or column for parish use does not require the permission of The Canadian Lutheran. Such reproductions, however, should credit The Canadian Lutheran as the source. Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Holy Communion(s)

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NEWS SECTIONS INTERNATIONAL NEWS LCMS reelects President Harrison • LCC recognizes fellowship with the Philippines and Australia

NATIONAL NEWS Convention News: LCC elects new president and vice-president • LCC Convention elects Regional Pastors • Other elections

WEST REGION LWMLC zones hold spring retreats • Installations in Peace River Circuit • From Taiwan to Richmond

CENTRAL REGION

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A joyful noise for Aurora Bible Camp • Annual young adults retreat in Manitoba • Rev. Gust marks 25th ordination anniversary

EAST REGION

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72 years of music with Eloise Schaan • Ordination anniversary for Rev. Kuhl • Connecting in Georgetown

MISSION NEWS

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Exploring Filipino outreach in Manitoba • Missions in South Thailand

EDUCATION NEWS

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Canadians participate in ILC World Seminaries Conference • Seminary presence at LCC Convention

SUPPLEMENT

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…so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN | JULY/AUGUST 2026 Isaiah 55:11 Our God is faithful and true to His Word. And He is using Lutheran Bible

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LIFE IN THE BODY OF CHRIST

“The Christian life is a life lived in Christ, through the Church, and under the cross.” Lutheran Church–Canada is pleased to present Rev. M.L. Smith’s new devotional Life in the Body of Christ: Meditations on Living with Christ in His Church.

MEDITATIONS ON LIVING WITH CHRIST IN HIS CHURCH

M.L. Smith 1

Get a free digital edition on LCC’s website or purchase print copies on Amazon.ca.

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ADVERTISE WITH US The Canadian Lutheran sells advertising space to offset the cost of printing and shipping the magazine to subscribers. ANGELA HONEY, ADVERTISING MANAGER A.HONEY@LUTHERANCHURCH.CA

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our newsletter

TABLE TALK CANADIANLUTHERAN.CA

TOGETHER IN THE STORM EDITOR | MATHEW BLOCK

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n June and July, the area of Manitoba where I live suffered two serious instances of flooding. The first storm centered on the town of Minitonas about twenty minutes away, causing serious damage there, though floodwaters hit homes on the edge of our town too. The second, however, hit the town of Swan River itself, causing the river here to overflow its banks and flow through the basements and main levels of numerous homes. Somewhere between 150 and 200 families were evacuated, and their houses suffered catastrophic damage. Our own home was just outside the flood zone, quite literally; a barricade just outside our driveway kept people from driving past our home and down into one of the flooded areas. While we dealt with several days of water seeping into our basement after both storms, thankfully we were able to keep damage to a minimum. Sadly, this was not true for many others—including my wife’s parents. The river ran full-force through their neighbourhood, filling their basement and requiring it to be completely gutted. Numerous families in the area face similar tales of loss. The recovery process will be long and hard for many. Some weeks after the flooding, I was worshipping with one of our congregations in Saskatoon, at which time the congregation sang “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less” (LSB 576). The hymn calls us to place our confidence for salvation in Christ alone, but it does so by leaning heavily on storm and flood imagery. “His oath, His covenant and blood Support me in the raging flood,” we sang. “When ev’ry earthly prop gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.” Meanwhile, memories of furiously filling sandbags alongside neighbours in ever-deepening waters played in my mind. When the floods of this life come—and they do come to us all—we need somewhere firm to stand. The storm you face may not be a literal one. Maybe it’s illness. Maybe it’s unemployment. Maybe it’s frayed relationships, or loneliness. Maybe it’s the struggle with a particular sin. In these and all life’s storms, Jesus is the anchor which holds you firm. “On Christ the solid rock I stand,” the

hymnwriter says. “All other ground is sinking sand.” And it’s true. Christ alone is your hope for salvation. Christ alone is the Rock who holds you safe through the storm. “Besides me there is no god,” we read in Scripture. “There is no Rock; I know not any” (Isaiah 44:6, 8). But while there is only one Rock, you are not alone in standing on it. “On Christ the solid rock I stand,” you sing. But so do I. So do all your fellow church members in Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC). We are “Together One,” as the theme from our recently completed synodical convention says. We stand on Christ alone but we stand together. We encourage each other, help each other to hold firm to our mutual Saviour. Together we cling to Christ, crucified for sinners—for you and me—and raised again for our salvation. What earthly or even infernal storm can prevail against that (Matthew 16:18)? In this issue, we reflect on our recently completed convention. We find LCC President Elect David Haberstock’s initial remarks on the challenges and opportunities facing our synod today (page eleven). We hear selections from convention essayist Rev. Dr. Alex Vieira on the “koinonia” (commonly translated “fellowship”) we enjoy in Christ (page six). Likewise, we read selections from Rev. Dr. James A. Kellerman’s convention Bible study on the vision of peace in Christ we enjoy as Christians (page nine). We also find President Timothy Teuscher’s final column as president, where he unfolds for us the different levels of communion we experience with God and with each other through Holy Communion (page 42). Oh heavenly Father, we thank you for making us all one through Your Son, Jesus Christ. May He be for us an anchor amidst the storms of this life, be they personal or communal, public or private. And may we, through the power and guidance of Your Holy Spirit, be a comfort one to another through these storms, walking together in unity and encouraging each other to stand firm in Christ our Saviour. Amen.

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Koinonia in Christ b y A l e x Vi e i r a

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oinonia seems like a word we already know. Ask around, and most of us would say it means “fellowship” and leave it at that. That is not wrong. But I want to show that it is not quite enough, and that the distance between the meaning we assume and the meaning the New Testament shows is important for us…. Paul is the most frequent user of the word koinonia in the New Testament, and it is in his writings that the ordinary meaning (participation in something in which others also participate) shows most clearly. What is striking is that he places God Himself as the shared thing

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(person) in contexts where he uses the word koinonia. For instance, in 1 Corinthians 1:9, he writes: “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the koinonia of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” Some translators obscure this by rendering it “fellowship with His Son,” implying mere association between the believer and the Lord Jesus. But when we take into consideration that koinonia ordinarily means participating in something in which others also participate… we realize that Paul is not picturing believers as enjoying Jesus’ company the way one enjoys a friend’s. The Son Himself is the shared reality. Believers are linked

in John is that…. he speaks of having koinonia with the apostles, with the Father and with the Son, and with one another.... The most striking part is not how John uses the term koinonia only, but why it shows up in his letter. After establishing that he and the apostles were eyewitnesses of the Word incarnate, he says that they proclaim those things so that the church may have koinonia with them…. John and the apostles proclaimed because they wanted the church to have fellowship with them. First, we need to be connected to the apostolic word, to their teaching, because they were witnesses of those things. There is a community created through their preaching. And second, he establishes right away that this community formed by their proclamation is not just a human partnership based on affinities. The whole point is that the apostles themselves have fellowship with God.... The church’s proclamation today as well should be so that people may have fellowship with us, because then they will also be in fellowship with God. A social gathering that is pleasant, and helpful, and closeknit, but that does not connect people to the Father and his Son, is fellowship, but it’s not the koinonia the apostle is talking about here. As John Stott put it: “We cannot be content with an evangelism which does not lead to the drawing of converts into the church, nor with a church life whose principle of cohesion is a superficial social camaraderie instead of a spiritual fellowship with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.” In 1 John 1:6 we learn that we have koinonia with God if we do not walk in darkness. Drawing on John’s broader theology in this letter, we can say that koinonia with God is only possible for those who have received the light, the Word of truth, and have the Holy Spirit. Similarly, in 1 John 1:7, we learn that we have koinonia with one another as the blood of Jesus cleanses us from sin. Clearly, John’s description of the right kind of koinonia is a community in which all people have been saved through the apostolic proclamation and are therefore intimately connected to each other and to God. There can be no authentic church community that is connected to God but isolated from one another, just as there can be no true church community that

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Photos: Thomas M. Winger.

together because they all participate in the reality of Jesus’ benefits and life. This is the language of our incorporation into Christ, where Christians (both the Corinthians and us) share in the same Lord. In this passage we see that our participation in Christ is initiated not by our own effort, but by God’s action of calling us. Since participating in something is a dynamic reality, it inherently implies action on the side of the participants. By using this language of active participation, Paul is highlighting what the Corinthians do, rather than just their static state of being the church. That dynamic action can be seen in the very next verse: “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment” (1:10). Even here, the idea of participation in something along with others is at the forefront…. In 1 Corinthians 10:16, Paul writes: “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not koinonia in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not koinonia in the body of Christ?” Here, Paul affirms the real presence of the Lord in the Supper. The shared reality is not just bread and wine, but the actual body and blood of Jesus. However, if we pay close attention to Paul’s language, his primary focus in this specific verse is not just highlighting our individual union with Christ. His focus by using the word koinonia is on the corporate nature: by participating together in the exact same body and blood, a tangible unity is forged among the believers. This is where koinonia becomes visible among us. It is a corporate event that requires a gathered body…. The Lord’s Supper, therefore, bridges the vertical and the horizontal. It is the most tangible, physical expression of koinonia we have. Because we mutually participate in the divine reality at the altar, we are bound to one another in the pews. John uses the word slightly differently from Paul…. Paul consistently uses koinonia to denote active participation in a shared reality (such as the Lord’s Supper or a financial contribution). However, John uses a unique construction, doing two things differently. John speaks of “having” koinonia.... In his use, the idea is that having koinonia with us is equivalent to ‘being one of us.’ Another difference

is intimately connected to one another but severed from the truth of the Father and the Son. What we see in 1 John 1, then, is a picture of koinonia that is simultaneously vertical and horizontal. John gives no margin for understanding community as a social bond disconnected from the apostolic witness, nor as a doctrinal proposition detached from lived relationships. The community formed through the proclamation of the incarnate Word is one in which people, by being joined to the Father and the Son through that proclamation, are thereby joined to the eyewitnesses. Strip out either the doctrinal content or the relational reality, and what remains is not koinonia in John’s sense.... Both [Paul and John] describe the same reality from different perspectives. Paul uses koinonia to show us what we share, and John uses the word to show us what it looks like when that sharing is genuine. Even where John says “koinonia with,” he presupposes participation in a shared centre: the apostles proclaim so that others may have koinonia with them precisely because the apostles’ own koinonia is “with the Father and with his Son” (1 John 1:3). The horizontal “with” rests on the vertical “with,” so the participatory structure is still there, only described from the side of the participants. Together, Paul and John give us a richer understanding of koinonia than the simple word “fellowship” can capture. Therefore, the New Testament’s complete picture of koinonia requires both dimensions to be held together. It is an active participation in God’s gifts, which at the same time constitutes and sustains an intimate, interdependent relation among all who participate…. From our exploration of koinonia in the New Testament above, we may say that a governing principle emerges for the life of the church. Koinonia is defined by the shared centre, not by the people who happen to gather around it. We are bound to one another only insofar as we are each bound to the same Christ, the same Spirit, the same Gospel, the same faith. This frames every practical question that follows. It means that no institution, roster, or shared circumstance can by itself produce koinonia, and that wherever the right centre is truly shared, koinonia is possible. And the centre reaches far. The same Lord shared at the centre is large enough, and incarnational enough, to draw people to Himself from every nation, culture, and

age, and to bind them to one another. The New Testament shows this happening among believers in places and times as different as Jerusalem and Corinth, Philippi and the congregations of John.... Within Lutheran Church–Canada and the church bodies with which we have pulpit and altar fellowship, koinonia finds its fullest expression. Because we hold the centre not merely in common but in common as we confess it, sharing the same understanding of God and salvation, Gospel and Sacraments, we are free to act that sharing out across the widest range of joint life: a common altar and pulpit, pooled resources, and partnership in mission. This is what I mean by the fullest expression of koinonia. It is not that we love these brothers and sisters more than those from other confessions of faith. It is just that the shared centre between us is confessed completely enough that almost nothing of our life together needs to be held back. We receive Christ’s body and blood side-by-side at the same altar. We recognize one another’s pastoral formation: I was trained at the seminary of another church body, and I was called to serve in LCC without having to begin my studies again. These are concrete and joint actions that express this deepest form of koinonia…. Koinonia is not a bond we generate between ourselves. It is about God holding us close to Him, and by extension to each other. This means that the main question for our life together is not “do we like one another enough to belong” or “are we similar enough to one another to belong,” but “are we connected to the same Lord by the means He uses to offer His gifts to us.” And koinonia is something active. You cannot point to it on a membership roll, but you can catch it in the act the same way you would photograph any given action taking place.... Koinonia is not a word confined to a New Testament study, but it is lived out and even confessed together on Sundays when we say the Apostles’ Creed and say “the koinonia of saints.”

Koinonia is not a bond we generate between ourselves. It is about God holding us close to Him, and by extension to each other.

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* * * * R E V . D R . A L E X V I E I R A is Professor of Exegetical

Theology at Concordia Lutheran Seminary (Edmonton). This article is a brief selection from his keynote essay at Lutheran Church–Canada’s 2026 Synodical Convention.

