| Synod Update |
| Click here to see what's been going on in the synod over the last few months. |
 |
 |
Please Note
The synod office will be closed on Friday, September 2 and Monday, September 5. |
| mno |
| September Conference Level Consultation Locations |
| September Conference Level Consultation Locations have now been finalized. As was reported in Bishop Elaine’s letter to you following the National Convention, Synod staff is holding conference consultation meetings where opportunities for discussion and policy development can occur. Your congregational leaders (council and rostered leaders) should have received Bishop Elaine’s letter (July) and a FAQ sheet (August). While most questions may be answered by reading the sheet, it is hoped that the consultation events will be a time in which people can be heard and responded to, as well as a time to hear how other congregations are responding. Please inform your council and members of your congregation of the dates, times and locations. It would be good if at least one person is present from your congregation.
ELCIC Restructuring Implementation Teams- SK and MNO executives and implementation teams will be meeting in Russell, MB on Sept. 11 and 12th. Information will be shared at the conference consultations.
Metro Conf. Sept. 14 (7:00-9:00) Lutheran Church of the Cross, Winnipeg.
Westman Conf. Sept. 15 (7:00-9:00) Erickson Lutheran, Erickson
Interlake Conf. Sept. 20 (7:00-9:00) St. Peter Lutheran, Teulon
Aggasiz Conf. Sept. 21 (7:00-9:00) St. Paul Lutheran, Steinbach
Aurora Conf. Sept. 24 (Conf. Convention) First United Lutheran, Flin Flon
Brokenhead Conf. Sept. 28 (7:00-9:00) Zion Lutheran, Beausejour
Cambrian Conf. Sept. 30 (Conf. Convention) Trinity Lutheran, Bergland |
| mno |
| Mission as Hope Appeal |
Mission as Hope Appeal is well under way toward the $60,000 goal for 2011. Members of Synod Council gave leadership in this appeal, committing to contribute over $5500 in 2011. As of July 31, 2011, MNO Synod has received $19,233 from various congregations and individuals. Mission as Hope assists with funding some regular ministries of our Synod like the Seminary, Luther Village and the Urban, but they also assist in making new initiatives possible. In 2011, these have included:
Stewardship Event hosted by Gimli Lutheran, March
Eldership Unleashed (Lay Leadership Training event), May
Back to Church Sunday Workshop, May
Young Adult Leadership Training, June
If your congregation has not yet had the opportunity to respond and need further information or if you require additional envelopes, don’t hesitate to contact the Synod office. |
 |
| mno |
| What is Back to Church Sunday? |
Back to Church Sunday (B2CS) is the largest single local-church invitational initiative in the world. It is based on the simplest and shortest step in evangelism - that we should invite someone we already know to some-thing we love - inviting a friend to our church.
The initiative started as an invitation to welcome 'back' those who used to attend, but has grown to ensure that anyone who doesn't currently attend can be guaranteed an especially warm welcome.
Read more
Back to Church Sunday resources |
 |
| mno |
| Grants Available through MNO Synod Foundation |
| Project Grants are available to assist your congregation to be "In Mission". If your congregation has a vision and a desire to try something new that will assist you to be "in mission" in your community, the MNO Synod would like to assist you to make this possible. Two separate grants are available, each with some unique criteria. They are: |
|
|
MNO Synod Foundation Grants for projects that correspond to the MNO Synod Missional Directions:
1. Strengthen all God`s people for discipleship.
2. Embrace passionately a call to spiritual renewal through: prayer, study, scripture, worship, give, tell, service.
3. Celebrate the abundance of God`s gifts.
4. Nurture relationships with neighbouring congregations and the community at large.
Applications for small grants up to $2,000 to support such projects are available from the Synod. Applications will be accepted up until September 30, 2011. A grants review committee appointed by Synod Council will review the applications in October and make a recommendation to Synod Council who will in turn make a final decision at its November meeting. Successful applicants will receive their funds early in 2012 to begin implementing their projects.
Click here for more information
Documents attached:
2011 Foundation Grant Application Guidelines
2011 Foundation Grant Application Form
|
|
Project Support Grants for projects that correspond with CECF (Church Extension and Capital Fund) guidelines. This supports a congregational one-time project, either as seed money for an outreach initiative that the congregation plans to continue on its own after start-up, or that can normally be completed within a year. Some examples of initiatives qualifying are: assisting a congregation with developing promotional and outreach materials for their community; assistance with providing an internship placement in a mission congregation; assistance with conducting surveys in a new development; assistance with stewardship planning or capital campaigns; assistance in providing short term funds for a staff person in some new mission initiative.
