St. Mark’s Lutheran Youth group is having a huge yard & bake sale on Saturday, May 24th from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the church, 600 Cambridge at Corydon. Rain or shine, there will be lots of treasures inside and out. Proceeds are in support of their trip to the Whitehorse gathering.

Abundant Life Lutheran Youth are having a Garage Sale
Fri, May 09, 4:30 - 7 pm and Sat, May 10, 9 am-2 pm.
at 415 Knowles Avenue

and a Car Wash and Hot Dog Sale
Sat, June 21, 9:30 am-4 pm
at East St Paul, Sobey's

Please keep Pastor Art Leichnitz in your prayers. He is recovering in Geneva University Hospital from two surgeries as a result of an amoeba in his system. Art is limited in receiving phone calls but cards and letters are appreciated and may be sent to Dirk Michael Grotzsch c/o of LWF in Geneva.

It is Monday morning 10:22 am – your time is 4:22 and you are in bed snoring. We had a bad night last night – the mosquitoes bugged us all night – were they the small big footed malaria one. Oh well, we took our Larium yesterday, that probably didn’t help our sleep mode. Larium tends to give us wild dreams!!

Today is HOT and sunny… sure hope it rains again, we had a mighty rainfall on Saturday. Soon the desert like red dusty grounds will be lush and green. How the Jacaranda, Flamboyance & Frangipani trees can be in full bloom is a mystery, until our arrival they hadn’t had rain since late October – tree roots go down deep here!

Yesterday was a lazy peaceful day – we attended church in our Cross and Crown Lutheran church that Papa was pastor in four years. It was good to be greeted by our friends within the congregation. Many three cheeked kisses and hugs. Papa was able to give each child his special blessing following communion, probably around 30 of them.

Papa is down seeing if President Nyiwé is back from his trip – he is our boss while we are here – to receive some direction, we want to follow proper protocol while in Cameroon. We have raised monies for church roofs, the Fanta orphan program, motorcycles, new wiring for the hospital, dental equipment… whatever else, maybe supply the hospital down south with drugs. We have to buy a motorcycle from the elderly ladies in Kenora’s Bethesda Lutheran church… we will name it ‘Mary Ruth’ – it will be for a pastor in an outlying village where cars cannot travel. We just want to ‘get going’.

Etienne Fomgbami has asked if we’d like to go on another evangelism trip, way up north towards the border with Chad. He is talking the Waza/Rumsiki area, maybe we would take a side trip to see more elephants, giraffe, antelope beasts of all sorts and maybe lions.

The internet server via the hospital which we had used previously is not working. We will speak with the Norwegian representative today about using their workable system. We had sent our first message via a cyber café in town which was extremely slow but because we have wireless connection, it was better than not.

We are going to purchase a cell phone today from Orange and bring it back to Canada so whoever travels here will have a phone when they arrive in Cameroon. We will then have a phone number to give you.

We have a vehicle. It is the former Canadian Toyota truck (4wd) that we drove previously. One of the specifications for the truck is assisted power steering which really means use your arms! Poor Papa and his rotary cuff, where is Uncle Terry – and Ben. We are very impressed in the repairs that have been done to some of the street roads in Ngaoundéré. Potholes that were landmarks have disappeared.

We look forward to hearing from you – everyone … it will mean a lot to us. News from home.

Shalom... amour avec Bénédictions de Dieu --- Jack X Val

Lutheran Theological Seminary extends an invitation to all to come and celebrate our graduating class of 2008 on May 2, 2008. There will be a Baccalaureate service in Christ Chapel at the seminary (114 Seminary Cres) at 2:00 p.m. followed by a tea. Parking (no charge) has been arranged for in Lot E adjacent to the seminary.

The Convocation service will be held at 7:00 p.m. at Third Avenue United Church (304 Third Avenue North)

May 2, 2008

Baccalaureate Service - 2:00 p.m. Christ Chapel, Lutheran Seminary
Tea to follow

Convocation Service – 7:00 p.m. Third Avenue United Church
Tea to follow

by Lynne M. Baab
Jonathan, 28, believes Web sites functions like a "front page" for organizations. He notes that his generation surfs the Internet continuously, both during the work day and during leisure hours, and that they would almost never visit a church or other organization without first checking out its Web site. Whether or not Jonathan can speak for an entire generation, organizational Web sites are certainly proliferating. More congregations are establishing Web sites and more congregational leaders are realizing how helpful, even strategic, Web sites can be.
Continue "Congregational Web Sites: Our New Front Door"

Attached is the April edition of Fieldnotes. If you are receiving an e-mail from me for the first time I just want you to know that being on my e-mail list means that you'll get Fieldnotes 4 times a year, Breaking Bread twice a year, and occasional special announcements of activities during the year. I encourage you to pass this on to others on your e-mail list who are interested in the work of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, or who may become interested if you send them some information. And if you receive this from someone else and would like to be on my list of contacts please send me a note.

At any time should you wish to be off my list of contacts you can simply request to be removed. This list is only on my personal PC here in my home office. I manage it myself and will make sure to add and delete contacts as requested.