Photo: Thomas M. Winger.

Peace in Christ by Jam e s A. K e lle r m a n

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that He might create in Himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.” - Ephesians 2:13-16

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ow does Christ create the peace that we enjoy? It is not by the usual means because He wanted to establish a more enduring peace. Now, in Paul’s day, the Roman Empire had finally achieved a modicum of worldly peace. The Romans had vanquished everything that touched the Mediterranean Sea, and they had finally stopped their constant civil wars. But that was not the war that weighed heavily on Paul’s mind. He was thinking of how human beings have been divided ever since Adam and Eve had pointed fingers at others after eating the forbidden fruit. Unity is not a natural state for fallen humanity. Envy, anger, long-held grudges for slights real or imagined, and the like all come readily to fallen human beings. To be sure, we can help resolve this conflict between these two warring nations, or we can get this set of angry neighbours to figure out a way to live together. But the hostility and suspicion remain, ready to burst out on another occasion. Christ came, not to bring about a series of temporary truces, but to bring a true and lasting peace. That meant that he had to deal with sin once and for all. When we try

to settle conflicts, we deal with one sin here and another sin there, not the totality of sin. In one conflict, one side may be totally in the right or largely so. But no individual or nation has always been in the right. The person or country who was in the right today will be in the wrong tomorrow. For we both sin and are sinned against. And we do not have the strength to overcome that fact. That is bad enough, but it gets even worse. At the dawn of Christianity, the vast majority of humanity had chosen to worship vain idols rather than the living God. Only a tiny sliver of the world’s population, the Jews, knew the true and living God. To be sure, they did not live up entirely to his standards, but at least they knew the truth and were people called by his name. So, in addition to the normal hostility that exists among all fallen human beings, there was an additional factor that plagued all Gentiles in the Old Testament era: we “were far off” from God. Paul wasn’t talking about geography. After all, God who fills the entire heavens and the earth isn’t bothered by the fact that somebody lives a few thousand kilometres further away from the temple than

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someone else. A faithful Jew of the Old Testament era who looked forward to the coming of the Messiah and heard God’s Word but lived two thousand kilometres away from the temple was closer to God than a pagan Moabite whose home was just fifty kilometres away from Jerusalem…. The Gentiles were truly far off from God. They practised idolatry that would have polluted Israel if it had been tolerated there. Therefore, what great news it is to hear that Christ has brought peace to us Gentiles and integrated us into the people of God…. This peace comes from Christ being the incarnate Son of God. You could say that He is the agent of our peace, but Paul puts it in starker terms: “He Himself is our peace.” That is to say, He does not merely bring peace, just as He does not merely bring resurrection and life. He is Peace, just as He is “the Resurrection and the Life”. If we take this thought seriously, we understand better what the angels were singing about that first Christmas night. They proclaimed, “peace on earth,” not as an abstraction, not as an ideal to strive for, but rather as the tiny baby who was God in human flesh. In His very body, Christ had brought God and Man together. And in His very body, He would go on to reconcile God and human beings forever. Therefore, you must not overlook those small prepositional phrases: “by the blood of Christ” and “in His flesh.” Christ did not bring about a spiritual peace through mere words of encouragement. He brought about a genuine spiritual peace through His very physical flesh and His blood—His flesh nailed to the cross and His blood shed there—but flesh and blood that are truly divine, for they are the flesh and blood of the Son of God…. He tore down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile. As His body was nailed and pierced on the cross, the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile was also being hacked away at. And Christ also dealt with the law—but that required more than a mere wave of His hand. The only way that we could be freed from the burden of the law was by Him taking upon Himself in His body all the just punishment for our sins, as well as fulfilling with His body all the justice that God had demanded. So, our atonement in all its aspects took place only because Christ suffered and laboured in His flesh…. But there is a further dimension to the peace that He establishes. He reconciles us not only to God but to one another. And that is because our reconciliation takes place not around a negotiating table but in His very body. No earthly peace treaty can do that. But Christ can. In Holy Baptism, He unites us with Himself, with His death, burial, and resurrection. And then in the Lord’s Supper, He gives us His body and blood. But this is not just a connection we enjoy with Christ individually. Rather, as we are connected

with Him, we are also joined together with others who also are connected with Him. Paul describes this elsewhere as being members of one body, the body of Christ. Thus, we are intensely bound with others. So, it is not a matter of putting two former enemies next to each other, telling each to stay on their side of the dividing line. We have actually become one body, the body of Christ…. Christ created the peace. He did so not by offering an idea but by being Peace in the flesh Himself and by undergoing the hard physical work on the cross. There He tore down the dividing wall, annulled the law by bearing its penalty, and incorporated us and all believers in Christ into His one body. So, what does this mean? It means that peace and unity in the church are a gift from God rather than something we have created or have to create. It means that peace and unity come from being in Christ and remaining in Him. If we abide in Him, we will experience the peace and unity that He has wrought. If we separate ourselves from Him, we cannot expect peace to prevail…. We in the Christian church have a different vision of peace and unity than the world does. The world is content as long as people are not at each other’s throats. That is about as far as its concept of peace goes…. But that is not the peace that Christ brings. He has come to undo the curse of Eden, where we turned against God and against our fellow human beings. He has come to undo the curse of Babel, where our beautiful languages do not build up but separate us from one another. He has not come to craft one more truce until our patience finally runs out and we take up weapons again. Instead, He has created a peace unlike any other. It is a peace founded not on an idea but on His being God in human flesh. It was a peace not won on the battlefield or in the negotiating room but on the cross and at the empty tomb. It is a rock-solid peace because it is founded on the most solid Rock of all, the Rock of our salvation, the God-Man, Jesus Christ. This is the peace that we are called to enjoy, proclaim, and celebrate.... This is the peace that allows us to live as not just neighbours but as brothers and sisters, as fellow citizens in God’s kingdom, and as the very dwelling place of God.

We in the Christian church have a different vision of peace and unity than the world does.

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* * * * REV. DR. JAMES A. KELLERMAN is Associate Professor

of Theology at Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (St. Catharines, Ontario). This article is a brief selection from the study of Ephesians 2:13-22 he presented at Lutheran Church–Canada’s 2026 Synodical Convention.

Photos: Thomas M. Winger.

“FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS” On June 14, Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) President Elect David Haberstock addressed the convention following his election. What follows are his full remarks to the assembly.

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b y D a v i d Ha b e r s t o c k

rothers and sisters in Christ: Many of you congratulating me have said you will pray for me. Please do. Please continue to. Because you have just elected one more frail man, with feet of clay, who thinks out loud, and talks too much. If the Lord’s church depended on men like me, we’d be doomed. Thanks be to God, Christ the Son of the living God is the foundation of the Church, and not sinners like Ed, Ralph, Bob, Tim, or Dave. So please lift me and our whole church before God’s mercy seat. I grew up in a LCC parsonage and attended LCC’s founding convention as a 12 year old, 38 years ago here in Winnipeg. In home, parish, and convention I heard about the hopes and dreams of an independent LCC, training her own pastors. And it’s taken 38 years, much blood, sweat, tears, prayers, sacrificial giving, and support from our mother Missouri, but this convention marks the first time our President, Vice President, Regional Pastors, and seminary presidents are all Canadian-trained pastors. The whole slate for President and VP were Canadian-trained pastors. So LCC, we’ve grown up! Maybe that’s appropriate for a 38 year old. And now we see whether this dream will bear good fruit that will endure. So, again, pray for your church!

As this dream comes to fruition, Canada itself, the formerly Christian West, and most of the world is no longer replacing itself. Birth rates are plummeting worldwide (with Africa and parts of the Middle East the only exception). It’s like humanity just stopped believing Psalm 127 that “children are a heritage from the Lord… blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them.” Somehow, we’ve set aside our Lord’s repeated command to be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28; 9:1, 7; Leviticus. 26:9; Genesis 11:1-9; Acts 2). And while it doesn’t surprise us that the world would reject what our Lord says, we believers in God’s Word have also fallen down on the job. And many of you here can’t do much about it. For unless the Lord makes you like Abraham and Sarah, or Elizabeth and Zachariah there are no more babies coming for you. Over my life most of us didn’t even realize that our own attitudes and actions were being shaped more by the world than by the Lord and His Word as we had fewer and fewer babies over the generations. And as we look at the impacts of what we have done, it is important to realize it and repent, for our Lord is gracious and merciful. I highlight LCC’s numerical decline because it is a serious issue and we’ve also been beating ourselves up over it. But I THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN | JULY/AUGUST 2026

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want to highlight that this is a demographic issue, not an issue of what we believe, teach, and confess. Many pastors and parishioners have looked at declining congregations and said, “What are we doing wrong, Lord? How have we failed?” Or we’ve despaired and said, “LCC is dying. It’s done. What’s the point?” Repent of that despair. While it is true that many of our children and grandchildren are getting their faith stolen from them by society, the media, and the educational establishment, who so often work hand in hand with the prince of this world it is not true that the Gospel has stopped working. Clearly, we need to keep inoculating our kids against every argument and lofty opinion that holds itself up against the knowledge of God (2 Corinthians 10:4-6). But even more than those issues, we are facing an immediate crisis, first and foremost, of fertility. And not just the formerly Christian West is facing it, but the whole world is beginning to face this and wake up to this reality. And that fact puts a whole new spin on the challenges we have to recruit and train pastors, let alone to recruit and train parishioners. For our challenges are exactly the same as all of Canada’s challenges to recruit and train workers in every field. Over the last 20 years we’ve all noticed that our medical field, elder care, universities, and almost all entry level roles in businesses are being filled primarily by newcomers to Canada. And when we realize this is happening because the Canadians who already lived here haven’t replaced themselves, it makes us realize that our seminaries, pastors, and congregations are in the same boat. To illustrate this point, why do you think LCC has received five pastors from Australia over the last four years, and six from Brazil in the last nine? Let alone the pastors colloquizing from Ethiopia, India, and Haiti and being trained by LCC from Sudan, China, and elsewhere? This demographic issue is a Canada problem, not an LCC problem. Our Lord who says that the gates of hell shall not prevail against His Church will always provide for His Church, for the harvest is plentiful, but the workers have always been few, so pray for workers in the harvest! (Matthew 9:37-38) So our own fertility crisis is a big issue LCC and Canada are facing. Canada’s government and industry have been trying to solve this demographic issue by massive immigration over the last 20 years, rather than by changing our culture to value marriage and the blessing of children. And since the government isn’t encouraging younger generations to get married and have more children and seek to make it easier for them to do that, we need to start

encouraging that and working as communities to help our younger generations to be able to start families. And our historically high levels of immigration place strain on all aspects of society, such as the current housing crisis, let alone the challenge of so many people coming with differing cultural expectations, ways of thinking, and differing languages. Some of Canada’s challenges are not unlike the challenges the world had right after the Tower of Babel. And those challenges, sadly, can increase xenophobia and cause the love of many to grow cold. Especially as many newcomers not only have a different culture and values, but many do not believe in Jesus. But then, some of them do believe in Jesus, or want to learn about Him. For instance, here in Winnipeg, almost every congregation has been blessed by at least one very active African family who bring new life and zeal to the congregation, let alone excellent flavours at the potluck. And some congregations here have experienced an influx of Chinese seekers and believers who are interested in Christianity. So, these times are turbulent, but full of opportunity that our Lord has placed before us! You may also have noticed that this convention passes the baton from Baby Boomer leaders to Gen X leaders. As the last of the Baby Boomers retire most names on the slates were Gen Xers. The generational pattern here is like the moment when Moses ordained Joshua as leader and gave him his marching orders (Numbers 27:18-23). And if you’ve read Exodus recently, you may have noted that of the Exodus generation, only Joshua and Caleb, survived the wilderness wanderings and entered the Promised Land (Numbers 14:26-30). And sadly, though most of my generation grew up with some connection to the church, very, very few in Gen X still find themselves inside the fold of the Church. It’s as though my generation died to faith during our wilderness wanderings. But the generation born during those wanderings under God’s appointed leader Joshua—a type of Jesus who was to come—conquered the promised land. I don’t know what the Lord has in store, for I am no Joshua, but the Lord is certainly stirring something especially amongst young men in their 20s and 30s not just in the West, but globally. So, are you ready to catch that wave and to meet that need amongst those young men? Many of you have noticed young men walking into your churches. Not in large numbers, but those who show up, are committed. Whether they come from some other confession of Christianity, from secular unbelief, or another religion

These times are turbulent, but full of opportunity that our Lord has placed before us!

