What a beautiful morning to hear from Anita Ruis and Dona Isaacs.
Both shared their wisdom of living out the story of following Jesus in their ministries. How blessed we are! (back left to right Violet, Debra, Krista and Jodi) (front left Dona and Anita)
We’re excited for the Upstairs Gathering to begin again on October 4. After our community consultations last June we’ve been thinking, praying and planning. A small team was invited by the pastoral staff to help bring leadership to the Upstairs Gathering – this was a need that was articulated clearly in June. The leadership team is:
Andy Wood, Sean Hogan & Natasha Boone, Derek & Ashley Bergen, Michelle Santschi and Sara & Jonathan Epp.
Together we’re excited for what God has in store for this expression of WCV! We are also excited to see everyone who regularly finds themselves upstairs, to participate in meaningful ways. The goal is to facilitate a culture of “everyone get’s to play” and one in which we’re not afraid to “do the stuff”.
There are some defining elements of the Upstairs Gathering that we want to encourage. Some of these are:
These are not necessarily unique to the Upstairs Gathering, but they are what we particularly love and want to continue to develop Upstairs. We will still worship together, celebrate communion weekly and teach, but it will all be done in the unique flavour we’ve come to love.
For the Fall, we are going to explore WCV’s mission statement:
“We exist to build a safe community that invites all peoples to worship Jesus as they embrace a kingdom lifestyle that extends God’s justice on the earth.”
In particular, we are going to explore what this looks like among our 15 Core Practices (these are simply what following Jesus looks like to us in WCV’s context). If you find yourself regularly coming to the Upstairs Gathering, don’t be surprised if your asked or invited to contribute in some way – in fact, don’t wait to be asked – if you have something you’d like to do, talk to one of us. We want this gathering to be one of equipping & practice. Because it’s smaller, it’s more conducive to this and we want to take advantage of this.
On October 4, we are going to be laying out some of the ways we can all take ownership of this beautiful little gathering. See you then!
Here are a few greetings for our 20th anniversary party from friends far and wide. Thanks guys!
The Masseys are serving on staff at the Brussels Vineyard. Robb was the WCV Youth Director for a number of years, after which they planted the Vineyard in Elmwood.
Kris and Liv are pastors at the Cambridge Vineyard. They were part of WCV’s worship community leadership team.
Cynthia and Colin are from the Kelowna Vineyard. They were pastors here in the early days. Colin oversaw the renovations to the 1st and 2nd floors of 782 Main when we first got it.
The Brandon Vineyard is pastored by Ed and Lynn Creary (who were WCV House group coordinators). It was planted out of WCV.
Brad is from Abbotsford and is a long-time friend of WCV (and brother to Rod).
Jan & Coral find themselves living again in Kelowna – which is where they moved from to help plant WCV. They also planted the Brandon Vineyard. Greg planted Winnipeg South Vineyard (which is now called Village Vineyard).
Sheri works with World Vision in Toronto – she was our youth director.
Violet shares a miraculous story of provision.
We are so grateful you’ve come to celebrate what God has done in and through this unique community called Winnipeg Centre Vineyard. It’s been 20 years since the prayer meetings in David and Anita’s living room morphed into public gatherings. If you were around in those early days in 1995, and haven’t been here in awhile, welcome back! If you’ve more recently found yourself part of the WCV family, we hope this weekend will help you become more rooted in our story.
The Elder team at our 2015 retreat.
A wise man once told us to “Walk backwards into the future”. In other words, where we come from will influence where we’re going. As we meet in this place – this traditional Anishinabe and Treaty One territory – we want to recall the stories that have formed us and the powerful ways God has shaped us. However, we don’t want to get caught in mere nostalgia, simply telling stories of the “good ole days”. Our hope is that something will stir in our spirits as we trace the arc of WCV’s narrative and, in doing so, that we will be inspired into our future together.
