Young Adult's Retreat with Chad Moir
Change of Venue and Cost- Same Great Discussions

We'll be gathering at First Lutheran Church, 580 Victor St. Winnipeg on Saturday, March 14.
Our schedule will look something like this:
1:30 - 2:15 pm Gathering/conversations to "break the ice"
2:15- 3:45 pm Discussion Time #1 with Chad
3:45 pm Break/Snacks
4:00 - 5:30 pm Discussion Time #2 with Chad
Supper (from a local Vietnamese restaurant)
7:00 - 8:30 pm Discussion Time #3 with Chad
9:00 pm Conversations and such at the Kingshead, 120 King Street in the Exchange District

Cost: $15.00 which includes supper. At the Kingshead, it's up to you. (If you will not be able to be present for supper, cost will be $5.00) If you want to pay by cheque, make it payable to MNO Synod. This will be collected on Saturday.

We want to encourage you to come for the whole time, but we also invite you to come for what you can.

The Twelfth Annual PB Jam (Peanut Butter and Jam) was held on Wednesday, March 11 at the University of Manitoba. This annual event is sponsored by the Chaplain's Association and the 2100 sandwiches that were made go to the Boys and Girls clubs of Winnipeg and Winnipeg Harvest.

Thanks to folks who contributed financially and to students who gave from five minutes to four hours to make the sandwiches.

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.

A heart-felt thank you to all of the former members of Zion Lutheran Church in Thunder Bay, from the members of San Juan Camino de Esperanza (St. John Way of Hope) in Lima, Peru!! The paraments, fine linens and purificators that you donated were dedicated on Sunday, February 22nd and the members at our growing church are grateful for these wonderful gifts from the original congregation of their new "grina" pastor, Fran Schmidt.

Continued blessings as we worship in Canada and in Lima, giving praise to God for the gift of this mutual ministry!

Our pantry was full following a Christmas giving bonanza, but a cold winter has emptied many shelves.  Most needed:
- easy access canned food – the kind with the pull tab on top
- breakfast cereal – non-sugar types, both ready to eat and cooked types
- pork and beans – any variety

Odd Sock Giving Campaign
During this Lenten season, as you participate in our “ODD SOCK GIVING CAMPAIGN”, think of what internal work you need to do to be accepting of the people around you…

Here are some great ways to participate:
- Collect your spare change in an odd sock, including any cash found in the bottom of the washing machine, in an odd sock (clean and without holes) from now till the end of Lent
- Write a cheque and put it in an odd sock to deliver to the Urban.  (WRITE: Odd Sock in the memo line.)
- Kick off a monthly giving plan by either direct debit or on-line – Call or email Doreen Lecuyer for details.  (doreenlecuyer@hotmail.com or 204.736.4674)

Starting on March 22 and ending April 12, there will Urban ‘laundry baskets’ circulating with your offering plates in which to drop your odd socks.  Tax receipts are available for donations of $15 or more – just leave your information in your odd sock and it will be processed.

Thank You for Supporting the Urban ----All Odd Socks Welcome!

Board Position available: There is an opening on the board for someone passionate about inner city ministry and willing to serve in the vice-chair position for the remainder of this year, moving to chair next year.  If you’d like to attend a meeting to see what we’re about, contact Judy judydikk@mts.net .  We will also be calling for 3-4 members in October, so feel welcome drop me a line indicating your interest in this vibrant ministry.  I guarantee that your attitude towards the inner city of Winnipeg will be positively changed.

We have all heard how a woman should not drink during pregnancy because it will harm the baby.  There has been a good deal of information about children who are born with varying degrees of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.  What a great deal of people don’t realize is that there is a segment of our adult population who are living with the effects.  There are many and varied ways that these individuals have learned to compensate for some of the difficulties, but, there are those who have not done too good a job. 

Some of the difficulties faced by adults living with FASD are problems with short term memory, inability to follow sequences, difficulty in understanding and following rules, unable to understand consequences of actions.  When we look at these individuals it is so easy to state, “what is wrong with you.  It is so simple and yet you can not get it right”.  We are looking at an adult but are dealing with the thinking processes of an eight year old.

The Urban works with many people who are living with the effects of FASD.  In the past, we held a workshop on this topic.  We are planning another for March 30/09 at 7:00 p.m. at the Urban.  We will serve a light supper at 6:30.  If you are interested in attending, or you have a friend or relative who works in the area of law enforcement, the justice system, or social services, you may be interested in having them attend.

The Urban is located at 743 Ellice Avenue on the second floor.  Please contact Sandy prior to the evening of the event.  Sandy can be reached at 204.774.3143 Monday through Thursday, or by email theurban@elcic.ca.  We hope to see you at this workshop.

An art exhibition at The Pavilion Gallery in Assinibione Park The exhibition runs until March 29th, Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Employment Opportunity: Associate Publisher
* Half-time contract position (20 hours / week)
* Two-year term preferred, based in Winnipeg, Manitoba

Job Summary
To share responsibility for circulation development, promotion, fund-raising, grant writing, financial management, website work, administration, and production of the magazine. See full details here:
http://www.geezmagazine.org/article/job-position-associate-publisher-part-time

Deadline for Applications:
March 31, 2009 (or later as needed)

Start Date: April 15, 2009

Application Process
(The position will be filled only when the right candidate is found.)

