WHAT’S A CIRCUIT FORUM? and WHY WOULD I WANT TO GO?

3,000 kms is an enormous size for a circuit in LCC. Circuits are normally a distance that can be driven in 1-3 hours from end to end, and people can get to know other people, pastors and churches fairly easily. Our Ottawa Circuit is by far the most spread out in LCC, with 16 congregations serving in both official languages at 22+ preaching points in 6 provinces over three time-zones… whew!

Despite all that, we are bound together in part exactly because we have these great distances in common; yet we have been bound together even more strongly by a common confession of faith given to us by the Spirit through the Word, that is stronger than mere human ties. So we continue to work together as God gives us opportunity and to gather and rejoice in our unity and fellowship at these Circuit Forums twice a year, in person as we can and thankful for the ability to join together online when in person is not possible.

This Saturday October 19th, 2024, come join us to  hear God’s Word, sing and pray together, to learn more about the ongoing and new work of the churches and missions (and chaplains!) of the circuit, learn about and discuss current needs and opportunities to work together, and receive encouragement in the faith and for reaching out in Word and Deed with the love God has for us all.

COME HEAR, SING, PARTICIPATE and GROW TOGETHER

Last Spring, we met at Christ Lutheran Church in Petawawa, and we are so thankful for their hospitality.

This Fall 2024, our gracious hosts are the people and pastor of Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Ottawa ON. There are always changes in our circuit, including some you may not have heard about – and there may be ways we together can help, support and encourage each other in word and in deed.  You can help even just by joining the conversation, and you never know when what is going on somewhere else may turn out to help what is happening at your end of the circuit, or vice-versa!

Come in person if you can, but encourage everyone from your church to join us online too even if they can’t travel to Ottawa. We will provide as good an online participation as possible. Our Guest Speaker, Rev. Padre Vic Morris, will be joining us to help us learn about the work of LCC’s military chaplains (read more…) and how we can care for Military families in and around our congregations and to lead us in Bible Study. All this will take place in person, but the conversation will take place across the circuit!

SCHEDULE

(though our circuit spans 3 time zones – Eastern, Atlantic and Newfoundland – all times below are in the Eastern time zone; for Atlantic, please add one hour, and for Newfoundland, add 1.5 hours)

LCC’s Ottawa Circuit
2024 Fall Circuit Forum and Convocation
Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Ottawa ON
(Note: The church parking lot is at the read of the building, and accessible from Melbourne Avenue.)

9:30 – Arrive, coffee, fellowship

10:00 – Opening worship – Preacher: Rev. Milton Lam, pastor of Christ Risen Lutheran Church, Kanata

10:45 – 12:15 – Session 1 – Rev. Padre Vic Morris, on the work we are doing together as the Body of Christ in LCC through LCC’s military chaplains (read more…) and how we can care for Military families in and around our congregations – Presentation and Bible Study

12:15 pm – 1pm – Lunch and fellowship time together

1pm – 2pm – Session 2 – Our Life and Work together (“Reports” and “Business”)

2pm – 3pm – Session 3 – Continued discussion on “An Open Letter to the Pastor in a Post-Christian world by Gene Veith” — Don’t loose hope: times are changing – but can you see the new opportunities?

3pm – Closing prayer and benediction

3:15pm – Tidy up and head home!

ARE YOU A… (click on the triangle to learn more)

… member, deaconal worker or pastor of an LCC congregation in the Ottawa Circuit?

• You are invited to the 2024 Spring Circuit Forum!
• Please indicate if you will be attending in person (if so, stay for lunch?) or online. If possible, please register for in person or online by end of day, Sunday May 4th. If you miss the deadline, register as soon as possible and please come anyway!
• Each congregation of our Circuit is asked to send at least one lay delegate and one pastoral delegate (whether in person or online) as they are your ears and your voice in case any decisions need to be made and to bring news and opportunities back to those who could not attend.
• Did you know? These Official Congregational Delegates may be entitled to have their transportation costs covered if needed through a circuit-wide cost-sharing assessment program. (Please ask if you are unsure or have questions.)
• Please let us know in the comment box below if you know you will arrive late or need to leave early to help us plan the day.

… member, deaconal worker or pastor of an LCC or LCMS church NOT part of the Ottawa Circuit?

• You are invited to the 2024 Spring Circuit Forum too!
• Please register below and indicate your home church’s name in the comment box.
• We would be glad to have you with us (in person or online) and will get back to you with additional details if needed!
• Please indicate if you will be attending in person (if so, stay for lunch?) or online. If possible, please register for in person or online by end of day, Sunday May 4th. If you miss the deadline, register as soon as possible and please come anyway!
• To register to attend in person or online, please complete the form below.
• For online attendees, we will send out a link to join before the day of the Forum.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

A big huge thank you to Our Saviour Lutheran Church for being willing to host this Circuit Forum, to Pr Lam from Christ Risen in Kanata for taking on pastoral duties at the Forum, and to the supporters who are helping provide refreshments and lunch!

If you have any questions, suggestions, RSVPs, already know you will not be able to make it, or would like to offer to help, etc – please let us know in the comments box on the registration form below. God grant His blessings on our congregations and missions, people and pastors, missionaries, deaconal workers and chaplains, on our life together as His Church, and on our plans for our Forum!

All Glory be to God Alone!

— the Ottawa Circuit Ministry and Mission Support Committee

REGISTRATION