First Extraordinary Ordination in Canada! – LCIC News

April 20, 2008

The people of Holy Cross Lutheran Church have issued a call to Lionel Ketola to serve as Associate Pastor. This call is in violation of the ELCIC’s discriminatory policy of excluding “self-declared and practicing homosexuals” from the office of ordained ministry. Called as an Associate Pastor, Lionel will be deployed as an Ambassador of Reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:16 - 21) within the Eastern Synod and beyond to the ELCIC. As an Ambassador of Reconciliation, Lionel will work to promote the full inclusion of lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender people in the life of the ELCIC. Lionel will be ordained extra ordinem on Friday May 16th at 7:30 pm at Trinity United Church in Newmarket.

The People of
Holy Cross Lutheran Church
of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
cordially invite you to attend the
 
Ordination Service
for
Lionel Ketola

Emily Eastwood, LUTHERANS CCONCERNED/North America Executive Director, said, "Lionel is a long-time member of LC/NA. I have known him since 1990 and have admired his tenacity, his courage, his obvious and strong call from God and his commitment to answer that call despite the personal cost. The members of Holy Cross led by their pastor, the Rev. Dawn Hutchings, made a remarkable and careful journey to acceptance and public welcome. Through engagement with the Gospel, with Lionel and Steve, and with other LGBT people, the members of Holy Cross have been moved by the Holy Spirit from acceptance to advocacy. Calling, ordaining and installing Lionel as pastor are prophetic acts grounded in their deep faith and their calling from God to be a people who live the Word."

Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries
Lutherans Concerned/North America
Holy Cross Lutheran Church
Invitation to the Ordination Service