At this time of year, Christians turn their attention toward Bethlehem and the Holy Land but the realities in Palestine and Israel resonate beyond any one tradition. We are gravely concerned about developments in Gaza and in the West Bank since the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages and prisoners.

The people of Gaza continue to face conditions of devastation and despair. The deliberate targeting of civilians, the obstruction of humanitarian aid, the use of starvation as a method of warfare, the destruction of hospitals, schools and homes, and the use of civilians as human shields constitute grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention.

We believe that Canada, as a state party to the Geneva Conventions, must fulfil its obligation to ensure respect for international humanitarian law. Specifically, we ask your government to:

• call for the immediate and unconditional lifting of all blockades and restrictions on humanitarian assistance;
• work for an end to the impunity of extremist settlers who are perpetrating violent attacks against Palestinians and their property in the West Bank;
• reaffirm support for the essential role of UNRWA in the provision of humanitarian assistance and support for Palestinian refugees in Gaza and the West Bank; and
• ensure that the reconstruction of Gaza is guided by the principles of dignity, equity and self-determination.

The suffering of Gaza and the cultivation of fear in the West Bank is a political and humanitarian crisis—and a moral and spiritual challenge for humanity. We pray that your government will meet this challenge to bring justice and peace to the land where Christ was born.

Yours in Christ,

Bishop Larry Kochendorfer
National Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Archbishop Shane Parker
Primate
Anglican Church of Canada

The post Leaders call for action on Gaza and West Bank appeared first on In Full Communion.

Raising awareness of the violence and discrimination experienced by members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is an important step in creating safe, healthy communities for all people. An ongoing concern is that deliberate disinformation takes aim at care and safer spaces for transgender and gender non-conforming youth; hateful rhetoric, discriminatory legislation, and restrictions directly place their health, safety, and well-being at risk.

The 2025 theme for IDAHOBIT is The power of communities, reflecting the diversity and richness within 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, from the grass roots to the global, and celebrating our varied and intersecting backgrounds, identities, and experiences. The theme for 2025 highlights the strength and resilience that emerges from our collective solidarity, recognising the contributions of human rights defenders, 2SLGBTQIA+ civil society groups, allies, and millions of people in our communities who support human rights and collective liberation.

Please join us in:

• praying for the dignity and acceptance for all people, for the safety of those made more vulnerable by recent government actions, for a world where everyone finds loving community, and for God’s guidance in our thoughts, words, and deeds;
• providing spaces and opportunities for safe, respectful conversations, where people feel support and love, and experience ongoing affirmation and transformation;
• celebrating the gifts for witness, service, spiritual care and leadership that 2SLGBTQIA+ people offer to faith communities;
• learning more about human rights, terminology, and pathways to liberation for 2SLGBTQIA+ people;
• speaking out against rhetoric that dehumanizes and demonizes anyone made in the image of God, and promoting accurate information about our neighbours and issues of public concern;
• advocating for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights at the local, provincial, and federal level; and
• preparing for the possibility of providing welcome to those fleeing persecution based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

May the God of love and liberation hear our lament. May each of us be bold in our witness. May we all work to bring an end to attacks against people God has named beloved. May the power of communities enrich the life and work of the church.

For it was you who formed my inward parts;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Wonderful are your works;
that I know very well.
         Psalm 139:13-14

Yours in Christ,

The Rev. Susan Johnson
National Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

The Most Rev. Anne Germond
Acting Primate
Anglican Church of Canada

Related resources:

Pastoral Liturgies for Gender Transition and Affirmation (Rites and Prayers Supplemental to the Book of Alternative Services of the Anglican Church of Canada)

The post Churches mark International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, May 17 appeared first on In Full Communion.

We are writing to express our outrage regarding Israel’s ongoing attacks on the Palestinian people and to call on the government of Canada to use all diplomatic tools to push for an immediate flow of life-saving food, water, aid, fuel and humanitarian assistance.

Beyond the devastating effects of ongoing missile attacks, Israel has now prevented humanitarian aid from entering Gaza for more than two months. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned of acute malnutrition worsening among children in Gaza. The Gaza government’s media office recently said that famine is no longer a looming threat but is becoming a reality, adding that 52 people, including 50 children, have died due to hunger and malnutrition since the blockade was imposed.¹ In a report in late April, the OCHA said it has identified about 10,000 cases of acute malnutrition among children across Gaza, including 1,600 cases of severe acute malnutrition, since the start of 2025. It is hard to put into words how cruel and deadly it is to be blocking humanitarian assistance.

