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1. A Celebration of Hope
On the Saturday evening of convention attendees will get a change of scenery from the War Memorial Gym at the University of British Columbia where most of the convention is being held as they move to the Student Union Building (SUB) Ballroom for a special evening of recognition. As part of our Celebration of Hope we will celebrate the gifts ELCIC Vice President Roger Kingsley, ELCIC World Mission coordinator Kelvin Krieger, and outgoing National Church Council members have shared with the church over the years. Signs of Hope, in the form of stories of mission from across the church will inspire us. And while it may not be Dancing with the Bishops, musical guests will keep us entertained and round out this joyous evening of inspiration and fellowship.
2. ELCIC Design Contest Winning Entry
 Many months ago the ELCIC National Office launched a design competition for gifts that will be presented on behalf of the ELCIC to global and ecumenical guests specifically at convention but also throughout the year. We are pleased to share with you the winning submission from Rev. Ken Grambo. The crosses are made from Canadian maple and feature a dove that is also represented in the logo for our National Convention. Thank you to all who submitted your ideas, suggestions and artwork.
3. Supplementary Information on GSI Bulletin of Reports Inclusion
Recently some members of the ELCIC community have expressed interest in learning more the ELCIC Pension Plan and in particular details around the actuarial valuations used. Group Services Inc. (GSI) has recently updated their website and includes information about this as well as many other informative pieces. If you would like to learn more about this topic please click here.
4. Prayers for Convention
When we cry, 'Abba! Father!' it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ... ( Romans 8:15-17)
What a wonderful and powerful promise we have in the second reading for this coming Sunday, Trinity Sunday, a Sunday when we are blessed with the reminder that God is defined - insofar as that's possible - by relationship, by community. This is true also for God's people, the whole body of Christ, and for this small part of it which we call the ELCIC. Notice too that St. Paul uses only plural language, in other words, in his words, we are in this together. We, too, are defined by relationship, by community; we are children and heirs together, in unity, and in prayer. You are invited, in your homes, in every congregation, and wherever you pray, to cry 'Abba! Father!' and lift up this church in prayer, as we make final preparations on the way to Vancouver, as we all travel there, and when we arrive there together. Please pray, whoever you are, wherever you come from, delegate or staying home, please pray for this ELCIC and for our National Convention. Pray the way to Vancouver, pray from Trinity Sunday to the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost (June 28, the closing of convention), and pray beyond, pray in love, pray for love, pray in Jesus' name, giving thanks to God in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Loving God, as we prepare to meet in Vancouver in three weeks for the National Convention, gift us all with your Holy Spirit, call us, gather us, enlighten us, and sanctify us, that together we may serve the world in Christ's name, and, by his grace, be signs of hope to one another and to all; through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord, Amen.
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