An Introduction: Imagine that you are a robber. In front of you are two identical houses. The one on the left has a tall concrete fence, security cameras, an alarm system and a vicious sounding dog. The one of the right has a small picket fence, a tiny poodle and a pie cooling in an open window. This is not a trick question – which house would you try to break into?
When we presented this introduction of the SafeTeen program
to leaders of Femmes Pour Christ groups in Ngaoundéré the first day we arrived, they responded enthusiastically, “the second house, the one on the right!” This allowed us to dive into discussion about how we can partner in the coming months to help young women learn skills to become “hard houses” to break into. It is our shared reality that as girls and women in Canada and Cameroon, we are socialized to behave in ways that make us vulnerable to acts of violence – that make us more like “easy houses” to break into. The good news is - we can learn skills that will make us more confident, less vulnerable - and we can practice them and teach them to our sisters and brothers.
It was a mere hours after our 15 hour train ride to Ngaoundéré that Katharine, Kelly and I had our first meeting with the Femmes Pour Christ, and by our second day we had scheduled a 3 evening journey to nearby Touboro to visit the Young Women’s Centre that does work in the area of violence prevention. All three of us will travel there this coming Monday to gain insight on how the SafeTeen program will best translate to Cameroonian culture. By Wednesday we hope to facilitate a workshop (en français!) with the girls who attend the centre daily. When we return, Kelly and I will begin the development of “SafeTeen Cameroon” based on what we learned in Touboro and previous visits to Cameroon. Katharine will have the opportunity to meet with women who are currently in their internships with l’Église Évangelique Lutheriène au Cameroun (EELC), some of whom are preparing for their possible ordination this coming May
Since arriving we have benefitted from the gracious hospitality of our ELCA partners in World Mission – Anne and Willie Langdji, and have been welcomed and well taken care of by our own Jack and Val Frederick who are nearing the end of their 4 month stay here.
Coming here we were unsure how two young, independent, white women from Canada would be received offering violence prevention skills to women. We’re happy to report that we have experienced acceptance and excitement from women and men who are quick to offer support to help this project succeed.
We are excited for the upcoming weeks and ever thankful for your support and prayers.
Lisa Janke, Kelly Speak, and Rev. Katharine Bergbusch
Our goal is to take us 'beyond the fortress' (or the walls of our churches) to respond to people/situations in the wider community/world and integrate this into our worship. We are conscious of the fact that many of our churches are not large. We are working at making the worship something that everyone can take and use in their own parishes - no matter how large or small.
2012 Confirmation Camp at Luther Village
Date: August 26-29/12 Cost: $165.00/person
The last week of August is again set aside at Luther Village for Confirmation Camp. Last year, under a baptismal theme, some 50-60 youth and leaders participated from the Metro and Brokenhead conferences. The camp does the food and recreation pieces. Pastors/Leaders from participating congregations do the program sessions.
Please indicate if you want to participate in 2012. A planning meeting for those who are able to attend is tentatively scheduled following the March 8th Metro Ministerial gathering at Gloria Dei.
The invitation to participate is extended to any MNO congregations/parishes.
To confirm, or if you need more information, please email Annemarie MacIntosh at allifepastor@mts.net
Companion of the Worship Arts – Call for Nominations
The Program Committee for Worship, on behalf of the National Bishop, calls for nominations to the Companion of the Worship Arts. This is an honour conferred in recognition of significant contribution to the worship life of the ELCIC at a local, synodical, and national level. The honour recognizes the recipient’s ongoing inspiration and encouragement to others, together with service to God through worship, spirituality, and the arts.
Please include these supporting materials with your nomination:
Reasons for the nomination; i.e., biographical material with a listing of the person’s specific contributions to the worship life of the ELCIC (examples should include national, synodical, and local involvements)
An indication, with examples, of the ways the person continues to inspire and encourage others in the worship life of the church
A minimum of three letters of support for the nomination from others familiar with the individual’s contributions.
The honour will be conferred at the ELCIC/ACC National Worship Conference in Winnipeg, June 29-July 2, 2012 (www.nationalworshipconference.org). Current members of the Program Committee for Worship are not eligible for nomination.
Send nomination materials by February 15, 2012 to Carolyn Speakman at carolyn.speakman@lethbridgecollege.ca or 312-7 A Avenue South, Lethbridge AB T1J 1N5
Yooth Loops
1) INFORMATION for the CLAY 2012 Gathering Hyperlink 2.012 can be found at www.clay2012.ca Keep watching as information is posted.
