The "Back to Church" program was developed by Michael Harvey of the United Kingdom, and the ELCIC has committed to participating in this program this year. Click here for more information on the program and the results. Mr. Harvey will be on hand for this training event in Winnipeg.

For more information, contact the Synod Office: 204.889.3760
Registration Deadline - Wednesday, May 25, 2011.

I would like everyone to know that Clarina, the grandmother who was in need, came in to thank the kind people who have so willingly assisted her. She said that they have all that they need. She had prayed to God for help with setting up her home and God responded by the generous folk who heard of her plight. Her message, "God Bless all of the great people for their generosity".

A huge thank you to the Rupertsland Brass Band. They performed at Lutheran Church of the Cross to raise funds for the Urban Tuesday night. It was so very joyful and there were some community members that came with us. It was so good to see people who normally have so many worries, swaying to the sounds of this fabulous group, lost in the music.

The planned move upstairs at St. Matthews has been put on hold for a few weeks. Things will remain as they were for the time being. I will update everyone when things change.
I have attached an article on recent events at the Urban.

What does this mean for the Luther Village Fund? From just 59 donors, we raised $11,331.10 and received matching grants of $2,332.33…for a grand total of $13,642.43!! Compared to other agencies we were definitely in the top tier in terms of number of donations and dollar value of donations! Thank you Luther Village donors!

TLC is a Filipino Baptist congregation that had outgrown it's building in Winnipeg's West End, while Christ Lutheran has seen a decline in attendance over the years, with a large building needing use.

“It's a good fit,” says CLC Pastor Peter Lurvey. “We have the space and they have the need. The demographics of the neighbourhood have changed over the years, such that our members are downsizing, and more often than not, it is Filipino families who are buying their homes.”  Even before moving from the West End, TLC had four or five families living within blocks of CLC.

The process of sharing began last July, when Russ Bennett, a CLC member, emailed Pastor Lurvey that TLC ,of which his wife, Felly, was a member, was too big for their space, and would CLC consider sharing. It took lots of prayer and negotiations, and as time went on, each congregation saw what the benefits of sharing would be. TLC is in the process of selling their facility in the West End.

This is not a merger of congregations, but a sharing of the facility. The Lutherans will stay Lutheran, and the Baptists will remain Baptists. For now, TLC will worship at 8:30 AM, with CLC worshipping at 11. The building will also be well used during the week, with youth groups, choirs, Scouts, 12 Step groups, prayer meetings, and adult education. And as time goes on, there may be a sharing of events between the congregations, such as Vacation Bible School outreach for the neighbourhood.

“We are happy our building will be used,” says Pastor Lurvey, “and happy that we can honour the founders and builders of this congregation and this building by ensuring there is an even stronger Gospel witness at the corner of Inkster and Sinclair.”

For more information contact:
Sherwood Park Lutheran Church
7 Tudor Crescent, Winnipeg, MB, R2K 2A5
661- 3947 or sherpark@mts.net

The sale begins on Friday evening, May 13th from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, May 14th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Come out and find treasures for your home and cottage.
Print poster here

Dear Sisters and Brothers in the member churches of the Lutheran World Federation:
We have already enjoyed three seminars studying Luther in Wittenberg for the Luther Decade. All have in common that all participants enjoyed the teaching, the fellowship, the program very much and went back home inspired, strengthened and much more familiar with Luther, his time and his theology. All liked the setting in this historical place and to listen to each other, to learn from each other and to experience spiritual community.
Read more

Altogether, a total of $9.1 million was donated to Canadian Foodgrains Bank in 2010, including 19,523 tonnes of food grains worth $4.8 million. Alberta farmers led the way, donating 6,298 tonnes of grain, followed by Ontario with 6,110, Manitoba with 3,693 and Saskatchewan with 3,371. The remainder came from B.C. and the Maritimes.

In addition to food grains, over $4.3 million in cash was donated to the Foodgrains Bank, a partnership of 15 churches and church-based agencies working to end global hunger.

“We are very grateful for each and every person who donated,” says Foodgrains Bank Executive Director Jim Cornelius.

The Foodgrains Bank used the donations, together with matching funds from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to provide $38 million of food, nutrition programs and agricultural assistance to 2.3 million people in 35 countries. Over 200 growing and community projects are slated to raise funds for the Foodgrains Bank this year.

“With almost one billion people in the world not having enough to eat, and with rising food prices putting more people at risk, the support of people across Canada for the Foodgrains Bank is extremely important,” says Cornelius.

“It’s making a real difference for people who don’t have enough to eat.”

The Canadian Foodgrains Bank is a partnership of 15 churches and church-based agencies working to end hunger in developing countries. For more information, go to http://www.foodgrainsbank.ca

Congregations throughout the ELCIC are asked to designate one Sunday this year, and in coming years, at a time that works best within their own context to highlight the ELCIC Praise Appeal.

Resources for holding an ELCIC Praise Appeal Sunday are available online at www.elcic.ca/praiseappeal. These resources include: worship, prayer and liturgy suggestions, a sermon prepared by National Bishop Susan Johnson, and a bulletin insert.

The ELCIC Praise Appeal is being launched as an opportunity to highlight different aspects of the ministry of the wider church. ELCIC congregations are encouraged participate in this partnership and support the ministry of the wider church by participating in the Praise Appeal.

Participate in workshops covering:

• · Mission in Aboriginal communities
• · Fresh Expressions of Church
• · Mission in Rural Communities
• · Mission in Urban Communities

The celebration will take place at the Grace Lutheran Church, 211 Kimberly Ave. on June 12, 2011 at 2:30pm. Speakers, entertainment and refreshments.

Please join us. For more information, contact Jim Mair at 204.632.4757 or jimmair@shaw.ca

Date: Thursday, May 19, 2011
Location: Westworth United Church [1750 Grosvenor Ave]

Format:
9:00 Coffee and Registration
9:30 Business Meeting and Recognition of Reg Forester
10:30 MLA Bill Blaikie
11:50 Conclude

Everyone is Welcome!

Interested persons may request a complete parish profile and the procedure for making an application from:
The Bishop's Office
935 Nesbitt Bay
Winnipeg, MB R3T 1W6
204-992-4212 or e-mail: ssuppes@rupertsland.anglican.ca
The deadline for receipt of applications for the position of
Incumbent of St. Mary Magdalene is 4:00 p.m. Monday June 6, 2011.
Read full synopsis here

Meet at the St. Regis Hotel, 285 Smith Street and walk together to the Oodena Circle at the Forks.
Everyone Welcome

The event is open to anyone who would be interested. Cost for the day is $6 to cover lunch. To register, or for more information, contact Don Betts at 204.774.9533 or dbetts@saintmargarets.ca