CrossWord

In the Holy Land - The Struggle for Justice and Peace
Yesterday was interesting and inspiring and depressing. The morning was spent touring some more ELCJHL schools and also their environmental education centre. There is a lot of cutting edge educational work being done, i.e. water from the bathrooms is recycled through to the botanical gardens which grows plants for various types of research. The church works with the school in providing environmental awareness but also helping the state research migration of birds which land in the gardens. In the afternoon we met with the Israeli Committee against house demolition. These activists work to inform people about the effects of illegal settlements in the West Bank, the security wall and house demolitions. It is all a little discouraging to hear about. Last evening we had a final worship and banquet to say thank you to the Palestinian Lutherans and also to pledge to continue to accompany them in their struggle for justice and peace. Today was spent touring areas in Galilee region, including Nazareth. A presentation on our study tour will be given on Monday, January 26 at 7 p.m. at St. Mark’s Lutheran. Please ask congregations to announce this. Peace Elaine and Rick
To respond to the following blog, click here: http://mnosynod.wordpress.com/	Index
LTS Open House
Is there someone in your congregations who is thinking of ministry? Please encourage them prayerfully and financially if possible to attend the Lutheran Seminary Annual Open House on February 21, 2008. Please print and post the attachments in your congregations. It would be very appropriate to have the posters visible during Its Your Call Sunday. Regards, Susan Avant Registrar Lutheran Theological Seminary Phone: 306.966.7856
It's Your Call poster
It's Your Call poster colour	Index
Exploring Order and Chaos in Worship
The MNO Synod Worship and Arts Committee invites you to a workshop entitled "Exploring Order and Chaos in Worship". Some of the ideas presented last summer at the National Worship Conference will be explored. This workshop will be of interest for pastors, church musicians, worship planners and committee members as well as anyone involved in leading or planning worship. Included in the workshop will be a Narrative Holy Communion Service at 1:00 pm which will be open to the public. The workshop will take place at Messiah Lutheran, 400 Rouge Rd., on Saturday Feb. 21, 8:30 am to 3:00 pm. Registration fee will be $15.00, lunch and coffee included. Please contact the MNO Synod office to register by Feb.13.
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Second Annual February Youth Gathering February 14-16, 2009 Building on our experience last year in Thompson, we are excited about meeting this year at Bethesda Lutheran, Kenora. This is for all youth Grade 7-12. We will be meeting around the theme "Making Tracks: Moving Forward from Travelight". In the context of the wonders of God's creation in Kenora, we will have the opportunity to hear, touch, taste, feel (but hopefully not smell) why we are called to a "Stewardship of Creation" through a sustainable lifestyle. Packets including poster, instructions for leaders, and registration and parent forms have been mailed to your congregation. They are also available below.
Letter to Youth Leaders
Promo Poster
Registration form
Youth and Parent Information		Index
Our regular MNO January Youth Service is happening on January 18 at Gloria Dei Church, 637 Buckingham Road (off Grant - Roblin Blvd in Charleswood) at 7:00 pm. Some unique things will be happening around "God's Call to us" The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity - this year is from January 18-25. A special ecumenical youth and young adult bilingual prayer service is taking place on Monday, January 19 at Paroisse Precieux Sang, 200 Kenny St in St. Boniface at 7:00 pm. If you ever wanted to see the inside of this unique church building, here's a great opportunity. Even more important is that here is an opportunity to worship ecumenically with young people from many churches. We likely will be invited to have some Lutherans participate in the service, probably as readers, so if you have some people that might be interested, please let me know. Attached is a special poster with all the details.
Christian Unity poster	Index
Churches Starting Churches - What does this Mean?
Mission Workshop "Churches Starting Churches - What does this Mean?" Dr. Keith Zeh, mission director in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for Minnesota and the Dakotas, will be addressing the very practical issues of how "giving birth" and "starting new churches", rather than taking away from existing ministries and congregations, can actually breathe new life and purpose into existing congregations. He has had much experience with this in the past five years. He will share various models of churches starting churches, some traditional and some very new models, and we will have the opportunity to ask our questions. This workshop will be held on Saturday, February 28 from 9 am to noon at Faith Lutheran Church, 1311 Dakota St., Winnipeg. Workshop cost is $10 per person, with a maximum of $50 per congregation, if more than five people attend from one congregation. Mark this date on your calendar and watch for more information.
