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On May 16, 2008, the people of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Newmarket Ontario, took an exciting step and ordained Lionel Ketola, an openly gay married man, to the ministry of word and sacrament, reconciliation and justice-making. Holy Cross’s call and ordination of Pastor Lionel is a hopeful sign that the vision of a more inclusive church is possible!
Pastor Lionel Ketola was called by Holy Cross to serve as Associate Pastor and as an Ambassador of Reconciliation throughout the Evangelical Lutheran Church In Canada (ELCIC), advocating for a church which fully embraces the lives, gifts and ministries of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
Learn more about Pastor Lionel’s ordination.
Announcement - February 14, 2009
It is with deep sadness that Holy Cross Lutheran Church announces the
departure of Pastor Lionel Ketola from the position of Associate Pastor of our
congregation and as our Ambassador of Reconciliation to the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in Canada.
We are grateful to Pastor Lionel for this ministry which embodied the
inclusive vision of so many and offered hope to all those who are working to make
the ELCIC a church where all God’s children are free to respond to God’s call to
ordained ministry. We give thanks to Pastor Lionel for his willingness to share his
considerable talents in this important ministry.
We pray that God will continue to bless Pastor Lionel in whatever ministry
he undertakes in the future.
We trust that the model of inclusiveness that this ministry of reconciliation
bore witness to will continue to inspire hope in those who work for justice in both
the church and the world.
We wish to thank all those who supported this vital ministry with their
prayers, their presence, their gifts, their talents and their treasure. We give thanks
to God for each and everyone of you! We also offer our thanks to our partners in
this ministry, for without the support and guidance of Extraordinary Lutheran
Ministries and Lutherans Concerned North America our vision of inclusive ministry
could not have become a reality.
Holy Cross will continue to heed God’s call to be ambassadors of
reconciliation. We trust that God has great things in store for our congregation as
we seek opportunities to work with our sisters and brothers in the ELCIC to make
our church a place where it can truly be said, “As many of you as were baptized into
Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no
longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ
Jesus.” (Galatians.3.27-28)
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Please follow this link for the departure announcement.
Please follow this link for a letter from the Bishop Michael Pryse.
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