Cameroon Companions - Thank you to congregations and individuals who responded to the invitation to send articles to the Cameroon with the container that is going from Global Health Ministries, ELCA. Thank you to Jack and Val Fredrick for making a trip to Minneapolis to deliver these articles to put on the container. For a list of the articles click here. Pastor Jack & Val will be in N’gaoundéré, Cameroon by April 1, 2008 to receive these articles. Tentative arrival for container – early to mid May.

The Holy Spirit is on the Loose in the MNO Synod!
Renewal Event - at the 2008 Synod Convention in Dauphin
Saturday, April 26, 2008

How do we know?

• Within the past 2 years, the synod council has articulated an exciting vision and mission.
• Our Bishop brings passion for God’s mission, a desire for congregational renewal across the synod, and a commitment to lay ministry.
• There is a growing sense among church leaders that “something new” is possible in their congregations, communities, and across the synod. 

We have contracted Kelly Fryer, author of Reclaiming the “L” Word and Reclaiming the “C” Word, to help build on this momentum for the sake of creating missional change in the people and congregations across the MNO Synod.  The one-day Renewal Event will lead participants in worship, prayer, Bible study and focused conversation around some key missional questions:  Who are we?  What is our purpose?  How has God gifted us to fulfill that purpose?  What are we going to do now? 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

• Council members and other leaders in your congregation
• Young adults
• People in your congregation who have read or studied Kelly Fryer’s books.

WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND?

• You will go home with a “purpose statement” and a list of “next steps” that you can take to your congregation for the sake of renewal.
• You will receive an outline to help you lead a similar event back home that will be designed to engage the whole congregation in this process of reconnecting with God’s purpose for them and God’s vision for their communities.

Space may be limited so please register early!

Reclaiming Stewardship from "Paying the Bills"
The cold winds of January were blowing. In the warmth of the church basement, Pastor Johnson eagerly reported, "Stewardship was very good at First Church last year. We not only paid all the bills, we even had a little extra money that we have carried over into the new year."

Unwittingly, Pastor Johnson had just become an accomplice in one of the most dastardly kidnappings ever known to Christendom. Without intending to do so, the good cleric had just kidnapped stewardship and replaced it with "paying the bills." Unfortunately, Pastor Johnson has countless partners in crime across our land.

When talk about money in the congregation focuses on the need for the congregation to receive members' money rather than the need for the members to give generously as a part of their relationship with their Lord, the kidnapping has occurred.

When your congregation presents a budget to members during the "stewardship program" and some well-intentioned finance committee member stands up and says, "Costs for everything are going up, and the church is no different. We need everyone to increase their giving for next year to help cover the increases," the kidnapping has occurred.

If some time in December a wealthy member of the congregation asks, "Pastor, how much do we need to make the budget?" and then writes a check, the kidnapping has occurred.

Posted with permission © The Living Pulpit, July-September 2006, Volume 15, No. 3

"Grace Idolo"
Fourth Annual Dinner Theatre
March 6,7,8, 2008
Tickets go on sale February 17
$25 ($15 charitable receipt)
doors open 6:15pm, dinner 6:30pm, show 7:30pm

At Grace Lutheran Church, 211 Kimberley
Guaranteed great Italian Food
Great Fun

Contact Karen Colquohoun 661-2562

What's Your Mission?
Does your congregation or organization have a mission moment? Share your story with CrossWord readers. Tell MNO Synod members what you are doing in your community and around the world when it comes to mission. Email stories to rscherger@elcic.ca.

The Board of Directors is looking for an individual interested in an
active board experience in Urban Ministry. We are specifically looking for someone with Fundraising and Communication expertise. Email Judy Dikkema judydikk@mts.net for more info.

We also have opportunities to serve on the various subcommittees on the Board. Check out our Website (www.urbanministry.ca) to see what we're about and for contact names for the various subcommittees.

We will interview this week for a Ministry Manager to fill the
position left vacant by Denise Warren as of Feb. 8. We'll keep you
posted on that. Till then, please leave a message at the Urban at the
same phone # 774.3143 and someone from the board will get back to you.

We will be checking messages daily so the response won't be
immediate...thanks for your patience as we manage through these next
couple of weeks.

Get those inventory skills sheets filled in and to Tannys, the program
planning is in process. If you didn't pull up the link last week, check
out the website for a copy.

Feb. 17 at Advent, Thompson
Mar. 16, Faith, Winnipeg
Apr. 20, Trinity, Starbuck
All services begin at 7 p.m.