On May 5, Israel approved plans to seize the Gaza Strip and to stay in the Palestinian territory for an unspecified length of time, according to two Israeli officials.² As we have communicated before, there is a fundamental need for an end of occupation so a just peace can begin. All plans to relocate Palestinian people out of Gaza violate international law and are the opposite of what is needed for peace. In the context of ongoing attacks, blocking of humanitarian aid, and threats to relocate the residents of Gaza, we call on Canada to end all arms transfers to Israel. We also ask you to communicate Canada’s desire to see an enduring and sustained ceasefire and the release of all captives.

Our call for peace is rooted in our relationship with partner churches, the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. We continue to join with Primate Hosam Naoum and Bishop Sani Ibrahim Azar in calling upon all governments and people of good will to intervene to stop all attacks on medical and humanitarian institutions so that hope and life may be sustained and strengthened.

Yours in Christ,

The Rev. Susan Johnson
National Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

The Most Rev. Anne Germond
Acting Primate
Anglican Church of Canada

1 https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/gaza-malnutrition-children-blockade-israel-1.7524680
2 https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/israel-hamas-gaza-offensive-expansion-1.7526358

The post Churches call for open flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza appeared first on In Full Communion.

On behalf of the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), we congratulate you on your election as Prime Minister.

The times in which we live call for visionary leadership in Canada and the world so that we may build a truly just, healthy and peaceful world. Courage and wisdom will be required of you as you exercise your duties and seek to inspire Canadians to face these challenges. We are praying for you and all Members of Parliament as you begin this work.

Anglicans and Lutherans believe that social and ecological justice are integral parts of God’s mission. The call to reconciliation and renewed relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people is a fundamental element of all work of justice in the Canadian context today.

There is an urgent need to address the climate crisis and to live in more sustainable ways. Climate change disproportionately impacts Indigenous communities and people living in poverty around the world. Indigenous wisdom and relationships with the land need to inform individual, community and social choices. We call on Canada to be a leader in climate justice.

We continue to call for the dignity of all people. Racism and white supremacy deny the full participation and development of all members of our communities, reinforce power and privilege, and are sins against God and each other. Dismantling racism requires a transformation of our hearts and of the structures and systems within which we live. We encourage Canada to be diligent in addressing human trafficking and modern slavery. Dignity is also uplifted by addressing poverty through compassion, charity, and justice; this work is central to the mandate of faith communities and of government.

Our churches have long-standing relationships with partner churches in Palestine and Israel, the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land. Both partner churches have shown remarkable resilience in the context of extended conflict and inspirational leadership in showing love for their communities through various projects, enterprises and ministries. We highlight the need for an enduring and sustained ceasefire, the immediate flow of life-saving food, water, aid, fuel and humanitarian assistance, the release of all captives, an end of all arms transfers to Israel and an end of occupation so a just peace can begin.

As you begin this journey, please be assured of our commitment to work alongside you. Our churches are committed to discerning opportunities to face the world’s challenges in partnership with people in civil society, in public service and in various sectors. We also assure you that week by week, members of our churches are praying for you, for all Members of Parliament, and for the Government of Canada. May your service to this country be a blessing to many, and may God guide us all as we face the future together.

Yours in Christ,

The Rev. Susan Johnson
National Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

The Most Rev. Anne Germond
Acting Primate
Anglican Church of Canada

The Most Rev. Chris Harper
National Indigenous Anglican Archbishop
Anglican Church of Canada

The post Leaders write to Prime Minister Carney appeared first on In Full Communion.

Your solidarity, prayers, heartfelt thoughts, and kind words are a source of strength for all of us here.  — Suhaila Tarazi, Director, Al Ahli Arab Hospital, Diocese of Jerusalem, Gaza.

Dear friends in Christ,

On Palm Sunday, the world awakened to the shattering news that the Al Ahli Arab Hospital, an institution operated in Gaza City by the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, had, once again, been struck by Israeli missile attacks. Al Ahli was the sole remaining fully functional hospital in Gaza City. The twin strikes demolished the two-story Genetic Laboratory and damaged the Pharmacy and Emergency Department Buildings. The attack also resulted in collateral damage to surrounding buildings, including St. Philip’s Anglican Church. While no casualties resulted from the attack, a child died from pre-existing head injuries during the disruption to care.

We join faith leaders around the world in condemning this appalling act. We again call for an end to the horrific war that, since October 7^th, 2023, has resulted in the suffering of so many.