I welcome comments and questions on anything you read, or would like to read in Fieldnotes, or any other issue. Please call or write.

Harold Penner
CFGB Manitoba Resource Coordinator
Phone (204) 347-5351

There are some exciting overseas opportunities for people who have a passion and proficiency for writing through the International Volunteer Service (IVS) of Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR). From South America to Africa, a need exists for individuals who have excellent written communication skills.

The largest need is for people willing to write program reports. These reports are used to provide necessary updates to program managers and related government agencies that provide funding. Attention to detail, accuracy and the ability to collect and synthesize information are needed in this role. These opportunities exist in Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Uganda and elsewhere.

For those with experience writing proposals, there are positions available for writing funding proposals. And in South America there is a need for people with journalistic abilities who can engage in advocacy-based communication and investigative reporting.

Please call us at 1.800.661.2597 for more information on these and other volunteer positions with CLWR.

The Faith Life Chapter at St. John Lutheran Church of Lydiatt is looking for someone who could make use of its copies of Lutheran Book of Worship and With One Voice in braille. If you know of someone, please contact Jules Stengel 204.268.1588.

The Manitoba Interfaith Council (MIC) will be honoring Msgr. Norman Chartrand, The Rev . Ted Scott, & The Rev. Fred Douglas with the 2008 Interfaith Service Award, at its Annual General Meeting, 9:30 May 8th 2008 the Education Building of Misericordia Hospital on Wolseley.

Many Voices Telling the Story: Hope Considering Our Racism
Sponsored by Lutheran Theological Seminary and Saskatoon Native Ministry

May 8 & 9, 2008

“Many Voices Telling the Story” is a set of three workshops for people interested in considering the forces of our North American racism, with an emphasis on questions concerning race relations between aboriginal peoples and their neighbors in Canadian contexts. The workshops will help articulate the issues and focus our hopes for prospering the life of our many Canadian peoples.

The workshops are 90 minute conversations led by The Rev. Dr. Julius Carroll, Director for African Descent Ministries in the Multicultural Ministries Unit of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Pastor Carroll has served in multiracial contexts of ministry and as a Staff member of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, based in Philadelphia, he trained leaders about the issues of racism, ministry and outreach by developing workshops about Anti-Racism and about Outreach to Multiculticultural Communities. Pastor Carroll has just been called to Southern Seminary to serve as Professor of Contextual Education and Cross-Cultural Ministry.

The sponsored workshops are free to the public and held at Lutheran Theological Seminary, 114 Seminary Crescent, Saskatoon SK.

Gloria Dei is the (F H L) Fellowship Hockey League Champions again. They won game 4 of a best of 5 final April 9 at Eric Coy Arena.

They joined the League 10 years ago and have been Champions an amazing 9 out of 10 years.

A seminary graduate and soon to be Intern Jason Zinko had been their goalie the first 8 years.

There are about 40 teams in the league divided into 5 divisions
Gloria Dei plays in the first division and are led by Matthew & Jonathan Ring.

My career has had me work in some of the poorest parts of the Inner City of Winnipeg. When people hear where I work, I am often asked, “Aren’t you afraid?” I have a smile cross my face when I respond to this question.

I once found myself working in my office when I heard classical piano music. I thought that perhaps someone had put on a CD.  I then heard clapping. I left my office as another brilliant piece of music began. I could not believe my eyes. One of our regular drop-ins was sitting at the piano and providing a concert of joy for the others.

On another occasion, I thought that we had been honored by a visit from Leona Boyd, the classical guitarist. Instead, I found another homeless man lovingly playing a guitar that we had for people to use while at the mission. Another afternoon of a free concert was unfolding.

These two occasions took place at my previous place of employment, but, I know that the same type of situation will occur at The Urban. I have already had my first experience with the talent to be found in a mission. During one Sunday service, we had a request to sing Amazing Grace. I could hear singing that sounded like the voices of angels. After we had finished singing, a woman and her daughter offered us one more verse of the song. We were blessed to listen to that verse being sung in Inuit. Last Sunday these two women sang a duet for the opening song. Their voices are so very beautiful and the people present applauded the gift that had been given to us.

For those who have never been to a mission, I extend an invitation to The Urban. Come and join us as we discover one great gift after another. No, not everyone is musically gifted and so I can not guarantee a “free concert”. I am sure that I can introduce you to an artist, or a poet. I know that you will meet a gentle spirit that will touch your soul. There truly are gifts to be found at The Urban.

Sandy Belisle

the Urban website

Work Weekend
May 9-11
There are always things to do at Luther Village and that means we could use extra hands to pitch in with the work. Think about getting involved as a special part of our camp. Meals and lodging are provided for work weekend volunteers. Weekend begins Friday evening with snack at 8 PM and ends Sunday mid afternoon. Contact the camp office in Kenora to register.

Bikeathon
May 30-June 1
This is our 22nd year for this annual fundraising weekend! We are calling all cyclists to ride...and you can bring your family too! Includes all meals, accommodations and use of camp facility. 25, 80 or 100 km ride. Registration fee ($30) and pledges ($100) required. Non participant fee - see brochure. Registration form available on website.

