CrossWord

Church and Society Committee Seeks Volunteer
The MNO Church and Society Committee Seeks Volunteer with Passion for Environment. Our Church and Society Committee would like to have a "green corner" regularly in issues of the Crossword. We are looking for someone with computer savy and a passion for faith and the environment to edit twelve to fifteen snippets.The committee will assist with resources. Contact the chair, Dave Saude at revsaude@mts.net, to discuss options.
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Still room in next month's Canada Lutheran
Anyone out there have an interesting faith story to share? Share your stories of faith and get published. The MNO Synod council encourages members of our congregations to tell their stories. Send submissions to Rick Scherger at rscherger@elcic.ca. Please note that not all submissions are guaranteed to be printed.
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Blog Talk
Daring to change the way we view God’s mission in the world Each of our synods holds a professional leaders conference in some form or another. It is a gathering of leadership for study, support, networking and rest. It is a time for reflection and challenge that takes us away from the ordinary and the everyday so that spiritual and professional refreshment is provided. The 2007 MNO Synod conference invited Kelly Fryer to be guest presenter. Kelly is known for her books “Reclaiming the L Word” and “Reclaiming the C Word”. These short, concise and comprehensive books have lit a fire under many folks in the Lutheran Church. She has challenged the church to look at mission through new eyes and focus on how as called and baptized Christians we can ask the question in regards to God’s mission to bless the whole world- “How can we help?” In asking the question we have essentially redirected our focus of mission. Instead of saying to God “How will you help me?” we are saying to God, “How can we help you?” Do you see the difference? It now becomes about God and not about us. This is a hard for us to do. We have always relied on God to feed us, nurture us and take care of the church, meaning our congregations and their needs. Now we are saying we will set aside our own needs and focus our energy and resources on God’s needs to meet the mission of the world. Attitudes are hard to change. When we allow ourselves to be open to conversation and challenging discussion about our stand, we open ourselves to new possibilities. Kelly asked the leaders what was the most daring thing they had ever done. Some responses were unbelievable, some expected. I wonder what our local congregations would say as the most daring thing they have ever done. When I ponder the term dare, my thoughts follow through to consequences. If I dare do something, I know there will be consequences, whether they be positive, negative, failure or success. The person who dares takes a risk knowing there will be consequences for the action. Each year, the professional leaders who attend the leadership conference take a risk. They take a risk that a presenter, their colleagues or their bishop will dare them to think or act differently. The consequences may be a changed lifestyle, a changed practice of ministry, a changed work ethic, or even maybe a changed congregation. Leaders need to gather together to reflect on ministry and practice. They need to enter into dialogue with their colleagues so that ministry does not become stagnant. This year I think Kelly Fryer pushed us even more. There was no exhortation to spice up ministry. It was actually a wake up call- change how you view God’s mission in the world. Otherwise, we will continue to live with the apathetic and dying areas of the church and we will continue to miss opportunities for mission with all God’s people in the world. The question is can we live with the pain of how we are living now or are we ready to risk a new take on doing God’s mission in the world? Can the leadership of the church help us do it and do we trust them to lead us through the difficult path that we may have to take to find out what that mission is? Centuries ago a mere priest and theologian. Martin Luther, studied God’s Word and found God leading him in paths that were painful and challenging. Who will risk this kind of leadership today? Only God knows, but we’ve been invited to offer our help in God’s mission. I hope it is more than the professional leaders who feel the challenge. I hope it is across the church. Tell me about a dare you have for the church today. Let’s have the conversation together. To respond to the Bishop's blog click on the link below: mnosynod.wordpress.com

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Junior High Retreat at Luther Village on September 21-23, 2007 Over 40 young people attended the called “ A Simpson’s Guide to Junior High”. The focus of the retreat dealt with the things that are “great ordeals” for Junior High, relationships with peers and parents, bullying, family break-up, and body image. Kate Langrell, Thomas Jordan, Michael Jordan and Theo Janke from Prairie Fire provided the music, and program leaders were Rebecca Ulrich and Jeff Buhse. The interplay between visuals from Simpsons episodes, personal stories of the leaders, and small group discussions helped our young people explore the great ordeals in their own lives, and how God promises to walk with us “through the great ordeals”. It helped that the weather cooperated beautifully. “This retreat rocked – Can’t wait until next year” was one of the comments heard. See photos from this event. Thirty Ninth Annual Senior High Retreat, October 5-8, 2008Thanksgiving Weekend at Luther Village saw over 50 people meet around the theme “I Still Haven’t Found What I am Looking For” from the U2 song by the same name. The focus of this retreat was to answer the big “purpose of life” question. How does pop culture answer this question, and how is that similar/different from our faith response to this question? Jeremy Langner did a superb job of leading, with an interplay of music videos, Bible reflections and small group discussions. One of the major highlights was the making of two music videos that were shown at the end of the talent night. Jeremy put in a couple of very late nights to produce these. Music was led by Kate Langrell, Daniel Jordan, Jeremy Langner, Adam Mzolinski and Dave.
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Evangelical Lutheran Broadcast
As a follow-up to our message last month regarding the Evangelical Lutheran Broadcast originating in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, we invite you to access our website at www.lutheranbroadcast.ca to hear previous messages as aired on Radio 900 CKBI Prince Albert at 8:30 every Sunday morning since 1934. The guest pastors for the month of November are: November 4 - Pastor Gordon Jensen, Seminary, Saskatoon November 11 - Pastor Bruce Ehlert, Sasaktoon November 18 & 25 - Pastor Chris Dean, Parkside, SK As we pray for the wonderful mission work you carry out, we also ask for prayers for this Broadcast mission. May God bless you and your work and bring you safely home! Myrtle Giles, Secretary
Listen Live
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Publish your newsletters online
The MNO Synod website is now offering a page for congregational newsletters. Let CrossWord readers know what is happening in your congregation. For a sample of the newsletters that have already been shared, click the link below.
MNO Congregational newsletter page	Return to Index