This Holy Week, we urge all Canadian Lutherans and Anglicans to join our partners, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land and Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, in praying for the staff of Al Ahli Hospital, its displaced patients, their families, and communities. In the words of Suhaila Tarazi, Director of Al Ahli, “the hospital remains a vital lifeline for Gaza City and the northern region, and we are committed to maintaining our operations to the best of our ability…. We deeply appreciate your concern and support.”

Our churches continue to call for a permanent ceasefire and just peace, the release of all captives, the immediate and fulsome flow of humanitarian aid, and an end to the occupation. We join with Primate Hosam Naoum and Bishop Sani Ibrahim Azar in calling upon all governments and people of good will to intervene to stop all attacks on medical and humanitarian institutions so that hope and life may be sustained and strengthened.

In the peace of the Risen Christ,

Rev. Susan C. Johnson
National Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

The Most Rev. Anne Germond
Acting Primate, Anglican Church of Canada

The post Leaders speak out on Al Ahli Hospital attack appeared first on In Full Communion.

The rhythms of the earth connect us to Easter.
Easter connects us to the rhythms of the earth.
Life and death and life.
Dying and bearing fruit.

The calling of disciples to love the earth and to address the climate crisis is rooted in God’s intimate act of creating a beautiful, diverse, life-giving, life-sustaining world—a world that is full of the breath of God. It is also rooted in the Easter story. Jesus is buried in the earth and rises from the ground. Jesus is buried for the sake of love and rises to renew all our relationships.

Earth Day falls conspicuously close to Easter Sunday this year. The theme for Earth Day 2025 is biodiversity. The goal is to encourage as many citizens, municipalities, and organizations as possible to reconnect with nature and better understand the importance of preserving biodiversity for ecosystem balance, food security and resilience to climate change.

This Earth Day, we invite you to see God’s beloved world with Easter eyes, to hear the calls of Earth Day with Easter ears, to regard the work of climate justice as Easter work, and to celebrate Easter by renewing your commitment to love the earth.

We give thanks for work and witness that is ongoing:

• The Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous Ministries offering witness and teaching to recognize that the purity of the land base provides for all our needs.
• The Pilgrimage for the Planet!, an ecumenical initiative, spearheaded by the Climate Justice Committee of the Eastern Synod of the ELCIC, that is organizing a bike journey and rally May 10-12, 2025.
• The ecumenical For the Love of Creation, coming together as people of faith in the hopes of making a meaningful contribution in the next decade towards a sustainable future for all life on the planet. This includes posting events and resources for Earth week – April 20 to 27.
• Creation Matters, encouraging Anglicans to engage in climate justice, including providing worship resources.
• The Parish Engagement Resource for Social and Ecological Justice, developed by ACC and ELCIC to help congregations with discernment and engagement around joint priorities.
• Task Force on Carbon Neutrality encouraging Lutherans to engage in climate justice, including posting monthly reflections.
• Zero Emission Churches, dedicated to taking action to reduce the greenhouse gases church buildings emit.
• Jubilee: Turn Debt into Hope, a global ecumenical initiative that calls for debt cancellation and systemic financial reform to address the debt crisis faced by the Global South and Indigenous communities.

We need each other as we work for climate justice—in all our diversity, creativity, humility and faith. We need the hope and energy of Easter as we make this long journey. Thanks be to God that we do not walk alone and that transformation is possible. Thanks be to God who calls us to bear fruit.

God of new life, we give you thanks for the Earth. Renew our hearts, minds, bodies, and spirits, that we may deeply know your love for all that is. Guide us as we strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth. Bless us with grace to hear your call to be a diverse, inclusive community that celebrates all and upholds life-giving relationships. Bless us with faith to follow you and help us to bear much fruit. Amen.

Yours in Christ,

The Rev. Susan Johnson
National Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

The Most Rev. Chris Harper
National Indigenous Anglican Archbishop
Anglican Church of Canada

The Most Rev. Anne Germond
Acting Primate
Anglican Church of Canada

The post Climate justice is Easter work, leaders say ahead of Earth Day appeared first on In Full Communion.

Clergy and congregation leaders are welcome to download and include the Easter message in local worship. The links below provide the message in various file sizes and formats. An audio-only version is also available for those with data and/or bandwidth limitations.

• Download video 720p (43MB)
• Download video 360p (16.6MB)
• Download MP3 audio only (3.4MB)

The post Joint Easter message from the Acting Primate and National Bishop appeared first on In Full Communion.

From February 1 to 7, people all around the world mark World Interfaith Harmony Week. It’s an initiative that arose from the United Nations in 2010, based on the desire to see people draw on the resources of spirituality, faith and religious traditions in support of the common good, rather than allowing those things to be co-opted to sow seeds or rivalry and violence, as they so often are. The year 2025 is the 15th anniversary of the launch of this global cause for justice and peace.

