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Thanking Bishop Michael Pryse

okt. 3, 2024 Eesti Elu Nr. 40 2024

The Toronto Vana-Andres congregation has benefitted greatly from the relationship with Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) Eastern Synod Bishop Michael Pryse, who retired this year on September 28th after 26 years at the helm.

Members of the Board of Vana-Andres visited the Office of the ELCIC Eastern Synod in Kitchener on December 1st, 2023, to consult on numerous issues with Bishop Pryse. Among them were procedural issues regarding the changes in the Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, and how best to recruit a new minister for our congregation. From left Ilmar Lepik, Tõnu Naelapea, Riina Klaas and Bishop Michael Pryse. During the visit Bishop Pryse reflected on his association with Vana-Andres, and confirmed his warmth and sense of humour, remembering how he and Archbishop Udo Petersoo, before Bishop Raudsepp’s funeral were looking for a believable excuse to slip out of the meeting of the clergy for a smoke. Archbishop Udo Petersoo enjoyed his pipe, as we know. Bishop Michael Pryse has long since given up the need for a cigarette fix. Photo: ELCIC

He was elected Bishop of the Eastern Synod in 1998. His connections with our congregation go even further back, he was among the officiating clergy at the funeral of Bishop Karl Raudsepp in 1992. 

Bishop Pryse developed a close and friendly relationship with our own Archbishop Udo Petersoo over the decades. Many of us fondly remember his warm speech at the congregation’s 50th anniversary service in our church on Jarvis Street in 1999, as well as his eulogy at our beloved Archbishop’s funeral in 2006.

His wise counsel and support throughout the years has been invaluable.

When demographics led to the financial reality forcing the sale of our church, Bishop Pryse was instrumental in ensuring that the congregation would gain the most financially from the transaction. His wise counsel and support throughout the years has been invaluable. We wish the best in retirement, although clergy never truly retire, they are always in the service of our Lord and His flock. The Vana-Andres congregation is looking forward to continued co-operation with Bishop Pryse’s successor, Bishop-Elect Carla Blakely, who came to us from her ministry in Saskatchewan, commencing work in the Eastern Synod on September 25th, with Bishop-Emeritus Pryse working with her in tandem to ensure a smooth transition.

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