CrossWord

In our congregations
Agassiz Conference: Pastor Trudy Thorarinson has accepted the call to serve Grace St. John’s, Carman, beginning in May, 2009. Church of the Cross, Morris and St. John, Rosenfeld, have begun preliminary visioning for future full time ministry. Assistant to the Bishop, Pastor Larry Ulrich has been facilitating this process. Aurora Conference: Pastor Bill Flath completed a three month interim ministry appointment with Advent, Thompson in December and will return in April to assist the congregation as they begin investigating possibilities in partnering with the United Church of Canada congregation in Thompson. Brokenhead Conference: Zion, Beausejour held a call meeting on Feb. 22nd and is awaiting a response from their candidate. Pinawa Lutheran will begin the call process on March 1 with a preliminary meeting with Bishop Elaine. Bethesda, Kenora joins the Brokenhead Conference as of March 1, by approval of the MNO Synod Council and at the request of the congregation. Cambrian Conference: Salem, Pass Lake has applied to have another intern in 2009-2010. They await the decision of LTS. Howard Berg, spouse of Pastor Arleen Berg, Hilldale, Thunder Bay is receiving treatments and doing well. Please continue to pray for Howard and Arleen and their family. Pastor Matthew Diegel, Our Saviour’s, Thunder Bay, and family are experiencing stability in family life now that daughter Stacie has returned from hospital in Toronto, after an accident in October. Thank you to everyone who prayed for her and her family during her recovery time. Interlake Conference: The “Grace and Peace” Parish, Ashern and Moosehorn is identifying candidates to interview for full time ministry. Synod Office is awaiting a response from St. John’s, Grahamdale as it completes its second vote to leave the ELCIC. The decision to continue with a non rostered leader contributed to this process. Please pray for this community as it discerns its future. Lundar Lutheran is looking at part time candidates at this time. Good Shepherd, Selkirk welcomed Pastor Terri-Ann Mattiasson on Feb 15th. Welcome to our synod, Pastor Terri-Ann. Metro Conference: Candidate, Robert Grewe, Prince of Peace, Winnipeg. will complete his colloquy examination in Saskatoon on Feb. 27. This comprehensive written and oral examination of the ELCIC is one of the final requirements before rostered status in the church. Please pray for Robert and other western synod candidates as they prepare for this examination. BC Synod Candidate, Sabine Milewski, has accepted the call to serve as pastor to St. John’s, Winnipeg. She will be ordained on Mar. 7 at Grace, Winnipeg, 2 p.m. where she interned in 2007-2008. All are welcome to attend this ordination service. Please pray for her and the congregation as they begin this new ministry together in the coming weeks. Chinese Lutheran, Winnipeg is again without pastoral ministry on a full time basis as their lay pastor returned to China due to the health concerns of his spouse. Pastor Ed Mitchler continues to provide pastoral supply as needed. Please continue to pray for this congregation as it struggles in its ministry leadership needs. Christ, Winnipeg is interviewing candidates in their call process. Pastor Ken Kuhn is providing interim ministry. Please pray for the call committee as it discerns future leadership needs of the congregation. Church of the Cross, Winnipeg continues to receive interim ministry from Pastor Don Engel as it discerns its future ministry. Please pray for the leaders of the congregation as they work to meet changing needs in the community. The Church of St. Stephen’s and St. Bede’s, Winnipeg will begin the call process in March. The congregation is preparing for a pastoral transition in the next year. Interim Minister, ACC Priest Rick Condo, will continue to serve the community. Please pray for the congregation as it begins to discern its future leadership needs. Westman Conference Erickson Lutheran and Christ, Waldersee have begun the call process by identifying candidates to interview. Grace, Langruth, will continue to be served on an interim basis. Lay leader, Phyllis Thordarson, provides pastoral ministry to the community and we thank her for using her gifts in this capacity.
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Seminary on the Road
Seminary on the Road Comes to Whitemouth and Winnipeg, March 21-22 A unique opportunity to meet faculty and students from our seminary in Saskatoon. Saturday, March 21 at River Hills Lutheran, Whitemouth Saturday and Sunday, March 21 and 22 at Faith Lutheran Church Formal theological presentations and informal gatherings for food and fellowship.
View poster here
View complete schedule here	Index
Invitation to Installation of Pastor Terri Ann Mattiasson
Pastor Terri Ann Mattiasson has accepted the call to serve the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Selkirk, MB. Her installation service will be held on Sunday, March 8th at 7:00pm. All are invited. For clergy who wish to vest the color will be purple.
