Todays & Tomorrows

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Intro to the article by the Editor :of Canada Lutheran

Reflections on a Decade of LGBTQ2SIA+ Inclusion in the ELCIC 

The past year has been a significant one for the church. In the midst of a global pandemic, we’re all learning how to worship and support each other in new ways while rediscovering what it means to be God’s people today. 

 The April/May 2021 issue of Canada Lutheran takes an in-depth focus on the safety, inclusion and education surrounding ‘queer’ members of the ELCIC. The article was a collaborative effort made possible by the help of Shuby Bhattarai, Finn Boehm, Rev. Margaret Propp, Hannah Wingerter, Rev. Ralph Carl Wuschke, Danika Jorgensen-Skakum and Rev. Lindsey Jorgensen-Skakum. 

 As we reflect back on a decade of reconciliation with LGBTQ2SIA+ people, we celebrate inclusion and affirmation while lamenting the ongoing legacy of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia within the church. As the ELCIC, we strive to welcome all in God’s grace and love. However, our LGBTQ2SIA+ siblings have not always experienced this welcome. 

Embracing Diversity: It Was Very Good

In our creeds we begin by confessing that God is the creator of heaven and earth. As we begin to become increasingly aware of the rich diversity of God’s creation, it staggers our imagination.

In our awe, we can become so overwhelmed with terror that we become afraid of anything that we cannot understand. Or we can become filled with wonder, falling in love with creation, opening ourselves up to discover more about this diversity.

When we react out of fear, we try to define the world on our terms, limiting what we will accept based on what we are like, what we know personally, desperately trying to control our small part of creation. 

When we react out of love, we take risks and dare to encounter as much of creation as we are able, based on a willingness to accept what God declared during the act of creation; that it is very good.

Ten years ago the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada adopted the Human Sexuality Statement. We declared that we would permit same-sex marriages, the ordination of queer clergy, and allow our congregations to welcome members of the LGBTQ2SIA+ community.

In a collaborative effort, seven of our members share their reflections about what that has meant for them and for us, through our feature Queerly Beloved. It is an account of celebration and lament, of welcoming and not being welcomed.

Sadly there is still a risk when people like Shuby Bhattarai, Finn Boehm, Danika Jorgensen-Skakum, Rev. Lindsey Jorgensen-Skakum, Rev. Margaret Propp, Hannah Wingerter and Rev. Ralph Carl Wuschke publicly discuss their experiences as they have in this article. They deserve our thanks and our support, as well as Heather Howdle who shares some of her story on p. 25.

There is a great deal more that still needs to be done. Our church’s position has yet to be fully accepted among our membership and in our congregations. Some faith groups, including some of our ecumenical and interfaith partners, reject our theological stance and openly oppose it.

To reveal that you are LGBTQ2SIA+ can result in rejection and may include violent abuse, verbally and physically in our communities. Homosexuality is still considered illegal and subject to imprisonment and death in many countries. As those who put this feature together write, “Wherever you are on this path of affirmation, we encourage you to continue the journey we began as a family of faith a decade ago exploring what it might mean for you or your congregation to name in worship, word and witness LGBTQ2SIA+ children of God as beloved.”

Kenn Ward, Editor

Intro to this award winning article by the Editor :of Canada Lutheran

Black Lives Matter: 

When You Picture a Lutheran, What Do You See? Our feature article provides an opportunity to listen to Black voices and to see ourselves through Black lenses in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. Do we value those lenses?

Almost everyone gets a bit of thrill when they see a picture of themselves in a newspaper or magazine. We often preserve those photos as part of our personal history.

At Canada Lutheran we know that. So we take a great deal of care to ensure that this magazine reflects the rich diversity of people in our church, their experiences and their ideas. Good photos are part of the reflection we try to offer. We may not always get it right, but we are committed to ongoing learning. As I was working with proof copies of this issue, I realized how much this issue is enhanced by the quality of the photos in it, particularly those of our Black contributors.

Our ability to make regular use of high quality photos in Canada Lutheran was quite difficult until about four years ago. Part of the problem was that most contributors did not have access to high quality cameras. The technology available to us also limited how much we could enhance such photos. When the lighting and quality of a photo was poor in photos we received, it was even more challenging to work with such photos with Black members in them. Even with a lot of diligent technical work, it was extremely difficult to reproduce such photos so that the People of Colour in them could be seen or recognized.

With the significant improvement in cameras that are affordable for most people, the quality of the photos we receive has improved in many cases. We now have software that enables us to reproduce skin colour correctly.

That experience took on new meaning to me as I began to wonder why it had taken those in the publishing industry so long to find the way to refine the technology. Was part of the reason that the people who had the ability to make the necessary changes didn’t feel that it was a significant enough matter to do anything about? The system that was in place, intentionally or not, played a role in what we now increasingly understand as systemic racism.

When I invited a couple of People of Colour to help me to reflect on this, I was asked, “Did anyone ever think to ask People of Colour what the best way to photograph multi-melanin groups were?”

It had never occurred to me to ask them. Although I was disturbed by the situation, it had also never occurred to me that I could or should speak up and say, “Surely there must be a way.” I had simply accepted that that was the way things were.

That’s how systemic racism works. How easily such things can become ingrained. How difficult it is to make the necessary changes. Of course our feature is about more than photos. It is about lenses and how we use them. Please join me during Black History Month in looking at life through some Black lenses.

Apology

( In This Issue, January/February, p.5, I wrote that I had invited a couple of People of Colour to help me think through my column. However I did not name them. They were Rev. Aneeta Saroop and seminarian Janelle Lightbourne. Since writing those words, I have come to understand that my neglect to name them had the effect of marginalizing two wonderful women and their significant contribution. I apologize. I did and continue to value the insight and support they gave. )

Kenn Ward, Editor

Intro to the article by the Editor :of Canada Lutheran

The March 2021 issue of Canada Lutheran explores the many stories of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. The feature story uses words and pictures written by adults in response to the question, “How would you explain the death and resurrection of Jesus to a 12-year-old?” 

Communicating the Mysteries of Faith: There is Power in the Story

The stories of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus change lives. Even when we cannot find the exact words we seek, people of faith have been comforted and inspired by our efforts. Remembering Jesus’ crucifixion and his resurrection has helped innumerable people get through harsh and discouraging times and provided hope in times of death.

During one Good Friday service while the Passion Narrative was being read, a little child rushed out of the service in tears because the news that they killed Jesus was so overwhelming. There is power in the simple telling of the story.

A nominal Lutheran in palliative care had a picture of a painting of Jesus’ crucifixion on the wall by her bed. She said, “I’ve been studying that picture. He understands the suffering I’m going through.”

Our feature uses words and pictures about the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. The words are written by adults in response to the question, “How would you explain the death and resurrection of Jesus to a 12-year-old?” (The question was inspired by an article in the March 2020 issue of Canadian Mennonite.)

Although words may engage our minds and sometimes our emotions, they may not reach the depths of our hearts. Some-times it takes something like children’s art to stir unexpected responses in us. Several children in our church provided the art-work used with this article in response to our invitation.

My thanks go to everyone who contributed to this issue with art or words. May your contributions encourage others to reflect on the meaning of the death and resurrection of Jesus during Lent and Easter this year and enrich their faith.

Kenn Ward, Editor