Official Notice to all Members of LCC from the CCMS

 

Update (September 13, 2017): A few small corrections have been made to this downloadable pdf since this story was first posted (switching the colours noting additions/deletions; replacing the word “Bylaws” with “Constitution” in one instance; and correcting the title of the Commission on Constitutional Matters and Structure (not the “Commission on Structure and Governance,” as was inadvertently included in two overtures).

Notice re Statutory Bylaws

In keeping with Article XXI, 21.01 of the LCC Statutory Bylaws (2014 LCC Handbook, Page 7) the Commission on Constitutional Matters and Structure (CCMS) hereby serves notice to congregations, pastors and deacons on the LCC roster of its unanimous decision to submit an overture to amend the Statutory Bylaws at the 11th LCC Convention, set for October 13-16, 2017 in Kitchener, Ontario.

Amendments of Other Handbook Documents

Other portions of the LCC Handbook are amended differently. Changes to the Constitution do not require the 30-day notice. They do, however, require a two-thirds majority vote at the Convention and then a two-thirds affirmative vote of LCC congregations who participate in that ratification phase during the six months following the Convention. (Constitution Article XIV,2 and 4., LCC Handbook, Page 12-13). Overtures to amend these portions of the Handbook were also unanimously passed and submitted
by the CCMS.

The Synodical Bylaws portion of the LCC Handbook may be amended by a simple majority vote of the Convention (Synodical Bylaws Article XIV, LCC Handbook, Page 81). Overtures to amend these portions of the Handbook, were, like the others unanimously passed and then submitted by the CCMS.

A Guide to the Overtures

The link below takes you to the full text of all the overtures and supporting documents. They are:

  • Overture 1.18, TO ADOPT THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE STATUTORY BYLAWS OF LUTHERAN CHURCH–CANADA (submitted by the CCMS);
  • Overture 1.19, TO ADOPT THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CONSTITUTION OF LUTHERAN CHURCH–CANADA (submitted by the CCMS);
  • Overture 1.20, TO ADOPT THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE SYNODICAL BYLAWS OF LUTHERAN CHURCH–CANADA (submitted by the CCMS);
  • Overture 1.21, TO REQUEST THAT THE 2018 CONVENTIONS OF THE 3 DISTRICT CORPORATIONS (THE ALBERTA-BRITISH COLUMBIA DISTRICT, THE CENTRAL DISTRICT AND THE EAST DISTRICT) FACILITATE THE NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF REGIONAL PASTORS AND CIRCUIT COUNSELORS FOR THE BALANCE OF THE 2017-2021 TERM (submitted by the LCC Board of Directors);
  • Overture 1.22, TO DISCONTINUE WORKING WITH THE 3 DISTRICT CORPORATIONS (THE ALBERTA-BRITISH COLUMBIA DISTRICT, THE CENTRAL DISTRICT AND THE EAST DISTRICT) TO SEPARATELY DELIVER SERVICES TO THE MEMBERS OF LCC AS OF JANUARY 1, 2019 (submitted by the LCC Board of
    Directors);
  • Overture 1.23, TO REPLACE THE CURRENT STATUTORY BYLAWS AND ALL AMENDMENTS SINCE ADOPTED IN 2002 WITH A CONSOLIDATED FORM OF STATUTORY BYLAWS (submitted by the CCMS);
  • Overture 1.24, TO REPLACE THE CURRENT SYNODICAL CONSTITUTION AND ALL AMENDMENTS SINCE ADOPTED IN 2002 WITH A CONSOLIDATED FORM OF SYNODICAL CONSTITUTION (submitted by the CCMS);
  • Overture 1.25, TO REPLACE THE PREVIOUS SYNODICAL BYLAWS AND ALL AMENDMENTS SINCE ADOPTED IN 2002 WITH A CONSOLIDATED FORM OF SYNODICAL BYLAWS (submitted by the CCMS).

The first three overtures (1.18, 1.19, 1.20) are the “heart” of the CCMS restructuring proposals. The two “middle” ones (1.21, 1.22) deal with transitional matters that become necessary if the restructuring proposals are adopted. The final three (1.23, 1.24, 1.25) formally replace current documents with the new ones being proposed at this Convention.

The first three restructuring overtures take the reader through a column-beside-column comparison of the current documents and the proposed changes. The last three overtures include the “clean” text of what the new documents would look like if the proposed changes are adopted.

Download all the documents here.

