03.11.2006
Canadian and Icelandic Churches Sign Agreement
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) and Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland (ELCI) have signed a "Letter of Understanding" which will allow for pastors and deacons/diaconal ministers from either church to exercise their calling in either country.The agreement was signed during the 14-16 September meeting of the ELCIC National Church Council in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
"Our two churches, while members of different regions of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), have many attributes in common, not the least of which is size of membership," noted ELCIC National Bishop Raymond Schultz. He said he expected the relationship "to go far beyond the exchange of clergy" and that both partners would "learn new ways from each other to be effective agents for the gospel in the larger context."
The ELCI Bishop Karl Sigurbjörnsson said, "I am grateful for the milestone that the ELCIC and ELCI are at now. Entering into an agreement will deepen our relationship. I pray that God will bless our journey beyond this milestone."
The ELCI has 250,661 members, representing over 80 percent of Iceland's population. It joined the LWF in 1947. The ELCIC, Canada's largest Lutheran denomination with 182,077 members, has been an LWF member church since 1986. (209 words)
The "Letter of Understanding" between the Canadian and Icelandic churches can be accessed on the ELCIC Web site at: www.elcic.ca/ELCICandELCIagreement.pdf
(ELCIC News)
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