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Invitation to Ordination of Sabine Milewski
ELCIC- B.C. Synod candidate, Sabine Milewski , will be ordained to Word and Sacrament on Saturday, March 7 at 2 p.m. The service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, Winnipeg, where she interned in 2007-2008. BC Synod Bishop Gerhard Preibisch will preside at the ordination, with assistance from MNO Synod Bishop Elaine Sauer. Pastor Bruce Gelhorn will preach. All rostered ministers are invited to vest, with red as the ordination colour. Other endorsed candidates for ministry (without stoles) are also invited to process with rostered ministers. A reception will follow. Sabine has received and accepted a call to serve as pastor to St. John's Lutheran Church, Winnipeg, MB and will begin her ministry in the spring. Sabine grew up in Germany and applied to the ELCIC, BC Synod, in 2005/06, to continue her training in order to become an ordained minister. Holding a Bachelor of Theology and Master of Theology-degree that she earned in Germany, she has become familiar with Canada and its ELCIC while taking additional training in Sydney (Cape Breton Island), Saskatoon, Edmonton and Winnipeg. After having passed colloquy last October, she is happy and eager to become ordained and serve St. John's Lutheran Church/Evangelisch-Lutherische St. Johannes-Gemeinde, Winnipeg. Please accept her cordial invitation to attend her ordination service. A reception will follow. Come and celebrate.
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Prairie Spirit
Prairie Spirit, a Country Gospel Band from Christ Lutheran in Regina, is coming to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church on Saturday, March 7th at 7:00 p.m. “Prairie Spirit is inspired by the spirit of the prairies found in the beautiful land God has given us to live in, and by the Spirit of God through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Out of gratefulness we seek to respond by lifting up the faith of others through country gospel music.” (taken from their web page www.prairiespiritgospel.ca) Come and join us for an evening of great country gospel music at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 637 Buckingham Road in Charleswood. One of the members of Prairie Spirit is Tom Kurtz, brother to Pastor Michael Kurtz of First Lutheran in Winnipeg. See you there!
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Stewardship Thots
Biblical and Theological Perspectives for the Missionally Stewarding Church Stewardship has come to be understood as church code for the annual fund-raising campaign in which church members are asked to plan their financial gifts to their church for the coming year. This plan frequently takes the form of a pledge. It is common practice for the amount of the pledge to be considered a private, personal decision. Such a practice suggests stewardship has become very personalized, and talking to each other about our stewardship has become a taboo in our culture—even in the culture of the church. One could argue that this silence has been encouraged in order to prevent boasting or shaming; however, the privatization of stewardship has grown at the expense of an understanding of the congregation as a stewarding community, gifted and invited by the Triune God for participation in the missio Dei. Read more
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Making Tracks - February Youth Gathering, February 14-16, 2009 Seventy five youth and leaders (from Thompson to Thunder Bay and everywhere in between) descended upon Bethesda Lutheran, Kenora to worship, sing, make or reconnect with friends, and be encouraged to be better stewards of God's good earth. How do we lessen our footprint and make tracks the tread more lightly on the earth? That is the question that the weekend pondered. With the assistance of a drama team from Grace, Winnipeg, outdoor trips to Tunnel Island and a reforestation project in Kenora, Barret Miller (our presenter) encouraged us to go beyond the 3 R's, and add 2 more. Let your young people tell you what the 2 extra R's are. Prairie Fire led the music for the event. Perhaps the evaluation form that said it best was "This shindig was totally RAD". Thanks so much to the folks at Bethesda for their wonderful hospitality. Check out more photos from the event here Next Youth Service - March 15, 7:00 pm St. Luke's Zion Lutheran, 2903 McPhillips St (just south of the north Perimeter Highway)
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Moose Hockey Fundraiser Attention all hockey fans! Come and join us for night of fun at a Manitoba Moose Hockey Game. The game is on March 7th at 7:30pm. Tickets are $15 each. Contact Amy (204.222.9470) for information. Calling all Staff: Want to have the best summer of your life? Come and serve as a staff member at Luther Village. Staff applications are due February 28th. Check out our website for more details!! Call the office (204.783.3337) if you have any questions! Download application here. L.I.T.: If you are in grade 10 or up and are looking for some leadership experience, come and check out our Leader In Training (LIT) program. Come and learn about camp, serving, God, leadership and have a great time doing it. The L.I.T. program is an amazing learning experience, and looks great on a resume. Application forms are available on the website (luthervillage.ca). Call the office if you have any questions (204.783.3337).
LV Annual Report
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Are you the one?