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Christmas greetings from Fran Schmidt
This is, indeed, a sacred and holy time of the year, as exemplified here in Lima with midnight suppers followed by firecrackers and fireworks displays for Jesus. A new tradition for me!! My studies concluded in Bolivia at the beginning of December and now, for the last two and a half weeks I have been living in Lima and making this final transition (after living out of a suitcase for nearly seven months! In this time, I have found an apartment, am getting settled in, have begun meeting colleagues in ILEP (Iglesia Luterana Evangelico Peruano) and those in the congregation of San Juan Camino de Esperanza whom I will serve. This church is very simple and has few members. The Saturday program with children from the neighbourhood is flourishing with 120 children and youth every week! I look forward to participating, encouraging and being present with this fantastic group of children and parents who provide food, tutoring for homework, games, music and bible school...and serving as their new pastor, a "gringa" at that! Officially my work begins next week. In this time of settling and adapting, I've been a bit of a tourist, am learning how to get around (what a large city this is!!), and am going through some of the expected culture shock. Christmas is a bit lonely this year since it is the first time outside of Canada for the holidays...the first time without cold, without snow, and especially without my family and friends...it's different, yet I still feel called to be here, and have fallen in love already with the children in my congregation!! I have heard of the need to develop musical abilities in all of the congregations of ILEP and of the need for accompaniment in all of the various challenges people face here. What a privilege to work for and represent our ELCIC (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada) in this incredible capacity!! The picture below shows some of the members and children following last Sunday's service. As we celebrate this Christmas with our own traditions, in our own ways, in our own churches with their traditions, surrounded with family and friends...may we be reminded that it it Christ's birth that links us together, across miles, across cultures and languages, across many other differences...in Christ, we are one, in the peace, love, joy, and especially hope of the Lord!! With peace, joy, blessing and hope!! Fran
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ELW e-news
Several resources for prayer are available from the ELW office at a cost of $10.00 each. Consider one or all of the following to begin church council or staff meetings, choirs, special interest groups and youth events. Each one provides opportunity for finding sanctuary, support and community while taking time for prayer. The Lord's Prayer: A Light in the Darkness Using the symbolic act of lighting eleven candles in a variety of colours, this contemplative worship resource brings a new spark to everyday prayer. New Beginnings: A Prayer Walk This five-station prayer walk, based on the essential life elements of sanctuary, earth, air, fire and water is designed to begin indoors and move outdoors to a nearby park or yard, culminating at a fire pit. (Note: Be creative to make this work indoors during these weeks of extreme cold or stormy weather or be courageous and brave the elements!) We are Called by Name This Bible study and hymn-sing adds another dimension to the 2009 ELW theme, "I Have Called You by Name" by using biblical texts and music to explore the significance of names for Christians being called to serve as disciples of Christ in mission for others. Keeping a Vigil A vigil is a "watch kept" or a watchful staying awake. It can be held during a specific period of time, in one place, or move from facility to facility over a longer period of time. It may focus on an issue or a particular time of year. This program takes the unnecessary mystery out of designing, planning and implementing a vigil for any occasion, leaving room for the mystery the Holy Spirit will bring when two or three are gathered. To order: 204.984.9160 or elwinc@elcic.ca requesting which resource(s) you want. You will be sent an invoice with your order. Note: A colourful brochure is available about the above resources and contains a special offer. It will be sent to your Co-ELW by mid-January. Ask your Co-ELW president or program coordinator to see the brochure for further details. And other resource options.... Go to www.elw.ca, click on resources for the 2009 devotions that focus on Hope and Intimacy. Grace Gift prayers can also be printed from the website.
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We Care Kits
Betty Kintop, Edith Semrock, Diana Fosty and Bernice Rach display some of the We Care bags that were collected from St. John’s, Greenwald and Trinity, Thalberg. A total of 21 bags were made up.
