SASKATOON — The annual fall gathering of Lutheran and Anglican women in Saskatoon was held on Oct. 18, 2025, in the welcoming Fireside Lounge at Redeemer Lutheran Church. There were 33 in attendance from Saskatoon and surrounding areas.
Our leader for the day was the Rev. Dr. Ann Salmon, the director of the lay ministry program for the Saskatchewan Synod of the ELCIC and currently providing ministry at St. Martin-in-the Field Anglican Church in Pike Lake, and in Watrous at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran and All Saints Anglican.
Using the words of the hymn “Christ, Be Our Light” (No. 715 in the cranberry ELCIC hymnal) the women were led through its five verses to consider how, turning to Christ, we ask Him to be our light so that we can shine His light in the world. How then, as people of God, are we Christ for others?
Through word and Scripture, and through song, questions and discussion. Ann led us through the themes of the verses in our longings for light, truth, peace, hope, food, shelter and belonging. We discussed our own do-able roles, now and in time to come, to bring the light of Christ through acts of justice, and the provision of food, shelter, compassion, hope, peace and freedom.
We confirmed through the study that, as Christian women we are the light of the world, we are Christ’s living voice, we are Christ’s bread, broken for others, we are Christ’s building, we are servants one to another.
Each woman prepared a visual chart, a take-home poster, of photocopied line drawings representing the themes; while they used markers and pencils to colour the drawings and glue them to posterboard, they spoke amongst their table groups of their own do-able things to be the light of Christ.
Realizing that although we know we want to help and make a difference, and that we often do not know exactly what is needed, the committee prepared and handed out a page listing many Saskatoon organizations and their suggested list of donated items of which there is need.
For the annual mission project of the fall retreat, the committee chose to highlight the Church in the Hood Warm-Up Bus, which is exactly what it says, a bus for shelter in the freezing winter nights, offering welcome and warmth.
Ralph Nicotine comes from the Red Pheasant First Nation; he is a hip-hop artist and works full-time jobs on top of his volunteer work with the Church in the Hood Ministries. Ralph is the driving force behind the school bus converted to a warm-up bus where hot coffee, soup, and sometimes a sandwich or a pastry are provided to those who come.
And they come — as many as 100 each night the bus runs. But it is about more than shelter from the cold — it is about the mental health issues of trauma, addictions, and being unhoused. It is about vulnerability, survival, compassion, empathy and hope.
The bus offers rides to overnight shelters and keeps a stock of jackets, blankets and toques to give away. Ralph touched our hearts with his gentle and honest compassion; the women at the gathering responded with many questions as to how they could help, in addition to collecting a cash donation of nearly $500.
If you are moved to help, do an online search for the ministry. The needs of the people are immense; keeping the bus running is costly; repairs and fuel are uppermost.
A meaningful worship service closed the retreat and reinforced the learnings of the day through word, song and Communion.
“O God of power and might, your Son shows us the way of service, and in him we inherit the riches of your grace. Give us the wisdom to know what is right and the strength to serve the world you have made, through Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen”