Click here for more information
Congregational leaders are encouraged to dream about missional opportunities over the summer as well as to include this on council agendas either over the summer or in September. Deadlines for applications for both types of grants are September 30, 2011.
|
| mno |
| 2011 ELCIC Constitution and Bylaw Changes |
A major change was made to the Administrative Bylaws, Part II Congregations, Section 5 (refers also to the Constitution, Part VI Congregations, Section 10). A process for severing its relationship with the ELCIC has been clarified. Please note the following amendment:
Read the amendment |
|
| mno |
 |
2011 Youth Thanksgiving Retreat, October 7-10, 2011 at Luther Village
SCRIPTure:Find your Mark in the Spotlight is this year's theme. Members of the drama team at CLAY in London and others, Caroline Wintoniw, Martine Teetaert, Andrea Sartison, and Barret Miller are the planners/presenters. The goals of the retreat are:
- to provide young people and leaders with practical tools for Biblical reflection and script writing.
- to explore different drama techniques and improve dramatic skills
- to develop up to 10 scripts that can be used back home from this coming Advent to next Pentecost Sunday
|
|
12 for 12: Developing Full Communities (National Youth Project) -
As news continues to filter in about the heart- wrenching famine in Somalia, the importance of "helping to build" sustainable communities makes even more sense. Building sustainable communities is what our National Youth Project is all about. As you do your fund-raising for Saskatoon, why not consider a fund-raising event for this worthwhile cause, or consider a tithe (10%) of all your fundraising proceeds? Each community costs $5000 to develop. Can your youth group set a goal to provide a tenth, a quarter, a half of one community? Sherwood Park Lutheran is sending a challenge to all of us?
How many communities can we develop from MNO?
Click here to find out more about the project
Click here to view the Sherwood Park challenge |
|
| First of the Season - MNO Synod Youth and Campus Service will take place on Sunday, October 2 at 6:30 pm in Pinawa. It is being co-hosted by Pinawa Lutheran Church and Pinawa Christian Fellowship (a joint Anglican, United, Presbyterian and Mennonite ministry). The service will take place at F.W. Gilbert School on the corner of Massey Avenue and McDiarmid Road in Pinawa. From Winnipeg, allow about one and a half hours to get there. Take Highway 44 east of Beausejour, turn left at Highway # 11, and then right at the Pinawa turnoff (Highway #211). |
|
Bus Trip to the Saskatoon Youth Gathering, 2012 - Your bus trip committee has been meeting and have made plans for an extended bus trip that will take us on a detour into the Rocky Mountains, West Edmonton Mall on the way to Saskatoon. Watch for the full details including costs in early September as you begin planning for your group to attend. We plan to leave on Monday, August 13, and return straight home after the Gathering on August 19.
|
| mno |
| Y.A.M. (Young Adult Ministry) |
New University Students
A reminder to all Congregations and Young Adults that are attending U of M, U of W, Brandon, or Lakehead University. Get your address, email and phone # to Sarah Gelhorn sgelhorn@elcic.ca. This is really important so we can show you all the great things we can offer you. |
 |
|
Young Adult Retreat
We are hoping for this to be a Spirit Building, Relaxing weekend. There will be a fair bit of downtime to enjoy a hike, relax on the beach and get prepared for the busy fall. As well as time to Worship, share thoughts and opinions and have some discussions and devotions. September 23-25. You will not want to miss out!
|
|
| If you are a Young adult be sure to join our MNO Young Adult Facebook group! It is a great way to get quick updates, and know what is happening with us in the Synod! Click here |
 |
| mno |
| Stewardship Thots |
In a recent article "U.S. Christians and the Riddle of Stingy Giving", Chick Lane, Director of the Center for Stewardship Leaders, says that unlike the old good news-bad news jokes, the story of giving by U.S. Christians is a bad news-worse news story. The bad news is that the average U.S. Christian contributes 2.9 percent of their income to charitable causes. The worse news is that because a few people give a very high percentage of their income to charitable causes, the median U.S. Christian gives just 0.6 percent of income to charities.
Continue reading
|
| mno |
| Cameroon Update |
| We hope all is well with you in Canada. We are fine and have pictures to present to you for the month of May are June.