Women's Retreat
June 6-8
12th annual Women's Retreat! It's time for relaxation and being served! Get away from life at home to meet and share with other women. It's a time away from your family and responsibilities. Opportunities for a massage, reflexology, hot-tubing, facials...a time to take care of you! Inspiring sessions full of laughter and inspriration led by Kelly speak.
Cost (includes meals) $115 + taxes

Parent Child Canoe Trip
June 13-15
This is the opportunity you have been waiting for! Create some fabulous memories as parent and child(ren) on this annual canoeing weekend! One night at camp, one night camping out on the lake...this is a chance of a lifetime! Bring your child, 10 years or older. No previous canoeing experience required. Our experienced leaders will take you on a wonderful adventure.
Cost includes meals, canoes, tents: $79 teen/adult; $50 12 & under + taxes.

This year, 2008, marks the 75th Anniversary of Trinity Lutheran Church in Bergland. The festivities to mark this special anniversary are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, August 30-31 (Labour Day Weekend).

During the early decades of the last century, pastors didn’t drive from Rainy River to Bergland or to Morson. They walked. Thus, to share the Christian message and to give spiritual encouragement to the folk of that area, pastors walked long distances. Pastor Halvor Jensson, grandfather of one of Trinity's members, many times walked the 20 miles from McInnes Creek to Bergland and then went on to Morson. No doubt that these visits were also a time for baptisms and maybe even weddings.

Many of Bergland and area settlers were from the Scandinavian countries. People gathered in homes and in schools to worship and study the Bible. In 1924, the Ladies Aid who had been earlier organized, bought land and had the old log school house moved on to it. This structure was used for worship services and related activities. But, it wasn’t until 1933 that the congregation was formally established and associated with the Augustana Conference (Swedish background). By 1961 the old log building had seen its day and needed to be replaced. That new building, over the past two years has been added onto and renovated on the inside, providing the congregation with a very useful and attractive structure for worship, study, fellowship and service.

The congregation is looking forward to having former pastors, members and friends renewing acquaintances and sharing in the good fellowship. The Anniversary Banquet will be held at the Bergland Hall on Saturday evening. A breakfast will be served on Sunday morning, followed by a wonderful time of worship and praise, and then lunch.

Information may be obtained through phone: 488-5714, e-mail: trinity_bergland_on@yahoo.ca, or the Municipal web-site: www.lakeofthewoods.ca

“God's Miracle Gro” for the Church:
Cultivating Your Leadership for Growth
What is this? A workshop to inspire and cultivate leadership (clergy and lay) for growing the church in your context
Where? Epiphany Lutheran Church, 200 Dalhousie Drive, Winnipeg
When? Saturday, May 31, from 8:30 am–12 noon. Breakfast will be available.
Who? Dr. Craig Van Gelder, noted author and professor of Congregational Mission, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN will lead the workshop
Why? To make disciples and grow the church is what Jesus invites us to do
Cost: $25.00 per person, to a maximum of $100 per congregation (send more than four from your congregation for free)
To register: Click on link below.
Deadline: May 15, 2008. Make cheques payable to “Diocese of Rupert’s Land” and mail registrations and cheques to: Diocese of Rupert’s Land, 935 Nesbitt Bay, Winnipeg, MB , R3T 1W6.

Co-sponsored by the Diocese of Rupert’s Land (Anglican) and by the Committee for Mission of the MNO Synod (Lutheran)
Who should come?
Church Council Leadership
Clergy
Anyone with a passion for mission

Why should your congregation be represented? This conference is timely, since many of our congregations are facing challenges of diminishment. It can also act as a follow-up to the Renewal Event at the Synod Convention with Kelly Fryer. Your leadership can expect to be reminded of what God is up to and how we are called to help, to hear inspirational stories of possibilities and growth, and be trained and empowered to give missional leadership in your setting.

Revolutionary presentations with Gordon Lathrop, world-renowned Liturgical theologian (get him to autograph any of his recent books!) and Karen Ward, church-planting guru; “a future church for an ancient faith”.

We are on Facebook! Join our group, ELCIC/ACC National Worship Conference 2008.

One registration fee: $275

Seven plenaries, workshops, Excursion to Québec City, Ecclesiastical Arts tours in Montréal, Organ tour, receptions, and more

Accommodation: $40 to $128 per night, taxes incl.

You choose: residence rooms in either dorm-style or hotel-style; single, double, shared.

Includes full-day excursion to historic Québec City

Travel discounts with Air Canada, WestJet, VIA Rail : 1.800.280.9968, ext 237 (Manon) or mleblanc@carlsonverdun.com identify yourself as: “Worship Conference ”

Bring family and friends for the Montreal Jazz Festival. The Jazz festival opens on the second day of the conference and is located in the heart of downtown, a block or two from the main conference venues. Book extra nights and stay on; enjoy the extra sensational concerts on Sat. night, June 28. Here are some highlights about Montreal's Jazz Festival, the top festival in Canada: 3,000 artists from 30 countries, more than 650 concerts, including 450 free outdoor performances, close to 2 million peaceful festival goers, 10 free outdoor stages, 10 concert halls, and much more.

website: www.WorshipConference2008.org