We, the Conference of Bishops, including the National Bishop, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and the Primate and Metropolitans of the Anglican Church of Canada, met in Niagara Falls, Ontario, October 4-5, 2026, as part of marking the 25th anniversary of our full communion relationship.
We met to celebrate and renew our experience of joint witness and shared ministry and to reaffirm our belief that unity in Christ is not simply about practical collaboration but a gift of grace that strengthens the Church in serving the world God loves.
In our time together we spoke of how our churches are navigating significant changes and reassessing how best to use resources as we seek new ways to proclaim and embody the Gospel in rapidly changing contexts across Canada.
We spoke of our shared desire to foster healing and reconciliation between Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous people, acknowledging the role our churches played in causing harm. We spoke of our distress at the violence, intimidation and despair being inflicted upon our sister churches in Palestine and upon Palestinian people as a whole. We spoke of our hope that Canada will remain a strong and united voice for justice and peace.
Our conversations were honest and thoughtful, and our time together deepened our personal friendships and the bond between our churches and provided an opportunity that helps us build and partner in ministry.
At a time of great political, economic and ecological uncertainty, and of growing distrust among nations, communities and institutions, our witness of full communion matters more than ever. In choosing cooperation over competition and shared life over isolation, we offer a small glimpse of God’s healing and reconciling vision for all.
As our country looks forward to Thanksgiving weekend, we give thanks for the gift of 25 years of full communion between Lutherans and Anglicans in Canada.
Yours in Christ,
The Most Rev. Shane Parker
Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada
The Rev. Dr. Larry Kochendorfer
National Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
The Most Rev. Chris Harper
Presiding Elder of Sacred Circle
The Rev. Kathy Martin
Bishop of the British Columbia Synod
The Most Rev. John Stephens
Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province
of British Columbia and Yukon
The Rev. Trish Schmermund
Bishop of the Synod of Alberta and the Territories
The Rev. Dr. Ali Tote
Bishop of the Saskatchewan Synod
The Most Rev. Gregory Kerr-Wilson
Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province
of Northern Lights
The Most Rev. Anne Germond
Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province
of Ontario
The Rev. Jason Zinko
Bishop of the Manitoba/Northwestern Ontario Synod
The Rev. Carla Blakely
Bishop of the Eastern Synod
The Most Rev. David Edwards
Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province
of Canada