MNO Church and Society Produces Environmental Initiatives Discussion Resource
A PowerPoint presentation was shared recently with synod deans and again with the Metro Conference. It's meant to be a resources to encourage discussion of the environmental need; personal, community and congregational responses; and theological underpinnings for faithful reflection and action. It's possible to use the PowerPoint for a 60-90 minute discussion for Council, adult forums, and various study groups. You may download the PowerPoint by clicking on the link below. Be patient, the download takes time.
Environmental Initiatives Discussion power point
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Anniversary at St. Luke's Zion
10TH ANNIVERSARY On Sunday, December 2nd, we will be marking 10 years for St. Luke's Zion and are planning a hot meal after church service that day. We have a committee that will be giving out tickets for the meal starting this Sunday October 28th after the church service. The tickets will help us determine how many people will attend the lunch and how much food is needed for the lunch. We also are asking people for a food donation or monetary donation to help with the items needed to make it a successful celebration. Bishop Elaine Sauer will be our guest preacher that day and will be with us for lunch. If you have any interest in being part of a short program after lunch, please let Pastor Lynne know. Short skits, songs, poems or jokes would be welcome. For more information, contact the church: 204.339.0412 or stluzi@mts.net

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Luther Village Dinner and Dance
Annual Gourmet Dinner & Dance Friday November 30, 2007. Tickets $25 each, includes a tax receipt of $10. We're proud to announce live music provided by returning band, Legacy! Fundraising Auction.
3 course dinner served at 7 PM. Kildonan East Collegiate, 845 Concordia Ave., Winnipeg Tickets are going fast...call the office 783.3337 for yours now!
	Dinner and Dance poster
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Free shelving available
The ELCIC National Office has some steel shelving that we no longer are using. It is in three sections made of heavy steel in an army green colour. 9 ft or 108" wide by 7 ft 3 inches or 87 " high. Free, but needs to be picked up at the Office, it has been dismantled, so can be stacked. Contact Faye Schultz Executive Assistant to the Office of the Bishop 204.984.9173, fschultz@elcic.ca, www.elcic.ca
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Worship: History and Structure
Are you interested in learning more about how our Lutheran Worship was developed and how it reflects our biblical teachings? A course entitled
*Worship: History and Structure* will be offered at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Steinbach on the weekend of November 23-24, 2007. This is a credit course if you are registered in the Certificate in Lay Ministry program, but the course is open to anyone interested in digging deeper into the study of worship. Co-facilitators for this event are Rev. Don Engel and Ms Donna Engel. This spousal team has been working together in many congregational settings through decades of service to the church. Pastor Don currently serves as chair of the ELCIC Program Committee for Worship. Donna is an accomplished musician who has been sharing her musical gifts in a variety of roles over the years. Bring your personal Evangelical Lutheran Worship hymnal with you or one will be provided at the event. Come and learn together. The registration form is available below and on the MNO Synod website. Please register by November 16th to dbeyer@elcic.ca
Download and print the registration form here
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Invitation to choirs
Dear Choir director, The Cultural City of Vienna is delighted to invite you and your choir, together with selected choirs from around the world, to participate in the 2008 "International Advent Sing in Vienna." We would particularly like to address the North American choirs and look forward to their presenting an harmonious and exciting musical program to the Viennese audiences. As part of the International Advent Sing in Vienna, your choir has the opportunity to perform at your choice of four of the following venues: the famous Festival Hall of the Vienna City Hall where Johann Strauss once conducted; during a Sunday service at one of Vienna's beautiful churches; at Melk Abbey, one of Europe's most stunning baroque abbeys; in a senior citizen's center as a part of the center's Advent celebration; and at festive Christmas markets like the market at Schönbrunn Palace. Youth choirs also have the opportunity to share their music with students at local Viennese high schools. Directors planning to participate in the Advent Sing program in Vienna with their choir are warmly invited and strongly encouraged to take part in an Orientation Trip this summer July 18 - 23, 2008. This trip is complimentary and includes a 4-night stay in Vienna and round-trip flights between Toronto and Vienna, departing the United States or Canada on July 18, 2008. This program is an excellent opportunity to visit venues, meet other directors from around the world who plan to attend the festival, and become familiar with Vienna before you bring your choir during the Advent season. If you are interested in receiving more information regarding details and registration for the 2008 International Advent Sing in Vienna, please contact the following office in the USA for more detailed information: Music Contact International, 119 South Winooski Avenue, Burlington, VT 05401, telephone: 800.624.0166, E-mail: vienna@music-contact.com. We are looking forward to welcoming your choir, along with choirs from Europe, to Vienna during the 2008 Advent Season, and hope that you can be a part of what will certainly be a memorable musical experience. Dates for the weekends in 2008 (including the departure): November 26 – Dec 1, December 3 - 8, December 10 – 15 and December 17-22, 2008. With Best Regards, Norbert Kettner Director of the Vienna Tourist Board
	More details here
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MNO Synod office hours
Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 12:30 pm CST 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm CST

Daily Devotion


Multiplying Ministries

More information here

Youth Worship sched
Nov. 18, Sherwood Park, Winnipeg Dec. 16, Christ Lutheran, Winnipeg Jan. 20, St. Stephen's/St Bede's, Winnipeg Feb. 17 at Advent, Thompson Mar. 16, Faith, Winnipeg Apr. 20, Trinity, Starbuck All services begin at 7 p.m.