This short retreat will assist lay people to discern where God is calling them with their gifts. The retreat will be facilitated by Ms Ruth Vince, a lay professional working in

the church as Executive Director for Evangelical Lutheran Women. Bishop Elaine Sauer will assist Ruth as well. Lay people are encouraged to enter into a dialogue with God and others as they discern what gifts for ministry they have been given and where in the church they might be used to bless God’s mission in the world.

The retreat will be held at St. Benedicts Retreat and Conference Centre (225 Masters Ave.) on Friday, Oct. 19 (6:30-9:30 p.m.) and Saturday, Oct. 20 (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.). The retreat is a core requirement for the Certificate in Lay Ministry program but is for anyone wanting to spend time in reflection and intentional conversation about the discernment of their call to serve. Once registered you will receive materials in advance in preparation for retreat.

Registration deadline is October 15th. You may register by email dbeyer@elcic.ca  Cheques should follow immediately to:
MNO Synod, 201-3657 Roblin Blvd., Winnipeg, MB   R3R 0E2

Meet the MNO Synod seminary contingent

Above is the MNO synod contingent at seminary this year:
Back Row (L to R) - Dr. Cam Harder (professor), Katharine Bergbusch (Schmeider Resident for this year and former missionary in Peru), Fran Schmidt (senior year M.Div.), Richard Engel (1st year M.Div.), Jim Vicker (2nd year M.Div.), Amber Kendel (1st year M.Div.), Terry Gundmundson (1st year M.Div.)
Front Row (L to R) - Jason Zinko (2nd year M.Div.), Jennifer Marlor (2nd year B.Th.), Hildegarde Vickers (1st year Diaconal Certificate), Connor Trueman (1st year MTS).

We’re all looking forward to a full and productive year and appreciate all the support and prayers of our congregations and the synod as a whole.

Worship Friends

Just a reminder that nominations for the 2008 Companion of the Worship Arts, are being received by Don Engel, chair of PCW, until December 31, 2007.

The following guidelines are on the LUYH website at www.worship.ca.

The Program Committee for Worship is seeking nominations for the 2008 Companion of the Worship Arts. The Companion of the Worship Arts is an honour conferred in recognition of significant contribution to the national worship life of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.

Nominations are being received for the award to be conferred at the 2008 National Worship Conference to be held in Montreal, June 25 - 29, 2008.

Nominations with supporting documentation may be sent to The Rev. Don Engel, 302-393 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3B 3H6.

Deadline for submissions is December 31, 2007.

Don Engel

NEWS FLASH - Urgent Request for Sr High Thanksgiving Retreat

Needed : 2 or 3 digital video cameras (and operators). Leaders - do you or one of your youth have access to this equipment? Our presenters would be so happy if you could bring and operate a camera for the creation of a music video. Please let Larry know at the Synod Office (889.3760) or email lulrich@elcic.ca ASAP.

2008 YOUTH GATHERING
Travel Light- Aug. 14-17 in Whitehorse

You've been asking about this AWESOME EVENT at this AWESOME PLACE, and yes, there is a lot of newly posted information on the website (Click here). The National Planning Committee for the Gathering are coordinating a bus trip from Edmonton to Whitehorse, and the details and cost is now available on the website (Click here).

Here are the details in a nutshell:
Who can attend: Young people age 14-19 (you have to turn 14 by December 31, 2008). Please check carefully for the leader requirements.

Cost of Gathering: $495
Registration Opens: January 2, 2008
Registration Limit: 1200 persons, so register early.
National Bus Trip from Edmonton to Whitehorse (and back to Edmonton) $475

Bus trip activities begin on Monday, August 11 at 5:00 pm, and the bus will return to Edmonton on Tuesday, August 19 by 6:00 pm.
Bus trip covers accommodations and all meals, except supper on Monday, August 11 and supper on August 19.

How do we get to Edmonton from MNO: Most leaders/groups are talking about flying to Edmonton. While the airlines have not yet totally set the fares for next year, because it is peak season, group and convention fares are estimated to be between $450-500 (including taxes) from Winnipeg to Edmonton and back. For our friends in Thunder Bay, it's a bit higher. More information on group fares/schedules will be coming out from the MNO Synod office by January 1, 2008. Your group is also free to book flights on their own, perhaps being able to use air miles or trying to capitalize on seat sales.