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altogether, when they come in our doors, they’ve often already read the Book of Concord, or listened to hours of Lutheran Youtubers and podcasters like Pastors Bryan Wolfmueller, Jordan Cooper, Jonathon Fisk, or Chris Rosebrough. These young men who walk in are searching for authentic Lutheranism according to our Confessions and our historic liturgy. Ask yourself, will they find it in your congregation? As our congregations get smaller the Lord may be pruning the branches of His vine right now, but He always prunes to bring forth new growth, and this appears to be the beginnings of that new growth (John 15:1-2). So, Baby Boomers, we thank you for your devoted service to the Lord in His Church. You’ve borne the burden through the heat of the day and gotten us to this point. And sadly, as your retirement comes, there are not always those in our congregations needed to take up leadership. But I encourage you to pray for, ask, encourage, support, and mentor those who are younger than you to take up leadership of your congregations. They may not do things the way you would like them to be done. In their own generation they may see things differently than you do. The Baby Boomers desired informality and not being shackled by traditions which were seen as getting in the way of authenticity and relational intimacy. But these are not the ways of many in younger generations. Maybe you’ve already had younger pastors whom you think are taking the congregation in the wrong direction from your generational perspective. But truth be told, the pathways that may have been meaningful to older generations, that you may still think are what the church needs to do, is not what these young folks are looking for. They need tradition and theology, serious teaching, preaching, and depth, because nothing in their experience has been solid, unchanging, or true. And they need elders who will gently mentor them in the faith and its practice. They don’t need a certain approach or style, just the one thing needful: to sit at Jesus’ feet to receive His pure teaching (Luke 10:38-42) and His body and blood for the forgiveness of their sins. And those marks of the Church have always been our strengths naturally delivered in the Divine Service. Lean into Christ’s sturdy, time-tested means of salvation, for that is how Christ gives out His Gifts which

have always created, fed, and sustained the Church. My favourite Bible verse is Psalm 133:1—“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity.” I value harmony at home, in church, in relationships. The foundation of our unity is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But Luther teaches that the blessings of unity flow particularly when we all play our parts according to the stations and callings Jesus has placed on your life in the three realms of family, church, and state. When we take up our crosses and follow Him in each of those callings there is great blessing (Matthew 16:24-26). We miss those blessings and create problems these days because we love to push into others’ callings, and busy ourselves with their business rather than our own. But we are all men under authority. And in the shadow of Christ’s cross is His blessing. North American society forgot that in the quest for individualism. But forgetting to stay within our own callings has set our younger generations adrift on the tides of secularism which hates our Lord’s natural law, hierarchy, and structure. We are Christ’s Church, rooted in God’s Word, fed with Christ’s flesh, grafted into the living vine by Holy Baptism. We are the pillar and ground of truth (1 Timothy 3:15). We have the answers all men need. We have the foundation on which life is built (Ephesians 2:20). It unites us, and that unity is safeguarded and increased in this world through us faithfully living in the callings our Lord has given each of us. This doctrine of vocation is desperately needed today. I pray that in the days ahead, with the challenges before us, we focus on the callings we are each given in each realm of life that we might be truly Together One and experience how good and pleasant life together can be. And according to your callings as the holy priesthood of God pray for me, and all those elected at this convention, that the challenges ahead of us may not overwhelm us, that trusting in the Lord of the Church He uses us all to face the times in which we live, for He has indeed brought each of us into the Kingdom for such a time as this. The Lord be with you. Thank you.

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LCMS reelects President Harrison

President Harrison. Photo: LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford. USA – The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod (LCMS) has reelected Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison to a sixth term as President. The result was announced on June 24.

President Harrison was reelected on the third ballot, receiving 2,524 votes (50.1 percent). Also on the ballot were Rev. Dr. Joel D. Biermann, receiving 2,414 votes (47.9 percent) and Rev. Benjamin T. Ball, receiving 100 votes (2.0 percent). Two other candidates— Rev. Peter K. Lange and Rev. Brady L. Finnern—were dropped from the slate after the first and second ballots respectively. “Thank you for this amazing opportunity to serve a final term,” President Harrison said following his reelection. “Please forgive me my many faults and sins. I plead for your prayers for fidelity to the Gospel of Christ’s blood-bought forgiveness, and prayers that I may serve all of you as Christ would have me do in these final three years.”

President Harrison also thanked the other candidates who had allowed their names to stand. President Harrison was first elected to office in 2010. In addition to his service to the LCMS, President Harrison serves worldwide Lutheranism as a member of the Board of Directors of the International Lutheran Council (ILC), of which the LCMS is a member church. The LCMS holds elections for its synodical president in advance of the church’s triennial convention. Nominations for the position closed in February, and voting took place throughout June. The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod held its 69th Regular Convention from July 18-23 in Phoenix, Arizona. ILC News

LCC Convention receives international guests WINNIPEG – Lutheran ChurchCanada was privileged to welcome a number of guests to its 13th convention. President Matthew C. Harrison of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) greeted guests on June 14. “It’s an unspeakable blessing in this crazy world of divisions,” he said, that the LCMS and LCC enjoy unity in the confession of the faith. “And it’s the Word of God that has created us brothers and sisters in Christ, and holds us for good.” President Eliona Bernard of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Haiti (ELCH) greeted the convention on June 15. “Haiti is facing one of the most difficult periods of its history,” President Bernard noted—something which makes their partnership with LCC the more deeply appreciated. “We thank you for standing as one body with us with us through your ongoing prayers and partnership.”

The convention also received greetings from the International Lutheran Council (ILC), represented by its Director of Communications, Mathew Block. Also present for the convention were President Matt Anker of Lutheran Mission – Australia (LM-A) and President Antonio del Rio Reyes of the Lutheran Church in the Philippines. Other guests at this year ’s convention included Rev. Niran Temsakun of the Thailand Concordia Lutheran Church (TCLC), Presiding Pastor Cary Larson of The American Association of Lutheran Churches (AALC), Vice President Rick Hiemstra of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC), and Subdeacon Brian A. Butcher of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB). Representatives from LCC’s auxiliaries, seminaries, listed service organizations, and other agencies were also present for convention, with

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ELCH President Bernard. Photo: Thomas M. Winger. many displaying in the exhibit hall and bringing greetings to the convention. Written greetings were received from civic leaders like the Prime Minister of Canada and others; LCC President Emeritus Ralph Mayan; and such church bodies as the AALC, the Synod of Evangelical Lutheran Churches of Ukraine (SELCU), the Cambodia Lutheran Church (CLC), the Lutheran Church in Norway and Iceland (LKNI), the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland (ELMDF), and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of England (ELCE).

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LCC recognizes fellowship with the Philippines and Australia WINNIPEG – On June 13, Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) unanimously voted in convention to recognize fellowship with the Lutheran Church in the Philippines (LCP) and Lutheran Mission – Australia (LM-A). Fellowship discussions with both the LCP and LM-A took place in 2025, and LCC’s Commission on Theology and Church Relations recommended the recognition of fellowship. On June 15, the presidents of LCP and LM-A addressed the convention, celebrating LCC’s declaration of fellowship with their churches. “The unity of the church is not something we create,” LCP President Antonio del Rio Reyes noted. “It is a gift that God has given through Christ Jesus. We are one because Christ is one, and we share one faith because we have one Gospel.” “We thank God that our church bodies stand together in confessing the Holy Scriptures” and “the Lutheran Confession in the Book of Concord,” President Reyes continued. “We also give special thanks and grace to God for graciously leading our churches to a godly, Spirit-filled agreement to officially establish altar and pulpit fellowship. This is a significant blessing from the Lord, and it is a joyful public recognition of the unity in doctrine and confession that He has granted upon us.” LM-A President Matt Anker thanked LCC members for their longstanding partnership with Australian Lutherans. “We are incredibly grateful for the many years of solidarity in the Gospel and the encouragement that Lutheran Church–Canada has been to confessional people in Australia,” he said. “We share your sadness that it became necessary to leave the LCA and start Lutheran Mission – Australia as the continuing confessional Lutheran church in the country. But we rejoice that our steadfast friends in LCC have stood with us from the earliest days.”

LCC President Teuscher and LCP President Reyes. Photo: Sura Tulu.

LCC President Teuscher and LM-A Presdient Anker. Photo: Thomas M. Winger. “LM-A is deeply humbled that LCC would so readily consider and, indeed, resolve to declare altar and pulpit fellowship with us in these early days,” he continued. “We recognize the vital importance of such relationships as a small and very isolated Synod which has arisen out of the need to take a stand for our confession.” It is LM-A’s prayer that the partnership between LCC and LM-A will “provide opportunity for mutual encouragement, partnership in mission, and a common confession to the glory of God and the blessing of all people.” LM-A and LCP will both hold conventions later this year, at which time they will hold their own votes to recognize LCC as a fellowship partner.

LCC’s 13th convention also had the sad responsibility of formally recognizing the loss of fellowship with the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand (LCANZ). In 2024, the LCANZ voted to approve the ordination of women, contrary to the teaching of Scripture. LCC President Timothy Teuscher was present at their convention, at which time he expressed his sorrow, noting that they had effectively voted to break fellowship with LCC. Despite this recognition of lost fellowship, LCC committed itself to the possibility of future doctrinal discussions with the LCANZ in the hope agreement in doctrine and practice might one day be regained.

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LCC holds 13th synodical convention in Winnipeg

LCC President Timothy Teuscher officiates during the opening service. Photo: Thomas M. Winger. WINNIPEG – From June 12-15, more than 400 Lutherans from across the country gathered in Winnipeg for Lutheran Church–Canada’s (LCC) 13 th Synodical Convention. The convention theme was “Together One: One Lord, One Faith, One Body,” drawn from Ephesians 4:4-6. LCC President Timothy Teuscher officiated during the opening service, assisted by Vice-President Michael Schutz and Regional Pastors Robert Mohns (West), David Haberstock (Central), and Marvin Bublitz (East).

“There is one unmistakable reality running through this world… and that is the fact the church is not unified,” President Teuscher observed in his sermon. But despite divisions in the Christian Church, he emphasized the unity that we find in Christ. The unity and preservation of “the Christian Church, Lutheran Church–Canada, your congregation, is not something up to us,” he explained. Rather, “it is a miracle—a work of God in this world.” “It is only as we are united in Christ and with Christ and to Christ that we can truly be united with one another.”

One of the first items of business during the opening session of the convention was the reception of a new congregation into Lutheran Church– Canada. St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (Cornwall, Ontario) was unanimously received into membership. The congregation’s pastor, Rev. Connor Longaphie, and a lay delegate both signed LCC’s constitution. President Teuscher welcomed them, saying: “May your membership in our synod serve to support and strengthen you in preservation, promotion, and extension of the pure Word of Christ in your community.” Since the last convention, 27 pastors and one deacon have received calls within LCC. These new church workers were also invited to sign LCC’ constitution.

Welcoming St. Matthew's (Cornwall) into LCC. Photo: Thomas M. Winger.

LCC establishes NYG and Archives Standing Committees WINNIPEG – On June 14, Lutheran Church–Canada’s (LCC) convention adopted a resolution creating a permanent standing committee for the National Youth Gathering (NYG). National Youth Gatherings are held every three years in different regions across Canada, with youth, leaders, and volunteers from across LCC joining together for worship and faith formation. The NYG Committee formerly operated under LCC’s

Board for Parish Services until it was dissolved in 2002. Since then, the NYG committee has operated independently but still in association with LCC. According to Dcn. Amanda Hastings, an NYG committee member and LCC Board of Directors member who spoke from the floor, this resolution was the result of a desire from both LCC and the NYG committee to formalize their relationship and work together more closely in the future.

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The next NYG is slated to be held in 2028 in the West Region, though an exact location and theme have not yet been announced. The convention also passed a resolution to add an archives committee to the list of LCC’s standing committees. Such a committee will help LCC to develop policies for “the orderly acquiring, preserving, and making available the records and cultural properties of Lutheran Church–Canada.”

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LCC elects new president and vice-president WINNIPEG – On the morning of June 13, Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) elected Rev. David Haberstock to serve as the church’s new synodical president. Rev. Haberstock was elected after two rounds of voting. Rev. Haberstock was first elected to serve as LCC’s Central Regional Pastor in 2018, and was reelected to a second term in 2022. He further served on the Board of Directors for the Central District from 2006-2015. Rev. Haberstock served as pastor of Grace Lutheran (Regina) from 20152018 and Epiphany Lutheran (Thunder Bay, Ontario) from 2004-2015. Rev. David Haberstock, Rev. Ted Giese, and Rev. Joel Kuhl had all consented to let their name stand for election. (Rev. Michael Schutz withdrew his name from consideration prior to the vote.) The first round of voting saw Rev. Haberstock receive 125 votes, Rev. Giese 80 votes, and Rev. Kuhl 70 votes. Rev. Kuhl was dropped from the ballot, and a second vote was held, with Rev. Haberstock receiving 154 votes (55.2 percent) and Rev. Giese receiving 125. President Elect Haberstock succeeds President Timothy Teuscher, who announced in 2025 he would not be standing for reelection. President Teuscher was first elected at LCC’s 2017 convention, and was installed into office in January 2018. He was reelected to a second term in 2022. During his tenure, President Teuscher led LCC through the complex period which followed the restructuring of the church body in 2017. In addition to his service to the Canadian church, President Teuscher has further served confessional Lutheranism globally as Vice-Chairman of the International Lutheran Council throughout his term as LCC President. The convention acknowledged President Teuscher’s service later in the day, passing a resolution thanking

LCC President Elect David Haberstock and Vice-President Elect Ted Giese. Photo: Sura Tulu. God for Dr. Teuscher’s leadership as president and bestowing upon him the title of Past President. The assembly rose to applaud Dr. Teuscher and sing the Doxology. President-Elect Haberstock will be installed into office later this year. New LCC Vice-President The same morning also saw the election of Rev. Ted Giese as VicePresident of Lutheran Church–Canada. He was elected on the second ballot. Rev. Giese has served on LCC’s Board of Directors from 2022 to the present. He has also served in leadership with the International Missions Committee and on the Board of Regents of Concordia Lutheran Seminary in Edmonton, among other service. He is Lead Pastor of Mount Olive Lutheran (Regina).

