Report of the Committee for Mission

Members:         Rev. Matthew Diegel (Chair)                   Tim Lach                                  
Randy Loeb                                          Kelly McCormack Speak
Rev. Stacy Moroz

Synod Council Liaison:  Pastor Michael Kurtz
Synod Mission Consultant:  Pastor Larry Ulrich

Committee meetings are electronic and in person

1.  Highlights during the last biennium including information about ecumenical/wider church partnerships as well as tasks and/or events that focus on ministry that is fulfilling in God’s mission in the world, and what God has been doing through their committee work and mandate -  The Committee for Mission continued during the past biennium to assist the synod in fulfilling God’s mission in the world in four principal areas: Mission In Canada, Global Mission, Young Adult Ministry, and Campus Ministry.  To achieve this vision, it:

• provided Partnership Support funding for Chinese- Winnipeg; Hilldale -Thunder Bay (2008 only); Street Reach Ministry – Lutheran Community Care Centre, Thunder Bay through synod budget and national CECF (Church Extension Capital Fund) allocation/reserves
• provided Partnership Support funding for The Urban – Winnipeg (2008), through CECF; note: in 2009, advised Synod Council that no further CECF funds available, due to funding guidelines; as part of that, requested SC to move synod funding out of CM synod budget line and into general synod budget, similar to funding for Luther Village (both incorporated with own board of directors) – approved by SC, along with new funding arrangements
• shared 5% of yearly national CECF allocation with BC Synod committee for mission, partnering to assist this small synod in its many mission opportunities
• provided funding for part-time interim pastorate of Pr. Bill Flath at Advent – Thompson, with goal of establishing vision plan, through Small and Struggling Congregations appropriated fund and Pr. Bill Riekert bequest
• allocated funds to help with 2008-2009 internship in Brokenhead parish, through Small and Struggling Congregations appropriated fund
• provided funding for Congregational Initiatives, through CECF:  assisted Epiphany – Winnipeg in purchasing used school bus for youth activities; assisted Northwest Interlake parish and St. Mark - Winnipeg with brochure outreach; assisted First – Winnipeg with neighbourhood hospitality campaign
• provided Congregational Initiative funding for 2008-2009 internship in rural Beausejour parish, including help with survey work in Garson/Tyndal areas, through CECF
• approved Congregational Initiative funding for Salem – Pass Lake to assist with new signage (completed project on own)
• provided funding for Pastor David Saude’s attendance at 2008 ELCA Mission Developers’ event, through synod budget and CECF
• through Pr. Larry, David Stewart, held Winnipeg – area Chicago Mission Developer event reunion
• co-sponsored ‘Miracle Gro’ event with Anglican diocese of Rupert’s Land; encouraged rural congregations to attend
• partially funded attendance of Ruth Vince and Pr. Leslie Poulin as synod’s participants in Tansi event, Jan. 22-24, 2009, Saskatoon, through CECF
• supported Pr. Larry, Ruth, and Pr. Leslie, in follow up to this event, as resources for congregations for mission planning in the area of ‘community organizing’
• advertised availability, through ABT Synod, of Canada Census programme for use in defining demographic context of congregational building area
• invited congregations to share samples of their advertising, through ‘CrossWord’
• continued to support Winnipeg Sage Creek and Waverley West discernment groups re new ministry developments in those areas
• submitted, through Pr. Larry, proposal to CECF committee for designation of future funds re Sage Creek development
• designated synod appropriated fund – Mission Development for Sage Creek ministry development ($50,000)
• co-sponsored ‘Churches Starting Churches’ workshop, Pr. Keith Zeh, guest speaker, plus had Pr. Keith available to dialogue further with those interested in this topic, including Sage Creek and Waverley West groups
• encouraged Pr. Larry in his involvement with Metro Conference area strategy planning
• sponsored 2 lay leaders’ participation (Kelly McCormack Speak and Tracy Shachtay) in a Mission Trip planning seminar
• provided funding for Kelly and Tracy to attend 2009 Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cameroon’s youth conference, July 19-25, and to plan and lead, with assistance of Pr. Larry, synodical 2010 Cameroon Campanions:  Mission Exposure Trip (CCMET)
• provided funding for synodical Young Adults’ winter retreat, through synod budget
• approved start-up funding for 2009 Young Adults’ conference with Pr. Chad Moir, through synod budget
• provided oversight and support, through a sub-committee, for peer campus ministry
• provided funding for training and honorariums for peer ministries at Brandon, UW, UM, and Lakehead, through synod budget

 

2.  Mission and Ministry initiatives in the next biennium that address our theme and vision:  In Mission With Others – Led by God’s Word -  The Committee for Mission will continue to assist the synod to be in mission for others in four principal areas: Mission In Canada, Global Mission, Young Adult Ministry, and Campus Ministry.  For 2010-2012, the vision, in progress, is that the committee will:

• work with the Synod Council, in the light of Synod Council envisioned significant reductions proposed in 2011-2012 for  synod budget’s ‘Column A’ funding, to secure existing/alternative resources for continuing/envisioned ministries in all areas of mandate;  including through reallocation of spending; and through ‘Mission as Hope’,  ‘Companion Synod’ and ‘MNO Synod Foundation’ resources
• provide Partnership Support funding (on a declining basis) for Chinese – Winnipeg and Street Reach – Lutheran Community Care Centre, Thunder Bay, through synod budget and CECF
• with recovery of CECF investment income, issue invitations once more for Congregational Initiative proposals
• provide increased funding and leadership for Sage Creek ministry, while continuing to explore Waverley West opportunities for mission
• provide mission training opportunities for clergy/laity
• share 5% of yearly CECF allocation with BC Synod, up to a maximum of $750 annually
• assist with follow up to CCMET trip, through expanded Companion Synod sub-committee
• expanded CS sub-committee to include at least one participant from each of the three areas of the CCMET: Orphanage, Women and Theology, and Evangelism; and one other CM member as a liaison
• determine the role of the committee in terms of Global Mission interpretation, with this area of ministry now being administered through the ELCA
• work with Synod Council to implement proposed synod Young Adult facilitator position, as it relates to campus ministry and young adult ministry
• provide funding for training/stipends for university peer ministries
• appoint a CM member to be a member of the University Peer Ministry sub-committee