Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ.

Once again congregations across our Synod set aside the 2nd Sunday in Epiphany to celebrate Synod's
recruitment initiative-RSVP. I am pleased your congregation will join in that celebration.

We have so much to celebrate. Only two weeks ago we celebrated the reenactment of the Saviour's
birth and were led in worship to marvel at the grace and love of God given in the Child born in
Bethlehem. And now in this season of Epiphany we celebrate the Good News that God's gift is not just
for a few, but for the whole world and that we, His children, have the privilege of sharing that Good
News With Great Boldness.

To assist the church in accomplishing this, our Lord instituted the Office of the Public Ministry and
continues to give gifts to the church of pastors, deacons and other church workers. He gives them birth
in the local congregation and He gives to us the privilege of identifying and preparing them for service in
the Kingdom.

Next Sunday you will have the opportunity to participate in this latter task. We will ask you to consider
whether there are any in your church family whom you believe God may be calling to serve as a pastor
or deacon. (Why not take a look right now?) You will be asked to write that name or names on a
special form to be provided and to pass it on to your pastor. After he has had the opportunity to speak
with those identified regarding their nomination, he then, with their permission, will pass their name on to
me so that together as congregation, pastor and Synod we can nurture and God willing, prepare them
for service.

So join me in praying that God will bless next week's special recruitment Sunday throughout our Synod.
May He give us the eyes to see His future gifts in our midst. And may He continue to use all of us, no
matter what our calling, so that the Good News of His grace and love in Jesus is always proclaimed
With Great Boldness.

In Christ,

Rev. Dr. Ralph Mayan, president
Lutheran Church-Canada