We realize that the reports are coming sometimes later than you expect but we hope you can understand that the work load for just two social workers within the hospital is much and so we have to squeeze some extra time to meet up. Secondly, like has been our cry since last year, access to computers is very limited after working hours (which is the best time to work on reports). But we believe this will change with time.
October is drawing nearer and our excitement increases to you again.
We wish you the best of God's Blessing,
TABEBOT William Besem,
Health & Social Worker
Palliative Care Unit
Protestant Hospital |
 |
 |
| View more pictures here |
| Fanta Gaknone and William Besem aside from having full time positions as social workers at the OS-EELC Protestant Hospital in Ngaoundere - oversee our Companion Synod 'Kids Helping Kids'. They meet with the children for a monthly get together to nurture the 65 children in their spiritual, health/well-being and nutrition. Our program supplies each child with a bag of food supplements (beans, arachides/ground nuts, rice, milk, oil and soap) bi-monthly. We also contribute to their schooling and emergency health needs. |
| mno |
| Liturgical Fabric Art |
| The Committee for Worship and the Arts encourages you to check out this websites: http://institches.com/ It offers a number of pages on Liturgical Fabric Art including stoles, banners and parament and a Jesus Doll http://www.institchescenter.com/jesusdoll.htm This is one of the quips on this page:
A 3 year little boy named Christopher, upon first seeing the doll in church school, crawled into a rocking chair, gently lifted the doll onto his lap, and said "Jesus, I gotta’ talk to you!" (This event was an easy first step in helping Christopher understand prayer.)
If you are thinking of a fall vacation, this might become part of your itinerary.
http://institches.com/classes/classes.htm lists some classes in Ohio.
May you be blessed with artful worship ideas.
|
 |
| mno |
| Dealing With An Imperfect Situation |
Have you ever thought about the phrase, “the road to hell is paved with good intentions”? At one time I did wonder about this, but a recent incident at the Urban has clearly demonstrated the basis of this statement. Have you ever been told what it takes to make roses grow? So, we now know that sometimes the really bad times can have enduring beauty come out of the experience. This all has to do with one of our meal teams and the terrible experience that they went through at the hands of a very angry man.
Continue reading |
 |
| mno |
 |
Fall Staff Urgently Needed!
Kitchen & Housekeeping, Sept – Oct. 10, 2011 (dates flexible)
Program Leaders/Counsellors – Sept 14-16 & Sept 19-21, 2011
Call or email the office for details 807.543.4052 info@luthervillage.ca
Print staff poster here |
 |
|
Golf Tournament
Sat. Sept 17, 2011
Harbourview Golf Complex, Winnipeg
Tee off: 10:30 AM; Texas Scramble
Cost: $45 includes tax receipt, 9 holes golf, lunch, prize
Call Don Hatch to register: 204.669.4321
Print golf poster here |
|
Watch for our Fall Newsletter coming September 8!
Pictures and stories of our summer in review... |
| mno |
| Horn of Africa Appeal to the Lutheran Communion; Call for Prayers and Financial Support |
The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) General Secretary Rev. Martin Junge has made an urgent appeal for prayer and financial support from the Lutheran communion to assist with relief efforts in the drought affected region of the Horn of Africa.
In a letter to LWF member churches and national committees following an LWF delegation to the region at the beginning of August, Junge said the world is facing a crisis in which more than 12 million lives in the region are at risk due to drought, said to be the worst in 60 years, and conflict.
Junge called on Lutherans worldwide to pray for refugees and displaced persons in the Horn of Africa, as well as those seeking to help them, including the staff of government, international and non-governmental organizations. He also called for financial support of the work in the region, and urged members to appeal to their governments to respond to the United Nations appeal for the Horn of Africa, which has a 1.3 billion dollar shortfall. Read the full letter from Junge here (http://www.elcic.ca/Documents/LettertoMemberChurchesHornofAfrica.pdf).
In July, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), which is a member of LWF, issued an appeal, through its partnership with Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR), for financial support to assist relief efforts for drought affected people in East Africa.
Continue reading
|
| mno |
| East Africa Refugee Camp Ration Meal |
Announcement:
There’s only a short time left before the Government’s matching program for east Africa drought relief ends on Sept. 16! Your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Canadian government. One great way to make a donation, and reflect on the needs of hungry people in east Africa, is by eating a ration meal—a meal similar to what people eat in refugee camps—then donating the money saved. Find more information and recipes at the Canadian Foodgrains Bank website at www.foodgrainsbank.ca
|
| mno |
| Saving Lives in East Africa |
Canadian Lutheran World Relief is working with trusted partners like Canadian Foodgrains Bank, the Lutheran World Federation, and Support for Sustainable Development to bring an end to that harsh reality.
