Delegate Diary: Rejoicing in Hope at the ELCIC National Convention

The Diocese of Algoma is grateful to have The Rev. Brad Mittleholtz, Pastor of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, serving as a delegate to the 2025 Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) National Convention, meeting this week in Winnipeg.

As part of the Full Communion relationship between the Anglican Church of Canada and the ELCIC, Brad is representing Algoma in this important gathering of worship, discernment, and decision-making.

This triennial gathering brings together over 200 delegates, staff, visitors, and guests under the theme “Rejoicing in Hope.” For the ELCIC, this is a significant moment of transition as National Bishop Susan Johnson offers her final report after 18 years of faithful leadership, and the convention prepares to elect a new national bishop.

We asked Brad to share his experiences from Winnipeg as part of a Delegate Diary, giving us a glimpse into the prayers, conversations, and worship shaping this event.

Here is Brad’s reflection from the opening day of convention:

Day 1: Rejoicing in Hope
(by Brad Mittleholtz)

I was moved with the procession of women clergy, colleagues, friends, mentors at the beginning of our time of worship. I witnessed the living body of Christ as one after another I saw gifted women in ministry who said yes to the church after years of rejections and closed doors. Seminary professors, bishops, missionaries, pastors and deacons, ecumenical workers in the wider church. I haven’t known a church not to ordain women but Bishop Susan reminded us of a time that wasn’t so and how significant the contribution of women are to the church. Over 40% of the rostered ministers are female and 2/3 of the house of bishops are female.

Today’s work was also to receive reports from our National Bishop and to engage in a process with a new ELCIC task force: Facing Today – Dreaming for the Future. This task force over 3 years will guide the church in a process of discernment and change, reporting back at the 2028 National Convention.

And we sang and sang. I love my Anglican church, but there is something about when Lutherans gather and lift up our voices in song. As I was told in my youth days, “when you sing, you pray twice” and therefore we prayed a lot. Most stirring was the singing of Beautiful Saviour a cappella interspersed throughout National Bishop Susan’s report that offered hope grounded in the Saviour who calls, loves and equips the church. Our evening prayers ended scripture prayer and songs. Our closing song to the tune familiar to Anglicans (The Day Thou Gavest) with new words enfolded us in prayer as some of us went to socialize and others off to sleep as Day 2 calls with a full agenda from early morning into the evening.

Blessings,
Brad

Follow along with the livestream and learn more about the convention at elcic.ca/national-convention.