Rev. Giese, Rev. Kuhl, Rev. Kurt Lantz, and Rev. David Zakel had all consented to let their name stand for election. (Rev. Schutz withdrew his name from consideration prior to the vote.) The first round saw Rev. Giese receive 140 votes, Rev. Kuhl 97, and Rev. Lantz and Rev. Zakel both receive 22. Rev. Lantz and Rev. Zakel were dropped from the ballot, and a second vote was held, with Rev. Giese receiving 151 votes and Rev. Kuhl 129.

See more news from LCC's convention here:

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LCC Convention elects Regional Pastors

East Regional Pastor Marvin Bublitz, Central Regional Pastor-Elect Arron Gust, and West Regional Pastor-Elect Michael Schutz. Photos: Thomas M. Winger. WINNIPEG – Votes for Lutheran Church–Canada’s (LCC) three Regional Pastors were held during the morning of June 13. Rev. Marvin Bublitz was reelected as East Regional Pastor. Newly elected were Rev. Arron Gust as Central Regional Pastor and Rev. Michael Schutz as West Regional Pastor. Rev. Bublitz was first elected to serve as East Regional Pastor in 2018. He was reelected to the position in 2022. Rev. Gust is currently pastor of Grace Lutheran (Regina). He has

previously served as Vice President of the Central District and on the Central District’s Board of Directors. Rev. Gust succeeds Rev. David Haberstock as Central Regional Pastor, as Rev. Haberstock was elected as Synod President earlier in the morning. Rev. Schutz is currently pastor of Concordia (Penticton, B.C.), and has served as LCC Vice-President from 2022 to the present. Rev. Schutz succeeds Rev. Robert Mohns, who had announced earlier that he would not be standing for reelection at this

convention. Rev. Mohns served as West Regional Pastor from 2018 to the present. Rev. Gust, who was unopposed, received 64 votes. In the East Region, Rev. Bublitz received 65 votes while other nominee Rev. Vishal Paul received 28 votes. (Rev. Kurt Reinhardt had withdrawn his name from consideration prior to the vote). In the West Region, Rev. Schutz received 60 votes while other nominee Rev. Jan Pastucha received 57 votes.

Honouring President Teuscher & West Regional Pastor Mohns WINNIPEG – On June 14, LCC’s convention honoured outgoing LCC President Timothy Teuscher and outgoing West Regional Pastor Robert Mohns. LCC Vice President Michael Schutz paid tribute to West Regional Pastor Mohns, while LCC Past President Robert Bugbee addressed President Tesucher. LCC’s Chief Administrative Officer, Dwayne Cleave, then presented gifts to each, recognizing them upon their retirements.

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Planning for the 500th anniversary of the Augsburg Confession WINNIPEG – Lutheran Church– Canada (LCC) is making plans to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the presentation of the Augsburg Confession in 2030—including by ensuring that the 2030 Synod Convention theme be based upon it. The Augsburg Confession is the primary Lutheran statement of faith. LCC’s 13th Convention resolved that “the Synod President, in consultation with the Commission on Theology and Church Relations, strike an anniversary committee to prepare and gather study guides, provide worship materials, articles for The Canadian Lutheran periodical, and the like on the Augsburg Confession.” The resolution also directs the various gatherings and assemblies of the church—from circuit forums, regional gatherings, church worker

conferences, youth and young adult gatherings, LWLMC rallies, to focus on the anniversary.

Resources to mark the anniversary are to be disseminated two years in advance of the anniversary in 2030.

LCC to study use of the term ‘bishop’

LCC reaffirms opposition to MAID

WINNIPEG – After discussion, Lutheran Church– Canada’s convention on June 14 resolved to initiate a study of the use of the term ‘bishop,’ as well as the question of time limits on calls for synodical and regional church leaders. An amended form of Resolution 26.2.01a “To Study the Term ‘Bishop’ and the Time Limit of Calls” was adopted. The resolution grew out of two other proposed resolutions which were not voted on. The first of these had encouraged the adoption of the term ‘bishop.’ The second had encouraged the removal of time-limited calls for the synodical president and regional pastors. (The resolutions did not call for any change to the duties and responsibilities of these offices.) The new resolution instead charges LCC’s Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) with producing study materials on these issues, to be distributed across synod at least two years prior to the next convention so that they can be “used for study at circuit forums, Winkels, pastoral conferences, and congregational studies.”

WINNIPEG – In light of the troubling expansion of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID), the convention of Lutheran Church–Canada on June 13 reaffirmed “her unwavering commitment to the sacredness of all human life from conception to natural death, and therefore also her firm opposition to the practice of MAID… along with the philosophical perspectives underlying it.” The convention instructed the Commission on Theology and Church Relations “to formulate Pastoral Guidelines for pastors and laity struggling with MAID and its consequences.” The convention also encouraged LCC and its partner agencies to “encourage a vibrant confession and ministry” on the issue of MAID “by providing relevant Bible studies, literature, and guidance for ministry to the faithful of LCC concerning this topic,” as well as programming and agencies which “provide for the lonely, the depressed, and the vulnerable, beneficial care and loving alternatives to MAID.” The resolution also saw LCC encourage Canada’s governing authorities to repeal MAID legislation.

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Elections for LCC Board of Directors and other offices WINNIPEG – In addition to elections for Synodical President and Vice President and for Regional Pastors, Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC)’s 13th Synodical Convention elected members to the Board of Directors, the church’s various’ Commissions, Circuit Counsellors, and Regional Mission and Ministry Councils. Elected to serve on LCC’s Board of Directors (BOD) for the new quadrennium are: Laity: • James Frey (Central) • Darryll Holland (East) • Lois Griffin (East) • Doug Petersen (West) • Shaun Visser (West) Clergy: • Rev. Aaron Astley (East) • Rev. Mark Hennig (West) • Rev. Alex Klages (Central) Deacon: • Dcn. Amanda Hastings (Central) Elected to the Commission on Adjudication (COA): Rostered Workers: • Rev. Murray Keith (Central) • Rev. Adrian Kramer (Central) • Rev. John Rapp (East) • Rev. Dr. Kevin Fast (East) • Rev. Darren Siegle (West) • Rev. Don Hennig (West) Elected to the Commission on Nominations and Elections (CNE): Laity: • Wendy Chant (East) • Rod Johnson (Central) • Elizabeth Schieman (West) Rostered Workers: • Rev. Kurt Lantz (East) • Rev. Kurt Reinhardt (East) • Rev. Philip Washeim (West) • Rev. Glenn Worcester (Central) Elected to the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR):

Laity: • Mathew Block (Central) • Daniel Smilek (East) Clergy: • Rev. Michael Keith (West) • Rev. Joel Kuhl (East) Elected to the Commission on Constitution Matters and Structure (CCMS): Laity: • Timothy Lach – lawyer (Central) • Valerie Edward – lawyer (East) • Ronald Faulkner (West) Clergy: • Rev. Jeffrey Dul (West) • Rev. Andrew McDonald (West) • Rev. Brian Falkenholt (West) Elected as Circuit Counsellors in LCC are: Central Region: Assiniboine Circuit: Rev. Barry Wood Northland Circuit: Rev. Jakob Valsson Ontario Circuit: No nominations Qu’Appelle Circuit: Rev. Joshua Kurtenbach Red River Circuit: Rev. Richard Beinert Saskatoon Circuit: No nominations Southland Circuit: Rev. Travis Heide Wascana Circuit: No nominations East Region: Hamilton Circuit: Rev. David Zakel Hanover Circuit: Rev. Kenneth Maher Kitchener Circuit: Rev. James Keller London Circuit: Rev. Paul Schallhorn Niagara Circuit: No nominations Ottawa Circuit: Rev. Matthew Habermas Stratford Circuit: No nominations Toronto Circuit: Rev. Vishal Paul Windsor Circuit: No nominations

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West Region: Calgary Circuit: Rev. David Dressler Cariboo Circuit: Rev. Noel Smith Edmonton Circuit: No nominations Elk Island: No nominations Greater Vancouver Circuit: Rev. Lucas Albrecht Lethbridge Circuit: Rev. Lee Loveridge Okanagan Circuit: Rev. Jefrey Koenig Peace River Circuit: Rev. Terrance Goerz Stony Plain Circuit: No nominations Vancouver Island: Rev. Stephen Chambers Wetaskiwin Circuit: Rev. Brian Amison Elected to Regional Mission and Ministry Councils (RMMCs): Central Region: Northland Circuit: Larry Durand Ontario Circuit: Howard Fiskar Red River Circuit: Gelane Bahiru Saskatoon Circuit: Denise Timm Wascana Circuit: Barb Schentag East Region: Hanover Circuit: Kim Kuhl Kitchener Circuit: Anna Fierling Niagara Circuit: Scott Allan Stratford Circuit: Mark Rohfrietsch Toronto Circuit: David Chant Windsor Circuit: Matthew Zvric West Region: Caribou Circuit: Charles von Hahn Edmonton Circuit: Josh Bentley Okanagan Circuit: Hope Mendes Peace River Circuit: Rick Slater Stony Plain Circuit: Tiffany Playter Vancouver Island Circuit: Sonja Bland The convention also ranked candidates for the consideration of the boards of LCC’s two seminaries.

WEST REGION NEWS ALBERTA AND BRITISH COLUMBIA • MICHELLE HEUMANN, EDITOR

LWMLC Parkland Zone Spring Retreat WESTEROSE, Alta. – On a windy, snowy day at the end of April, 41 ladies came together for the LWMLC Parkland Zone Spring Retreat at the 4-H Centre in Westerose. Lynn Hemming, the Facilitator for the weekend, put it best when she said: “The devil tried his very best to keep us from attending, but thanks to prayer, we miraculously had nearly 100 percent attendance.” The theme of the weekend was “Daughter of the Divine,” created and presented by Lynn Hemming. The focus was on three different types of daughters: the Tired Daughter, the Discouraged Daughter, and the Triumphant Daughter. Attendees learned that God rested (Genesis 2:23), and that we need rest for our bodies and souls. It is in Jesus we find rest for our souls. As well, God commands us to be encouragers to others. Even when life sucks, God does not abandon us: God assures us we will overcome. Finally, God lavishes us with love, we experience Jesus’ presence in our lives, and we are Daughters of the Divine. Two wonderful song leaders, Sharlinda Teske and Virginia Chicone, led the singing over the weekend.

