Crossword
Volume 4, Issue 4   February 24, 2010
Inside
Conventional Wisdom
Cameroon Update
Meal Teams for the Urban
Christian Ethics Course Reminder
Yooth Loops
At the Gimli Youth Retreat
From the Lakeside
Human Trafficking Workshop
Christianity Explored
Jesse Tree Back With a Mission
Church and the Movies
On-line Learning Opps
LTS Study Conference
CLWR Welcomes New Team Member
Haiti Appeal Update
Schmieder Resident
Help with Confirmation Research
Trouble with Peacemakers
We Care Brochure On-line
Pray for Peace
Job Opps
CrossWord is a bi-weekly publication of the MNO Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.
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Cameroon Companions, A Mission Exposure Trip

On Friday, February 12, ten people from our Synod were "sent off" to strengthen our MNO Synod partnership with our Companion Synod church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Cameroon.

Leaders, Tracy Shachtay and Kelly Speak are supporting the participants in three partnership areas:
1) The Orphan Program
2) Women in Leadership
3) Evangelism and Cathechetical Training
While communication from the Cameroon can be a challenge at times, click here to follow their blog so far.

 
Christian Ethics Course Reminder
Course: Christian Ethics
Date: March 19-20, 2010
Friday 6:30-9:00 pm; Saturday - 9:00 am -4:00 pm

Place: St. Luke Zion Lutheran Church
2903 McPhillips Avenue, Winnipeg

Facilitator: Pastor David Lowe

Registration Fee: $65.00 (includes lunch)
There are still spots available. Please register by March 10, 2010.

Students will become familiar with policy documents of the ELCIC in areas of Sexual Harassment and Abuse and Protection of the Vulnerable.  They will develop self-care strategies to maintain healthy boundaries. Students will reflect on the implications of the Ten Commandments for contemporary life. The course will provide opportunity for disciplined reflection on vexing ethical issues such as sexual ethics, sanctity of life, political witness, and economic justice. 

This course was originally integrated with the “Boundaries and Ethics” requirement of the Certificate in Lay Ministry. The other components (Discipleship) will be included under Leadership, Governance and Polity at a later date.

The text is "Moral Dilemmas, an Introduction to Christian Ethics", by J. Philip Wogaman. It is available from Augsburg Fortress.
Download and print registration here

multiplying Ministries
 
Lutheran Youth Gather for Gimli Retreat

Posted By Roger Newman - Interlake Spectator
Gimli was the site last weekend of a three-day retreat attended by 75 members of the Lutheran Evangelical youth group in Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario.

Rev. Larry Ulrich and student pastors Jason Zinko and Philip Penrod led retreat discussions and Bible studies to encourage the young people to think about their spiritual lives and develop a stronger sense of faith.
Read entire article here

photo by Roger Newman

Spectator
Yooth Loops

March Youth and Campus Service
March, 21 at 6:30 pm at
Lutheran Church of the Cross, 560 Arlington St.

Prairie Fire Auditions
Are you a lead guitarist, drummer, or vocalist?

Prairie Fire, our Synod Youth Band will have openings for these positions for next season. The MNO Synod Youth Committee invites application letters for these positions to be emailed to lulrich@elcic.ca by February 28, 2010.

Your letter of application should include:
-Name, contact information and congregation that you are from
-Why being a part of the Prairie Fire ministry would be of interest to you
-Musical training and experience
-Experiences of how your faith and the church have been significant in your life

 
Lakeside

A Record Breaking Year
On February 14th, 2010, Luther Village held their annual Ice Cream Social at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. Over 300 people enjoyed ice cream, carnival games, prizes, food, fellowship and the community feeling for which Luther Village is known. It was a fun-filled afternoon for the entire family that featured an amazing concert with family entertainer, Fred Penner.  We were able to hear such songs as The Cat Came Back, Sandwiches and my personal favourite, Ghost Riders in the Sky!

There were many new faces, and they clearly heard talk and excitement from past campers about returning to camp this season. One camper said to me - “I have been waiting to go back to camp since November!”  He was pretty much jumping for joy at the thought of camp time coming soon.

It was evident from the popularity of the event and these responses that the community building during the winter months is as important as the ministry that happens at camp.

Thank you to St. Peter’s for the use and hospitality of the Church, as well as to ALL our volunteers and board members who helped. And a big thank you to Kim for all that she does for Luther Village.

