This page serves as the home page of the Program Committee for Worship of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. It further serves to introduce the ELCIC's work in the areas of worship, spirituality and the arts.
In March, 2002, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada's National Church Council, created several standing committees to carry forward the ministry of the national church. The work of one of these committees, the Program Committee for Worship (PCW), is the subject of this page. Members of the Program Committee for Worship are:
The following secondments are in place:
Assistant to the Bishop Paul Johnson [e-mail] supports the work of the PCW from the ELCIC national offices in Winnipeg.
Companion of the Worship Arts (CWA) is bestowed in recognition of significant
contribution to the worship life of the ELCIC. The honour recognizes ongoing
inspiration and encouragement to others, and service to God, through worship,
spirituality and the arts. The honour is conferred either at the National Convention of the
ELCIC
or at the ELCIC's national worship conference.
Laureates include Paul Bosch (1996; Waterloo, ON), Donald Johnson (1998; North
Vancouver, BC), Margaret Harms (2000; Calgary, AB), Michael Mills (2002; Toronto,
Ontario); Eduard Riegert (2004; Waterloo, Ontario); Elaine Nelson (2005; Medicine
Hat, Alberta); and Debbie Lou Ludolph (2006; Eden Mills, Ontario).
The 2008 Companion for the Worship Arts is the Rev. Karen Johnson-Lefsrud of Lutheran Church of the Cross, Victoria, BC.
The ELCIC has commissioned a medal for presentation to each Companion. The original artwork, entitled "The Dance," is by the above-named liturgical artist, Pr. Michael Mills. OSA. The framed original, presented to Bp. Telmor Sartison, hangs in the national offices. A protocol for the awarding of this honour was prepared by Karen Johnson-Lefsrud and adopted in January, 1999.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in continuing a multi-year process to create worship resources to succeed Lutheran Book of Worship. From early days, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada had standing in the ELCA's Renewing Worship project. The project has issued in the creation of Evangelical Lutheran Worship. Visit the Evangelical Lutheran Worship page for complete details.
Worship Matters is an occasional publication designed to help those who plan and lead worship in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada. Look to the Worship Matters page for complete series.
The following people would welcome any inquiries about particular aspects of the worship-related and spirituality-related work of the church.
A number of people throughout the ELCIC provide links to a variety of worship and spirituality-related societies and institutions. Those named below would welcome inquiries about particular organizations.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and Anglican Church of Canada have approved "full communion" between the churches. Called to Full Communion (Waterloo Declaration), modeled, in part, after the Porvoo Common Statement, was approved, with near-unanimous ballots on both sides, on July 6, 2001, at Waterloo, Ontario. The Anglican Church of Canada has published a version of Called to Full Communion which includes the official commentary. Important links: Faith, Worship and Ministry Committee • Worship resources & more.