2) REGISTRATION HAS BEGUN and continues until June 30, 2012 (or when capacity is full)
Cost of the gathering is $375 per person not including accommodation which must be booked separately
3) THERE ARE THREE NEW THINGS at this Gathering - how home teams are put together, online registration, and "specialist home teams". The information from the website about what's new is below.
What’s New? Home Teams The basic home team structure for CLAY 2012 has changed from past gatherings. Instead of Home Teams being limited to a certain number of leaders and youth (which made large youth groups break up in to many Home Teams) we are now allowing a Home Team to have any number of people in it (within reason and with a few simple rules).
One Home Team Leader, over 21 years old, will create a Home Team on the online registration page and serve as the main contact for that team. Then, for every leader who registers (over the age of 18) up to eight youth can also register. So, if your group has 2 leaders it can have up to 16 youth. If you have 4 leaders you can have 32 youth registered in your Home Team. Nice and simple. If you have female and male youth in your Home Team you are no longer required to have both male and female leaders. We believe that it is desirable to have the most experienced and trusted youth leaders attending the gathering with their youth, regardless of what the group’s gender balance is. It is the responsibility of the congregations and dioceses to approve and endorse their Home Team Leaders.
Please note that when booking accommodations the same old rules apply. Males and females can not share rooms and leaders can not stay in the same room as youth under any circumstances. For more information on the new Home Team structure and for registration details check out the Registration section of the site.
Online Registration Online registration will make it easier for Home Teams to enter their information with the registrar. Please note that some paperwork and payments still have to be mailed in. Watch for details and a Registration Guide to be posted. Registration is open now.
Specialist Home Teams A Specialist Home Team is a new team made up of youth, selected from across Canada, age 14-18, who will be involved directly in leading the CLAY Gathering, while having the opportunity to participate in many of the usual Gathering activities like a regular Home Team. You apply as an individual (NOT as a group) to be part of a Specialist Team. The four specialist teams will work in the areas of: Late Night Spots, Stage Production, Hospitality and Communication
As a member of a Specialist Home Team, you will be working with 7 other youth in your area of specialty. You will have two Home Team Leaders: one is a young adult who will be with your team at work and in residence for the whole week (including the pre-gathering training time and throughout the gathering). The other is a member of the Planning Committee who will coordinate your work schedule, assign roles and help develop your skills in your specialist area. For more information please see the Specialist Home Team section of the site.
4) TRAVEL TO THE GATHERING can be self arranged OR by BUS TRIP which is again being planned by the Synod Youth Committee. Cost is $395.00 which includes three days of wonderful fellowship and community building opportunities, bus transportation from Winnipeg to and from the Gathering, a number of meals, and entrance fees to number of activities along the way.
Registration for the bus trip is in addition to registration for the Gathering. and must be done by March 31, 2012 with a deposit of $50 and a post dated cheque (dated July 1) of $345 per person. For each person there should be a completed registration form, the deposit and post-dated amounts, and a completed "waiver, assumption of risk and indemnity agreement" which our Synod insurance policy requires. Please see the attached documents.
Changes to the Rules Regarding Leadership on the MNO Bus Trip
In the past because of the way Gathering Home Teams were organized, the MNO Synod required Home Teams to have a same gender leaders for all youth going to the gathering (Male leader for male youth/Female leader for female youth). While this is still the recommended practice according to the CLAY 2012 registration guidelines, an allowance is being made that a congregationally approved leader can be leader for both genders of youth within a single home team.
With the changes to the rules for Home Team Leaders put forth by the Gathering, the MNO Synod Bus Committee felt it only fair that we follow. Some of the publicity for the MNO bus trip was produced while the changes were being discussed by the Gathering planning committee. Home Teams can feel free to work within the rules set about by the Gathering planning committee as you register for the Bus trip.
Join us for the Synod Youth and Campus Service, this Sunday, February 5, 6:30 p.m. Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 637 Buckingham Road, Winnipeg.
Why not check out details on Facebook?
Dealing with Youth Disclosures EYML Workshops 2011-2012
Youth Leaders have you ever wondered how best to deal with sensitive disclosures from one of your youth?
Are you aware of your legal obligations as a youth leader or the denominational policies that need to be followed?
