Lutherans for Life-Canada hold joint event with EDLYA, consider Christian response to end of life issues

LFLC President Richard Juritsch introduces keynote speaker Dr. Leah Block.

ST. CATHARINES, Ontario – Lutherans for Life-Canada (LFLC) held its Annual General Meeting on November 2, 2019 at Grace Lutheran Church in St. Catharines, holding joint sessions with EDLYA (East District Lutheran Young Adults), who were holding their Fall Retreat at the church over the same weekend.

“It was a joy to partner with the East Region’s Lutheran young adults for this discussion of end of life issues and the Word of God,” said Rev. Richard Juritsch, President of LFLC. “Young or old, all Lutherans benefit from having a clearer understanding of the sanctity of life and our calling as Christians in a secular world. May God bless the work of both EDLYA and Lutherans for Life-Canada as we encourage Christians to remain faithful to the words of Scripture.”

EDLYA members joined LFLC for a service of Matins, with Rev. Juritsch serving as liturgist and Rev. Ken Maher of Collingwood, Ontario serving as guest preacher. Following a brief break, LFLC and EDLYA welcomed their joint keynote speaker, Dr. Leah Koetting Block, who spoke on the Christian response to physician assisted suicide and euthanasia in a talk entitled “Misguided Mercy.” Participants heard the current status of federal and provincial laws on end-of-life issues before Dr. Block delved into the Scripture’s witness on the sanctity of life.

Participants in the LFLC and EDLYA events shared a joint lunch together before their schedules diverged for the rest of the day. EDLYA participants heard Dr. Block provide more detail on the conference theme, before holding their own AGM later that day.

LFLC’s business meeting took place following lunch, during which time members heard reports and conducted elections.  Re-elected to the Board of Directors were Linda Welke of Good Shepherd (London, Ontario) and Rev. Juritsch of Grace (\St. Catharines, Ontario). Newly elected to the Board was John Krim of Our Saviour (Etobicoke, Ontario). Upon hearing various reports of the officers of LFLC, the membership discussed different possibilities of carrying out LFLC’s mandate to educate Lutherans on life issues. The Board of Directors of LFLC will soon appoint members of the Board to serve as officers of the organization.

Lutherans for Life-Canada is a listed service organization of Lutheran Church–Canada.

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