As always, there was fierce competition over the silent auction items. This year, the group raised more than $1,100, which will help keep registration costs down for future spring retreats, and a portion is set aside to pay for convention delegates. As always, mites were also collected. One of the great joys of the spring retreat is that no one had to cook. The 4-H Centre provided great meals all weekend. An abundance of choices

were also available between meals at the snack table. A short business meeting was held, where Crystal Saville was elected as President, Carol Maskowitz as Treasurer, and Melissa HenkeLambert as Vice-President/Secretary. Organizers thank the Retreat Committee, Host Society, and everyone who helped make this event a wonderful weekend. 2027’s Spring Retreat will be held April 30 to May 2. Melissa Henke-Lambert

Spring Rally for LWMLC Cariboo Zone PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. – The ladies of Zion Lutheran LWMLC were excited to host 13 members and six guests for the Cariboo Zone Spring Rally on April 25, 2026. Among the guests were two teens, and at the end of the Rally one wanted to know when they could join the League! This sparked a conversation on starting a Young Women’s LWMLC Society in Prince George. The Rally theme was “Encourage Each Other,” and the group sang, ate, and listened as guest speakers encouraged other sisters in Christ. The weekend started with a supper on Friday night with members from 100 Mile House, Prince

George, the guest speakers, and one local guest, where attendees encouraged each other with fellowship and getting to know each other better. Participants brought stamps to support work at the home congregation of one guest speaker; emergency candle making and school supplies were taken to Williams Lake to pass on to other organizations in their community; and the group also participated in mission

projects, tying quilts, and making earrings. Members also voted on the Zone Delegate and Alternate to the LWMLC Convention in 2027. Penny Bobier

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ALL MY REMEMBRANCE OF YOU

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t. Paul often included greetings to the saints under his care. He did this not only in a general way, but also at times in very personal ways. In a similar way, I want to repeat what Scripture has to say and acknowledge my thanks to the saints whom I have had the pleasure of working alongside these past seven years. “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:3-6) I have had the great pleasure of working under President Teuscher, whose knowledge of the faith and its living out has been a rock. To my peers on the President’s Ministry Council, Rev. Haberstock, Rev. Bublitz, and Rev. Schutz, I give thanks to God for each of you and for the gifts you have been given and so passionately applied in your service to the church. It really has been a “Together One” experience. To our office support staff, Iris, Angela, Vira, Deb, and Tetianna, who have kept me on track, I am going to miss the multiple daily, sometimes hourly, weekly conversations (but not the form filling!). To finance staff, Dwayne, Christine, and now Henry, and the back-office people who make things happen, Cheryl and Nikunj: rarely have I seen have I seen an office group have so much joy in their work. Thanks also to Dimitri, our I.T. support, who has more than once saved my digital bacon. I am

FROM THE REGIONAL PASTOR | REV. ROBERT MOHNS indebted also to Nancy, whom I have had the pleasure to work alongside in supporting our workers’ health and well-being using her gifts in human resources. To our Missions Directors, Rev. Smith and Rev. Quast, whom I have had the pleasure of working together on many and various missions. To Dcn. Neeb, our newest recruit, but whom I have known for many years now as she has worked in youth and family ministry areas prior to her appointment. To Dr. Francis, another new appointment, to our communications department; in the short time we have had to work together you have enriched me in so many ways with new questions to ponder, and sharping communication skills; your personal support and enlightening curiosity for the Synod’s ministry that I have experienced in our interactions have been a blessing. To Alex, Michelle, and Mathew, whom I have depended on in assisting in my communications, such as articles, your support has been essential to me. To David Friesen whom I have had pleasure to work with closely on such a wide range of congregational supports, though I don’t think I have taken a road trip with you, I feel like I have spent a long time on the road with you. A great partner in ministry. I also want to recognize the Board of Directors, Arnold and Doug and crew, for their dedicated service through thick and thin, always ready to support the work of the church and myself. Your governance has been foundational to my service. To our seminaries and President Emeritus Dr. Gimbel, Interim President Dr. Heck, current President Kraemer,

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and President Winger, as well as the faculty, support staff, and boards, it has been a blessing to serve alongside you in the endeavour of forming servants for Jesus’ sake. To the front lines of our Synod, all the Circuit Counsellors who have been stretched so far to meet the needs of congregations in delivering services, support, prayers, and direction. In such a vast and diverse region, I give thanks for your willing service when called upon and your prayers and support to me. I give thanks to God for the pastors, deacons, lay workers, and lay leaders who I have had the joy of working alongside in local parishes, and the great support you have given me in my Office. I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge also the members of our West Regional Mission and Ministry Council. Many of you have been around for two terms now: do you remember how we began, with just an idea of what this new thing was? And how we have grown together in expanding the work of the RMMC to support the work of the congregations, and working also alongside the East and Central RMMCs in providing resources nationally. This is an incomplete recognition of the many saints whom I have had the great joy of working alongside, and I have not even mentioned the various members of our Listed Service Organizations and committees. My objective is to give you a little glimpse of the vastness of God’s grace and mercy that has brought together such a diversity of peoples to be united together in Christ for the sake of the Gospel.

WEST REGION NEWS ALBERTA AND BRITISH COLUMBIA • MICHELLE HEUMANN, EDITOR

Installations in Peace River Circuit

The role of the Regional Pastor is expansive indeed, overwhelming at times, but blessed beyond measure, blessed by God, blessed by the many saints. It is humbling to see the greatness of God in Christ Jesus at work in this place we call Canada, humbling that you have called me these past seven years to serve you as your West Region Pastor. Of that I am unworthy. If anything has come of my service to you, then that has been God’s doing, and I join you in praising God for His faithfulness. Where I have failed you, that is mine to give an account for, and I ask for your forgiveness. As the Synod moves forward into the next quadrennium under new leadership, but Together One in faith, hope, and love, please continue to receive those whom you have elected to positions of leadership with thanksgiving, continue to work with them, and continue to uphold them in all your prayers. What our sainted brother, Rev. Dr. Edwin Lehman, said 25 years ago about the well-being of LCC, remains true today: “Not as well as they should be, but better than we deserve.” In spite of our failures and setbacks, the Lord has never failed us, nor has His work been set back. His work for the salvation of all peoples continues to advance, our Lord for every land. God is good. Always. He has been good to Lutheran Church–Canada.

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. – The congregations of St. Paul’s (Dawson Creek, B.C.), St. John’s (Wembley, Alberta), and Mount Carmel (Grande Cache, Alberta) joined together on April 26 to install Rev. Ken Eifert (of St. John’s) as the pastor of both St. Paul’s and Mt. Carmel as well, succeeding his service as their long-serving vacancy pastor. Although not officially a threepoint parish, the congregations have reached an agreement by which Rev. Eifert serves as pastor to all three churches. In addition, St. Paul’s also installed Rev. Jean-Luc Damas as Assistant Pastor to Rev. Eifert, to work specifically in Dawson Creek. Rev. Damas recently completed LCC’s colloquy program and thus became fully qualified to serve as a called member of the LCC clergy. Rev. Damas has strong roots in Dawson Creek and has been active at St. Paul’s, primarily assisting the elders in leading lay-led services. Now that Rev. Damas has been called and installed, he will be able to bring more Word and Sacrament ministry to St. Paul’s. In addition, his proficiency in the French language opens the possibility of ministry to Francophones in the area.

The installations were performed by West Regional Pastor Robert Mohns, who also preached the sermon entitled “What Kind of Shepherd Do You Want?” Circuit Counsellor Rev. Terry Goerz (High Level, Alberta) and Rev. Jaime Ventura (Grande Prairie, Alberta) were also present to lay on hands and offer Scripture readings to the two newly installed pastors. Because of the size of the Peace River Circuit, and the many kilometres of travel that are required, it is truly a blessing from God that the congregations now have another pastor in the western end of the circuit, to ease the burden on Rev. Eifert and to enhance the work of ministry not only in Dawson Creek, but the whole circuit. John Bartlett, Elder/Treasurer

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From Taiwan to Richmond: A deep dive into Lutheran theology

RICHMOND, B.C. – What happens when a faithful missionary travels from Taiwan to Metro Vancouver, a fellowship hall is packed with over 50 eager participants, and a bounty of delicious food is served? You get a vibrant, joyful Saturday that proves historic Reformation theology is very much alive and kicking in the local Mandarinspeaking community! O n M a y 3 0 , 2 0 2 6 , Tr i n i t y Lutheran Church hosted a special M a n d a r i n - l a n g u a g e s e m i n a r, “Understanding Lutheranism,” featuring Rev. Dr. Michael Paul. An LCMS missionary, seminary professor, and Chinese translator living in Taiwan, Dr. Paul brought deep theological insights wrapped in masterful Mandarin. He skillfully tackled foundational truths like Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone), reminding attendees that the Word of God holds its own power to spark true faith. The heart of

the day, however, was unlocking the distinction between Law and Gospel. Dr. Paul offered a beautifully simple takeaway: the Law tells us what we must do for God, but the Gospel tells us what God has already done for us. Between the rich teaching and the wonderful lunch prepared by the volunteers, the energy in the room was contagious. Attendees were so enthusiastic that many are clamoring for an expanded, two or three-day intensive seminar in the near future! The Mandarin-language recording is now available on YouTube in three parts:

Part 1: https://youtu.be/ kgTsEeEyIHw Part 2: https://youtu.be/WH_ lNMgfN30 Part 3: https://youtu.be/ x41XvHXdP14

SHARE YOUR STORIES CONTACT MICHELLE HEUMANN, REGIONAL NEWS EDITOR | REGIONALEDITOR@LUTHERANCHURCH.CA |

WEST REGION CONTACT REV. ROBERT MOHNS, REGIONAL PASTOR | RMOHNS@LUTHERANCHURCH.CA | 1. 855. 826. 9950 | 24 THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN | JULY/AUGUST 2026

Iris Lui

CENTRAL REGION NEWS SASKATCHEWAN, MANITOBA, AND NW ONTARIO • MICHELLE HEUMANN, EDITOR

A Joyful Noise for Aurora Bible Camp

THUNDER BAY, Ont. – On April 18, 2026, Calvary Lutheran Church came alive with all kinds of musical instruments to praise the Lord during the “Joyful Noise Music Night,” a spirit-filled evening centered on faith and fellowship. Two hundred guests were blessed by uplifting performances from talented local Lutheran musicians and friends, as voices joined together in joyful celebration of God’s love.

As a successful fundraiser for Aurora Lutheran Bible Camp, the event also served a greater purpose, supporting a camp dedicated to faith and growth for God’s people. Amidst music, laughter, raffles, and the simple comforts of coffee, tea, and snacks, the night reflected a strong sense of Christian community. It was a memorable and blessed night for all who attended.

Most of the evening felt like a cozy, denim jacket. It was truly a “joyful noise,” as Psalm 98:4 suggests, stated Rev. Peter Noble, the Camp Board Pastoral Advisor. All support received by the camp is greatly appreciated. Camp organizers ask readers to please keep Aurora’s ongoing water system project in prayer. Lynda Wdowiak Pictures by Gerianne Johnson

Trinity Lutheran consecrates altar PONTEIX, Sask. – Trinity Lutheran Church, a member congregation of the Cypress Lutheran Parish of Swift Current and Ponteix, performed a Rite of Consecration for the altar on March 29. Following the closure and sale of the First United Church building, Trinity continues to rent the space for weekly worship. A special rite of prayer and thanksgiving dedicated the altar for its new exclusive use within the Evangelical Lutheran Church. While the rite explained the church’s continued role in offering thanksgiving sacrifices on the altar,

the Gospel reading for Passion S u n d a y ( M a t t h e w 2 7 : 11 - 6 6 ) illustrated Christ’s atoning sacrifice for sin offered once on the cross. The congregation sang a hymn of consecration with words composed by Rev. Travis Heide: “Lord God of Every Nation, Who Dwells in Heav’nly Light.” The hymn and rite are available at the Cypress Lutheran Parish website: southwestsk.lutheranchurchcanada.ca. Rev. Travis Heide

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CENTRAL REGION NEWS SASKATCHEWAN, MANITOBA, AND NW ONTARIO • MICHELLE HEUMANN, EDITOR

A BUSY SUMMER IN THE CENTRAL REGION

FROM THE REGIONAL PASTOR | REV. DAVID HABERSTOCK

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ince convention, my life has been a whirlwind. Immediately afterward I was involved in a dialogue between Lutheran Church– Canada and the Roman Catholic Church. Then I tried to take some time off, but as President-Elect several requests came to me, and I didn’t get that much of that week off. I have discovered that while I am still Central Regional Pastor till the end of August, I have both presidential planning work and travel to do even before I begin as President. In particular, a couple of once-ina-generation events are happening. Lutheran Mission – Australia (our new sister church in Australia) is about three years ahead of what they thought would be possible (Matthew 19:26!), so they are holding their founding convention in late August. Over the last three years I have talked to more than a dozen pastors, professors, and seminarians from Australia, and we have five of their pastors now serving in Canada. As a result, it feels like a wonderful bookend to this time to represent LCC to our confessional Lutheran brothers and sisters in Australia. In late October, our sister church, Lutheran Church in Norway and Iceland (LKNI), is consecrating a new bishop as Bishop Torkild Masvie (who addressed our 2022 synod convention) steps down at age 70. Their newly elected bishop, Rev. Markus Snellman, will be consecrated in late October, so I also will be representing LCC at his consecration. He is only 34 years old and may serve up to 36 more years in that role. Though they are a small and newer church body, together with them we have explored church planting and

mission work opportunities in Israel and Greenland. They are a wonderful partner to have. Also, our mother church, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS), is having their convention in July, and with 60 international church partners primarily from International Lutheran Council (ILC) church bodies gathering there for an International Church Relations Conference, it makes sense to meet to discuss our work together around the world. This includes at least four churches we jointly do mission work with, so it is an excellent time to discuss those opportunities and challenges. Meanwhile, at convention I met with the leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Haiti. LCC is actively helping the church in Haiti train pastors for evangelism and mercy work, so we are working toward full fellowship with them (they are members also of the ILC and fellowship partners with the LCMS). In recent weeks, my family has also been blessed to host Rev. Niran Temsakun and his wife, Esther, from Thailand Concordia Lutheran Church, as they tell people about their work and learn about church administration from the staff in the LCC office. In short, it’s a busy time on the national and international stage— but there is still work to do in the Central Region! As I write, I am serving as pastor of the week at Aurora Lutheran Bible Camp in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Teaching 29 kids aged 7-11 about the Catechism and the Gospel is a great joy, as is meeting with some of our congregations in the area. Spending

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time prioritizing these young folks is a great encouragement to me (as is the slightly slower pace for myself and some time in God’s creation). The seeds that are being sown as we memorize the Catechism and talk about the persons and work of the Triune God is rewarding! Since the pandemic, Christian camps have had a real struggle getting going again, so we thank God that Aurora’s program is expanding, that kids are hungry for camp (and the Lord!), and that while the Thunder Bay circuit is feeling pretty empty, new-to-LCC pastors like Rev. Connor Longaphie from the other end of Ontario are helping out at camp! There are also the usual round of church anniversaries to be marked and given thanks to God for: 125 years for Zion in Plumas, Manitoba; 65 for Faith in Middle Lake, Saskatchewan; as well as the usual summer work filling in for pastors on vacation, at pastoral installations, and at call meetings. Meanwhile, we are also planning for my installation as synod President by President Teuscher on the September long weekend, after which I will install the new President’s Ministry Council (Regional Pastors and Vice President). With so much changeover in LCC leadership, we are gathering for an installation service at my own congregation of Beautiful Saviour in Winnipeg, with my own pastor, Rev. Cameron Schnarr. Lots to do. Lots to be thankful for. So, life goes on. And the Lord is good. Even when life is hectic and challenges mount up in front of us, Jesus our Saviour leads the way. Thanks be to God!