See you at camp!
Megan

Staff Applications
You are invited to work or volunteer at camp! Anyone interested in staffing positions (must be 18), volunteering (must be 16) and Leaders-In-Training participants, we are accepting applications NOW!

Deadline for staff applications is February 28, 2010. Pick up an application from our website www.luthervillage.ca or call the camp office for more details and applications.

Luther Village 2009 Annual Report
Read it here

 
Haiti Appeal Update

CLWR Appeal for Haiti surpasses $1 million
The Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) Appeal for Haiti has now raised just over $1 million. Launched on January 13, one day after a devastating 7.0 earthquake rocked Port-au-Prince and the surrounding area, the appeal has received an outpouring of support from across the country. Donations have been received from individuals, congregations, church groups, schools and Faith Life branches.

CLWR has been working with other members of Canadian Churches in Action (CCA) to apply for additional matching funds being provided by the Manitoba government and Canadian federal government. To date, an additional $89,000 has been granted to CCA from the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation. A further $1.9 million has been requested from the Canadian International Development Agency. A decision on that application is expected on February 26.

CLWR and CCA will be supporting the work of the ACT Alliance in Haiti. Several ACT members have been on the ground in Haiti providing immediate emergency relief including the Lutheran World Federation (LWF).

The proposal submitted to CIDA seeks government matching dollars to provide materials for temporary and transitional shelter including tool kits, kitchen kits, hygiene kits, tarps, rope, and metal roof sheeting. The project will also provide safe, reliable drinking water and sanitation services and help families improve their health and physical security as they cope with the disaster and begin rebuilding their lives.

CCA is in the early stages of formulating a proposal for long term recovery that will focus on the need for permanent housing. It is hoped that government matching funds will be eventually made available for this type of work. Collectively, the Haiti appeals of CCA member churches and agencies have received $15 million.

You can continue to follow updates on Haiti at www.clwr.org.

CLWR
Church and the Movies

Why the need for Christian Video Licensing International
It's becoming more common. Pastors use portions of movies to enhance sermon points. Sunday School teachers and childcare workers play a full-length feature. Youth leaders show the latest videos. Educators use movies to train and inspire.

What's The Big Deal?
Most of us fast-forward right through that FBI warning at the beginning of videos and DVDs. Ever wonder what it actually says? The Federal Copyright Act of 1976 stipulates that pre-recorded videocassettes and DVDs are authorized for personal home use only. Special permission must be granted for any public performance—and that includes churches. Violations can result in substantial fines, up to $30,000 per infringement.

The Church Video License
Now, there's an affordable, convenient solution. Christian Copyright Licensing, Inc. (CCLI) and Motion Picture Licensing Corporation (MPLC) have partnered to create Christian Video Licensing International (CVLI) and the Church Video License, which offers blanket copyright coverage for video titles from more than 50 producers.

Find out more
Christianity Explored

Leslie Poulin is looking for the study Christianity Explored to borrow, preferably from a congregation in Winnipeg so that she can pick it up. We would like to go through it after we finish our Alpha course.

Contact Leslie at stpauls.lutheranchurch@gmail.com

 
On-line Learning Opps

We have a whole bunch of online learning opportunities coming up for both rostered and lay leaders, beginning March 2. There are both single online workshops and a couple of workshop series. They all include a combination of webinar presentations, live online chats, networking through a dedicated social networking site, a copy of a book, permission to use the recorded webinars in their own teaching with their own leaders, and study guides to help them do that. They are designed to help leaders learn to work in more organic, emergent, lifegiving ways.

We are finding that this kind of learning is not only super convenient for people, it is good stewardship of time, money, and the planet’s resources (since you can get good learning without having to fly/drive/etc.)!

Here’s the link to a web page describing the workshops. Feel free to share this with your leaders. http://www.arenewalenterprise.com/online-workshops-for-faithbased-leaders.html

A Renewal Enterprise
The Trouble with Peacemakers

Four Lenten Talks about The Lives of People in Difficult Times

March 3 - The Venerable Bede: Singer & Scientist
March 8 - The Luthers at Home: Martin & Katie
March 17 - Richard Hooker: Holding the Centre In Crisis
March 24 - Susanna Wesley: At Home with the Gospel

All talks from 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Church of St. Stephen & St. Bede
99 Turner (near Ness & Mount Royal)
For further information call 204.837.9812

View poster here
ELCIC Encourages Congregations to Pray for Peace

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) encourages all congregations to designate the second Sunday of Lent, which this year is February 28, to pray for peace for all people in the Holy Land.

