Bishop’s Office Message for February 2006

Dear Partners in Ministry,

As the light grows stronger outside during this Epiphany Season, we are reminded of the Light of Christ shining in the darkness of our war-weary world. Even as the daily news highlights yet one more suicide bombing or new tensions springing up among the nations of the world, we have good news to share: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. Every time we celebrate Holy Communion, we are reminded that God has come in human form into our world to bring good news: forgiveness, life, light, hope, and reconciliation. The scripture texts of the season of Epiphany feature Jesus' calling his disciples and sending them out into the world.

Our ELCIC has encouraged congregations to feature another "It's Your Call" Sunday. We are asking people to think specifically about women and men who have gifts for ordained or diaconal ministry in our church, name them, and encourage them to listen carefully for God's call to ministry.

At the same time, we recognize that each of us is called in our baptism to follow Jesus. Each of us has been given unique gifts which God wants to use to build up Christ's kingdom on earth until he comes again in glory. The Epiphany season is a wonderful time for us to reflect on the gifts God has given us. As we look at the world around us, how might we use our gifts to the glory of God as we share God's love in Christ with the people around us? What is God calling you to be and do? God grant us wisdom, courage, and strength to follow Jesus boldly out of our churches into the world, living out St. Francis of Assisi's prayer that "where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy."

+Stephen P. Kristenson, Bishop

Synod of Alberta and the Territories

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

10014 - 81 Ave.

Edmonton, AB T6E 1W8

Phone 780-439-2636 Fax 780-433-6623

Email: SKristenson@elcic.ca

http://www.albertasynod.ca