Hi, I’m Pastor Elly McHan, and while I’ve lived around the world, Edmonton—and the University of Alberta—was home during my undergrad from 2001-2005, and I returned to Edmonton in 2019 to make it home once more. I am excited this fall to also return to the University of Alberta as the ELCIC Lutheran Chaplain. 

Post-secondary studies are such an exciting and transformative time in people’s lives—it’s a time of asking big questions, growing in new directions, and discerning who you are created and called to be—in, with, and for the world. I love getting to be one of the people who’s there to accompany, to listen, and to hold space with individuals in the midst of big questions. I love bringing people together to support each other as we grapple with these big questions in community. I love sharing good food, curating creative worship, and learning with and from the people I meet along the journey.

I am thankful for the opportunity to advise and support our Lutheran Student Movement student group and to accompany the student residents of the Intentional Christian Community at Martin Luther House just off campus. Together with these students, we will continue to host Tuesday Night Suppers and worship together on Sunday evenings during the academic year. 

I am proud to join this community that is committed to being welcoming, open, and affirming to all 2SLGBTQIA+ siblings in Christ, reflected in its membership in the Reconciling in Christ Community. Ecumenism and interfaith cooperation are also deeply important to me, and I’m excited to be working with Interfaith Chaplains’ Association at the University of Alberta and look forward to exploring new and renewed partnerships with our full communion partners.

Prior to accepting the call to Campus Ministry with Lutheran Campus Ministry-Edmonton, I served with the community of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, west of Millet, AB; as Campus Pastor at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, a small liberal arts college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA); and in Jerusalem as Assistant to the Bishop for English-Language Communications with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL), through the combined Global Mission Unit of the ELCA/ELCIC. 

I enjoy walking (especially in the river valley); weaving; gardening (and composting); all things sourdough; making music with my spouse, Rob; and camping and travelling as a family with our three kiddos! In addition to our immediate family, we are so grateful that we get to be surrounded by so much extended family in Edmonton, including 7 grandparents, four siblings and siblings-in-law, and three niblings! 

I would love to meet you for a coffee, take a walk together, or gather in my office for one-on-one conversation!