As Paul said, “[…] he who began a good work in you will complete it.” It’s a plural “you”. God has been working since those early prayer meetings in the Ruis’ living room, and he’s still moving and active among us; forming us into his likeness. Our prayer is that we will come out of this Vineyard Fest! celebration with a deep sense of gratitude for the past and renewed vision to propel us into the future.
~Andy for the pastoral team
Worship led by David Ruis
“Stories that Shaped Us – Vision to Call Us” – staff telling pivotal WCV stories.
Neighbourhood Party (see below for details)
Worship led by WCV band
“Stories that Shaped Us – Vision to Call Us” – David and Anita Ruis
Worship led by David Ruis
“Stories that Shaped Us – Vision to Call Us” – Noel Isaacs & Others
Since we never do anything without the thought of inviting others along for the journey, we have invited our neighbourhood to come and celebrate with us. We want our celebration to be an actual blessing to our neighbours; one that will launch us into a new season of everything God has for us and our neighbourhood.
The Neighbourhood party will be in the Greenspace, parking lot and Vineyard Memorial Path and will include the following:
Unfortunately, there won’t be time this weekend to hear about all the ways God has worked in and through WCV over the years. Nonetheless, we’d love to collect your thoughts, pivotal stories or prayers for WCV as we look to the future. If you have something to share, please record a short video and post it to our Facebook page. Some of these will be collected and shown in our Main Sessions. Please keep them short (2 mins max, 30 seconds is great). You can post them on our WCV Facebook Page.
There is no childcare or kids’ programming scheduled during the Friday and Saturday Main Sessions. The Sunday morning session will have our normal “Kids’ Church” activities. All children must be signed into our Kid Check system, which is set up at the South Door Foyer (by the elevator). The Neighbourhood Party is totally for kids!
The Nursing Moms’ room is available at any time during the main sessions for those who want some more privacy. It’s located in the North-West corner of the sanctuary (opposite end from the Kitchen).
We know that any timeline will do a disservice to the numerous big and small things God has done in our life together. Many people have contributed to WCV over the years – too many to list here. This is simply a brief overview of significant events, incidents and leadership over the past 20 years.
1994 – David and Anita Ruis – The heart in the heartland! They meet John and Violet Rademaker at a worship event in BC.
1995 Summer – A small group begins to meet in the Ruis’ living room in Winnipeg to pray and articulate vision.
1995 Fall – 960 Main St. is acquired for office space and a Ministry Centre. Weekday prayer meetings and Drop-in begin.
1995 Oct – First public Sunday morning gathering at Living Bible Explorers.
1995 Nov – Sunday gatherings begin at Jubilee Place @ MBCI. During this period the Pastoral team includes various combinations of: David & Anita Ruis, Jan & Coral Steffan, John & Violet Rademaker, and Brian & Shannon Creary. Colin & Cynthia Lees later join the pastoral team. Many others were also involved in various capacities, coming and going throughout the years.
1996 Sept – The Fragrance of Justice conference with John Wimber & Jackie Pullinger.
1996 – Sunday gatherings begin in Bethlehem Aboriginal Fellowship’s building on Burrows and Charles.
1998 – Noel & Dona Isaacs visit for 3 months and are sent out to plant the Kathmandu Vineyard in Nepal. “Fragrant Oil” worship album released.
1999 – Nathan & Kendra Rieger join the pastoral team. Andy & Beckie Wood start the first Vineyard School of Justice. “Shake off the Dust” worship album released.
2001 – “The Mystery” & North End Artist’s Collective “No Fixed Address” albums released.
2002 Spring – David and Anita move to Los Angeles.
2002 Summer – WCV moves out of Burrows and meets in David Livingstone School, 960 Main St. and Winnipeg Christian Centre on Provencher while we search for a permanent home.
2002 – 782 Main St. is given to WCV after giving our building fund to the Kathmandu Vineyard for them to purchase their home. Renovations to main floor and ½ of 2nd floor.
2003 Spring – Move to 782 Main St. & sell 960 Main St.
2005 – Mike & Jodi join pastoral team as Children’s Pastors. A group leaves to start Sanctuary House of Prayer.
