On February 24th we mark a full year since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia began a protracted war. Bombing of cities, destruction of infrastructure, and daily loss of life continue with no end in sight. We have seen the resilience and courage of the Ukrainian people as they have resisted the unprovoked aggression of the Russian president. We have watched as the rest of the world discerns what actions of support will help and seek the delicate balance that will not escalate this conflict into a worldwide conflagration with a nuclear power.
Archbishop and Primate Linda Nicholls and ELCIC National Bishop Susan Johnson write Prime Minister Trudeau and other Canadian leaders, after receiving news of an attack which took place at an East Jerusalem synagogue on January 27, International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
On January 20, bishops in the Church of England issued their recommendation that prayers that may be used to bless civil partnerships, civil marriages and covenanted friendships, but they have not offered support for same-sex marriage within the Church.
As church leaders we are grateful for the ongoing commitment of the government of Canada to human rights around the world. We are particularly grateful for the ongoing support of the special and historic status of Jerusalem as a city sacred to the Abrahamic faiths, including Christianity. It is in light of that support that we write to express our deep concern for the recent desecration of the Protestant cemetery on Mt. Zion, currently under the oversight of the Anglican Church in Jerusalem.
The Most Rev. Linda Nicholls, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada preached the following sermon at the New Year’s Day Festal Eucharist at Christ Church Cathedral in Ottawa. A video of the Livestream can be found here. As we approach the end of each year I prepare a letter to send to friends and family that … Continued
“On November 20, we invite you to commemorate Transgender Day of Remembrance, by honouring the memory of those murdered in acts of anti-transgender violence.”
As Christmas and the Holidays approach, Christians experience the season of Advent as a time of expectant waiting and preparation. This year, four Canadian national church leaders will present a special series of Advent meditations and conversations that reflect on the question: “What Are We Waiting For?”
“We find our hearts torn with the agony of lamenting the dead and wounded who, on behalf of others, served and serve in the Armed Forces…. We remember with grief. We remember all places of war and conflict past and present.”
This message was received from the Canadian House of Bishops this morning during the 2022 Lambeth Conference. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:10 We are writing to you to share our experience of this … Continued
“The joy of emancipation is tempered by the racial injustice that continues for Black people, Indigenous peoples and people of colour in our communities.”
In the hymn “All Are Welcome” by Marty Haugen, we hear the poignant longing for a church where the gospel promises will be lived so that all God’s children will be loved and safe and free.
