ELCIC Parish Calls First ECP Candidate – from the Spring 2006 LCC Newsletter

Dear Friends:
In an overwhelming show of support, the congregation of Holy Cross voted today (Feb 12, 2006) to call Lionel Ketola as our Intern under the Extraordinary Candidacy Program (making Lionel the first in Canada) The vote surprised everyone: just one person voted against the motion.
                        Pastor Dawn Hutchings

A Newmarket, Ontario parish has become the first ELCIC congregation to call an openly queer-identified Intern from the roster of the Extraordinary Candidacy Project (ECP). In an overwhelming show of support, Holy Cross Lutheran church in Newmarket Ontario voted to call ECP candidate Lionel Ketola as its Intern. This marks the first time a Canadian congregation has taken such a step and represents a significant development for the Extraordinary Candidacy Project (ECP).

The ECP was founded in 1993 as a movement of “ecclesial disobedience” to the unjust policies of the Lutheran churches which require lifelong celibacy of openly queer candidates serving Lutheran congregations. The ECP certifies and rosters openly-identified queer pastors and seminarians who refuse to be in compliance with ELCIC and ELCA policies which require that they hide their sexual orientation, marriages and families from their congregations and church officials. Almost 40 ECP pastors and seminarians are rostered with the ECP, many of whom are currently serving at various ministries in the ELCA. Lionel is the first Canadian seminarian to have requested inclusion on the ECP roster. Holy Cross is the first Lutheran congregation in Canada to have called an ECP candidate as an intern.

Lionel, (43), married to Steven Loweth, a 41 year old music publisher, began his ELCIC candidacy process in 1985 and graduated (M Div) from the Lutheran Seminary in Saskatoon in 1990. Due to Lionel’s openness regarding his sexual orientation his endorsement for ordination was removed in 1988.

Following seminary, Lionel worked for the next fourteen years in the non-profit sector through a variety of social service and church-related organizations, and later retrained as an arts therapist. In April 2004 Lionel was endorsed with the ECP as a candidate for ordained ministry. Having already completed his seminary education all that remained was completion of an internship in order to advance to the approval phase of the ECP candidacy process. Finding a placement became a two-year project for Lionel, who spoke with many congregations in an effort to find one that would welcome an intern from the ECP roster.

“This is a huge break-through for our Canadian sisters and brothers,” said the Rev. Jeff R. Johnson, President of the ECP Board of Directors. “We are pleased that Holy Cross has taken this important step and that the ECP is able to expand its witness in this way.”

Pastor Dawn Hutchings, serving Holy Cross Lutheran Church, is excited about this new direction in ministry for her congregation. “Throughout this process, the leadership of the congregation has presented this ministry opportunity not only as a call to Lionel but as a call to the entire congregation to this exceptional ministry,” she pointed out. “The overwhelming vote (only one dissenter) represents the congregation’s determination to engage in this powerful witness to the LGBT community, the ELCIC at large and the suburban community in which we serve.” “This opportunity would not have been possible,” she explains, “without the ongoing support of advocates and friends across Canada and in the United States. We are delighted to be upheld by such a crowd of witnesses!”

“Without the support of Lutheran Lesbian and Gay Ministries (LLGM) this internship would not have become a reality” Lionel offered. At it’s January meeting in San Francisco the Board of Directors for Lutheran Lesbian and Gay Ministries voted to approve funding for the landmark internship. Lionel offered that “Holy Cross has taken a courageous step modeling a vision of Gospel which could have a powerful impact on the wider community and especially for all who have been hurt by the church ”.

Lionel was installed as Vicar at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Newmarket ON on Sunday April 2nd, at 4:00 pm.