photo jonn lavinnder

ELCIC CHURCH BULLETIN — Depicting "The Risen Christ," John 20:1-18. Stained glass window from St. Michael & All Angels, Kelowna along with images of Golgotha and the Garden Tomb in Jerusaelm on a starry sky background.

Our HighWay editor, Jonn Lavinnder, was selected to design the bulletin covers for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada for lectionary year Cycle C 2009/2010. Jonn has used stained glass windows as the theme for this Sunday bulletin series. Most of his designs use photographs of stained glass from mainly Lutheran and Anglican churches across North America.

For some of the bulletins, Jonn has chosen stained glass windows from Kootenay. For example, he has taken photographs of windows at St. Saviour's, Nelson and the Cathedral of St. Michael and All Angels, Kelowna. Because the gospel readings can be complex, he has had to contact many churches across North America and the UK in order to illustrate the texts. Jonn said, "The front of the bulletins contain the complete biblical text assigned for a particular Sunday; and the other side of the bulletin is blank, allowing churches to add their service information." He added, "I'm hoping more churches across Canada will send me digital photographs of their stained glass windows, because there is a good possibility I will design Cycle A as well, for lectionary year 2010/2011. Of course, I hope ELCIC will ask me to complete the 3-lectionary years."

The whole concept of using stained glass windows to depict the gospels is very appealing. Jonn has used other elements to enrich the images of the stained glass windows. In several designs he has incorporated stock photos of places in Israel that are mentioned in the text, and other times he has merged images of clouds, light rays, doves, water and stars. The majority of the lectionary texts for Lutherans are the same as for Anglican with a few exceptions, such as Reformation Day. Many Lutheran churches use the bulletins, but presently only a few Anglican churches.

Holmes Printing in Medicine Hat prints and distributes the ELCIC approved bulletins. Churches interested in obtaining them should call (403) 526-5937. Digital images of stained glass windows can be sent to thehighway@shaw.ca.

Retired clergy in Castlegar

Archbishop John meets with retired clergy and spouses

By Michael Karabelas

photo michael karabelas

RECONNECTING — Archbishop John, Garwood Russell, Randy Wood, Karen Pidcock, Nancy Wood, Dirk Pidcock, Jim and Colleen Hearne, John and Diane Pratt, Michael Karabelas.

On Wednesday, October 7, Archbishop John gathered with retired clergy and spouses at St. David's in Castlegar.

The day began with a Eucharist at 10:30 a.m. followed by a time for visiting, lunch and conversation with Archbishop John.

Our Diocese is blessed with many gifted and able retired clergy. They are a valuable resource for our Archbishop and to the parishes and congregations they continue to serve in many ways. Whenever the retired clergy gather with Archbishop John, there are hundreds of years of ordained experience and wisdom present. These gatherings are an opportunity for Archbishop John to show Diocesan appreciation for the past and continuing ministry of our retired clergy.

Discussion topics vary from year to year. Those gathered at Castlegar this year learned of how our Bishop had recently been elected Archbishop, discussed the newly formed Bishop's Committee on Ministry and shared with one another views as to the "health" of various parishes, congregations and the Diocese.