A Heart For Mission

What a great day I had at St. Paul’s in Steinbach this past Sunday!

It was good to see my old friend Pastor David Lowe who is providing intentional interim ministry in Steinbach, but also terrific to offer thanks and celebrate the gifts and support form St. Paul’s for Canadian Lutheran World Relief’s mission and ministry.

St. Paul’s supports the development programs of CLWR throughout the year. They also recognize CLWR as an effective partner in emergencies like the East Africa famine and Haiti earthquake relief efforts which they have supported with very generous donations. They don’t limit their involvement with CLWR to just international work. They have supported the Thunder Bay flood appeal and other domestic relief work.

Of course there is always great reason to support the loving and compassionate hands of the Lutheran Church Women as they participate in the We Care program.

Their heart for mission does not end with CLWR. The congregation remains involved with rebuilding programs in New Orleans and a variety of local ministry within and outside the congregation.

I had the privilege of speaking at both services and received a very warm and gracious welcome.

One great joy for me was seeing young people in church when there were no particular activities or reasons to be there. Some even stayed afterward and played hymns on the piano. It seemed they just wanted to be at church! Kids these days, what are you going to do?

Tom Brook

Community Relations Director

Sanctuary of St. Paul’s, Steinbach – T. Brook/CLWR

July 3: CLWR reception in Calgary

Dar al-Kalima gym under construction in Bethlehem. Photo: R. Granke

You are cordially invited to a Public CLWR Reception

featuring special guest speaker

Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb 

July 3, 7:30 p.m.
Foothills Lutheran Church
3104-34 Ave. NW, Calgary, AB

Rev. Dr. Raheb is the pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem and the president of the Diyar Consortium, a group of Lutheran-based, ecumenically-oriented institutions serving the whole Palestinian community. Rev. Dr. Raheb is involved in developing educational and employment opportunities for Palestinians and will speak about his partnership with CLWR in the creation of a new theatre, gymnasium, and women’s sports program at Dar al-Kalima College in Bethlehem. 

Admission is free and all are welcome. Please invite congregation members, family, and friends! We look forward to welcoming you to the reception.

Please download and print a poster for the reception, to display at your church.

They Said We Wouldn’t Survive

Lord of All Lutheran Church in Strathmore, Alberta. Photo: T.Brook

Lord of All Lutheran Church in Strathmore, Alberta began life as a double wide trailer hauled in from the BC mountains. Pastor Dawn Nelson told me the congregation wasn’t given much of a chance to survive. But today it has a modern sanctuaryin a new building, busy fellowship hall and a full calendar of activities for an active and growing congregation.

I was welcomed warmly and enthusiastically. The congregation and its members have a real heart for mission and demonstrate it through their interest in CLWR activities and their generous gifts.

Today I was able to tell them there were many Doubting Thomases like Thomas in today’s gospel. These people need to see Jesus’ wounds before they will believe. Today, one important way this can happen is if Jesus is seen to be alive in his followers. We can show that Jesus is alive and ever present among us by how we reach out and touch the lives of others who are suffering injustice and poverty; by how we respond in ways that bring hope to those who need hope the most. This congregation does that through CLWR.

I also had fun with the nineteen children who came forward for Children’s Time. We talked about mosquito nets and how a simple $10 net purchased with the pennies that no one thinks are worth anything anymore, saved lives of children like them.

It was a great visit and cupcakes with the post service coffee. It doesn’t get much better than that!

Tom Brook

CLWR Community Relations Director