2006 – Andy & Beckie Wood join Pastoral team.
2007 Mar – Flatlanders Inn opens (1st phase on the 2nd floor)
2009 Mar – Flatlanders Inn expands (2nd phase on the 3rd floor)
2010 Dec – Flatlanders Inn expands (3rd phase on the 3rd floor)
2011 Spring – Flatlanders Studio opens
2013 – Suhail Stephen reboots the Vineyard School of Justice
2015 April – Earthquake hits Himalayan Region – WCV coordinates world-wide response.
2015 – Suhail Stephen joins staff team as Drop-in Pastor.
2015 – “Within and Without” worship album released.
Our youth have had a number of directors and leaders serve them over the years including: Nolan Clark, Jason & Loraleigh Epp, Sheri McConnell (who also spearheaded Student Revival & Downpour Youth events), Adria Penner, Tim & Tara Klassen, Robb Massey, Jeff Leighton, Sebas & Beckah Hodder, Cornelius & Tania Martens, Ian Williams and currently James & Lynelle Ryan.
Our children have had a number of Children’s coordinators / directors serving them including: Lilian Poetker, Cathy Barclay, Nancy Saura, Joyska Schmidt, Mike Labun and currently Jodi Labun.
Other various ministries and communities have spun out of WCV or have been part of the swirl in one way or another. These include Andrew & Tami Smith, Rik & Zara Leaf and Kim Johnson who were part of the Artists Collective. Jan and Coral Steffan planted the Brandon Vineyard which is now pastored by Ed & Lynn Creary who were part of WCV in the early days. Joe Eapen, Derek & Joy Eidse, Jason & Theresa Eheler, Greg & Theresa Trask, Doug & Rachelle Houlbrook & David & Anita Ruis and others spearheaded the Freedom House. Gregg & Irene Musselmen, Lindsay & Lois Ward and Sean & Natasha Hogan with the Winnipeg South Vineyard (which is now the Village Vineyard). Robb and Christa Massey and a team of people from WCV planted the Vineyard in Elmwood.
Nepal and the Himalayan Region has seen many trips (too many to mention). Many families from WCV have spent time and sown into this vital relationship. The “multi-month club” include Kevin & Heather Attkey, Ken & Bonnie Lewis & family, Rod & Elisa Jersak & family, Mike & Jodi Labun & family and others.
Mercy In Action in the Philippines has also been a significant connection for WCV. Andy & Beckie Wood, Steve & Susan Wintoniw, Jason & Theresa Eheler, Jennifer Stephen, Karina Lewis, and Jon & Tracy Mullet and others have all spent significant time cultivating this relationship.
Flatlanders Inn began in prayer in 2005 and came to fruition in 2007. Since then the Leadership team has included Andy & Beckie Wood, Jeff & Amanda Leighton, Adam Ward, Sarah Coloumbe, Luke Mayhew, Sarah Hildebrand, Brendan & Kelly Dvorak and Laura Dahl with many others contributing, serving and learning in this context as Transitional Members or Interns.
Of course there are many other people who could be listed who have served and led in various capacities over the years (like Lillian Poetker our amazing bookkeeper and Jason & Yvonne Parks in worship). We are grateful for the rich heritage of leadership and service in WCV. Thanks to all and thanks to God! Here’s to the Kingdom Come!
We are thrilled about the release of our brand new worship album “Within and Without!” The album features 12 original songs from our community and is digitally released and distributed worldwide by Vineyard Worship Canada.
CD Sales
CDs are $15 and payment can be made by cash, cheque, or credit card. You can purchase the album at any of our Sunday services or by visiting our church office during office hours (Tuesday 9am – 5pm, Wednesday 9am – 3pm, Thursday 9am – 5pm). You can also download a digital copy via iTunes.