CENTRAL REGION NEWS SASKATCHEWAN, MANITOBA, AND NW ONTARIO • MICHELLE HEUMANN, EDITOR

Annual young adult retreat in Manitoba WINKLER, Man. – On the weekend of May 29-31, 19 young adults from Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Minnesota gathered together at Trinity Lutheran Church for a weekend of Bible Study, worship, fellowship, and fun under the theme “Faith Works!” The group watched a movie about the conversion of C.S. Lewis and discussed it on Friday evening, closing with Compline. Saturday started with Matins and a Bible study on the epistle of James led by Rev. Alex Klages, teaching on the importance of living out your faith. There was also a trip to a local amusements place for mini golf, bumper boats, and go-karting. In the evening, attendees played board and card games, went out for ice cream

at a local ice cream parlour, and closed with Compline. Sunday’s activities included attending service at Trinity, then going to Zion in Morden for the baptisms of two of the retreat participants who recently completed catechesis. The event ended with lunch and farewells. Participants in the retreat look forward to doing it again! Rev. Alex Klages Photo: Lisa Harder

History on display at Camp Lutherland

Recognize these three men from July 1965? Contact Camp Lutherland to let us know! FORT QU’APPELLE, Sask. – Camp Lutherland thanks woodworker Rod Nernberg of Grace, Regina, for generously making a display case for their archives in the Lodge. The archives case at the camp holds a World War II-era trophy

from women’s baseball tournaments, original treasurer books of donations, the 75 th anniversary history book and CDs of the celebration, architect plans, and more. If anyone has a Lutherland artifact or treasure to share, please do!

Plans are being made to mark Lutherland’s 95th anniversary during the weekend of May 30, 2027. All former campers, counsellors, Walther Leaguers, and supporters are invited! Diane Dennis

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CENTRAL REGION NEWS SASKATCHEWAN, MANITOBA, AND NW ONTARIO • MICHELLE HEUMANN, EDITOR

Rev. Aaron Gust marks 25th ordination anniversary

REGINA – On June 24, 2001, the day his daughter celebrated her second birthday, Rev. Arron Gust was ordained into the Office of the Holy Ministry at his home congregation of Grace Lutheran Church in Saskatoon. With their possessions packed and farewells shared, Rev. Gust, his wife Becky, and their daughter Madeline then headed to Trinity Lutheran in Fairview, and St. Paul Lutheran in Heinz Creek, Alberta. From 2001-2004, these northern congregations became the setting for the first years of a ministry rooted in Word, Sacrament, and faithful pastoral care. In 2004, Rev. Gust accepted a call to Lappe Lutheran near Thunder

Bay, a historic Finnish congregation where he served until 2008. There he experienced the richness, joys, and challenges of shepherding a close-knit community of believers. The Gust family then returned home to Saskatchewan, where Rev. Gust was called to serve the Triune Lutheran Parish of Christ Lutheran in Langenburg, Immanuel Lutheran in Landestreu, and Christ Lutheran in MacNutt. Over the next eleven years, these congregations became not only a place of ministry, but a place of family life and community. It was there that his daughter spent much of her childhood, growing up within the rhythms and blessings of small-town parish life. Those years were marked by enduring friendships, shared joys and sorrows, and the steady work of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen among the saints entrusted to his care. Since 2019, Rev. Gust has served at Grace Evangelical Lutheran in Regina, where he continues to preach the Gospel, administer the Sacraments, and walk alongside the people of God through the many seasons of Christian life. In June 2026, Rev. Gust was elected to serve as Regional Pastor of LCC’s Central Region. In this role, he will provide ecclesiastical leadership and pastoral oversight to congregations and pastors throughout Saskatchewan,

Manitoba, and northwestern Ontario. While this new calling will bring to a close his service as full-time pastor of Grace, Regina will remain home and Grace will continue to be his church family. Reflecting on 25 years in pastoral ministry, Rev. Gust gives thanks to the Lord of the Church, whose mercy and faithfulness have sustained him throughout every congregation and calling. It has been an honour, a privilege, and a profound joy to have his vocation placed at the centre of so many Christian lives, sharing in baptisms and confirmations, weddings and funerals, moments of celebration, seasons of grief, and the weekly gathering around Christ’s gifts of Word and Sacrament. R e v. G u s t a n d h i s f a m i l y remain deeply grateful for the countless saints, congregations, and communities who have shaped and blessed this 25-year journey in the service of Christ and His Church. Rev. Arron Gust

SHARE YOUR STORIES CONTACT MICHELLE HEUMANN, REGIONAL NEWS EDITOR | REGIONALEDITOR@LUTHERANCHURCH.CA |

CENTRAL REGION CONTACT REV. DAVID HABERSTOCK, REGIONAL PASTOR | DHABERSTOCK@LUTHERANCHURCH.CA | 1. 800. 663. 5673 | 28 THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN | JULY/AUGUST 2026

EAST REGION NEWS ONTARIO, QUEBEC, AND ATLANTIC CANADA • MICHELLE HEUMANN, EDITOR

72 years of music with Eloise Schaan

KANATA, Ont. – On December 14, 2025, Eloise Schaan was recognized by Christ Risen Lutheran for her many years as organist and choir director, a position from which she has now officially retired. Rev. Milton Lam gave thanks and a blessing during the service with a formal presentation awarded afterwards, followed by a potluck luncheon. Past choir members and members of other local congregations joined in the celebration. Schaan’s service to the church began long before her arrival at Christ Risen. She was born in Grenfell, Saskatchewan, and began acting as substitute organist when she was only 16. As a teenager, she also began a long career as a piano teacher. In 1959, Eloise married Lloyd Schaan and they lived in Regina, where again she filled in as organist when needed. Over the next ten years, they moved a number of times, and she occasionally played at congregations in Schreiber, Ontario; Port Arthur (now Thunder Bay); and Montreal. In 1970, the family moved to Toronto and became members of St.

Matthew’s Lutheran. At first Eloise substituted on organ, but then she became the full-time organist and eventually the choir director. Eloise and Lloyd moved to Kanata in 1990, where she served Christ Risen as organist and choir director for over 30 years. Her service to the church was not limited to the musical side. In

1993, Eloise was elected as the first president of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League–Canada, and she held that position until 1997. The choir members and whole congregation at Christ Risen praise God and are thankful for the beautiful music that Eloise contributed over so many years!

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EAST REGION NEWS ONTARIO, QUEBEC, AND ATLANTIC CANADA • MICHELLE HEUMANN, EDITOR

TOGETHER ONE, FOR BETTER OR WORSE

FROM THE REGIONAL PASTOR | REV. MARVIN BUBLITZ

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ear friends, we have just come out of our convention, and the theme, Together One, was evident throughout. But now what? Do we treat the theme and the many things learned there like the National Anthem at the beginning of a ball game? It’s there, but has nothing to do with what follows? Will the theme and lessons follow us or will they be forgotten? Will we live it or just move on? This is also the time of year many weddings take place. Considering these two events, I reflect on an article I wrote in May 2019, offering it again to you: UNITED BY GOD

When the Lord unites a man and a woman in holy matrimony, the two become one flesh. They work, live, laugh, cry, suffer and rejoice as one. The two become one unit. They are united in purpose and goals. When one is sad, the other hurts also and seeks to comfort. When one is sick, the other washes the dishes, folds the laundry, and makes the bed. When one sins against the other, they return to the foot of the cross in repentance and confession and thus receive the Lord’s Holy Absolution. He forgives the sin and restores the relationship. The Lord joined them for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, until death parts them. I have been blessed to know such a union for 32 years. God is good. But there is an even greater union the Lord has worked. The

Holy Spirit inspired St. Paul to write: “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit…God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as He chose” (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, 18). God, in His eternal wisdom, has joined all believers into one body. We are one unit. We have been washed in one Baptism, feast on one Supper, and hear one Word. He unites us for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, and death will not part us, for unlike earthly families, the family of faith is everlasting. St. Paul tells us that each member in the body of Christ has a different purpose. God has placed each member where and when He wills for the good of the whole body. Now, it is probably easy to see that in our local congregations. We see different people doing different things for the good of the whole. When one member hurts or is in need, the rest jump into action to help. I have seen this when a child becomes ill or a barn burns down. We may find it easy to help our own family in a time of need or even our own congregational members, but the Lord has more in mind than our immediate circle. One of the advantages of restructuring has been a refocusing of our circle. Since I became

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R e g i o n a l P a s t o r, I h a v e h a d numerous conversations with the other Regional Pastors. As such, I have become aware of some of the needs and blessings in other parts of the body. When I sat with young couples preparing to be wed, I would ask them what percentage each had to put into the marriage to make it work. Most said it should be a 50/50. I said no, each had to put in at least 100 percent. This is especially true when one is sick or weaker, and likewise in the body of Christ. The Lord has placed before us both an opportunity and a challenge to truly be what we are—namely the body of Christ. We are to look outside ourselves, outside our congregation, and outside our circuit, to the needs of the body across synod, and then to look even outside our synod to the body of Christ across the world. Now, this is not something that comes naturally to us. No, as poor miserable sinners, we are more inclined to care for ourselves and our own. We tend to look at what we need and want rather than the wants and needs of others. Such is Satan’s work to divide us. He seeks to bring harm and discord into the body of Christ. He strives (and sadly often succeeds) in getting us to fight and bicker and act like self-centered school children. But our risen Saviour comes to us every Lord’s Day with His Holy Word and Supper to strengthen us as His body. In Holy Absolution He forgives and restores us. He restores

EAST REGION NEWS ONTARIO, QUEBEC, AND ATLANTIC CANADA • MICHELLE HEUMANN, EDITOR

25th ordination anniversary for Rev. Kuhl

our relationship with the Father and with each other in the body. Just as He came to the disciples and brought His peace, so He brings peace to our troubled, sinful lives. He shepherds us to streams of living water. Through His Word and Supper, He empowers and equips us to be His body so that we may truly love and care for each member wherever they may be. “ S o i f t h e re i s a n y encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:1-8) May God so bless us.

WATERLOO, Ont. – Rev. Joel V. Kuhl was ordained into the Office of the Holy Ministry on July 1, 2001, after completing his Master of Divinity degree at Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Catharines. He and his wife, Laureen, then proceeded to make a home in Timmins, where he would serve his first call at Christ Lutheran Church, and where all four of their children would be born and baptized. While in Timmins, he was also privileged to serve the saints at St Paul’s Lutheran in Kirkland Lake, and Zion Lutheran Church in Wawbewawa. During his 14 years in the near north of Ontario, Rev. Kuhl served two terms as Ottawa Circuit Counsellor, and then on the East District’s Department for

Outreach as their secretary up to the restructuring of Synod. In 2015, Rev. Kuhl was called and installed at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Waterloo, and while serving the saints in this new location, he has overseen the vicarage training of six vicars. In 2014, he was elected to the Commission on Theology and Church Relations of Synod, and has been re-elected to that position every convention since, serving as chair since 2018. Though 25 years sounds like a long time, he continues to serve the Lord and enjoys every minute of it, knowing that even more good graces still await him from the Lord of the Church. Rev. Joel V. Kuhl

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EAST REGION NEWS ONTARIO, QUEBEC, AND ATLANTIC CANADA • MICHELLE HEUMANN, EDITOR

Connecting in Georgetown

HALTON HILLS, Ont. – On May 9, Georgetown in Halton Hills witnessed a joyful and energetic proclamation of God’s Word, with residents receiving visitors at their doors, as Immanuel Lutheran hosted an “Outdoor People Connect” with more than 20 volunteers. The day began with Divine Service, nourishing participants with Word and Sacrament before they set out for door to door outreach according to pre-planned routes. In preparation, Immanuel had mailed nearly 4,000 postcards to households in the neighbourhood the week prior. Route maps were organized to support follow up outreach in the same area, helping strengthen recognition and recall. Ten teams of two participants were formed, each with an assigned leader responsible for guiding the team to its designated area.