1. Write a letter of application addressed to "Aiden Enns, Publisher." In the letter,
a) describe your interest in this position at Geez magazine and why this is the right position for you;
b) describe also your key skills and background which directly relate to the tasks and qualifications outlined above;
c) include an additional page (or more) with a mini-essay or statement on the importance of publishing an independent magazine such as Geez.

2. Provide your resume and 3 references. Include other supporting material as you wish.

3. Please submit these
By email to: jobs@geezmagazine (preferred)
Or mail:
Aiden Enns, Publisher ATTN: Geez Jobs
400 Edmonton Street
Winnipeg, MB R3B 2M2
ph. 204.942.1058

Geez Magazine is a quarterly magazine of spirit and social action. It's for at over-churched, out-churched, and perhaps even unchurchable souls on the North American fringes of faith. In its three years of existence it has been nominated twice for "Best Spiritual Coverage" by Utne Independent Press Awards and won Magazine of the Year at Canada's Western Magazine Awards and top honours at the Canadian Church Press Awards.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada's (ELCIC) National Church Council (NCC) met in Winnipeg from March 5-7, 2009. Council members conduct the business of the church between National Conventions and provide direction to the ELCIC's National Bishop Susan C. Johnson on how the ELCIC can best live out its call to be a church In Mission for Others.

With committee meetings taking place on Thursday, the formal agenda for this first meeting of NCC in 2009 began on Friday morning with a service of Holy Communion. Rev. Claudine Carlson, Eastern ordained representative, and Edward (Teddy) Pope, Eastern lay representative, led the service. Rev. Carlson offered reflections on the beginning of the Lenten journey.

NCC members had a full agenda before them for this meeting. In her opening remarks, National Bishop Johnson reflected on the agenda saying it was the cumulation of a year and a half of work, since she was elected to the position of National Bishop, coming together for presentation to council for further action. Since her election, National Bishop Johnson has been focused on the strategic direction of the ELCIC and ensuring the long-term financial stability of the church.

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

Jesse Tree is going to be having another service on April 26. Details will be forthcoming. Watch here for more info.

April 1 from 10 am – 3 pm, we are gathering at Faith Lutheran, 1311 Dakota Street, for prayer and reflection just prior to Passion Sunday. This quiet day will truly be a journey into Christ’s passion in four stages.
Preparation and Passover – Mark 14:1-25
Courage and Cowardice - Mark 14: 26-52
Trials and Denial – Mark 14:53-15:15
Crucifixion and Entombment – Mark 15:16-47

Each stage would involve the following:
a reading of the text and brief comment;
time for silent reflection, with journaling, questions for reflection, centering prayer;
a brief sharing of discoveries and insights.

Our timeline will look like this:
10:00 gathering and introductions to each other and the day
First stage (ending with communion)
Break
11:15 Second stage
12:15 Lunch (possibly catered - details pending)
1:00 Third stage
2:00 Break
2:15 Fourth Stage
3:00 Thanksgiving and leave taking

The breaks would involve time to attend to personal needs but also some movement, stretching, perhaps some tai chi!

It is my hope that there is a variety of activities for introverts and extroverts, listening, sharing, thinking, moving. And a rhythm that will deepen in its repetition.

Plans are still evolving for lunch. Registrants will be informed of details.

To register, phone St. Mary Magdalene Anglican Church at 204.253.0555 or Faith Lutheran at 204.253.1491.
Please register by March 30.
Pastor Dave Saude

On Saturday, April 11th, at 5:30 p.m. a special Healing Service will be held at Faith Lutheran Church. This candlelight service will feature the beautiful music and poetry of Jonathan Elias’s Choral Symphony, “The Prayer Cycle.” Lenten themes of exclusion, transformation, inclusion, and our journey with Christ into our own intended humanity are further explored through scripture readings and prayer petitions for Mercy, Strength, Hope, Compassion, Grace, Innocence, Forgiveness, and Faith.

The nine prayers of the cycle are sung in several languages by artists such as Alanis Morisette, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Musrat Fatem ali Khan, the American Boyschoir, and the English Chamber Chorus. Elias writes in his program notes:

"I found it interesting in my journey that whatever culture we are from, the power of the primitive human voice will always move us deeply. Regardless of the language a prayer is sung in, it’s the honesty of the pain and hope the singer feels that comes through….The world we live in is both joyous and cruel. I pray that we move forward and that the next generations rise where we have fallen."

Come and experience the music, the scripture, the prayer, and the blessing.
Come….all are welcome!

Wednesday evening Lenten services at Christ Lutheran 815 Inkster Boulevard continue through April 1: 6:00 pm Soup and Bread; 6:30 pm Holden Evening Prayer; 7:00 Discussion around the theme, "The Wounded Healer."

Phone 339-8119 for more information. Copies of Henri Nouwen's book "The Wounded Healer" are available for loan or purchase.

The Diocese of Rupert’s Land is interested in hosting a 3-day workshop on the Fundamentals of Transitional Ministry in the fall of 2009. Sponsored by the Diocese of Rupert’s Land and presented by the Interim Ministry Network, this conference is intended for persons who wish to understand the concepts and fundamentals of transitional ministry and begin to equip themselves with the skills to be trained Intentional Interim Priests.

For more information about this program, please visit the Interim Ministry Network website: IMNedu.org
Approximate costs are outlined below:
New Proposed Dates: September 15 - 17 , 2009
Location: Retreat/Conference Centre, Winnipeg, MB
Registration Fee (20 hours of contact) $400
Accommodation / Meals @ $100/day $300
*Participants would be responsible for their own transportation costs.
*Commuter rate with meals available, cost to be determined