Dear Partners in Christ,

I am writing to you as a member of a congregation in the Eastern Synod and as a community of faith who have been partners in mission with Bishop Pryse for many years. As you are aware, Bishop Mike will retire this Fall, having served as the Bishop of the Eastern Synod since 1998. He will depart this office as the longest serving Lutheran Bishop in North America, having provided faithful ministry and excellent leadership to the pastors and congregations of the Eastern Synod, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, and the global communion of the Lutheran World Federation.

In honour of his ministry, Martin Luther University Collage is refurbishing the Casavant Pipe Organ in Keffer Chapel and rededicating it as the Bishop Michael J. Pryse Commemorative Pipe Organ. Given Bishop Mike’s love for congregational worship, the song of the people, and his longstanding support of Martin Luther University College, it is a fitting tribute for such a life of service. This appeal provides an opportunity to tangibly express our gratitude to Mike while supporting ministries which are close to his heart.

We are working to raise $10,000 to make this refurbishment and rededication possible. Beginning the week of Synod Assembly and continuing through the summer, we will be inviting the pastors and congregations of the Eastern Synod, and others with whom Mike has worked over these many years, to join us in this effort.

For those of you who are not familiar with the Casavant pipe organ in Keffer Chapel, let us provide a bit of background. This remarkable instrument was commissioned in 1974 as the centrepiece of Wilfrid Laurier University’s Church Music program. Under the direction of Dr. Barrie Cabena, the instrument was designed solely to support congregational worship and train musicians who would do so. It accomplished this through a simplicity of design and brilliance of tone that is truly remarkable. In the ensuing years, though the Church Music program was discontinued, the organ has consistently been used to support the worship life at Luther and Laurier and to nurture the development of young musicians. In recent years, the organ has also been employed in creative and collaborative efforts with other instrumentalists, supporting new expressions of worship and engaging an even wider community.

If you want to join us in this effort, there are several options for contributing.

https://secureca.imodules.com/s/1681/giving/19/form.aspx?sid=1681&gid=2&pgid=4917&cid=13918

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Also, please include an announcement in your congregational bulletins, inviting the members of our wider, synodical community to participate in this tribute.

Please consider making a generous gift in appreciation of Bishop Mike’s longstanding service and in support of ongoing ministries which have been so important to him.

This appeal is being pursued with Bishop Mike’s approval and any contributions exceeding the goal of the campaign will be set aside for the ongoing upkeep of the organ. Also, the rededication of the organ will be held at a special event scheduled for Sunday afternoon, October 20th at 3 PM at Keffer Chapel, Martin Lutheran University College. Further information will be forthcoming in September.

Thank you for your consideration of this request.

With fond regards,

Rev. Dr. Kristine Lund, Principal-Dean Martin Luther University College Campaign Coordinator

Rev. Dr. Mark W. Harris, Professor Emeritus Campaign Coordinator