The Way Forward

The CCMS action to submit these overtures follows the Commission’s unanimous adoption of proposals made by the “Working Group,” made up of representatives of CCMS and the LCC Board of Directors (BOD). Those representatives include Rev. William Ney and Rev. Paul Schallhorn (for the CCMS), as well as Rev. Nolan Astley and Mrs. Cindy Sholdice (for the BOD).

Resolutions Committee #1, under the chairmanship of Central District President Thomas Prachar, met in Winnipeg September 8-9 to consider all overtures which had been submitted relating to the area of restructuring. The Committee’s proposed Resolutions on these matters will be released after editing, etc., as soon as possible.

These CCMS overtures are being sent today to all pastors, deacons and congregations on the LCC roster, as well as to all Convention delegates. This constitutes the Commission’s formal notice to the church of the restructuring proposals it has recommended.

Rev. William R. A. Ney, Chairman
LCC Commission on Constitutional Matters and Structure
September 12, 2017

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Convention 2017: Workbook released, presidential nominees announced

NOTE: An earlier version of the Workbook inadvertently left off two names from the Commission on Adjudication membership list as well as a chart from the LCCFM report. The story now links to a corrected version of the Workbook. Please note that the corrections change the pagination of the original workbook.

CANADA – Lutheran Church–Canada has released the workbook for its upcoming synodical convention to be held October 13-16, 2017 in Kitchener, Ontario. Included in the workbook is information on nominations as well as other important convention information, including overtures as well as reports from synodical departments, auxiliaries, listed service organizations, and other entities.

The workbook is available for download here.

Of particular interest this convention are the nominations for president, as President Robert Bugbee announced earlier this year he would not be standing for reelection. In total, 18 different pastors received at least two nominations for the position of president. Of these, two have accepted the nomination. The slate of presidential nominations includes Rev. Timothy Teuscher (11 nominations) and Rev. Dr. Glenn Schaeffer (4 nominations). Rev. Teuscher currently serves as pastor of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church (Stratford, Ontario) and as First Vice President of the East District of Lutheran Church–Canada. Dr. Schaeffer currently serves as President of the Alberta-British Columbia District of Lutheran Church–Canada.

The slate of candidates for Vice-Presidents include:

  • ABC District: Rev. David Bode, Rev. Tom Kruesel, Rev. Roland Kubke, Rev. Lee Loveridge
  • Central District: Rev. Ted Giese, Rev. Alex Klages, Rev. Dr. Harald Schoubye
  • East District: Rev. Marvin Bublitz, Rev. Timothy Teuscher, Rev. Kurt Reinhardt

Further information on candidates is available in the workbook, as is the names of those candidates who declined nomination. Also included in the workbook are the nominees for open positions on the Board of Directors, Commission on Adjudication, Commission on Theology and Church Relations, and the Boards of Regents for both Concordia Lutheran Seminary (Edmonton) and Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary (St. Catharines, Ontario).

Further information on the convention, including appointments and registration information, is available here.

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Pre-Convention Bulletin 2

The 11th Convention of Lutheran Church-Canada is scheduled for October 13-16 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Kitchener, Ontario.

Opening Communion Service will be held Friday, October 13 at 7:30 at Historic St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Kitchener.

Worship Committee:
Rev. Ken Maher (chair), Paul Walrath
Rev. Ron Mohr; Rev. Larry Gajdos; President Robert Bugbee
Rev. Maher will also serve as convention chaplain

Delegate Registration deadline is August 7. If you have still not registered please do so as soon as possible. The link to the registration site is: https://www.regonline.com/LCC2017Convention

If you are attending the convention but you are not a delegate, you are encouraged to attend as a registered visitor. The registration fee is $85.00 and includes a name badge, designated seating on the convention floor, a convention workbook, copies of materials produced for delegates and a copy of the convention proceedings. Register at  https://www.regonline.com/LCC2017Convention.

Airline discounts
LCC has secured discounts for convention travel on WestJet and Air Canada to Toronto and Kitchener. Details are available HERE

Resolution committees have been appointed and will meet at Synod Office Sept. 8 & 9. They will also meet Friday, Oct. 13 at 1:00 p.m. at the convention site.

Resolutions Committee 1 – (Synodical Structure)
Rev. Tom Prachar (chair), Merv Rocheleau, James Krestick, Ron Faulkner, Rev. Jonathan Kraemer, Rev. Robert Korsch

Resolutions Committee 2 – (Parish Services & Higher Education)
Rev. Dr. Glenn Schaeffer (chair), Rev. John Rapp, Barb Fooks, Jordan Wall, Robert Felstead, and Rev. David Smilek

Resolutions Committee 3 – (Administration & Finance)
Rev. Paul Zabel (chair), Jon Oberholzer, David Mitchell, Deacon Miriam Winstanley, Rev. Alex Klages, Michael Maunula

Convention Appointments
Convention Manager: Dr. Ian Adnams
Registration and Hospitality: Udi Scott
Head Page and Pages coordinator: Doris Schaeffer

Convention notes
Several exhibitors will be at convention including Sperling’s Book Store.
International guests include church leaders from the US, Germany, Nicaragua and Peru.