The call comes in response to a motion passed at the 2009 ELCIC National Convention. The motion, titled “An ELCIC Convention Resolution on the Holy Land,” encourages the ELCIC to, “call on its members to regularly pray for peace for all people in the Holy Land, especially the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, and to designate a Sunday annually for prayers in the congregation across the ELCIC.”

The ELCIC’s Program Committee for Worship (PCW) has prepared a number of resources for use in congregations and in other settings. Congregations are encouraged to include the following prayer petition (or the full prayer - link is available below) in their worship on February 28:

Holy God, Sovereign of the universe, we pray for the peace of the Middle East and of the whole world which you love so much. We pray especially for the city of peace, Jerusalem, Jeru-Shalom, Jeru-Salaam, holy city to Christians and Jews and Muslims, a city which knows too little peace. God, in your mercy, HEAR OUR PRAYER.

The full version of the prayer, along with addition resources for use, are available online at: http://www.elcic.ca/Documents/PrayersfortheHolyLand.pdf

The second Sunday in Lent was chosen because of the first readings from the lectionary, all of which are from the book of Genesis and concern God's covenant with Abraham and Sarah of promised descendants and land (Year C Genesis 15: 1-12, 17-18, Year A Genesis 12: 1-4a, Year B Genesis 17: 1-7, 15-16).

Future dates designated for prayers for the people of the Holy Land will be March 20, 2011 and March 4, 2012.

 
Conventional Wisdom

Convention
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path
~ Psalm 119:105 ~

13th Biennial MNO Synod Convention, April 22-25, 2010
Gloria Dei, Winnipeg

Important Notice
To all members of MNO Synod congregations:
The MNO Synod Committee on Nominations is seeking candidates for positions on the following:
• MNO Synod Council
• Committee for Theological Education and Leadership
• Committee for Youth Ministry
• Committee for Worship & the Arts
• Committee for Church & Society
• Committee for Christian Education
• Committee for Mission
• Lutheran Theological Seminary - Board of Governors.

If you or someone you know has an interest in any of these areas, please contact the synod office (204.889.3760) by March 10.

Thank you for your consideration!

See details of the positions to be filled, and position descriptions attached.

Nominee Biographical Data
Positions for Election or Appointment
Position Descriptions
Follow the 2010 MNO Synod Convention online here.
 
Meal Teams of the Urban

The people of the Urban have truly been blessed by the many meal teams who are serving at the Urban. What is a meal team? The teams are comprised of members of various congregations who come together to make a meal for the Urban each month. The Urban serves three meals each and every week. I wish to offer some insight to the meal times and how they can fluctuate in numbers.

We have a Wednesday evening meal that is for the community. This is the same night as the Kids Club and so we see a fair number of children on this evening. Our average number of people in attendance is forty-five, although we have on occasion seen as many as sixty. Thursday evening is also quite busy. We did try to hold a youth mentoring program but it was not moving along as anticipated. Our volunteers came up with the idea of Bingo night at the Urban. There is no money charged to join in and we have whole families who enjoy this time. We have small prizes that people can select from and there is something for everyone. We do hope that we will be able to develop the youth program in the future and this is one way to get them to come to the Urban initially. We now see around fifty-five people on this evening. Sunday we have around sixty people who attend the Urban for the Sunday meal, but we have had over ninety on some occasions.  

Our meal teams select a day for providing the meal. We know that there is a lot of thought and planning that goes into each meal. We suggest that people plan for the following numbers. Wednesday we suggest that groups plan to feed at least sixty people. Sunday groups are advised to plan for at least seventy to eighty people. There can be fluctuations in the number of people in attendance. If the week is one where there is a cheque release date, the numbers may be slightly less. If there is a week where the money is tight in the community, we can have many more people come for a meal.