Tracklist
01. Glorious One (written by Sherry Ansloos)
02. On and On (written by Sherry Ansloos)
03. Needing You (written by Jocelyn Armbruster)
04. Come Alive (written by Sonya Braun)
05. You Are With Us (written by Suhail Stephen)
06. Let Worship and Justice Kiss (written by Suhail Stephen)
07. We Dare to Believe (written by Krista Heide)
08. One Heart, One Mind (written by Nathan Rieger)
09. Prodigal Son (written by Nathan Rieger)
10. You’re Right Here (written by Stephanie Woelke)
11. Worthy is the Lamb (written by Sherry Ansloos)
12. Christ as a Light (written by Brian James)
Information
The phrase “within and without” is part of a Celtic prayer that we have used frequently at WCV and Flatlanders (the prayer also comprises the words of one of the songs on the album). The Celtic prayer is itself adapted from another famous prayer written around 430 A.D called St. Patrick’s Breastplate.
In the Celtic prayer, the old English phrase “within and without” refers to a cry for Christ to immerse and surround the entirety of life – what’s going on inside and what’s going on outside. This inside/outside dynamic embodies the core values of worship and justice at WCV and how we long for both these values to “kiss” and have equal expression in the life of our community.
We long to love Jesus with all of our heart, mind, and strength, and we long to love our neighbours as we love ourselves. The two are entirely inseparable. We care about following, adoring, and cultivating intimacy with Jesus, and we care about mercy, compassion, and justice relative to those Jesus identifies with – those considered “least” in our world. We want Christ and his kingdom to permeate every aspect of our lives; to be a people who are always seeking to love God and others, within and without. The songs on the album reflect these defining impulses of our community.
Ok people. Our 20th Anniversary Weekend party is approaching! Here are some details:
We’re having 3 Main Sessions and a “Neighbourhood Party” all at 782 Main St.
Saturday, 11am – 5:30pm
We don’t just want to get together to recall the “good ole days” – we want our celebration to be an actual blessing to our neighbourhood and one that will launch us into a new season of everything God has for us and our neighbourhood. We want to celebrate together as we look to the future. Our Neighbourhood party will be in the Greenspace, parking lot and Vineyard Memorial Path and will include the following:
If it rains (or snows!), we will move some of these activities inside and cancel others.
On Sunday, Sept 20, right after church, there will be a few small teams heading out to Turtle Island to invite people to our Neighbourhood Party. If you want to join, please contact the office.
David & Anita Ruis – They are the founding pastors of WCV and the current National Directors of Vineyard Canada. After having felt the invitation from God to “bring the heart to the heartland” they relocated to Winnipeg in 1995. WCV was birthed in their living room and quickly grew.
Noel & Dona Isaacs – They are the founding pastors of the Kathmandu Vineyard and current directors of the Himalayan Region Vineyards. It was while they were living in Winnipeg for a few months in 1998 that the vision for a Vineyard church plant in Nepal was fully realized. Since that time, WCV and the HRV have been joined together in friendship and family.
Silas & Sarita Rai – They are the founding pastors of the Namchi Vineyard in Sikkim India. They are part of the Himalayan Region Vineyard leadership team. This is their first visit to Canada, and they’ll be spending most of their time with their partner church, Cornerstone Vineyard in Winkler. But we’re excited they’ll be joining us for part of our weekend!
There won’t be time to hear all the ways God has worked in and through WCV over the years. But we’d like to collect a series of thoughts, pivotal stories or perhaps words or prayers for WCV as we look to the future. You are invited to take a quick video and post it to our Facebook page. Some of these will be collected and shown in our Main Sessions, and they all will be available for people to view on Facebook. Please keep them short (2 mins max, 30 seconds is great). You can post them here.
Obviously we need a lot of help to pull this off well. If you are willing and able to volunteer for a portion or all of the weekend, here are a few general areas we need volunteers in. Please contact the office to be put in touch with the person who is organizing these areas. If you have other ideas, or would like to help in a way not mentioned here, please let us know!
Other ideas? Please let us know!