Fifth Annual February MNO Synod Youth Gathering materials for your youth are to the right. In particular, you need to read carefully the "letter to youth and rostered leaders" because it gives you information on how to proceed and promote this retreat. We are really excited that we will have our National Bishop with us for part of our retreat, since our theme for this retreat flows from her call to the church around "Spiritual Renewal." It is not often that our youth get the opportunity to rub shoulders with and get the ear of our National leader.
For previous retreats, this information has been mailed to your congregations by regular mail, but many of you have indicated that there is very little need to do this since you distribute this information to youth and parents electronically anyhow. NOTE: In the interest of making this retreat very affordable, no bus transportation is being planned from Winnipeg for this retreat. As part of your promoting this event, you may also wish to use the following announcement for your congregational bulletins and or January newsletter.
Calling All Youth (grade 7-12) to Reboot Your Faith: A Spiritual Boot Camp at the Fifth Annual February Youth Gathering, February 18-20, 2012 at St. Paul's Lutheran, Steinbach. Our National Bishop, Susan Johnson, along with various presenters will help us “learn and exercise” spiritual practices in a boot camp/workshop format. Exercise will also be physical, as we have rented the entire Steinbach Aquatic Centre www.steinbach.ca for this retreat. This is a great opportunity to meet or reacquaint with friends and build relationships and excitement for the CLAY Gathering in Saskatoon next summer. Cost is $50 per person, which includes all food and planned activities. Please contact (insert person from your congregation) for more information and to register. Registration deadline is February 5.
Coffee House Jan 30th
A BIG thanks to Rock of Ages from Faith Lutheran who played at our second Young Adult Coffee House at Sam's Place. It was great to see some awesome talent and lots of new and old faces.
Our speaker was Rachel Twigg Boyce from House Blend Ministries and she shared a moving message about the work she is doing with others in West Broadway.
If you have not yet been to a Coffee House or want to come again mark your calendars for March 26 7:30 p.m.
Coffee House
Sweet Generosity at the Urban
I would like you to meet Matthew Sachvie.
On the evening of December 21st, Matthew accompanied his parents as part of the meal team from St. Mark's Lutheran Church. They had prepared a delicious meal for The Urban community. They also brought a surprise that was sweeter than dessert!
Matthew had recently celebrated his 11th birthday. Instead of presents, Matthew requested those attending to bring a donation for The Urban. In the spirit of his generosity, Matthew's guests donated over $500!! The applause of thanks from the community was loud and long!
In a society where commercials must be put on television encouraging people to be kind and helpful, it is refreshing to see young people like Matthew who hear the word of God and live it! Compliments to his parents as well, who obviously model their faith in their daily living.
Thank you, Matthew, for thinking of others and serving the Lord with a smile on your face and joy in your heart. Truly, you are an inspiration!
Pastor Leslie Poulin
Spiritual Care
The Urban
From the Lakeside
Beach Worship
We made history! Luther Village’s 1st ever winter Beach Worship took place on Sun Jan 22/ 12 at Lutheran Church of the Cross. Alumni & staff led this communion service with sand from a beach (thanks Pastor Jenn), camp tunes accompanied by acoustic guitars and a Djembe (drum), a lawn chair was dug out and used to sit on, some brave souls sported shorts, one child even wore her bathing suit, with a dress on top! People of all ages, old and young, families, individuals attended our contemporary service. Pastor Jenn Marlor (Gloria Dei) brought us the message, ending with feeling the “sand” (which was the carpet) in our toes and holding each others’ hands & feet and praying for the work they do! We were definitely called to be together this evening.
Bringing our summer ministry to the winter months is a new venture for Luther Village. What a great way to bring together our outdoor ministry to the indoors; bringing the camping community of those who have a church and those who don’t together with those who may not be affiliated with Luther Village at all. Our point? Sharing God’s love with everyone. Sharing the fellowship and community of LV with all.
Consider coming to one of the next services; they take place on the 4th Sunday of the month (not the last!) February 26, March 25, April 22. 6:30 PM, with snack and fellowship following the service.
Staff Feature: Head Cook
We are looking to fill our head positions among others at Luther Village for this upcoming season. The position featured in this issue of CrossWord is that of Head Cook. This position is great, hard work that allows you to work in our industrial kitchen located in the beauty of north western Ontario. It is a challenging and rewarding position with a variety of responsibilities such as menu planning, ordering, cooking, supervising your staff of an assistant cook and other kitchen assistants. This term position is for 4-6 months, begins at the end of April. The detailed job description is on our website www.luthervillage.ca; room & board included with salary which is dependent on experience.
