Outer Circle Orientation

Posted on October 29, 2015October 29, 2015 by Andy Wood

The Outer Circle is one of our primary discipleship tools at WCV. It’s our attempt to create just enough structure while leaving room for plenty of flexibility to help us on our journey towards being like Jesus. It’s the task of discipleship. It’s the joy and the work of submitting our wills, habits, desires, our very lives to God, who takes them and forms us into the likeness of his Son.

If you are interested in joining the Outer Circle process, the time to join is between our October and January gatherings. Everyone is welcome, but you have to commit to the process. Read more about it here or pick up a copy of the Outer Circle manual at the info table. Also, we are hosting an Outer Circle Orientation lunch right after church on Sunday, December 6th. If you are interested in coming to the orientation, please let us know by calling or emailing the office.

The first Outer Circle gathering of the new year is Saturday, January 16 at 5:30pm.

Shoal Lake 40 Freedom Road

Posted on October 29, 2015November 17, 2015 by WCV Administrator

Churches for Freedom Road is an affiliation of churches willing to demonstrate public support for the building of a 17 mile road from Shoal Lake 40 First Nation to the Trans-Canada Highway, thus ending their 100 year enforced isolation and making it possible for them to build a water treatment plant to end an 18 year boil-water advisory.

The building of the road needs the joint co-operation of three levels of government (Federal, Provincial and Civic). The Federal and Provincial Governments are preparing to have either funds or bankable commitments ready for when the road’s detailed design is complete in January, but the City of Winnipeg has yet to show initiative to commit.

Steve Bell has set up a new petition to apply “polite pressure” on the City to move forward on their previous commitment, and we’re inviting you to consider signing the petition. This demonstrates strong public will to end what has been a century-long nightmare for our neighbours at Shoal Lake 40. This is not an acrimonious petition, rather a simple demonstration of support for fair relations between Winnipeg and Shoal Lake 40 First Nation.

Please follow the link to sign the petition: www.buildfreedomroad.com

New Elder Invitation

Posted on October 8, 2015October 8, 2015 by Andy Wood

We are in the process of prayerfully discerning the expansion of our Elder team and we’d like to invite your input.

In the Vineyard, Elders function as overseers who tend to the spiritual health and vision of the community. The Elder team, while not always elders in age, are seasoned leaders and followers of Jesus. There are two kinds of elders in Winnipeg Centre Vineyard – Pastoral Elders and Lay Elders. The Lay Elders (Ben & Debra Kelly, Paul & Sherry Ansloos and Krista & Cliff Heide) keep the big picture in mind and prayerfully seek God for direction and counsel regarding all macro matters relating to church-life. The Pastoral Elders (Riegers, Woods, Rademakers & Labuns) also embrace this role with the added responsibility of implementing the daily tasks associated with the macro. While all the current elders are married couples, this is not a requirement for prospective elders, nor is it even preferable.

Lay Elders meet monthly and commit to a 3-year term.

There are four steps in the process of adding new elders to our current team. There are also a number of considerations and requirements for elders.

The New Elder Process is:

Nomination and Discernment (October). During this time the community and the elder team nominate those they think are currently functioning as elders (even if they don’t have the position). Prayerfully ask, “who do I naturally look to for counsel, support, care, etc?” Chances are, those are the people who are already functioning as elders. At the same time, the pastors and elders are prayerfully discerning if people qualify and are a good fit for the current team and season of life the church is in (see below for requirements and considerations).
Proposal & Mutual Consideration (November). The staff will contact potential new elders and invite them to prayerfully consider. This is a period in which we see if this “seems good to us and the Holy Spirit”.
Prospective Elder Period (December – March). This is a three-month period during which prospective elders come to monthly elder meetings and are in communication with staff. At the end of this period it’s determined if it’s a fit. If it is:
Membership Vote (in March). Those who are formal members of WCV (in the Outer Circle or an equivalent) are able to vote on the prospective new elders. If the new elder is ratified, this begins their 3-year term. Bear in mind that this is a vote, not on who should become elders, but on whether those who’ve been identified via the above process are the right decision for the Vineyard at this time.

Requirements for Elders are:

Biblical requirements for Eldership (1 Timothy 3, Titus 1)
Be a member of WCV (Part of the Outer Circle or an equivalent). Walking out and dialoguing with our 15 Core Practices. Of particular note are: Devotion to Jesus (elders should be devoted to their walk with God), Circles of Sharing (a hallmark of eldership is hospitality) and Generosity (elders should be tithing to the local church).
A good fit with the current team and the season the Vineyard is in. While there are many people who generally qualify as elders, the staff and current elders must prayerfully discern who is the best fit for right now. What skills and gift mix will best suit the team already? This is not a popularity contest – it is a serious process to discern who God has prepared and gifted to serve the whole community at this time.

Will you join us in this process? We value both your prayer and input. If you’d like to nominate someone please contact one of the pastors or email or call the office. Thanks!

Here is our current Elder team (both lay and pastoral elders):

: Krista & Cliff Heide

: Paul & Sherry Ansloos

: Debra Kelly

: Jodi & Mike Labun

: Violet (& John) Rademaker

: Andy & Beckie Wood

We Support Freedom Road

Posted on October 7, 2015 by Andy Wood

“When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.” ~ Isaiah 41.17

A group standing on the temporary bridge which connects the mainland to the cut-off peninsula. This is a winter road, which needs to become an all weather “Freedom Road”.

