Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Grace and peace to you in this season of Epiphany

Congregations around our Synod are setting aside next Sunday, the third Sunday in Epiphany, to remember and give thanks to God for the special gifts that Christ has given to his church: the gifts of apostles and prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. They will be praying that God would continue to bless His church with a rich supply of church workers who love the Lord and His Word and have a heart to reach out with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so pleased that your congregation will also participating. “The fields are white, but the labourers are few …”

In addition to a time for prayer and thanksgiving, this special Sunday, “Synod’s Recruitment Initiative Sunday,” provides an opportunity for the members of the congregation to again prayerfully consider whether there are any in their midst whom they believe God may be calling to serve as a pastor or church worker in His church. We will be asking you to identify these individuals to your pastor through the forms provided. The pastor, after discussing the opportunities of ministry with them, will forward these names to me so that together as pastor, congregation and Synod we can nurture and God willing, ultimately prepare these individuals for service.

May God bless this special Sunday of prayer and thanksgiving. May He give you the eyes to look around and see His gifts and may He continue to use all of us, whatever our calling, in such a way that the Good News of His grace and love in Jesus Christ is shared with the world.

Cordially in Christ,

Rev. Ralph E. Mayan, president