MNO Youth in Thompson- On the first February long weekend in the province of Manitoba, 47 young people and leaders boarded a bus in Winnipeg and headed to Thompson to participate with 6 young people from Thompson in a Whitehorse pre-gathering event. This initiative had a two-fold purpose, namely to give our young people in the "south" an opportunity to experience the "north" in our own Synod (prior to experiencing the north in another synod this summer), and an opportunity for the "south" to partner and encourage youth and youth ministry in the "north". Both of those purposes were clearly met, thanks be to God.

It was very obvious from the beginning that this was a community event, since businesses and churches partnered with the people of Advent Lutheran, Thompson to host the event. Special mention goes to the United Church for opening up their doors to provide some of the sleeping accommodations, and to the folks at Chicken Chef for opening up their restaurant for a private banquet on Sunday night.

Pastor Paul Gehrs (Assistant to our National Bishop), with the help of various props and stories, encouraged the group to "Travel Light in MNO" - environmentally, challenging consumerism and waste, individually, as a church, and as a society, but also spiritually, with our burdens lifted by the One who carried the cross, thereby empowering us to be a witness to the freedom and the "light" that is in us. Pastor Paul had his own challenge to travel light, when at the airport on the way to Thompson from another meeting, he was asked to decide on one of two pieces of luggage to travel with him, one piece of luggage with presentation props, and one piece of luggage with clothes for the weekend. Which do you think he chose?

Prairie Fire led music for the sessions, and along with Pastor Larry, led the Sunday morning communion service. The music was a major hit during the weekend. Another major hit was the incredible hospitality of the folks at Advent , Thompson. The ELW and the Men's Group (which is really the majority of the congregation) fed (and fed) and toured us around to such activities as an Inco Mine tour, the wolves of Thompson ( a little like the polar bears in Winnipeg a few years back), winter survival and making dream catchers. The young people from Thompson inspired us, as they willingly participated in the whole weekend (including in the Talent Night). There was even a special song composed during the weekend that was presented at the Talent Night called "Thompson, Thompson". Thank you, Thompson.

Planning to Grow by Dan Hotchkiss

When churches plan, one of the things they often plan to do is grow. They have their reasons: the Great Commission, for one, and the fact that spreading the gospel is a main point of the congregation’s purpose. But when you get past polite chit-chat, other motives will assert themselves. For clergy, church growth can be a career move.

When I consult with lay planning teams, one reason that often surfaces is: “We need the money.” Whether it’s the mortgage or the light bill, many people seem to think a good reason to increase membership is to spread costs more widely, making life cheaper for existing members.

Unfortunately, congregations that plan growth for reasons like these find there is a serious shortage of people looking for a church, so they can help it pay its bills, or to enhance the minister’s career. Unless the demographic winds happen to be at our back, we fail to achieve our goal. And why is that?

Because we have failed to respect the First Law of Planning: you can only plan for yourself. Planning to increase your membership by ten percent amounts to planning for a certain number of unknown people to get up Sunday morning and attend worship, respond positively to the welcome they receive, become involved, and join. That’s not planning; that’s attempted mind control!

For congregations, instead of a percentage goal for growth, I’d like a goal for offering a certain number of new face-to-face small groups each year, some or all of which engage in study, worship, service, and social-justice action. The goal should be for offering groups, not necessarily for starting them successfully: only the new members themselves can make them succeed. But a church that can always offer newcomers the chance to be a charter member of a new small group says, “We need you and can offer you the friendship and support you yearn for.”

We all have our reasons for wanting growth. But it’s important to remember that the only people who can make growth happen are, by definition, not part of our planning process. With the possible exception of rich, repentant criminals, nobody visits a church in the hope of being asked to pay some of its bills. But a lot of people visit with vague hopes of friendship, intimacy, spiritual succor, and support in living a more useful life.

As many of you are aware, Denise Warren is no longer working with us. We are currently looking for a Ministry Leader and Manager for the Urban. For now, the Urban is running on amazing Volunteer power, thanks to all you volunteers committed to this ministry. Find the job description below.

The URBAN, 743 Ellice Ave., has many wonderful opportunities.
Click here for a Volunteer Gifts/Skills/Interest Inventory, as
well as a list of the present programs that could use your gifts, and
consider whether God may be calling you to become involved. Please
return ASAP to Tannys Strand - tannys_strand@hotmail.com as future programs are in the planning stages.

The meeting of volunteers on Feb 11 was attended by a growing contingent of volunteers, all ready to move forward.

The Wednesday evening Winnipeg Harvest/the Urban food bank distributed out of First Lutheran Church on Victor is now fully served. Thanks to those volunteers who run our weekly food banks on alternate weeks, morning and evening.

Anthony from First English has a group of youth that will be delivering flyers in the neighbourhood surrounding the Urban. We are specifically looking at inviting the area children in for some evening programming and letting them know about the about the upcoming camera club.

Food donations needed:
1) Cookies or granola bars for the Thursday evening adult drop-in.
2) We are running low on the following supplies in our emergency food cupboard:
teabags
peanut butter
cereal (unsweetened)
canned meat or tuna (no salmon please)
evaporated milk
margarine
3) $25.00 Superstore or Safeway gift cards - these are used to purchase supplies for or to supplement the hot portion of the lunch on Sunday afternoons, or purchase snack items for the kids program.

LTS Open House accommodations

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