So, with all of the possibilities, how do the meal teams know how many to prepare for? We have plenty of experience in dealing with the “unexpected” for meals. We have discussed what would constitute a good serving portion and we have basically come up with the following. For soup we recommend a serving of one and a half ladles to begin with. Depending on the thickness of stew and chili, the same measurement would apply. If the chili or stew are really hearty, then a ladle full may be enough if accompanied by a bun or a sandwich.

It is also important to know what the “givens” at the Urban are. We have a population that has a large number of people with mental health concerns. This can result in some “strange” behavior that has resulted in the individual being kicked out of other missions etc. This in turn means that there are some people that do not eat from Thursday until our Sunday meal. We can not serve them more or others become frustrated so we try to ensure that servings are consistent. It is for this reason that second servings are offered. We try to ensure that those who may not see a meal until the next Urban meal receive enough to keep going. These individuals will often ask for a container for the second serving so that they will be able to eat within that period of time. We have had to deal with what can only be described as downright bad behavior by some of the people who attend the Urban. This does not usually happen with our regulars but there are some who demand seconds prior to seven-thirty on week nights. We try to hold off on seconds until at least 7:30 p.m. as there are some individuals who are walking to the Urban from further away. We have one family that comes from St. Vital if they have the bus fare to do so.

If there is “too much food” then people are given the opportunity to have seconds if it appears that there is enough for all to have a second serving. If there is not enough to serve everyone a second time, we then put the food into plastic containers to go home with individuals. We have one family where the father is confined to a wheelchair and is unable to attend the Urban due to the physical limitations presented by the stairs. We also have people with elderly family members who are unable to attend the Urban, and we also have some very large families that may be able to use the food that is left.
We are not only blessed by the groups that attend the Urban, but, we have also been blessed by many people from the rural areas. We were most delighted to receive 80 pounds of stew made by people that Gord Emberley had presented to in the Lac du Bonnet area. This is a most wonderful gift as when we do not have a meal team, we are able to provide a delicious and nutritious meal to the community. We are now down to the last of the buckets of stew and we can not fully express our gratitude to the members of Lac du Bonnet Lutheran Church of the Cross congregation, and the high school students who participated in this endeavor. Thank you again for your most generous gift to the Urban.

Thank you to all of our dedicated meal teams. You have made an incredible contribution to the community served by the Urban. Many people have stated that the food at the Urban is the best and the people serving it are so nice and caring.  You are part of the Urban community and you are truly valued as such. God’s love is very apparent at the Urban. I thank you for this great blessing.

LUM
Jesse Tree is Back With a Mission

Siloam Mission in fact! We're having some special guests out from Siloam Mission, and a guest speaker, Larry Updike will be part of the service.

Everyone come on out on March 20th (yes that's a Saturday) for some good music, great friendship, and the ever-awesome Word.

It's at 7pm at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Selkirk, which is on Main Street, just at the outskirts on the south end of town.

Jesse Tree

Siloam Mission
CLWR Welcomes a New Team Member

CLWR is pleased to announce the appointment of Lyn Stienstra to the position of Director of Finance. Lyn brings to CLWR an extensive background of experience working with for-profit and not-for profit organizations as well as experience working with all three levels of government. Most recently she served as the Chief Financial Officer of the Winnipeg Folk Festival.

Lyn will begin her duties with CLWR on March 15.

 
ELW Workshop on Human Trafficking

The Evangelical Lutheran Women groups of Thunder Bay are holding a joint day-long workshop on the subject of 'Human Trafficking'. ALL women are welcome.

It is taking place Sat. Feb. 27, at Hilldale Lutheran Church, on the corner of Hilldale and Wardrope Roads, beginning at 10 a.m. Please bring something to share for the potluck lunch.

 
LTS Annual Study Conference May 4-6, 2010

Lutheran Theological Seminary
114 Seminary Crescent, Saskatoon, Sk
presenting…

SatterleeRev. Dr. Craig A. Satterlee“Preaching in These Days: The Story We Live By...”Hebrews 2:1 “Therefore we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.”