Lend a hand!
When more than 250 lay persons, pastors and deacons of Lutheran Church–Canada meet at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Kitchener, October 13-16 there will be a number of opportunities for members of Southern Ontario congregations to serve — everything from greeters to drivers and on-site volunteers. If you have some spare time that weekend and want to meet and greet fellow Lutherans from across the country go to www.ServeLCC.ca , check out what’s available and sign-up!

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2017 Convention Volunteer Opportunities

2017 Convention Schedule

 

Friday, October 13

1:00-7:00 p.m.     Registration
1:00 p.m.             Exhibits and Bookstore Open
1:00 p.m.             Resolutions Committees (3)
2:00 p.m.             Board of Directors
4:00-5:00             Business Session 1 – Orientation
5:30 p.m.             Dinner
7:30 p.m.             Convention Opening Divine Service with Celebration of Holy Communion at Historic St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
9:30 p.m.             Fellowship

 

Saturday, October 14

6:45-8:00 a.m.  Breakfast
7:30 a.m.          Late registration
8:15 a.m.          Bible Study/Devotions
9:00 a.m.          Business Session 2
12:00 p.m.        Closing Prayer
12:15 p.m.        Lunch
1:30 p.m.          Business Session 3
3:00 p.m.          Break
3:15 p.m.          Business Session 3 (continued)
5:00 p.m.          Closing Prayer
5:15 p.m.          Dinner
7:30 p.m.          Reformation Concert at Grace Lutheran Church

 

Sunday, October 15

6:45-8:00 a.m.   Breakfast
8:15 a.m.           Worship in convention venue
9:30 a.m.           Break
9:45 a.m.           Business Session 4
12:00 p.m.         Closing Prayer
12:15 p.m.         Lunch
1:30 p.m.           Bible Study
2:15 p.m.           Business Session 5
3:30 p.m.           Break
3:45 p.m.           Business Session 5 (continued)
4:00 p.m.           Exhibits and Bookstore Close
6:00 p.m.           Closing Prayer
6:30 p.m.           Dinner/Banquet
8:30 p.m.           Reception for President and Mrs. Bugbee

Monday, October 16     

6:45-8:00 a.m.   Breakfast
8:15 a.m.           Bible Study
9:00 a.m.           Business Session 6
12:00 p.m.         Adjournment
12:15 p.m.         Lunch

2017 Lutheran Church—Canada Synodical Convention

Reformation Convention Logo-170124-out

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE DETAILS

Dates: The 11th convention of Lutheran Church–Canada will be held October, 13-16, 2017.

Location: The convention sessions will take place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Kitchener, Ontario.

CONVENTION THEME: The theme for the convention and for the next three years commemorates the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. The specific Synodical convention theme is Christ Alone, Christ Forever.

The convention logo is based on Lutheran Church-Canada’s 2017 Reformation 500 logo with the convention theme added. It was designed by Philip Prozenko as a gift to the church. Prozenko is chairman of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He is also President and owner of AtlantexCreativeWorks

CONVENTION FORMAT: The convention will begin with an orientation session on Friday, October 13 at 4 p.m. and conclude at lunchtime on Monday, October 16. An Opening Service will take place Friday evening and a Reformation anniversary event on Saturday evening.

It is anticipated that the primary business of the convention will be the restructuring of Synod and elections of those who will serve the Synod and its members in leadership positions and on commissions and boards.

CONVENTION APPOINTMENTS:

Convention arrangements are being handled by Dr. Ian Adnams who has managed conventions for LCC since 1996.

IMPORTANT DATES:

March 15, 2017                Ballots for president & vice-president to congregations

March 23, 2017                Delegate lists to District Secretary

April 13, 2017                Delegates lists to Synod Secretary

June 13, 2017                 Ballots for president & vice-president returned to Synod office

June 15, 2017                 Online registration open

June 15, 2017                 Workbook reports (committees, boards, commissions LSO’s and auxiliaries)

June 15, 2017                 Overtures deadline

August 1, 2017                Workbook published

August 7, 2017               Registration Deadline

August 25, 2017               Responses and comments re: reports & overtures

September 8/9                 Resolutions Committees meet