A 15-minute briefing was led by the two pastors of the dual parish of Immanuel and Risen Christ Lutheran (Rev. Vishal Paul, Sr. Pastor, and Rev. Vijay Samuel, Assoc. Pastor) before everyone set out for the outreach. Each team received a bag filled with outreach tracts, Bibles, postcards, pamphlets, and notepads. Each participant was also given a handbook to serve as a participant guide for the day’s evangelism work, outlining do’s and don’ts, along with suggested openings and closing with probing questions on a few typical scenarios. All teams returned to the base venue (St. Andrew’s United Church, where Immanuel currently rents space for its Divine Services) for lunch. They resumed door knocking in the afternoon, and the Outdoor People

Connect continued for two more hours, when the teams gathered again to close the day with a Service of Vespers. The congregation of Immanuel Georgetown was delighted to host twenty three visitors, providing lunch, snacks, and refreshments throughout the day. The atmosphere was filled with joy and enthusiasm as participants shared the Gospel around the community and later reflected on their conversations and encounters during lunch and at the closing service. Immanuel Lutheran extends heartfelt thanks to all participants, the seminary, professors, pastors, and church workers whose support made this event possible. Immanuel Lutheran Georgetown Church Council

SHARE YOUR STORIES CONTACT MICHELLE HEUMANN, REGIONAL NEWS EDITOR | REGIONALEDITOR@LUTHERANCHURCH.CA |

EAST REGION CONTACT REV. MARVIN BUBLITZ, REGIONAL PASTOR | MBUBLITZ@LUTHERANCHURCH.CA | 1. 855. 893. 1466 | 32 THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN | JULY/AUGUST 2026

MISSION NEWS CANADIANLUTHERAN.CA

Exploring opportunities for Filipino outreach in Manitoba NEEPAWA, Man. – Following Lutheran Church–Canada’s (LCC) recent convention, President Antonio del Rio Reyes of the Lutheran Church in the Philippines (LCP) and his wife Arlene visited Neepawa, Manitoba, at the invitation of LCC’s Director of International Missions Mark Smith to explore mission opportunities in the town. Neepawa is home to a rapidly growing Filipino community, with about 2,800 residents at present. LCP President Reyes visited the community for several weeks, engaging directly with Filipino families to understand their spiritual needs and lay the groundwork for the possibillity of LCC calling a Filipino missionary to serve in the area. The mission is already bearing fruit. On June 18, 2026—just one day

LCP President Antonio del Rio Reyes. Photo: Thomas M. Winger. after arriving in Neepawa—President Reyes crossed paths with a local Filipino bakery owner who was once a Lutheran church member back in the Philippines. President Reyes

immediately invited him to attend upcoming services at Christ Lutheran Church, where the LCP President was scheduled to preach at that Sunday’s Divine Worship.

Convention learns about LCC missions in South Thailand WINNIPEG – Lutheran Church– Canada’s (LCC) recent convention featured a number of Information Sessions, including one hosted by LCC’s Directors of Domestic and International Missions. In “Missions: The Church in Motion,” Rev. Jacob Quast and Rev. Mark Smith explored the theology of missions, punctuated with practical examples from the church’s mission work both in Canada and around the world. In this, they were joined by Rev. Niran Temsakun, Director of Missions for LCC’s partner church, the Thailand Concordia Lutheran Church (TCLC). Rev. Temsakun continues work previously led by LCC’s longtime missionary to South Thailand, Rev. Suchart Chujit, until his passing. Rev. Niran is providing pastoral and mission oversight to the work in South Thailand while TCLC and LCC prayerfully consider the long-term future of this important mission field.

South Thailand is shaped largely by Buddhist and Muslim communities. The Church there is small, Christianity is not widely known, and faithful Lutheran witness requires patience, clarity, and perseverance. The goal of LCC’s support is that people would hear the voice of Christ in the Gospel and be gathered into His Church. Mission is not complete when someone has merely heard about Christianity. Christ gathers His sheep to Himself, and in His Church He forgives, nourishes, guards, and sustains them through His Word and Sacraments. Through preaching, Baptism, Absolution, catechesis, and

Rev. Niran Tensakun. Photo: Sura Tulu. the Lord’s Supper, the Holy Spirit creates faith, strengthens believers, and keeps them in Christ.

LUTHERANCHURCH.CA/MISSIONS

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MISSION NEWS CANADIANLUTHERAN.CA

THAT THERE MAY BE FAIRNESS DIRECTOR OF INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS | REV. M.L. SMITH “Your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.” – 2 Corinthians 8:14

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t. Paul does not speak here of quotas or pressure, nor does he reduce stewardship to obligation or institutional survival. Instead, he speaks of life together, of the Church as a living body in which the gifts given to one are entrusted for the good of all. Fairness, for St. Paul, is not sameness. It is faithfulness lived out in love, shaped by Christ’s own self-giving. I came to know the truth of these words personally as they took shape in Atlantic Canada. Lutherans there were scattered across vast distances— some in in cities, others in small towns and rural areas. Many were separated from consistent pastoral care; some had not had regular access to Word and Sacrament for years. Others gathered occasionally—in homes or rented spaces—holding fast to the faith they had received, even when the Church’s presence felt fragile. These were not nominal Christians. They were faithful people devoted to our Confessions—families, seniors, newcomers, lifelong Lutherans—who loved Christ and His Church. Yet they lived with a quiet ache: the longing to gather more regularly, to be taught, to be shepherded, and to receive Christ’s gifts of grace. The need was real, and it could not be addressed by good intentions alone or from a distance. And so, the Church responded with a commitment to gather and shepherd her people. I was called to serve as a circuit rider for the Maritimes, entrusted with

the care of this scattered flock. That call itself was an act of stewardship; the ministry was made possible because congregations and individual donors across LCC chose to bear this work together. It was the Church’s confession that what God had given to some should be shared so that others would not be neglected. It was an expression of Paul’s vision: abundance supplying need. That support allowed me to travel long hours on highways, ferries, and secondary roads to bring pastoral care where it was needed. It allowed me to preach and teach, baptize and catechize, hear confessions, absolve, visit the sick and grieving, and gather God’s people in the Divine Service. Because of this stewardship, something remarkable happened: communal life began to take shape. Worshipping communities were strengthened in Halifax, the Annapolis Valley, and Charlottetown. Pastoral visits extended to Newfoundland. Through patience, prayer, and the perseverance of God’s people, these communities were formed into what would become LCC’s largest geographical parish: Saint Andrew’s Evangelical Lutheran Parish. Four communities took root—Saint Andrew’s in the City, in the Valley, on the Island, and on the Rock. Each community reflected its own context, yet all were united in confession, liturgical life, and ministry and mission. This was the fruit of the generosity of people across the Church who believed this scattered flock mattered. Nor did this stewardship flow in only one direction. What the wider Church gave in support was returned in ways that could not have been

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predicted. From this small parish, LCC has since received a pastor now serving faithfully in Regina. Two seminarians have come forward to prepare for the pastoral office. Two lay artists have been commissioned by the church. Strong lay leaders have emerged—men and women— who serve the church beyond their local communities. Sacrificial stewardship produced fruit that now benefits the Church at large. This is the fairness Paul describes. The Church gives, and the Church receives. The body is strengthened as each part serves the other. Whether through local ministry, domestic missions and ministry, or international service, the same pattern holds. God provides through His people so that His Church may be built up, pastors may be prepared, and the faithful may be gathered around Word and Sacrament. The work differs from place to place, but our shared life in Christ is the same. Stewardship, then, is not an accessory to the Church’s mission, nor is it just a seasonal appeal. It is a confession of faith. It declares that all we have, comes from the Lord and is given for the life of His body. As we share what has been entrusted to us, we bear witness to Christ Himself— the One who did not hold back His abundance, but gave Himself fully for the life of the world. And in that giving, the Church continues to discover that fairness is found in the faithful care of brothers and sisters in need, so that none are forgotten, none are left without the gifts of grace. And so the body of Christ is strengthened in love.

EDUCATION NEWS CANADIANLUTHERAN.CA

Canadians participate in ILC World Seminaries Conference SOUTH AFRICA – The International Lutheran Council’s (2026) World Seminaries Conference took place in Pretoria from June 22-25. The theme for the conference was: “Being Human, Being Christian: Theological Anthropology in Church and Seminary.” A total of 32 theological schools in 30 nations were represented at the conference, with more than 60 participants in total attending. Four members of Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) were in attendance for the conference, including President Jonathan Kraemer of Concordia Lutheran Seminary (Edmonton); Prof. Kirk Radford of Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (St. Catharines, Ontario) and his wife Renate; and Mathew Block, Director of Communications for the ILC. The host seminary for this year’s event was the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane, and leaders of the ILC’s three member church bodies in South Africa—the Confessional Lutheran Synod in South Africa (CLCSA), the Free Evangelical Lutheran Synod in South Africa (FELSISA), and the Lutheran Synod in South Africa (LCSA)—all participated in the event. The first day of the conference featured a keynote presentation by ILC General Secretary Klaus Detlev Schulz (Fort Wayne, Indiana), presenting a lecture entitled: “Between Atoms and Illusion: Theological Anthropology Framed by False Epistemologies.” The first day also featured presentations by Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann (St. Louis, Missouri) speaking on “Views on Personhood”; Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Boafo (Accra, Ghana) on “The Incarnated Christ as a Basis for Gospel Communication”; and Rev. Dr. Guntis Kalme (Riga, Latvia) on “The Nicene Pro Nobis: A Lutheran Anthropology for the Digital Age.” The morning of the second day saw three presentations by Rev.

CLS President Jonathan Kraemer, CLTS Prof. Kirk Radford, and Renate Radford. Konstantin Subbotin on “Homo Deus: Anthropotheism as a New Religion of the Modern Age”; Rev. Prof. Clécio Leocir Schadech (Buenos Aires, Argentina) on “Proclaiming the Death of the Lord in the Age of Transhumanism”; and Prof. Dr. Armin Wenz (Oberursel, Germany) on “The Challenge of Transhumanism for Lutheran Dogmatics and Ethics.” The afternoon of the second day continued with two additional presentations by Rev. Dr. Samuel Furhmann (São Leopoldo, Brazil) on “Towards a Lutheran Theological Response to Secular Egalitarianism” and Rev. Dr. Daniel Johansson (Gothenburg, Sweden) on “Unsuccessful Sanctification as an Argument Against the Biblical View of Sexuality and a Lutheran Response.” The third day saw parallel presentations by Rev. Dr. Christoph Weber (South Africa) on “Lutheran Anthropology and Sin in Societal Structures” and Rev. Nicholas Kumbo Louis (Sudan and South Sudan) on “Male and Female Relationships in the Church.” Papers from the conference will be published online at a later date. Other sessions included a discussion of accreditation led by

Dr. Cynthia Lumley of Westfield House (Cambridge, U.K.), as well as a discussion of pedagogy also led by Dr. Lumley. Participants also met for regional meetings, later presenting on regional issues to the wider assembly. The conference also saw the announcement of the new ILC Seminaries Committee. Serving for the next three years are: Prof. Kirk Radford (North America); Rev. Dr. Heinz Hiestermann (Africa); Rev. Dr. Jun Hyun Kim (Asia); Dr. Cynthia Lumley (Europe); Rev. Dr. Sergio Schelske (Latin America). Members of the committee were installed during the conference’s closing service, which was hosted by St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Pretoria, a local FELSISA congregation. After the service, participants enjoyed a braai dinner hosted by the congregation, and had the opportunity to visit the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Tshwane (Pretoria) just down the street. The final day of the conference saw participants take a historical tour of the region, including visits to the Apartheid Museum, Mandela House, and the Hector Pieterson Memorial. ILC News

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EDUCATION NEWS CANADIANLUTHERAN.CA

Seminary presence at LCC’s 2026 Synodical Convention

CLS President Jonathan Kraemer.

WINNIPEG – Lutheran Church– Canada’s (LCC) two seminaries were well represented at the 2026 Synodical Convention. Each seminary provided a faculty member who gave one of the two keynote presentations at this year’s convention. Rev. Dr. Alex Vieira

CLTS President Thomas M. Winger.

(Edmonton) presented his essay “Koinonia in the New Testament” on Saturday, while Rev. Dr. James A. Kellerman (St. Catharines, Ontario) led a study of Ephesians 2:13-22 on Sunday. The convention also received greetings from President Jonathan

Kraemer of Concordia Lutheran Seminary (Edmonton) and President Thomas M. Winger of Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (St. Catharines, Ontario). The seminaries also led an information session on “Encouraging Future Church Workers,” and hosted tables in the exhibit hall.