Lecture 1
The Saviour before Moses: The Need to Preach Jesus as Saviour
Lecture 2
Have You Been to the Tomb Lately? Testify to What You Have Seen!
Lecture 3
The Sermon Ain’t Over When It’s Over: We Empower Others and Model for Them Speaking the Gospel in the World

Registration – Tuesday, May 4, 9:00 a.m.
Accommodation
– limited available at Luther Res;  phone 306-966-7898; email: luther.res@usask.ca
Parking
– permits for Lot E (adjacent to Seminary), will be sold at registration, permit cost is $15
Alumni Reception – TBA
Hordern Classic Golf Tournament
- TBA
Schedule & Further Info
– email:  lutheran.seminary@usask.ca; phone: 306-966-7850

~all lectures free of charge, open to all and held in the LTS library~ Funding for the Annual Study Conference has been generously provided by FaithLife Financial

View the entire brochure
LTS
Schmieder Resident

The Lutheran Theological Seminary is now receiving applications/nominations for the Schmieder Resident for the 2010-11 academic year. The person selected will be a pastor-in-residence, a friend and companion of students, a tutor in spiritual formation and direction. 

Normally, the Schmieder Resident also teaches one elective class (in the area of his/her expertise and filling the needs of the Seminary curriculum. This is a one-year term position. 

The application deadline is April 23, 2010. To apply for this position please send letter of application (there is no application form) to: Rev. Kevin Ogilvie, President, Lutheran Theological Seminary, 114 Seminary Crescent, Saskatoon SK, S7N 0X3; phone 306.966.7850; fax 306.966.7852; email: lutheran.seminary@usask.c
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Read entire description
Research on Confirmation - Please Help

Dorina Brown, member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Camrose Alberta is writing a research paper on Confirmation in the ELCIC, and exploring ways the Church can engage youth post-confirmation to further help them grow in their relationship with God.

She is asking members of the ELCIC from across Canada to help her by completing a survey on Confirmation. This survey targets those who have completed Confirmation, those who haven't, and even those who have left the church.

If you would like to help her with her research, please complete the survey by March 15th by going to http://confirmationsurvey.weebly.com. If you have any question, please feel free to contact her via the website.

 
Updated We Care Brochure Now Available Online

Supporters of the We Care Program of Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) should visit the CLWR website (www.clwr.org) to download the recently revised We Care information package. The updated document includes minor changes to the content of some of the kits, new instructions on how to pack some of the kits as well as revised information about how to get the kits to CLWR’s Winnipeg warehouse.

Patrick Stewart, coordinator of the We Care program, is busy these days preparing for the next overseas shipment. Approximately 14,000 kilograms of materials, including some medical equipment and supplies contributed by International HOPE, will be on their way to Nicaragua within the next few weeks.

For more information about the We Care program, please visit www.clwr.org/What-We-Do.

We Care
Job Opps

Ministry Opportunity in the Diocese of Rupert’s Land
The Parish of St. Bartholomew (Winnipeg)
Full Time Parish Priest


The Parish of St. Bartholomew is seeking a new incumbent who is well grounded and educated in Anglican liturgy and theology, who can motivate and empower lay ministry and leadership, and who relates well to a multi-generational congregation and neighbourhood. This well-organized team player possesses strong pastoral and communication skills, and is a good teacher. The new incumbent will respect tradition while also ‘reaching forward to what lies ahead’, and will be committed to exploring missional models of church.

Interested persons may request a complete parish profile and the procedure for making an application from:
The Bishop’s Office
935 Nesbitt Bay
Winnipeg, MB R3T 1W6
204.992.4212 or e-mail: ssuppes@rupertsland.anglican.ca
The deadline for receipt of applications for the position of Incumbent of St. Bartholomew, Winnipeg, is Friday, March 5, 2010.
Read more here

 
Canada Lutheran

The deadline for submissions for the next issue of Canada Lutheran is March 1, 2010.
Please send submissions to
Rick Scherger.
He can be reached at the MNO office at 204.889.3760 or by email at rscherger@elcic.ca.

Canada Lutheran
MNO Synod office hours
Monday - Friday
9:00 am - 12:30 pm CST
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm CST

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Christian Education on-line
Training packages now available! These packages have been developed so they can be delivered as a workshop by your own local Sunday School leadership, but can also be read just for its content.
View modules here.

Download the Sunday School Curriculum Comparison Chart here
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Multiplying Ministries
Multiplying Ministries
More information here
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Synod Youth and Campus Services
Service time change - 6:30 pm
March 21
Lutheran Church of the Cross
April 18
Ostenfeld Lutheran
May 16
St. Mark's Lutheran
ELCIC
MNO Synod
Click on a link above to go to the ELCIC or MNO website's.