Bishop’s Office Message for Oct, 2005

Dear Partners in Ministry,

We have been overwhelmed in recent weeks by the scenes of devastation in the wake of hurricane Katrina. Our sisters and brothers in Christ in the ELCA, along with other church bodies and aid organizations, are working hard to help people recover, rebuild, and resume their disrupted lives. The massive tsunami of not many months ago, and the occasional severe floods or damaging snowfalls that we experience even in our own area remind us once again of how dependent we are upon the grace and mercy of God. The technical advances we human beings have made in this eye-blink of time on the scale of human history sometimes make us believe that there is nothing that humans beings cannot do; that we really do not need God.

The awesome power of nature reflects the even more awesome power of its Creator. As we approach our annual celebration of Thanksgiving, we have another opportunity to put our human accomplishments into perspective. The wonderful crops that this country produces require our effort, no doubt. But no amount of effort will make a seed sprout and bear grain. We cannot control the rains or the seasons. We can build machinery, but even the ability to do so is a gift from a loving God. So this Thanksgiving, we have another opportunity to thank God for all God's good and gracious gifts to us. We can remember once again that all of life is a gift, and that we are designed to share in God's creative activity by sharing what we have with those in need, at home and around the world.

In Christ,

+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