Spring Ottawa Circuit Forum: Preparing Delegates for Convention

by Rena Detlefsen and David Milette

On Saturday May 23, pastors, lay delegates and members of the mission stations and congregations of LCC’s Ottawa Circuit are invited to the 2026 Spring Ottawa Circuit Forum (or convocation) at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Petawawa, ON. We will learn more about how the upcoming LCC Convention (June 12-15) in Winnipeg will work, and we will get to know the resolutions as submitted by congregations from across Canada, as well as various boards and commissions of our synod. The important topics to be addressed include the following:

• confessing Christ and His Word in the midst of confusing and daunting social issues
• strengthening and providing for ministry and mission
• declaring publicly Altar and Pulpit fellowship where – and only where – God has already established it
• as well as various proposed improvements to our LCC Handbook, reflecting how we have chosen to walk together as congregations and pastors of our common confession of faith, from coast to coast.

We will also participate in Bible studies on related themes. It will be a time of thinking beyond our Circuit and walking together in the light of the Word of God—with the Gospel of the salvation of sinners in Christ at the centre of everything. Presentations and Bible studies will be divided among the pastors of Ottawa Circuit.

As you can see on the map above, the Ottawa Circuit is unofficially the East Region’s ‘everyone else’ circuit—spanning over 3,000 kms, six provinces, three time zones, and Canada’s two official languages, with 17 member congregations and 24 preaching points scattered over this vast area, including missions, small and established congregations located in large urban centres, rural towns, and remote locations.  Pastor David Smilek, our Circuit Counselor, puts it this way: “I think it is exactly because of the great distances in our circuit that walking together is such a practical and precious reality for us. So, we do what we can to find ways to support one another and to work together whenever possible.”

For decades now, the Ottawa Circuit has set apart the Circuit Forum immediately preceding a convention to prepare lay and pastoral delegates—and everyone else, to make the best use of this time of service to Christ and His Church. As at all our bi-annual Circuit Forums, people attend in person—if they can, or online—individually or in groups, if they cannot come in person. This allows folks from our most remote congregations to benefit easily also.  Attendees consistently report that these preparatory sessions have been invaluable, that they help to make the convention something to look forward to, and bring alive the issues that are before us alive. This May, we will again come together to explore and talk through the upcoming business and issues, looking to our Triune and Living God to bless, guide and help us.

Let’s admit it: the Convention Workbook with all its reports, resolutions and lists of delegates and positions to be filled can appear more than daunting, but one of the very purposes of our walking together as a Synod is to do together what we could not do (or could not easily do) alone!  This work is an important opportunity to serve one another near and far, proclaim together the truth of God’s Word, and care for our fellowship – and we only get to do this once every four years.  We pray that, at this Forum too, we will be able to build each other up to make our participation helpful, constructive, and meaningful!

Is your circuit (or perhaps two or three neighbouring circuits) interested in hosting a forum or convocation—to benefit your congregations and their delegates as they prepare for the 2026 LCC Convention?  The Ottawa Circuit Ministry and Mission Support Committee (also serving as the Forum Planning Committee) would be happy to help in any way we can. Reach out to Mr. Ron Groskleg, Forum Chairman and Ottawa Circuit Lay Rep to the RMMC, at groskleg@gmail.com.  You can also visit our Circuit website to see what we are up to for this Forum and previous Forums: https://OttawaCircuit.LutheranChurchCanada.ca.

Rena Detlefsen and Rev. David Milette are members of Ottawa Circuit Ministry and Mission Support Committee 

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