Companionship with the ELCG Report May 2018 Purpose of the trip We are on the web: www.easternsynod.org www.elcguyana.org Inside this issue: The relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana began in 1997 and was formalized in 2000 when Bishop Pryse and Rev. Roy Thakurdyal, the President at that time, signed a partnership agreement. In the early years there were several exchange visits in both churches; youth, women, and church leaders. In recent years, however, the interaction has diminished to sending representatives to each other s conventions. One of the priorities of the strategic plan of the Eastern Synod is to strengthen the importance of Global Mission Companions to the work of the Synod. Keith Myra, the synod representative on the ELCIC Global Mission Task Force, has been leading an evaluation process regarding the companionship with the ELCG. As part of the process we have had two meetings with the Executives of the ELCG via Skype in 2017. We have committed to initiate an evaluation process to identify strengths, challenges, opportunities and future direction for this relationship, as well as practice regular communication and maintain proper documentation to ensure continui- ty/sustainability through future leadership changes. With the intention of gaining wider understanding of this relationship and thus being better equipped to make decisions in terms of the future of the companionship, this year the synod sent three delegates, Bishop Michael, Vice Chair Laurie Knott and Pastor Riitta Hepomaki to the ELCG Convention. We are grateful for this opportunity. The trip served its purpose. We learned a lot and made many new connections. Bishop Michael, Laurie Knott and Riitta Hepomaki Preaching, Teaching, Reaching - Our Church at the Crossroads 2 Partnership meeting 3 The Lay Academy 3 Growing to the ministry of word and sacrament 3 Photos 4 Photos 5 Bishop Michael and Rev. Nicholson Eastern Synod delegates visiting St. George s Anglican Cathedral in Georgetown.
Page 2 Companionship with the ELCG Preaching, Teaching, Reaching - Our Church at the Crossroads March of Witness Too many of us have become keepers of the aquarium rather than fishers of men. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana gathered in its 75th Annual Convention May 6-8, 2018 in New Amsterdam. The theme of the convention was Preaching, Teaching, Reaching - Our Church at the Crossroads. The Convention began with a March of Witness followed by the Opening Worship, President Nicholson preaching and Rev. Gloria Sampson presiding. Ms. Sandra Kurtzious who served as a liturgist invited the oversea partners to partake in the intercession prayer. The convention was well attended. There were 46 delegates altogether, 18 of them rostered ministers. Most of the 13 parishes sent two lay delegates, some sent one and only one congregation had none. Eight visitors represented oversea partners in Surinami, ELCA Florida Bahama Synod and our Eastern Synod. The convention followed the same format as our synod convention including presentations on subthemes, worship, devotions, singing, and five business sessions. The subthemes were Baptized, we live, Cheerfully, we give, and Worshipping, we praise. Evenings were reserved for less formal social gatherings. In the fifth business session on Tuesday morning elections took place. The convention elected a new President, Vice President and executive council as follows: Rev. Conrad Plummer - President Mr. Samuel Goolsarran - Vice President Ms. Elocia Smith - Secretary Mr. M. D. Ram- Treasurer Rev. Shirley Jaundoo Rev. Leroy Nicholson Mr. Christopher Wordsworth Ms. Lawrence Calman Bishop Michael preached in the closing worship and at the end of the service he installed the new Executive Council of the ELCG. Chaplain of the Convention Bishop Michael Pryse preaching at the closing worship of the 75th Annual Convention of the ELCG. Bishop Michael installing the Executive Council.
May 2018 Page 3 Partnership meeting The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana has several international partners. This year overseas partners came from Florida Bahama Synod of the ELCA (four delegates), Evangelical Lutheran Church in Surinami (one delegate), and our synod (three delegates). The Executive Council gathered us together on Monday afternoon to discuss matters at hand. The most urgent challenge is a lack of pastoral leadership. The ELCG has 44 congregations, eight pastors, and ten deacons. Furthermore, except for one, all the pastors are senior citizens or already retired. How to fill the shortcoming? One solution could be reopening the Lay Academy. (More about Lay Academy below.) The biggest need is teachers and the hope is that the partner churches could assist by recruiting them for short term contracts. - We need all the help we can get. We need sustained help, said Rev. Conrad Plummer. The leadership of the ELCG is in the process of preparing a plan for reopening the Lay Academy. It is still in the early stages but when finalized and communicated to us, we are in better position to see how we may be able to assist. Partners in mission. Mr. Reza Karg, ELKS Lay Academy The Lutheran Lay Academy was launched in 2005 in two locations: Georgetown and New Amsterdam. Forty students enrolled in the two year program to study Theology, Biblical Studies, Church History, Homiletics, Worship and Liturgy. In 2008 nineteen students graduated and in 2013 another twelve completed the program. The Lutheran Lay Academy was supported by Lutheran World Federation, Florida/Bahamas Synod, and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - Division For Global Mission. The purpose of the Lay Academy is to prepare leaders with skills for effective, faithful and fruitful participation in the church s mission and ministry. It is more affordable to train leaders locally than to send candidates abroad. There are, however, challenges along the way such as a lack of financial resources and competent teachers, congregations geographical locations and transportation system. ELCG has 44 congregations, eight pastors, and ten deacons. Growing into ministry Mr. Ackloo Ramsudh is one of the Lay Academy graduates. He was commissioned into the Diaconate Ministry in 2017 and is now serving the Ebenezer Congregation in New Amsterdam as Deacon. I was away from church for a while but came back when I got children. I wanted to give them an example, he tells. Mr. Ackloo went to the Lay Academy twice, three years altogether. He did not feel a call to ministry of word and sacrament first. When I started preaching, something changed. It felt totally different. I did not know where it came, he recalls how he grew into ministry. He has a strong call to diaconal ministry and enjoys working at Ebenezer congregation.
From left to right. Mr. Michael Davy Ram, Rev. Leroy Nicholson, Hon. Sandra Kurtzious, Rev. Conrad Plummer, Ms. Elocia Smith Joyful singing before the business session. Ms. Elocia Smith receiving our gift, Sing the Circle Wide song books. Youth delegates giving a report of their building project. Musical prelude before the opening worship.
CONNECTIONS Top left: The newly elected President of the ELCG Rev. Conrad Plummer who serves the Congregation of Redeemer in Georgetown. On Wednesday we were invited to visit Redeemer s prayer group. We also learned about the congregation s outreach program that has been running over 20 years. Tuesdays and Fridays people of Redeemer prepare hot lunches for 70 underprivileged students in two neighboring schools. In the fall the Social Committee packs about 80 backpacks with two pairs of outfits for 80 kids. In addition to that on Wednesdays they distribute food to the needy. Above: Wednesday evening we met with the Executive Committee President Rev. Plummer, Vice President Mr. Samuel Goolsarran, and Secretary of the ELCG Ms. Elocia Smith. Left: Treasurer of the ELCG Mr. Michael Davy Ram with Laurie and Riitta visiting briefly before the meeting. Below left: In the midst of other busy-ness, Elocia Smith was the most hospitable host arranging our accommodation, organizing transportation and giving an extensive tour in the historic city of Georgetown. For all this we are grateful. Resources: - www.elcguyana.org - Bulletin of Reports of the ELCG Convention 2018 - ELCG documents: Lutheran Lay Academy and Medium to long term strategic goals - Interview with Keith Myra - Pastor Riitta s notes Photos: Riitta Hepomaki, Laurie Knott Report written by Riitta Hepomaki