November 21, 2007
Volume 1, Issue 40



Editor: Rick Scherger
Crossword
The Manitoba Northwestern Ontario Synodical Periodical
elcic
mno
Parish and Roster updates

Bishop Elaine has reported the following to the fall conference conventions:

Congregations

Aurora Conference:          

  • One pastor in conference is carrying pastoral ministry;
  • Flin Flon has interviewed one candidate and has declined to call that individual. They are looking at another candidate.
  • Thompson is looking for new model for ministry as they are unable to sustain a half time ministry.

Agassiz Conference:        

  • Full complement of rostered leaders;
  • growth in population creates possible areas of outreach;
  • conference leaders in regular meetings to build community and support for ministry 

Brokenhead Conference:           

  • Working on an Area Strategy which includes joint confirmation, youth programs;
  • looking at a rural internship possibility in 2008;
  • considering mission work in the Tyndall and Garson area
  • Greenwald, Thalberg and River Hills all celebrated 100 years of ministry in 2007
  • Zion, Beausejour is without pastoral leadership with the recent resignation of ACC priest Hugh Laidlaw

Cambrian Conference:    

  • Zion and Hilldale, Thunder Bay and Salem, Pass Lake created a joint parish in 2006 and now have an intern serving them each year;
  • Bishop met with Zion to look at their future ministry as membership has declined severely this year. They will hold a congregational meeting on Dec. 2.
  • Bethesda, Kenora is working with intentional interim ministry, currently with Retired Bishop Don Sjoberg and soon under the direction of an ACC priest living in Kenora. They need to complete a congregational profile to assess where leadership needs are required.
  • Trinity, Berglund completed an addition to their building in 2006;
  • Zion and Immanuel , Thunder Bay celebrated 100 years of ministry in 2006
  • Hilldale, Thunder Bay celebrated 10 years of the English mission and their residency in the new building
  • Our Saviours, Thunder Bay celebrated 100 years of ministry in Oct. 2007

Interlake Conference:      

  • The Ashern-Lundar parish agreement will terminate in Feb. 2008.
  • Gimli welcomed Pastor Jaycen Snider in April 2007.
  • Good Shepherd, Selkirk has signed an interim agreement with Pastor Ron Vert. They are presently searching for candidates.
  • Pastor Claire Speary’s call is reduced from full time to three quarter time at her request in the Teulon/Inwood parish

Metro Conference:            

  • Faith, Wpg.  received David Saude in June 2007 as their pastor. In Sept. they also celebrated 50 years of ministry; they also are a supervised internship site for a diaconal candidate this year.
  • Epiphany celebrated 40 years of ministry in May 2007 and have completed renovations to their sanctuary that included technological additions for contemporary worship use.
  • Chinese Lutheran is seeking a pastor. They have also been part of a Lutheran Anglican group investigating possibility of partnerships in new Waverly West mission
  • Holy Cross, Latvian held its closing worship on Sept. 16th
  • St. Stephens and St. Bedes signed an interim agreement with Canon Rick Condo (ACC) in Sept.
  • St. John’s celebrated 100 years of ministry in Feb 2007
  • Our Saviour’s is in a supply pastor relationship until long term care can be assessed.
  • First Lutheran is completing sanctuary renovations
  • Grace welcomed an intern in early Oct.
  • St. Luke’s Zion will celebrate 10 years of ministry together in December 2007
  • St. Mark’s is entering a building expansion this coming year. They also have a diaconal ministry candidate on internship placement next year.
  • Trinity is sharing their space with a Mennonite congregation and other partners in ministry

Westman Conference:     

  • Trinity, Dauphin and Redeemer, Brandon have both completed renovations to their buildings.
  • Trinity, Dauphin will host the Synod Convention in April 2008 

Rostered Minister Additions and Changes:
OLC= On leave From Call                            TWC= Temporarily Without Call (first year)
TRT= Transferred to Synod                          TRF= Transferred from Synod
NORD= Newly Ordained
Pastor Ryan Andersen, NORD, Assistant to the Bishop, National Office
Pastor David Lowe, awaiting Long Term Disability Status
Pastor Nancy Walker, OLC, providing supply to Our Saviour’s, Wpg.
Pastor Jaycen Snider, TRT, SK Synod, serving Gimli Lutheran, Gimli
Bishop Susan Johnson, TRT, Eastern Synod, National Bishop
Rev. Gary Russell, OLC to retired from active ministry