Abundant Life Lutheran Church in East St Paul, just outside the NE perimeter of Winnipeg, is looking for a Youth Leader. This is a paid, part-time position with the opportunity to assist in developing and facilitating a youth program in a growing congregation with all kinds of potential. A detailed job description is available upon request. Email allife@mts.net or amimpey@mts.net if you have questions, or to apply. Position available immediately. Terms negotiable. --Pastor Annemarie MacIntosh
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Prayers
Please keep Val Frederick in your prayers as she recovers in Guyana from a bug which seems to fit the description of dengue fever. She is weak and thin but getting better. We have managed a short walk , but I believe it will take a few days for full recovery. Dengue (deng gay) fever is caused by a daylight biting mosquito and we have plenty, and no screens on the windows. The good news is that one doesn't encounter malaria mosquitoes until you go further into the rain forest. Thanks for the prayers, Miss you all, Jack
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Prayers
Pastor Art Leichnitz is experiencing serious medical issues at this time. He wants his privacy protected and would appreciate no visitors and phone calls. The synod office will provide updates as Art requests.
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Lutheran pastor arrested for defending protected forest.
Lutheran pastor and environmentalist José Pilar Álvarez Cabrera, a staunch defender of the conservation of the Granadillas Mountains, a protected forest, was detained and placed under house arrest on Jan. 26 in Guatemala´s northeastern city of Zacapa, and charged with coercion and disturbances on private property. Latinamerica Press / Noticias Aliadas
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Job Opps
Church of the Ascension Located just 24 km’s north of Winnipeg, Stonewall is home to 4376 residents, and the Town serves another 7700 residents located in the RM of Rockwood. Church of the Ascension is seeking a full time incumbent for its 200 active members. This dignified parish church just celebrated its 125th year of serving local Anglicans and embracing the people of this community. Stonewall is home to many “commuters” who work in the City of Winnipeg, but prefer to live in a more intimate community.
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The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (EAA) seeks an Executive Director in Geneva, Switzerland for September 2009 for a term of three years (renewable). The Executive Director will drive the further evolution of this unique organization. He/she will build upon existing strengths, leading the staff and encouraging members to develop effective ways to mobilize churches’ and church-related organizations’ resources, to do joint advocacy and campaigning, and ensure the maximum effectiveness of combined programs. The EAA is a broad international network of more than 100 churches and church-related organizations committed to joint advocacy on HIV and AIDS and food. Strategy groups guide each of the two campaigns. Member organizations come from Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical and Orthodox traditions. The Alliance is governed by a Board of Directors as an Association under Swiss law. The Executive Director is accountable to the Board of Directors. The Search Committee is looking for a candidate who has a record of demonstrated leadership, ideally in a related field. The ideal candidate will possess: • a sound understanding of advocacy, campaigning and Christian organizational structures; • excellent communication skills in English; • well established team-building and negotiating skills; • the requisite ecumenical experience in building networks as well as internal and external partnerships; • proven skills as a manager, strategist and fundraiser; • and knowledge of the workings of a not-for-profit organization, including a volunteer board. The complete job description and the application form and more information about the Alliance can be found at: http://www.e-alliance.ch/execdirsearch along with the requirements for application. The application deadline is February 28, 2009. Inquiries and applications are to be sent to: execdirsearch@e-alliance.ch. Your application must include the completed application form, a cover letter outlining how you fulfill the required qualifications and skills and a curriculum vitae. We will acknowledge each application submitted but only those short- listed will receive a follow-up letter.