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Faith Winter Leisure Guide
Check out opportunities here	Index
Off to Guyana
Pastor Jack & Valerie Frederick left Manitoba on Tuesday, January 6 to serve as ELCIC Volunteers in Mission with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana until June. They are based at Calvary Lutheran Church, Georgetown, Guyana. The ELCG has a shortage of pastors and has requested two pastors to serve with them through ELCIC Volunteers in Mission. While Pastor Jack and Val have left the cold of Manitoba, they have other environmental challenges to deal with in Guyana – rain. The Eastern Synod of the ELCIC has a Companion Synod relationship with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana. Sr. Monica Denk International Volunteer Coordinator ELCIC VIM / CLWR IVS (204) 631-0118
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Election of Lay Delegates to National Convention
2009 ELCIC National Convention - Updates Information Letter No. 1 regarding the 2009 ELCIC National Convention, taking place at the University of British Columbia from June 25 to 28, will be mailed out to all congregations the first week of February 2009. This letter contains information about convention registration and accommodations (and will also be posted to the ELCIC website on February 1). Congregations are reminded that elections of lay delegates and alternates to the National Convention are to take place by January 24, 2009, and sent in by February 13,2009. Congregations were mailed a Notice re Election of Lay Delegates to the 2009 National Convention in November 2008. A copy of this notice and the form to be completed are available on our website at www.elcic.ca/In-Convention/2009-Vancouver/Delegate-Selection.cfm
Read complete invitation here	Index
Festival of Prayer
FESTIVAL OF PRAYER Week of Prayer for Christian Unity JANUARY 18 - 25, 2009 *That they may become one in your hand.* Ezekiel 37:17 Join us as we pray together for unity and experience different traditions of Christian spirituality! ALL SERVICES ARE AT 7:30 P.M. (except where indicated) REFRESHMENTS TO FOLLOW Sunday Opening of the Week of Prayer January 18 CITY-WIDE ECUMENICAL WORSHIP SERVICE (with Church Leaders) Heritage Park Temple (Salvation Army) 825 School Road (St. James-Assiniboia), Telephone 889-9203 Monday Bilingual Ecumenical Service for Youth by Youth, Open to All January 19 Église du Précieux-Sang (Catholique) 200, rue Kenny (Saint-Boniface), Téléphone 233-2874 Tuesday Home Street Mennonite Church January 20 318 Home Street (Central West End), Telephone 783-1721 Wednesday Celtic Service January 21 Windsor Park United Church 1062 Autumnwood Drive (Windsor Park), Telephone 256-8792 Thursday St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church January 22 709 St. Mary’s Road (St. Vital), Telephone 256-2413 Friday Rupert’s Land Aboriginal Circle January 23 St. John’s Cathedral (Anglican) 135 Anderson Avenue (North End), Telephone 582-0130 Saturday Vespers in the Coptic Orthodox Tradition at 8p.m. January 24 St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church 1400 Pembina Highway (Fort Garry), Telephone 478-6743 Sunday Closing of the Week of Prayer January 25 *Vespers on the Feast of the Conversion of St Paul* Saint Paul the Apostle Church (Roman Catholic) 2400 Portage Avenue (St. James), Telephone 832-6122 For more information you may contact one of the above churches, your own minister/pastor, or the Archdiocese of Winnipeg: telephone 452-2227 or visit www.archwinnipeg.ca.
WPCU bulletin insert
WPCU poster		Index
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
Companion Synod Opportunity
Are you 18-35?? Are you interested in visiting our Companion Synod Church in Cameroon?? Are you interested in Evangelism & Catechetical Training, Rights of Women or Orphans of AIDS?? Check out the poster below for more info!! Download and print poster here
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Group Services Retirement Seminar
ELCIC Group Services together with Mercer, (their pension consultants), will provide an educational seminar on the ELCIC benefits and pension plan with a focus on preparation for retirement and other transitions. This seminar will be of interest to all pension plan members, regardless of your age or service. This seminar is for members and spouses only. It is not open to the general public or financial planners.