In the world of music, harmony refers to the idea that two or more distinct and often discordant sounds can be placed together in order to create a new and often more interesting sound. Each instrument or each voice needs to hit its own respective notes well to create this even more pleasing harmony. Applying this musical concept to world interfaith harmony, we hear a compelling call for how to engage in relationships between diverse religions and spiritual traditions.

Christians confess Jesus as a special incarnate revelation of God – divine wisdom lived out in human flesh. Yet we also know there are many beautiful expressions of wisdom in the stories, texts, ceremonies and spiritual practices of the vast human family. Jesus himself recognized this often and was unafraid to experience, affirm and learn from the truth and beauty found in the traditions and beliefs of others when he encountered them (Luke 7, John 4, etc.). We see the same spirit of openness displayed in the ministries and preaching of early Church leaders such as Peter (Acts 10) and Paul (Acts 17), among others. We can infer from these examples, therefore, that when we ourselves come to see such evidence of God’s self-revelation in the spiritual ways of others, we need not look at it as a threat or a challenge. Rather, we can understand it as another instrument to hear playing alongside our own musical melody, other notes to enjoy and to reflect on, both for the similarities and the differences they convey. Dialogue with and learning from others does not need to diminish the truth and uniqueness of our own particular song of faith. Instead, they can serve to enhance our mutual perception of the abundance of God’s mercy and grace.

We are grateful that, in these days of World Interfaith Harmony Week, members of our churches across Canada, together with many others around the world, are already planning to take part in multifaith opportunities, with open and generous hearts. We encourage many more to find occasions for engagement in your context. The struggles and sorrows of our world are too great for people of faith to respond to alone. In this time, when there are so many forces and factors at work that want to drive people into greater distance and distrust because they think and look and believe and pray differently from one another, World Interfaith Harmony Week is a witness to another way – one that is so desperately needed.

May God continue to lead us to live together in harmony, and in the fulness of time, conduct all things into their part of the great eternal symphony that is the reconciliation of all things. Amen.

Rev. Susan Johnson
National Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

The Most. Rev. Anne Germond
Archbishop and Acting Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada

The Most Rev. Chris Harper
National Indigenous Anglican Archbishop, Anglican Church of Canada

David M. Jones
President, Board of Elders Canadian District, Moravian Church Northern Province

To learn more and access resources on Christian interfaith relations, consider visiting some of the following links to a selection of local, national and international initiatives:

• Learn more about World Interfaith Harmony Week
• Visit A Common Word, designed to encourage and support Christian-Muslim dialogue
• Take a look at the ACC’s interfaith resources, including Guidelines for Interfaith Dialogue and Guidelines on worship involving Christians and people of other faith traditions
• Find out about ELCIC’s participation in interfaith dialogue
• Explore essays authored by Lutheran scholars on interreligious learning produced by the Lutheran World Federation
• Get connected to the work of the Canadian Interfaith Conversation
• Use resources from the Christian Interfaith Reference Group
• Find out about events offered by the North American Interfaith Network
• Learn about the Anglican Communion’s dialogue with Muslim and Jewish communities through the Anglican Inter Faith Commission

The post Leaders offer statement for World Interfaith Harmony Week, Feb. 1-7 appeared first on In Full Communion.

Dear Friends in Christ,

This past weekend, the world received the long-awaited news of a ceasefire agreement between the Israeli government and Hamas, to begin January 19. We welcome this ceasefire with gratitude and a renewed commitment to the work of building permanent peace with justice for Palestinians and Israelis.

Along with the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, we will continue to advocate and pray for this ceasefire so all violence is stopped, all captives are released, all Gazans may return to their neighbourhoods and what homes remain, and that sufficient humanitarian relief will flow. We will pray for all in regional political leadership, and for those who have worked tirelessly these past 15 months to serve others in dire need. We pray for all families, and especially the children whose lives have been taken or irrevocably changed.

May our offerings also continue through the Companions of Jerusalem, Alongside Hope, and Canadian Lutheran World Relief so that Al Ahli Arab Hospital, Augusta Victoria Hospital, Jerusalem Princess Basma Centre and all diocesan and synod institutions may reach Gazans and others in need of immediate and life-giving support.

We commend the following message from Archbishop Hosam Naoum for our prayer and solidarity in the days and weeks to come.

Lord, have mercy upon us,

Rev. Susan Johnson
National Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

The Most Rev. Anne Germond
Acting Primate, Anglican Church of Canada

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