So what's the total cost per person? In the neighborhood of $1500.

Are there other options to getting there?
1) Flying directly to Whitehorse is an option for those with severe time constraints.
2) ANOTHER BUS from Winnipeg??? That is also a possibility that the MNO Youth Committee are considering. The issue is that it adds 3 days to the trip, leaving August 10, and returning August 20. The savings would be about $200 per person. If this is an option that you want the MNO Youth Committee to plan, we will need at least 45 participants interested in this possibility. Please let Larry Ulrich (lulrich@elcic.ca) know by October 31, 2007 if this is an option that your participants are considering.

FUNDRAISING IDEAS
Why not use YOOTH LOOPS in CrossWord on our MNO website to share what your group is doing? Email your ideas to rscherger@elcic.ca. It will allow us to hear all the ideas that are out there that will help us to TRAVEL LIGHT, Whitehorse.

Click here for updates from last week's National Church Council

ELW E-Messenger

The National ELW Board met September 20-22, 2007 in Winnipeg and deliberated over the following issues facing our organization.

- Continuing Education: more info at www.charisecumenical.org
Oct. 11 - Dirk Lange - 'Taize and Prayer: Cold-Shower Ecumenism'
Nov. 8 - Robert Jewett - 'Romans: Paul's Letter for the 21st Century"
Jan. 31 - Mark Molldrem/Julie Tweit - 'Tales from the Crypt: Theology and Practice in Funeral Ministry'

- Related to rural ministry, a suggested link to the National Catholic Rural Life Conference: www.ncrlc.com

FaithLife Financial and Concordia Lutheran Theological Seminary in St. Catharines, Ontario are pleased to offer one free 2008 Pastor's Desk Diary to the first 700 Pastors and/or Church Workers in Canada who order online! Any subsequent desk diaries that you wish to order will cost $15.00 each.
http://www.concordia-seminary.ca/diary.php

MESSAGE FOR MEMBERS:
We all experience problems and challenges in life from time-to -time, and often these concerns can leave us feeling isolated with no idea of where we can turn for help.

But your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) as well as events like World Mental Health Day can not only help you feel less alone, but also connect you to support and resolution for your concerns.

We’ve partnered with our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to put together an online interactive wellness site (microsite) to mark World Mental Health Day that offers resources and tools to help you find ways to reflect on your challenges,rethink your approach to resolving challenges, and recharge your overall physical, mental and emotional health and well-being.

The microsite, www.shepellfgi.com/reflections, will be active from October 3rd, 2007 to October 31st, 2007.

Log on to discover that although the ups and down of life can be overwhelming, you’re not alone, and with support and information at hand, you can take action when challenges arise!

Why are you going to Russia?  Why do you want to go there? What’s your purpose?  What are you going to do?

These were questions we (Arleen and Howard) heard before our trip, and our answers then were, “because Antti and Jari say we ought to go;” “it’s a Mission Trip, perhaps a last chance as this is Antti’s last trip;” and, “you can learn about and encourage the growing, struggling Ingrian Lutheran Churches in NW Russia (Karelia) as they re-build and establish their ministries.”  Having gone, and returned, I can tell you that those answers are still true, but now there is more.

On October 28th our church celebrates our relationship with Lutherans throughout the world through the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). Coming in an upcoming GHDA mailing which should be mailed to your congregation at the end of next week, will be resources for your congregation to celebrate this day. This year's celebration will focus on Stewardship of Wealth - Overcoming Poverty. An important part of the work of which we do through. LWF is in international development and relief. An often little know fact is that the LWF is respected world wide not only for its development work but also for its ability to run refugee camps. It is because of this that the UN often turns to the LWF to run its camps. Our church supports this work of the LWF though GHDA and its partnership with CLWR.

To have a preview of the material which will be sent with you the news release link below contains information about this resource as well as links to a PDF file of the resources for LWF Sunday.

Rev. Ryan Andersen
Assistant to the Bishop for Stewardship in Public Life
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada

Idea of the Month: From an article in Centred Life
Special thanks to Trinity Lutheran Church, Eau Claire, WI

"May you live out your calling
as you guide these children toward adulthood, preparing them to face challenges every day with the grace and love that flow from your faith
in the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.