Send your resume & letter by February 28, to Kim Scherger, Executive Director via email, fax or mail. For a full listing of jobs available (2-6 month positions) please see our website.
Luther Village Annual Meeting
Thursday February 16, 2012, 7 - 8 PM. Lutheran Church of the Cross, 560 Arlington St. Winnipeg.
Come join us for our annual meeting! Snacks and coffee following meeting
Winter Newsletter now available on line. www.luthervillage.ca
Want it mailed out to you instead? Let us know and we will.
A Message from ELCIC National Bishop Susan Johnson
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) National Bishop Susan Johnson has prepared a message updating church members on the structural renewal process. For the text of the message, click here.
Congregations are encouraged to share this video before or after worship services, during annual general meetings, and at other opportunities as they are able.
Happy Anniversary for Thunder Bay Congregations
2012 marks quite a few significant milestones related to our congregations’ history
Our Saviour’s January 28 – 105th Anniversary of organization of First Norwegian Lutheran Church of Port Arthur, 1907; met at Finnish (Bethel) Lutheran Church, Wilson St. October 25 – 100th Anniversary of first service held at church building on corner of Cornwall and Secord Streets, 1912. (formerly St. Ansgarius Anglican Church)
Immanuel July 20 – 106th Anniversary of organization of Swedish Immanuel Church of Port Arthur, 1906; met at St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, Pearl St. November – 100th Anniversary of the completion of the ‘basement unit’ of the church building at the corner of Pearl and Banning Streets, 1912. Easter Sunday – 55th Anniversary of the first service held in the completed sanctuary, 1957.
Raise the Roof
Worship and Music presents a fundraising concert Faith Lutheran Church 1311 Dakota St
February 11, 2012 7 p.m.
Join us for an evening of
music and entertainment
Refreshments will be served
tax receipts available for donations over $20
Grace Lutheran in
Winnipeg
is having their 8th annual dinner theatre production. It is called Grace under Fire. This military musical comedy with a message was written by Cathy Anderson, a member at Grace. She has done an excellent job including all the 27 actors into this play and making all parts important. Members of the cast have added their input to make this one of best plays yet! All actors are from Grace and all are volunteers. Thousands of hours go into these productions. It is a great time of excitement and energy for the congregation.
The format for the evening is dinner followed by act 1 then dessert followed by act 2. Dinner this year is a corn flake crusted chicken breast with confetti rice and corn. Garlic bread and coleslaw complete the main course. Dessert will be ice cream with a caramel topping accompanied by Joanie’s famous oatmeal and chocolate chip cookies. There is all the tea and coffee you can drink!!!
Tickets are $25 ($15 is a tax receipt) and can be purchased by calling Karen Colquhoun at 1.204.667.1076. The dates for this military fun filled evening are March 9, 10, 15, 16 and 17, 2012. Get your tickets early as they sell out fast!
New Midweek Adult Series in January 2012
Five Sessions on Core Themes of Christian Faith: God – Jesus – Salvation – Practice – Community Faith Lutheran Church, 1311 Dakota St.
Tuesday Evenings, January 24/31; February 7/14/21, 7 pm-8:30 p.m.
Led by Pastor Dale Berg and Pastor Dave Saude.
Each session will have three components:
1. Beginning conversation – a chance to “till the soil” and develop readiness for learning.
2. Theological input utilizing a video presentation by Dr. Marcus Borg.
3. Group reflection and discussion, integrating our collective experience.
To register: Phone 204.253.1491, ext 20.
Journey to the Centre
Lenten Retreat
March 16-17, 2012 – St. Stephen Anglican Church
Walk the inner path on the Labryinth and with Christian Meditation
You are invited to attend this Lenten Retreat that offers teaching and experience on Christian Meditation and walking the labyrinth. Christian Meditation is a form of prayer that enables us to enter into an inner silence where we can be in touch with the Spirit of Christ who dwells within us. Walking the labyrinth is a way of quieting the mind and is a safe place to explore and reflect on our spiritual journey.
The retreat leaders for this are the Rev. Canon Phil Barnett and the Rev. Barbara Barnett. Phil has been involved nationally and internationally in meditation and has given talks and led workshops across Canada and in the Caribbean. Barbara is a Certified Labyrinth Facilitator who has been instrumental in introducing the Labyrinth to this diocese.