Now you can do something too. You can save lives right now by making a donation to see that proper rations are available for every child, every mother, every father, and every person in East Africa. Willing workers are on the ground today ready to distribute the food that you provide through your gift.
Continue reading
Canadian Lutheran World Relief’s African development projects pdf |
 |
| For too many people in East Africa this may be all they have to eat today. |
|
| mno |
| New Doctoral Degree Program in
Rural Ministry and Community Development |
CiRCLe M is pleased to announce that the seminaries of the Saskatoon Theological Union are now offering a Doctor of Ministry Degree (DMin) in Rural Ministry and Community Development.
The first cohort of this 3-year program will be offered in January 2012.
All courses will be an intensive format so that clergy can minimize time away from their parishes. Applications are due November 1, 2011
For more information contact: Rev. Dr. Cameron Harder (CiRCLe M)
St. Andrew's College Registrar: 975-1588; email: colleen.walker@usask.ca
Lutheran Theological Seminary Registrar: 966-7856; email: susan.avant@usask.ca |
 |
| mno |
| Looking at New Testament Scripture Through Jewish Eyes |
| Beginning October 24 (Monday) at 7:30-9:00 pm at the Simkin PCH Center, 1 Falcon Ridge Dr., continuing for five successive Monday evenings. Led by Rabbi Neal Rose! (Rabbi Neal Rose was a professor in Religous Studies at the University of Manitoba and has facilitated a number of religious seminars at St. Benedict Retreat Centre)
October 24, "Jewish/Roman Cultural World that Jesus Lived in"
November 1 – Tuesday – (because of Halloween Monday), "Jesus as Rabbi, Prophet and Messiah"
Nov. 7, "Jesus' Death/Resurrection and His Followers"
Nov. 14, "Jewish Reflection on Paul and His Letters"
Nov. 21, "Prayer Life of Jesus and Paul"
This course is offered in partnership between St. Mark’s Lutheran and Faith Lutheran churches. Members of St. Mark’s may register by calling there, 204.452.3426. All others may register by calling Faith Lutheran Church – 204.253.1491, ext 20 and leave a message. Please indicate the number of sessions you hope to attend, include your name and phone number. Register by October 16. Cost is $25 for the series or $5 per session. Refreshments may be purchased at the Simkin Centre coffee shop. |
| mno |
| Church Council Leaders, Mission Committee Leaders and Pastors |
| Mark your calendars and plan to be part of reCall: Living Mission in a Consumer's World. Every two years, Mission Planting Canada plans a national congress to inspire church leaders to actively work at being missional churches in our contexts, as well as to support new mission plants. On November 15-17, this congress (www.thecongress.ca) will take place in Winnipeg, so it will never be more economical for our leaders to attend and be inspired. For this to really take hold, it is strongly encouraged that you aim to have at least two people (the more the better) attend from your congregation so that there is a shared experience from which to work when you go back to your congregations. At budget time last year, Pastor Larry encouraged you to put some money in your budget to have folks from your church attend.
The Synod Committee for Mission is very excited about this opportunity, so they have registered us to take advantage of a denominational group rate, which means that we have committed that at least 20 Lutherans will attend, which brings the price down by $30 per person to $169. Moreover, from the Mission budget, they have also committed to subsidizing the first 25 people to the tune of $80 per person. If you are interested of taking advantage of this group rate, as well as taking advantage of the subsidy, contact Pastor Larry at lulrich@elcic.ca |
 |
| mno |
| Going Barefoot III |
Everything Old is New Again: Communication and Fundraising in the Digital World
Oct. 14, 2011
Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg
Communication, fundraising and community engagement seems more challenging than ever, what with all the new technologies, so many communication channels, the many pressing needs vying for attention, and changes in the media landscape.
How do churches and non-profit groups share their messages and reach new audiences in this digital world? Or do we already have all the tools we need—do we just need to find new and creative ways to use them? And how do we reach out and share messages with boomers—that large segment of the Canadian population that is looking for new ways to be meaningfully engaged in the world?
Finding ways to use traditional skills to meet new challenges and reach new audiences is the goal of Going Barefoot III, Oct. 14, 2011 at Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg.
