Lutheran Urban Ministry is a corporation under the MNO Synod of the ELCIC. The step to become incorporated in the province of Manitoba has occupied the LUM Board over the last several months which included the writing of a Constitution and Bylaws with the help of lawyers and consultants. All congregations of the MNO Synod are members of the Corporation by virtue of their status as a congregation of the MNO Synod.

Temporarily the ministry operates out of 441 Sherbrooke Street with a search for new property happening. A Visioning Committee worked for about two years top set new goals and plans to further the ministry that came out of First English Lutheran Church and was led by Pastor David Lowe for the past 6 years. 

The Board of the Lutheran Urban Ministry recently announced that Denise Warren has accepted the position of Ministry Leader and Manager and began her work among us on June 25th.  She brings a wealth of experience to this position.  She has led worship with the community participants, met with the volunteers whose assistance is essential to our ongoing ministry, and in the fall will begin meeting with congregations and individuals who have a desire to be involved in this outreach ministry of our church..  We gave thanks to God for the grace that we experience daily and the opportunity we have have to share this with others. 
           
The first General Meeting of the Corporation has been set for 3:00 pm, Sunday, September 23, 2007 at 441 Sherbrook St. Winnipeg, Manitoba. We invite interested congregations to send a delegate to represent them at this meeting. Congregations over 300 members can send more than one delegate, using the same rule of representation as for conventions of the Synod. Enclosed you will find the Constitution and Bylaws which describe the legalities of LUM. (These are also available from the LUM link of the MNO web site. Our bylaws state that congregations are to send the name(s) of their delegate(s) 45 days before the meeting date Because of the coming together of this first mailing our need to meet as soon as possible and the summer season being upon us we ask congregations to have their delegate’s name(s) in by September 16, 2007. Below is a short description of LUM gleaned from the articles of the constitution to give you an idea of our purposes and goals.

LUM operates primarily in the inner city neighbourhoods of Winnipeg, Manitoba, which are generally defined by Balmoral and Arlington Streets, and by Portage and Notre Dame Avenues, and nearby areas as ministry needs dictate.

The Corporation operates under the mission of the Manitoba/Northwestern Ontario Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and shall adhere to the Synod’s and Church’s Confession of Faith. LUM is intended to be an outreach to homeless people and many who have often been forgotten or bypassed in their struggle to find some meaning and purpose in life.

LUM ministers to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the individuals and families in the above mentioned core area of the city. This is done by such actions as, holding religious services and studies, providing food and clothing assistance, standing with them and supporting them in relation to issues of poverty, abuse and exploitation, immigration, ethnic diversity, racial and other prejudice, and assisting them with the acquisition of skills, education and experience in order to better their living situations.

LUM operates on a religious non-contingent model, in that it shall offer direct religious programming, but such programming shall not be explicitly tied to the provision of services to such inner city residents.

The ministry of the Corporation is a mutual ministry that responds to the critical needs of people in the inner city and shall also reorient Lutheran congregations to a ministry of social justice within the inner city. Ideally, the mission of the Corporation will flow reciprocally.

We hope to see you on September 23 at 3:00 pm at 441 Sherbrook St. Winnipeg, Manitoba

Sincere wishes for a God-blessed summer,

The Lutheran Urban Ministry Board members, 

           
      Judy Dikkema, chair                                        Lisa Janke, personnel
      Mark Tiefenbach, vice chair & finance     Marlene Reguly, program
      Bob Jacob, secretary & worship                 Deborah Moroz, program                           
Doreen Lecuyer, treasurer                            Meliny McGlade, volunteers
                                                                               __________Property now vacant.

For more information about Lutheran Urban Ministry please contact : Judy Dikkema, chair at judydikk@mts.net or (204) 261-9015.
Regarding the General Meeting please contact: Bob Jacob, secretary, at  bobandvi@shaw.ca or 334-4747.
To volunteer contact Meliny McGlade at meliny4@mts.net or (204) 783-2807.