Convention gives thanks for CLTS’ 50 years of service WINNIPEG – On June 13, Lutheran Church–Canada’s convention passed a resolution thanking God for the 50 years during which Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (CLTS) has been a blessing to the church. After the resolution passed unanimously, President Teuscher acknowledged the presence of Central District President Emeritus Thomas Prachar, graduate of CLTS’s first class of 1980. The 2026-27 academic year will mark 50 years since Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary

(CLTS) in St. Catharines, Ontario, held its first classes in the basement of Resurrection Lutheran Church. Over the past half-century, the seminary has blossomed, with some 240 pastors and laypeople graduating from the seminary to serve the church. The seminary’s journey officially began in 1975 when LCMS authorized Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne to found an extension site in Canada. The following year at the Ontario District’s convention, St. Catharines was chosen as the site for the new seminary. CLTS was

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incorporated by provincial charter in November 1976. It became affiliated with Brock University in 1982, built its own building on Brock’s campus in 1983, and most recently in 2024 became independent and was granted authority to issue degrees under its own name. CLTS will host a three-day anniversary event later this year from October 19-21.

…so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 Our God is faithful and true to His Word. And He is using Lutheran Bible Translators of Canada in mighty ways as He accomplishes His purpose in sending out that Word in the heart languages of more and more people groups around the world.

LBTC Missionaries/Translators LBTC now has no Canadian missionaries in the field. Martin and Joan Weber, although they retired in 2021, they continue to return to Cameroon for a few months each year to assist with LBTC translators. Pastor Mike Kuhn accepted a call to serve on the faculty of our Edmonton seminary in 2024. Kayla Falkenholt has just now returned to Canada to serve as a Lutheran school teacher in Stony Plain, AB. All of these folks have been an awesome blessing in their service with LBTC. We give thanks to God for each of them and ask you to continue to pray for them in their various callings as Christ’s people. But LBTC’s ministry has grown in powerful ways as God has continued to bless our on-going projects AND has opened more doors for us to add more projects in Cameroon and beyond. Translation Work Of course, the chief place we see God’s blessings is in our Bible translation work. The projects that LBTC has been involved with in Cameroon for several years are continuing to bear fruit.

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The Dowayo and Dii translation projects are making great strides forward and are ready for revisers and a translation consultant to check their translation work. Both communities report that nearly 90% of the Old Testament is translated and expect to have full Bibles ready for publication by the end of 2027. Here is a picture of the Dii Revisers Committee at work in Mbe. The Nizaa work is moving more slowly, but the portions of the New Testament have been translated (e.g. Luke, 2 Corinthians, and several other epistles). These are being used in video productions and in various audio media. They are stirring up great interest in the community as God works through His Word. And LBTC is involved in several new projects, thanks to great support from you, our donors and prayer warriors across Canada. The Tikar language community in Cameroon is well into preparing a 3year lectionary for use in their churches and homes. They are eager to have a full Bible in their language in a few short years. The Kwanja community is training new translators to build on their already published 3-year lectionaries. They are eager to work on an Old Testament and produce a full Bible for their community. The Pana language community is also eager to begin work on producing a full Bible. Their translators are working in cooperation with their literacy teachers so that when they have a full Bible more Pana speakers will be able to read it in their heart language.

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LBTC is supporting the Gbaya community in growing their Scripture Engagement work through more Bible study programs and workshops for using the Gbaya Scriptures in worship. These efforts are resulting in an increase in Gbaya people’s Bible knowledge and in their love for the gospel of salvation that Jesus brings through His Word. LBTC is also supporting the Gbaya community’s training of people in Trauma Healing. So many church workers and lay people alike are suffering from many traumas from addictions to victims of violence to mental and physical illness. God is providing His healing power through His Word through these church leaders. Beyond Cameroon, LBTC is excited to be working with LCC international missions and the Thailand Concordia Lutheran Church (TCLC) to translate the Bible into Southern Thai. Pictured is Pastor Yongthanayot, translator, and Pastor Niran, project coordinator. As this project moves forward, we will be using a relatively new translation method called Oral Bible Translation. This makes use of the indigenous translators’ cultural skills for memorization and oral storytelling. LBTC is taking a leadership role in drawing together Southern Thai-speakers, Oral Bible Translation experts, and TCLC pastors and lay people for this exciting project. LBTC is also working with LCC’s domestic missions to see how best to bring God’s Word to indigenous language groups in Canada, especially along the west coast. Through Pastor Daniel Cunningham, pastor of LCC’s Kitimat/Terrace parish, along with LAMP and BC Mission Boat Society, LBTC has connected with community leaders and indigenous language speakers in the Niska’a, Haisla, and Kitselas nations. The Oral Bible Translation method may be of great use in some of these communities. Praise God for opening doors to bring His life-giving Word to these communities in their indigenous languages. All glory and praise be to our Lord Jesus for these old and new opportunities to bring His saving gospel to more and more people in the languages of their hearts. THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN | JULY/AUGUST 2026

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Translator Training, and Cooperative Projects For the past five years, LBTC has provided funding for spiritual retreats for the EELC translators and those who work with them in their communities. Our funding increased the participation in these events from 5 communities to over 20 communities. These have been organized by the EELC’s Department for Translation and Literacy (DTA) and either Pastor Kuhn, Pastor Mohr, or Martin Weber has represented LBTC at the events. These retreats have been a great blessing to all participants. They provided times for Bible study, worship, sharing of blessings and challenges in each community. SIL Cameroon's i-DELTA (Institute for the Development of Languages and Translation in Africa) is a training program offering education in Bible translation, Scripture engagement, and language development. LBTC supported Pastor Ousmanou Dieudonne’s (Nizaa translator) participation in this 2-year continuing education course. He completed the course with high honours and is now assisting in teaching the current group of students. LBTC decided to support two students in this session of i-Delta, Pastor Bakari Boukar (DTA Director, yellow shirt) and Sylvain Bokdogo (Dowayo translator, white shirt). Both are quite excited about their participation in the course and quite eager to put their learning into practice. Thank You! As one hymn writer puts it: God’s Word is our great heritage…. To spread its Light from age to age will be our chief endeavour. God has blessed LBTC with countless generous donors and prayer warriors who have played a vital role in this chief endeavour. Words of thanks are clearly not enough in light of this outpouring of generosity. We ask that you continue to pray for LBTC and for all those involved in this Bible translation ministry. We also ask for your continuing financial support as we make God’s Word available in more languages around the world and here in Canada. LBTC is so blessed to be part of the work of Christ’s mission of strengthening the faith of believing Christians and bringing people to know Jesus through His life-giving Word.

Lutheran Bible Translators of Canada 700 Glen Forrest Blvd. Waterloo, ON N2L 4K6 Phone: 519-742-3361 Toll free: 1-866-518-7071

TRANSITIONS CANADIANLUTHERAN.CA/CALLS-TRANSITIONS

Rev. Nolan Astley, serving Holy Cross (Kitchener, ON), to Emeritus. Rev. Noel Richards Barre, Candidate (Colloquy), St. Catharines, Ontario, accepted a call to Go Forth in Peace Parish (Grenfell/Wolseley, SK). Rev. Paulo Brum, serving New Beginnings (Regina, SK), accepted a call to Grace (Saskatoon, SK). Albert Ho, Candidate (Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary, St. Catharines, ON), to Grace/Our Saviour/Redeemer (West Lorne/London/ St. Thomas, ON).

Current, Planned, or Both? Faithful stewardship considers both today's opportunities and tomorrow's needs. A CURRENT gift strengthens ministry today. A PLANNED gift leaves a legacy that will strengthen ministry for generations. For assistance in creating a current or planned gift, please contact:

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Rev. Lee Loveridge, serving Immanuel (Lethbridge, AB), accepted a call to St. John's (Vernon, BC). Lutheran Church of Unity, (Unity, SK), disbanded. Rev. Bjoern Meinhardt, Candidate (Colloquy), Winnipeg, MB, accepted a call to Grace (Saskatoon, SK).

ANNOUNCEMENTS Rev. Jean-Luc Damas of Dawson Creek, BC has successfully completed the requirements of the Pastoral Colloquy Program for Lutheran Church– Canada and is, therefore, eligible to receive a call in LCC.

Holy Communion(s), cont. Continued from page 42.

Think about that. The closest we can come to deceased loved ones who have departed this world in the faith is at the communion rail… something that has become very personal for me over these past few months since the death of my wife. So the hymn expresses it: “This sacrament God gives us Binds us in unity, Joins earth with heav’n beyond us, Time with eternity” (LSB 639:3). In summary, then, let me paraphrase the early church father John Chrysostom: “The body and blood of the Lord are the holy things that are given to the communicants in the bread and wine in order to make them a communion of holy ones and thereby binds them to the unity and fellowship of Christ’s body, the Church, so that heaven and earth become one Holy Communion.” And that is really being ‘Together One.’ THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN | JULY/AUGUST 2026

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PRESIDENT'S PONDERINGS CANADIANLUTHERAN.CA

HOLY COMMUNION(S) SYNOD PRESIDENT | REV. DR. TIMOTHY TEUSCHER

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ur synodical constitution states the following regarding the primary duty of the president: to “use all means at his command to promote and maintain unity of doctrine and practice in all the regions” (Article X.3). This I have attempted to do over these past eight years in part by means of the President’s Column in our Canadian Lutheran periodical. Now, at our recent synod convention, one of the essayists addressed the various ways in which the Greek word koinonia is used in the New Testament, and which is translated as ‘communion,’ ‘fellowship,’ ‘a participation in or with,’ ‘a coming together,’ and the like. Hence the theme of our convention: “Together One.” In this my last column as president, I would like to unfold the various communions that take place in Holy Communion—themes reflected in the hymns in our Lutheran Service Book. In the first place, there is the communion or coming together of the body and blood of the crucified, risen, and ascended Lord with the earthly elements of bread and wine. So we hear Jesus’ words of institution proclaimed over the bread and the wine by the pastor in the Service of the Sacrament: “This is My body… This cup is the new testament in My blood” (LSB 162). St. Paul puts it this way: “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” (1 Corinthians 10:16). And so we sing: “We eat this bread and drink this cup, Your precious Word believing That Your true body and Your blood Our lips are here receiving” (LSB 622:4). Second, there is the communion or coming together of Jesus’ body and blood with the individual who eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. So the pastor says in the words of distribution: “Take, eat; the true body of Christ…. Take, drink; the true blood of Christ” (LSB 199). And we sing: “With Thee, Lord, I am now united; I live in Thee and Thou in me” (LSB 619:2). In our individualistic society, however, that’s sadly where it begins and ends for many. You know: ‘It’s just between me and Jesus.’ But not so, for such leads to a third communion in Holy Communion—that is, the communion of all who together eat and drink of our Lord’s body and blood. St. Paul puts it clearly: “We who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread” (1 Corinthians 10:17). And so we sing: “One bread, one cup, one body, we, Rejoicing in our

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unity, Proclaim Your love until You come To bring Your scattered loved ones home” (LSB 623:4). Fourth, there is also the communion of those who partake of the Sacrament with all those with whom we are in fellowship, be they in other congregations in our synod or in our partner churches around the world. The apostle Paul speaks of this when addressing matters pertaining to disorderly worship and abuses concerning the Lord’s Supper that had arisen in the church in Corinth, reminding them with these words: “as in all the churches of the saints” (1 Corinthians 14:3). The Lutheran Study Bible explains it this way: “The sacramental body ‘bodies’ together the ecclesiastical ‘body’” (p. 1965). This truth is especially significant and comforting for members of small and isolated congregations. Even if only a few people are physically gathered together, at the Lord’s Table they are thereby joined with all those in our congregations who are doing the same. So the hymn expresses it: “Elect from every nation, Yet one o’er all the earth; Her charter of salvation: One Lord, one faith, one birth. One holy name she blesses, Partakes one holy food” (LSB 644:2). Fifth, there is also the communion or coming together of those who partake of the Sacrament here on earth with the church in heaven. The book of Hebrews expresses it this way: “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel” (Hebrews 12:22-24). Notice the words: “you have come to Mount Zion”; not “you will come.” This is why pastors in the Proper Preface at the beginning of the Service of the Sacrament proclaim those familiar words: “Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name” (LSB Altar Book 199). The congregation then sings that ancient hymn called the Sanctus (Latin for “holy”), which is derived from Isaiah’s vision of the worship in heaven by the angels (Isaiah 6:3) and the worship on earth by the crowds when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday (Matthew 21:9). Continued on page 41.

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INSIDE: PRESIDENT ELECT SPEAKS

Read President Elect David Haberstock's first address to the church following his election at LCC's 2026 Synodical Convention. CONVENTION KEYNOTE

Read features selected from Rev. Dr. Alex Vieira's keynote lecture on koinonia and Rev. Dr. James Kellerman's study on peace in Christ. CONVENTION NEWS

Get the details on the elections for LCC President, Vice President, Regional Pastors, and the Board of Directors, in addition to information on new church fellowship agreements and other important resolutions. HOLY COMMUNION(S)

Read President Timothy Teuscher's final column, reflecting on the communion we share with God and His people in Holy Communion.

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