The Anglican Fellowship of Prayer is planning an evening and full day that will offer participants teaching on prayer, opportunities to pray, worship, plus great fellowship around good food.
Cost: $40. Registration can be sent to:
Mrs. Margaret Jones at St. Mary Magdalene Church, 3 St. Vital Rd. Wpg R2M 1Z2.
Cheques made payable to The Anglican Fellowship of Prayer.
Enquiries can be directed to the Rev. Diane Guilford at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, 1.204.661.2432.
Apply Now: Stewards Programme 2012
Young Christians from around the world are invited to apply to the WCC Stewards Programme for a hands-on learning experience at the WCC Central Committee meeting, 23 August – 7 September 2012, in Crete, Greece. Applicants must be between the age of 18-30 years.
During the meetings stewards will work in the areas of worship, conference room, documentation, press office, sound, and other administrative and support tasks.
The Central Committee of the World Council of Churches meets every 18 months to monitor and set directions to the Council's work. The meeting brings together about 150 church representatives, advisers and observers from WCC member churches and associated organizations worldwide. Twenty-five stewards will help to make this event happen.
Before the meetings, stewards follow an ecumenical learning programme which exposes them to the key issues of the ecumenical movement worldwide. The last phase of the stewards programme, following the meeting, focuses on designing ecumenical projects which stewards will implement back home.
Being a steward means hard work, but it is also a unique ecumenical experience of togetherness with young people from different churches, countries and cultures.
Applicants are invited to send in the completed application form to the WCC youth desk no later than 15 March 2012.
St Stephen St Bede Parish, 99 Turner Rd, invites all to a special Lenten series called The Trouble with Peacemakers 7:00 p.m. on Mondays
There will be four Lenten talks The Lives of People in Difficult Times. Paul and His Co-Workers Monday, February 27
Dr. Gordon Zerbe, Professor
Canadian Mennonite University
Music and Luther Monday, March 5
Mrs. Michele Barr, Director of Music
St. Mark's Lutheran Church
A King and the Bible Monday, March 12
Dr. Arthur Walker-Jones, Professor
University of Winnipeg
Ethics for Layman Monday, March 19
Dr. John Badertscher, Professor
University of Winnipeg
Evening prayers are offered at 7 p.m. followed by the presentation with
illustrations and time for questions.
Coffee, tea and refreshments in the
narthex.
Amnesty International Invites You to Take on a Lenten Project
Lent Begins Soon. During Lent We Prepare Ourselves For Holy Week, When Jesus Was Tortured And Killed.
Many People In This World Are, At This Very Time, Suffering A Similar Fate. We Invite You To:
Write letter, emails, faxes on behalf of those who are suffering injustice, torture and facing the possibility of death.
In past years, most churches have done this after church on a Sunday morning.
Sometimes a set of letters is simply set out for people to sign. Sometimes a group meets to write the letters.
Amnesty will provide you each week with suggestions for the letters you should be writing
If you wish you can choose these letters from www.amnesty.ca or from the Amnesty Newsletter “The Activist”
If you have any queries please contact Tom Collings – 1.204772.2892 – or at tomjulie@mymts.net
If you wish to take on such a project, please inform.
Interfaith Youth Conference (Ages 16 – 26) Shared Core Values and Challenges Presented by Islamic Social Services Association Inc
Three Proposed Workshops:
1) Shared Core Faith Values
2) Gender Politics and faith
3) Faith and media
When : Sunday, February 26, 2012
Where: Canadian Mennonite University
Time: 10 am to 4 p.m.: Brown bag lunch provided
Register early by calling ISSA: 204-944 1560
SPONSORS: Canadian Muslim Leadership Institute, Winnipeg Central Mosque, Canadian Muslim Women’s Institute, Alhijra Islamic School, Shalom Temple, United Church, Interfaith Council of Women http://www.canadamuslimleaders.ca/ http://www.cmwi.ca/gold/ http://www.alhijra.ca/
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Canada Lutheran
The deadline for submissions for the next issue of Canada Lutheran is March 9, 2012.
Please send submissions to
Rick Scherger at the MNO office at 204.889.3760 or by email at rscherger@elcic.ca.
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CrossWord is a bi-weekly publication of the MNO Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.
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An Introduction:
Coffee House Jan 30th
Beach Worship