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Conflict Resolution Workshop
Workshop details: Saturday, March 21st, 9 am to 4 pm, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (637 Buckingham Road) in Winnipeg. Workshop outline: The workshop will cover how to deal with conflict in the church, especially when we are personally involved in those conflicts. During the workshop participants will gain a better understanding of why conflict happens and self awareness of personal responses to conflict, learn some Christian principles for addressing conflict, and practice ways of dealing with conflict. Workshop facilitator info: Cathy Morris is the MNO Synod Strengthening Ministry Coordinator. She has been a volunteer mediator at Mediation Services for the last 7 years, is a conflict resolution facilitator for the United Church of Canada. Cathy has helped individuals and groups in workplaces and non-profit organizations to resolve conflicts, and has taught courses in conflict management. Cathy has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Conflict Resolution Studies from the University of Winnipeg. If participants in the Certificate in Lay Ministry want to use this as an elective they may do so. Registration: Registration deadline is March 13.. Registration fee: $65 Download registration form here
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ELCIC National and Synodical Officers Meet
ELCIC National and Synodical Officers Meet in Winnipeg for Consultation; Evangelism, Outreach and Stewardship Key to Living Out Call to be a Church In Mission for Others From February 6-8, the officers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC) and its five synods, along with an observer from the Evangelical Lutheran Women, met in Winnipeg for a facilitated consultation. Officers examined current resource trends affecting the ELCIC, explored the impact of current and future financial challenges, and discussed the necessity to consider structural change to administration and programs. While work in preparation for the meeting had begun months ago in order to provide a broad understanding of the current realities facing the church, the consultation is considered to be starting point for future dialogue that is critical at all levels within the ELCIC. "There is a broad consensus in the leadership across our church that we need to work together to address the financial challenges facing our church," says National Bishop Susan C. Johnson. "We agree we need some form of smaller administrative structure to allow us to focus on being a church In Mission for Others." The agenda for the meeting, which both commenced and concluded with a service of Holy Communion, involved participants in both large group and small group settings. In response to a draft discussion paper prepared by a Resource Generation Task Force appointed by the National Bishop in May 2008, which details the patterns of financial support in the church over the past two decades, makes predictions for the future and identifies opportunities for increased financial support, the consultation participants expressed strong encouragement for the task force to continue its work. The officers identified an urgent need for conversation on structural change to continue and expressed a willingness to "keep everything on the table" as discussions proceed. Officers also expressed a need for increased attention in the areas of evangelism, outreach and stewardship as the ELCIC seeks to live out the call to be a church In Mission for Others. Outcomes and recommendations from the National/Synodical consultation will be forwarded on to the ELCIC's National Church Council which meets in Winnipeg from March 5-7, 2009.
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MNO Synod Young Adult's Retreat
St. Benedict’s Retreat and Conference Centre March 13-15, 2009 (Registration deadline- March 1, 2009) About the Theme: Churched, De-Churched, Un-churched – Where are U in the picture? This is a weekend to relax, enjoy conversations, and ponder some questions like: What does the church have to say to Post-Moderns like you? How is it possible to engage a growing portion of society, the unchurched, in a way that is authentic and faithful to who we are as children of God? What does a book like “I Sold my Soul on EBay, Viewing Faith through an Atheist’s Eyes” add to our conversations? What is mission? Conversion vs. conversation What does our Lutheran tradition have to offer a post-modern/post-Christian world?
For more information, click here
Download registration form here
Print the poster here		Index
Church Council Executive & Treasurers Workshop
A LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT EVENT of the MNO Synod Saturday, March 14, 2009, (8:30 am- 3:30 pm) Epiphany Lutheran, 200 Dalhousie Dr., Winnipeg You've asked for it. It's leadership development that is just in time for your newly elected Council executive. (If you are new, it will give you the "tools", and if you are "experienced", come share your wisdom) It's free (a freewill offering will be taken to cover the cost of lunch) Why should your chair, vice-chair, secretary and treasurer attend? Topics that will be covered in large group plenary, as well as individual workshops include: Plenary Sessions Overview of responsibilities of ELCIC and MNO Synod Property and liability insurance matters Chairs, Vice-Chairs and Secretaries Workshops Familiarization with the ELCIC Council Handbook resource Job descriptions of council executive members Council's function in different sized congregations Responsibility of council for visioning process Congregational policy development Election of Delegates to Conventions Treasurer's Workshop Completing charities returns Church management software Dealing with restricted funds Record retention rules Congregational budgeting process Charitable receipts Payroll for interns/interim/supply pastors Q & A panel with experienced treasurers Registration deadline - March 6. Detailed agenda will be emailed to you as confirmation of your registration.