Read complete invitation here	Index
Stewardship Thots
With January often taken up with budgets, stewardship is somewhat at the forefront of a congregation's thoughts at this time of the year. I am often asked, "If stewardship is all about our response to God's faithfulness in our lives, why is this not a year round emphasis?" Good question. Indeed as Christians, we are not just called to be stewards of what we commit to the church, in terms of time, talent and treasure. We are called to be stewards of all of our time, talent and treasure. Being Christ's followers = being a steward. So how do we lift up stewardship all year long? It has been my privilege to garner much information about congregational rhythms, as well as year-long stewardship ideas from leaders and congregations from across our Synod. They are summarized in Year-Round Stewardship Ideas for Stewardship Leaders, Council Members, and Pastors. May it provide you with some ideas of how to lift this up in your congregations. Don't hesitate to call Larry Ulrich (889.3760) or email him at (lulrich@elcic.ca) if you need more information or help to implement any of these ideas.
2009 Year Round Stewardship Plan		Index
The Urban Upbeat
Be a part of The URBAN ODD SOCK GIVING CAMPAIGN! ODD SOCKS? What's it all about? Well, it's simply The URBAN's new special giving campaign, an opportunity for outreach to help The Urban during the Lent season. As we think of slowly discarding our winter socks...what better time to think about what to do with all of those 'odd socks' we all have? At The URBAN we know great things often come from humble beginnings...and like 'odd socks' we know we can make the most out of little. Read more Year End Report If you want a very good sense of what’s been happening at the Urban over the past year, hit the link to see Sandy’s year-end report. With the increased activity come the opportunities for you to get involved. We are going to need increased financial commitment from our supporting congregations to continue this ministry. A $10,000 grant from the Synod for developing missions is unavailable to us this year. Be sure to look at the financial brief that follows Sandy’s report.
Read Sandy's Year End report
View the 2009-10 Urban budget		Index
Reminder: Painting Bee
At the Urban on January 16 and 17, 2009. To volunteer email or phone Greg Saar. (gsaar@shaw.ca or 633-3256.) Friday evening will be wall prep and taping and primer. Saturday – 1-2 coats of paint Please bring: Cleaning cloths, Roller cages, Roller tray, 6 ft stepladder"
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Why I work at camp! Paddling across a peaceful lake to a hidden waterfall, sharing in conversations about life, watching a sunset, and listening to loons calling across the lake. These are some of the daily things that I experience while working at Luther Village Camp. Yes working at camp is hard work, but it is also the most rewarding and exhilarating job that I have ever had. It is much more than paddling a canoe across a lake, or singing songs at campfire, my job at Luther Village is to help provide Christian ministry in a harmonious outdoor setting to give all individuals the opportunity for growth and renewal of mind, body and soul. While helping to provide this for the campers, I am living in a Christian community which gives me an opportunity for growth and renewal of mind, body, and soul. Sometimes I feel like the campers are ministering more to me, than I am to them. Being able to live together with others, sharing experiences, being supported in your work, and creating memories that will last a lifetime are a few of the reason why I work at camp. If the thought has ever crossed your mind to work or volunteer at a camp, I highly suggest it, it is an experience that you will never forget. Caroline Wintoniw Apply Now If the thought to work at camp has ever crossed your mind, now is the time to make your dream come true. Luther Village is now accepting staff applications. There positions available for 2-6 months in Kitchen, Program, and Maintenance. Go to www.luthervillage.ca to get your staff application. All staff applications are due by February 28/09. Ice Cream Social Luther Village is hosting its annual Ice Cream Social on Feb. 1, 2009! This is a time for the whole family to get together for carnival activities, face painting, balloons, hot dogs, snacks and an incredible concert by Juno award winner singer/entertainer Al Simmons! He's a musician! He's an inventor! He's a nut! Al Simmons is a wizard of astounding gadgets and preposterous props who creates a one-man cast of thousands while singing from his hilarious collection of catchy tunes. Al is a creative genius who has become one of the most popular and talked about performers across North America! You can check out some of his work from his website www.alsimmons.ca Mark it in your calendar today!
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ELCIC E-Communique
Click on a link below to read more
1. 2009 ELCIC National Convention - Updates
2. Lenten Resources
3. Is your congregational AGM approaching?
4. It's Your Call - January 25
5. Lifting up Diaconal Ministry on January 27
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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: Jan. 18 - Gloria Dei, Winnipeg Feb. 15 - Bethesda, Kenora (part of the mid-winter Synod Gathering) March 15 -St.Luke's Zion, Wpg April 19 - St. Paul, River Hills