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Lutherans Concerned / North America (LC/NA) celebrates the announcement that Lionel Ketola, has been called to serve the people of God by Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Eastern Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), located in Newmarket, Ontario. Lionel received his Master of Divinity degree from Lutheran Theological Seminary at Saskatoon. He was approved for ordination by Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries (ELM). Lionel is openly gay and legally married to Steven Loweth.
The vote to call Lionel was taken on Sunday, April 20, 2008, and passed with 90% approval. The newly minted but vastly experienced pastor will be installed on May 18. The ordination "extra ordinem" will be held at 7:30 pm on Friday, May 16, at Trinity United Church, 431 Park Avenue, Newmarket.
Lionel will take on the dual roles outlined by Holy Cross in his call documents: Associate Pastor of Holy Cross and Ambassador of Reconciliation to the ELCIC. He will work with the Senior Pastor to support Holy Cross' ministry of word and sacrament as a way of modeling reconciliation and full participation, as well as support Holy Cross' education, outreach and global justice ministries. He will also serve specifically deployed within the ELCIC as an Ambassador of Reconciliation to proclaim the reconciling love of God, embodying God's inclusive and reconciling embrace for all who struggle with their place in the Lutheran churches. Lionel is one of the chaplains serving Hearts on Fire, the 2008 LC/NA biennial assembly and RIC convention, San Francisco, July 3–6.
Lionel said, "I feel very privileged to be called by such a courageous congregation, to embody grace and gospel and advocate for the full inclusion of queer people in the life and ministry of our ELCIC. I feel proud to be a part of Holy Cross. And I feel proud to be part of the queer community, to be called as an openly queer man by Holy Cross to help our ELCIC more deeply integrate and celebrate the gifts of sexuality and spirituality. I am excited about the scope of this ministry which will include word and sacrament ministry in congregations throughout the ELCIC, increasing the number of Reconciling in Christ (RIC) congregations, challenging existing RIC ministry settings to deepen their welcome and advocacy, and broadening our grassroots leadership base for RIC ministry and advocacy work in the ELCIC."
Emily Eastwood, LC/NA Executive Director, said, "Lionel is a long-time member of LC/NA. I have known him since 1990 and have admired his tenacity, his courage, his obvious and strong call from God and his commitment to answer that call despite the personal cost. The members of Holy Cross led by their pastor, the Rev Dawn Hutchings, made a remarkable and careful journey to acceptance and public welcome. Through engagement with the Gospel, with Lionel and Steve, and with other LGBT people, the members of Holy Cross have been moved by the Holy Spirit from acceptance to advocacy. Calling, ordaining and installing Lionel as pastor are prophetic acts grounded in their deep faith and their calling from God to be a people who live the Word.
About ELM
ELM certifies the credentials of openly lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender candidates for ordained ministry in Lutheran churches. ELM states that it is a hopeful alternative for openly queer people who wish to serve publicly in ministry and refuse to comply with the ELCIC's policy that requires lifelong celibacy of its LGBT ministers. ELM candidates are ordained "extra ordinem" (outside the regular rule) under a provision in "The Book of Concord: The Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church" that allows congregations to ordain when bishops will not. The Book of Concord consists of 10 documents recognized worldwide as the statement of Lutheran doctrine since 1580. Lionel is the first ELM candidate to be called to ministry in Canada.
About RIC
The Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Program of LC/NA mentors, assists, and recognizes congregations, synods, and organizations willing to make an affirmative and public welcome of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. The RIC roster now exceeds 400 settings of the Lutheran communion including the Eastern Synod of the ELCIC which passed a qualifying affirmation of welcome in 2004.
About Lutherans Concerned
Lutherans Concerned / North America works for the full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Lutherans in all aspects of the life of the Church. Lutherans Concerned provides a place of comfort and safety. LC/NA reaches out and teaches that Christ's message, the Gospel, is for everyone equally. Lutherans Concerned calls for the blessing of committed same-gender relationships, and for the ordination of otherwise qualified candidates for ministry in such relationships.
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