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CLWR Update
CLWR launches new website If you haven’t visited www.clwr.org recently, click to see what’s new with Canadian Lutheran World Relief. The entire site has been redesigned to better serve the needs of visitors to the web page. In addition to the new look, visitors will now find a monthly feature story, an expanded news section to access recent happenings, a search function that allows them to scan the whole site for a topic of special interest to them and an online store featuring products from Four Corners. For those who access the site wanting to make a donation to support CLWR’s life-giving work, the secure online donation process has been streamlined and donors will be able to print their charitable tax receipt immediately. For those wishing to honour a family member or friend, you can continue to send an e-card acknowledgement. Four Corners merchandise now available online Customers have asked and we are delivering, all across Canada that is! Four Corners has launched a new online store featuring a selection of alternative trade merchandise and Fair Trade consumables. Simply click “Shop Online” at www.clwr.org to browse the catalogue. Pictures and product descriptions make the items come to life. Ordering is as easy as clicking “add to cart” followed by a secure checkout process. Various shipping options even accommodate last minute shoppers. Shipment from Winnipeg to address humanitarian need in the West Bank and Gaza Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) and Mennonite Central Committee are collaborating to send health kits, quilts and blankets as well as medical equipment to be distributed among the civilian population in the Palestinian Territories. The shipment will also include approximately 50 hospital beds donated by Winnipeg’s Health Sciences Centre. Goods will be utilized by the Augusta Victoria Hospital in East Jerusalem to furnish their new geriatric care ward being funded by CLWR and Canadian International Development Agency. Materials being sent are valued at approximately $50,000. The cargo container will leave CLWR's warehouse in Winnipeg on February 20 and is expected to arrive via ship in Ashdod, Israel, in approximately five weeks. It will then be moved overland to East Jerusalem. Health kits and blankets are being forwarded via Action by Churches Together (ACT) International, a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies, to Gaza to support ongoing relief efforts following 22 days of conflict in recent months. Lenten resources available online If you have not already done so, be sure to download the newest series of Lenten bulletin inserts from Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) in time for Ash Wednesday, February 25. Two series of seven inserts highlight the humanitarian work undertaken by the church through CLWR. The version tailored to congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada also highlights the work of Global Hunger and Development Appeal. Colour inserts are available for download in the new resources section of the CLWR website at www.clwr.org/resources/lent.cfm. Congregations are encouraged to copy them to include in Sunday bulletins or distribute at mid-week services. A family Lenten calendar is also available to help families observe a Lenten discipline with their children.
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New Books from LWF
Living in Communion in the World Today Read More Not Just Numbers Read More Lutherans Respond to Pentecostalism Read More To see available Lutheran World Federation books please click here
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February Field Notes
Pleas click on the link below to view the February Field Notes sent out by the Canadian FoodGrains Bank
Click here	Index
Craig Van Gelder public presentation
How do we Creatively and Faithfully Prepare Leaders for the Missional Church in Rupert’s Land? Diocese of Rupert’s Land Winnipeg , MB R 3T 1W6 Friday, April 24, 2009 7—9 pm and Saturday, April 25, 2009 9 am—4:30 pm St. Matthew Anglican Church 641 St. Matthews Ave. Winnipeg All Anglicans and Lutherans are invited to attend a public presentation on the Missional Church. “What does it mean for the church to be “missional?” Why is this important for Rupert’s Land?” We will gather at 7:00 pm with a short prayer, hymn, and welcome. Dr. Van Gelder will speak, and this will be followed by a closing prayer and fellowship. Freewill offering.
Read more and download registration form	Index
Good God?
Good God? God-Poisoning and God-Images By Rosemarie Köhn, Susanne Sønderbo Book Description The Image of GOD we have in our soul has the potential of enhancing our life. This happens when the image of GOD is one of goodness, justice, and encouragement. The opposite is also true. A GOD image can be destructive, inflict guilt, cause insecurity, and foster condemnation of self and others. In a refreshing and life-giving way the two authors, Rosemarie Köhn and Susanne Sønderbo, present a slideshow of insights: Köhn as the Biblical theologian, Sønderbo using developmental psychology. They address how a "Toxic Faith" can poison and writhe a person's life into absolutism. This happens, they note, when one image of GOD becomes dominant and exclusive of all other images. "We appreciated the insights of the authors in their book ‘Good God ?’ on how our images of God affect our attitudes toward current issues such as the ordination or the blessing of gay/lesbian relationships. Our images of God can be either life-giving or they can become toxic so that a person becomes closed minded to the mystery of how the image of the Holy One is reflected in the diversity of human sexuality. The authors use the developmental psychology insights of Erik Erikson and James Fowler's faith development to explore how images of God evolve, and the effect they have on the attitudes that we bring in understanding homosexuality. We recommend this book as a helpful resource as various denominations struggle with the ordination and the blessing of gay/lesbian relationships. Even though the book is written out of the Norwegian context, we in North America can learn much from their experience and the spiritual insights that arise." Ronald and Judy Long, Winnipeg, Mb. (Ron was Manager of Spiritual Care Services at Victoria Gen. Hospital for some 27 years and Judy worked as administrative assistant with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.)
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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.

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Multiplying Ministries

More information here
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Synod Youth and Campus Services
7:00 pm on the third Sunday evening of the month: March 15 -St.Luke's Zion, Wpg April 19 - St. Paul, River Hills