The Saskatoon Centre for Ecumenism
takes great pleasure
in introducing

Sister Anne Keffer
of the

Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

who will become Director
of the Centre as of september 1, 1999.

Sister Anne Keffer (formerly Associate Director) will begin her duties as Director (¾ time) on September 1. According to a slight shift of focus, as decided by the SCE Board and Local Church Leaders in the spring of 1999, she will spend more time in Regina during the coming year. There she will encourage ecumenical gatherings, workshops, and facilitate a shared ministry meeting among 3 congregations who are working toward a covenant relationship.

Sr. Anne Keffer completed her deaconess training at the Baltimore Deaconess School, and is an active member of the Lutheran Deaconess Community, ELCA (USA).

Sr. Anne comes to the Centre with an extensive ministry background, and has served in three provinces across the country; Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan. She has been a religious educator, youth minister, teacher, retreat director, spiritual director and more recently chaplain for both a high school and a retirement centre. In 1994-95 she was Schmeider Resident at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Saskatoon. Sr. Anne has a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Education, a Master of Education, and is currently completing a Doctor of Ministry. In addition, she has completed numerous professional development courses and seminars.

Sr. Anne's responsibilities at the Centre will include both inter-church relations and inter-faith dialogue. Her extensive experience in spiritual direction will strongly complement the assets of other members of the staff. Already widely known and respected across Canada, she is expected to be an active leader in the Saskatchewan church community.

To the best of our knowledge, Sr. Anne is the first Lutheran in Canada called explicitly for an ecumenical and inter-faith ministry. The ELCIC is one of Canada's smallest mainline churches. The appointment of Sr. Anne continues the great commitment that the Lutheran community in Canada and around the world has given to the search for Christian unity. The Saskatoon Centre for Ecumenism would like to thank Bishop Allan Grundahl and the Saskatchewan Synod, ELCIC for their assistance in the call and discernment process.

September 1, 1999