Presenters:
Owen Charters, CEO, CanadaHelps
Bill Roberts, President and CEO of Vision TV
Gayle Goosen, Founder and Creative Director, Barefoot Creative
Cost: $84 (includes GST)
In addition to keynote presentations, Going Barefoot III will feature informative workshops on fundraising, using social media, working with the traditional media and marketing.
Save the date now! More information, including registration information, coming soon. If you have questions, e-mail John Longhurst, Director of Resources & Public Engagement, Canadian Foodgrains Bank, at jdl562009@gmail.com |
| mno |
| Clergy Leadership Institute:
Enabling Innovation at the Speed of Life |
Understanding the Appreciative Way and Transformation
"Jesus didn't come that we might have less death,
he came that we might have life."
Too often we spend our time engaged in change processes that, at best, are stop-gap
measures to delay death.
What the church needs today is not change but transformation
— a new way of seeing and being in the world.
The Appreciative Way is an intentional and strategic way of engaging in transformation
by discovering and growing what is life-giving to the congregation.
Read more here |
| mno |
| Canadian Grief & Bereavement Conference |
The 2nd Annual Canadian Grief & Bereavement Conference, hosted by Bereaved Families of Ontario, is being held Thursday, Oct. 27 – Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011 at the Marriott Toronto Airport Hotel. You will find complete information and the opportunity to register at www.griefconference.org.
|
| mno |
| Creative Writing
for Self-Discovery |
Put Your Pen to Paper & Explore Your Personal Stories
We will play with various forms of creative writing
(journal writing, poetry, personal essay, etc.), and
learn new skills in engaging both our right and left
brains in our writing practices.
We will stretch ourselves creatively & personally, dig
into our stories, learn new things about who we are,
and have fun in the process.
We will walk away with deeper understanding of
ourselves and new creative thinking & writing skills.
When: 8 Thursdays, Sept. 22 to Nov. 10, 7-9:30 p.m.
Where: Good News Fellowship, 891 St. Mary's
Road, Winnipeg
Cost: $125
Register at heatherplett.com, or email heather@heatherplett.com
|
| mno |
| Education for Ministry |
This is a program aimed to educate lay people in the Bible and church history and current theological issues. Each year concentrates on one specific area as follows:
Year 1: Old Testament
Year 2: New Testament
Year 3: Church History
Year 4: Theological Church (which includes some specific Canadian content)
Although mainly affiliated with the Anglican Church, this program of study is open to members of all denominations. The cost for the course is $375/year (payable by cash, cheque or VISA) which includes all materials except your Bible. For details on the program, check out the EFM website: www.efmcanada.ca.
St. James Anglican Church is seeking interested students who would like to attend an afternoon (Tuesdays) rather than evening session. For information contact Janice Clarke at 416-5163 or e-mail kritterkastle@shaw.ca. Janice, who is a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, has recently graduated from the program and is certified as a mentor for the program. |
| mno |
| Job Opps |
Secretary wanted, part time, at Church of the Cross, 560 Arlington Street, working 3 hours per day. Duties include preparation of weekly bulletin and service PowerPoint, general reception duties, preparation of correspondence, recording of offerings, and various other duties. Applicants should have good computer skills, including knowledge of Microsoft word and PowerPoint, related office experience, and good communication and interpersonal skills.
If you are interested, please call or email Chairperson Linda Yaworski at ryaworski@hotmail.com or phone 204.661.5899 or crosspastor@mts.net or 204.775.0331.
|
|
| Luther Court Society, Victoria, B. C., is a campus of care that provides a range of care and services to older adults in the Greater Victoria area, including, complex care, subsidized rental housing, assisted living, home support, adult day program services and a wellness centre. Luther Court has been fully accredited since 1989, has long been recognized for excellence in seniors’ care and programming and has received national citations for best practice.
We are seeking a one-half time chaplain who is skilled in pastoral care and counselling, spiritual direction, and worship leadership. The chaplain will also be actively involved in doing reminiscence work and narrative inquiry within our community to support older adults in their quest for meaning and purpose.
The chaplain works as part of an interdisciplinary team and an understanding of clinical charting is helpful.
The candidate should be rostered with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada or the Anglican Church of Canada.
Please submit expressions of interest to:
The Rev. Karen A. Johnson-Lefsrud
Executive Director
1525 Cedar Hill X Road
Victoria, B. C. V8P 5M1
kjohnson@luthercourt.org
250 477-7241 ext. 26
http://luthercourt.org/ |
 |
 |
|
|
