SPECIAL MEETING OF MEMBERS - OCTOBER 18TH 1PM
Updated: 2 days ago
Special meeting of Members letter:
AFTER WORSHIP SERVICE
SPECIAL MEETING OF MEMBERS
OCTOBER 18TH 1PM
REGISTRATION 12:10PM TO 1PM
Usual zoom link below
Please be sure to participate in the upcoming Special Meeting of Members of St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Latvian Church of Toronto on Sunday October 18th. The outcome of the vote will dramatically affect our future. The Board recommends that you vote to approve the resolution to list Saulaine for sale. Every vote is important.
Read also:
REGISTRATION 12:10PM TO 1PM
USUAL SAME ZOOM LINK AS FOR WORSHIP REOPENS AFTER WORSHIP
AT 12:10 FOR REGISTRATION
ZOOM LINK:
Meeting ID: 870 9668 2659
Passcode: 9412720609
LOCAL NUMBERS: 647 374 4685 / 647 558 0588
please join the zoom during the registration time 12:10 - 1pm
you will need to wait in the waiting room to be let in
and be ready to unmute when you're let in to confirm your registration
Additional information / files :
September 8, 2026
Dear Members of the Congregation,
You are hereby invited to attend a Special Meeting of the Members of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Latvian Church on Sunday, October 18, 2026 at 1:00 pm.
The purpose of this meeting is to complete the vote on the resolution presented to the Congregation at the Special Meeting of Members held on April 19, 2026. As you may recall, the voting process at that meeting—which included in-person, Zoom, and proxy participation—encountered a number of difficulties and ultimately did not produce a conclusive result.
The resolution seeks approval to list the Saulaine property for sale. The wording is unchanged from the resolution presented at the April meeting. Council recommends that Members approve the resolution.
Background
Over the past 20 years, Saulaine’s role and relevance to our Church’s mission have diminished significantly. There has been no summer camp at Saulaine since 2019 and only a small and declining number of Church events are held there each year.
At the same time, Saulaine has operated at a financial loss in each of the past 20 years, with these losses being covered by the Church’s resources. The property’s buildings also require significant maintenance, investment, and renovation to bring them to a reasonable standard.
Our Church does not have the financial capacity to continue absorbing Saulaine’s operating losses while also making the substantial investments the property requires.
Our Church at 200 Balmoral Avenue is more than 60 years old and itself requires significant maintenance and investment. We can no longer afford to adequately support both properties. Continuing to do so places the long-term financial stability—and ultimately the continued existence—of our Church at risk.
We must remember that we are, first and foremost, a church. Our financial resources must be directed toward sustaining our congregation and ensuring that our Church remains strong and viable for future generations.
Exploring Alternatives
The Strategic Review Committee has held two Town Hall meetings and actively sought Members’ input on alternative, practical solutions for Saulaine. To date, no viable alternatives have been identified that would address the property’s ongoing financial losses and significant capital requirements.
Voting Process
Following the difficulties experienced at the April meeting, a new voting process has been established to accommodate both in-person and ZOOM participation while providing an efficient, secure, and auditable method of voting.
Council strongly encourages Members to attend the meeting in person whenever possible. However, proxy voting and participation through ZOOM will also be available.
To help avoid the difficulties encountered in April, enhancements have been made to both the registration and proxy processes. Members participating through ZOOM will cast their votes using the ElectionBuddy platform. Detailed instructions are included in this meeting package.
Meeting Materials
The following materials were included with notice:
Special Meeting Agenda
Resolution to be decided
Proxy Form and Instructions
Voting instructions for ZOOM participants
PowerPoint Presentation with map, background and rationale for the resolution
Council recognizes that the future of Saulaine is an emotionally significant matter for many Members. We therefore encourage all Members in Good Standing to carefully review the materials provided, consider the best use of their annual givings and other donations, reflect on the financial and practical realities facing our Church, and thoughtfully consider the resolution before exercising their right to vote.
Your participation and your vote are important to the future of our Church.
Sincerely,
Anda Kuksis Kalvins
Council Chair
Comments