Ever wondered where our water comes from when you turn on the tap? It turns out, that all our water in Winnipeg comes from Shoal lake – about 80 km to the east on the Manitoba – Ontario border. This lake is on Shoal Lake 40 First Nation territory. When the aqueduct connecting this lake to Winnipeg was built about 100 years ago (the same aqueduct which runs right next to our farm in Haddashville), some of their territory was expropriated and they were moved onto a peninsula on the lake. There was no consultation – the bulldozers just showed up. Shortly afterwards, a channel was cut through that peninsula to divert dirty water from Falcon lake away from the intake. This effectively cut off all access to the Shoal Lake 40 community. They have no all-weather road to access their community even though they are fairly close to the Trans-Canada highway. The ferry is unreliable and crossing the lake at freeze-up or break-up is dangerous and has resulted in fatalities. To top it off, they have been under a boil water advisory for over 15 years. Many things are wrong with this picture – and we want to stand with our neighbours to promote justice in this area. We are connected to them – they are our neighbours – we have a voice we can use. That’s why we are part of a network of churches who are responding to a direct request from the Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, to stand with them. That’s also why we put the sign up in our window on Main St.

Shoal Lake seen from the ferry.

For more info on the “Churches for Freedom Road” campaign, as well as to find out what you can do, go here.

Here is a short video showing and describing our sign.

Andy visited last Fall and the School of Justice is planning on going this winter. If you’re interested in joining them on this trip, please contact Suhail.

Nepal Updates: Stories in Video

Posted on October 1, 2015October 8, 2015 by Andy Wood

There was a small team from Winnipeg on the ground at the end of August. They recorded these videos to help tell the stories, report on and assess the situation and help those far away understand the situation in Kathmandu and the villages which were directly impacted by the earthquakes. As they are processed they will be posted – newest will be at the top. You can also view them directly from our Vimeo feed. As you view them, please keep a prayerful posture! Thanks for staying in touch – our HRV family deeply appreciates it – it’s more necessary now than ever.

Hope Keeps Multiplying

Here’s a short update from Hanna Pätkau who is visiting with her husband Andrej. They are from the D.A.CH. Vineyard’s (Germanic Speaking Vineyards in Germany, Austria and Switzerland) who have been great partners in the recovery efforts!

hope keeps multiplying from Himalayan Region Vineyard Church on Vimeo.

New Home Tour – Hope for the Future

Here is a tour of the prototype sample home in the Kathmandu Vineyard courtyard. Homes like this are currently being built in Chhampi and Kothgaon and plans are being made to build them in Gorkha as well. Homes in the remote mountain villages are another story (you can watch it in the “Mountain Village Part 1: Gatlang by Helicopter” video).

Nepal Recovery: New Home Tour – Hope for the Future from WCV on Vimeo.

Raju & Joy in Troubled Times

Here’s an interview with Pastor Raju of the Kathmandu Vineyard who talks about how he sees God at work post-earthquake. Raju is a member of the Earthquake Management Team.

Nepal Recovery: Raju and Joy in Troubled Times from WCV on Vimeo.

Ramesh & the Miracle of Hope

Here, Pastor Ramesh of the Kathmandu Vineyard talks about the challenges and signs of hope in the earthquake recovery. Ramesh is candid about what the HRV can and cannot do. He is a member of the Earthquake Management Team.

Nepal Recovery: Ramesh and the Miracle of Hope from WCV on Vimeo.

Mountain Village Part 1: Gatlang by Helicopter

This is Part 1 of 3 videos taken in the High Mountain Villages. In this trip we visited Gatlang, Nessing and Tipling. This video we take flight and land in Gatlang where we see the effects of the earthquake and learn of some of the rebuilding plans – specifically among the low-caste “Bikka” people. The Vineyard cleaned up the whole village!

Nepal Recovery: Mtn Village Part 1: Gatlang by Helicopter from WCV on Vimeo.

Mountain Village Part 2: Nessing & a New Building

This is Part 2 of 3 videos of the High Mountain Villages. This video is taken in Nessing. It documents some of the destruction and shows the rebuilt church.

Nepal Recovery: Mtn Village Part 2: Nessing & a New Building from WCV on Vimeo.

Mountain Village Part 3: Hope in Tipling

This is Part 3 of 3 videos of the High Mountain Villages. This one is from Tipling. At the end Andy explains some of the recovery and rebuilding efforts.

Nepal Recovery: Mtn Vllage Part 3: Hope in Tipling from WCV on Vimeo.

Susila & Monita’s Story

There are many urban poor who are dealing with the aftermath of the earthquake. Even if their homes did not crumble about 80% of the buildings in Kathmandu have significant cracks, many are unsafe. But there are no other options. In this video, meet Susila and Monita, a mother and daughter who live in the centre of Kathmandu.

Nepal Recovery: Susila & Monita’s story from WCV on Vimeo.

Sonam & the Truck

A truck for delivery was one of the first large purchases we made after the earthquake. Meet the driver in this video.

Nepal Recovery: Sonam & the Truck from WCV on Vimeo.

Pieces of Kathmandu

Here, Andy shows some of the damage around some of Kathmandu’s most iconic places.

Pieces of Kathmandu from WCV on Vimeo.

Raju Explains Rebuilding Permanent Homes

While we were in Kothgaon (a small village just outside of Kathmandu), I asked Raju to explain the process for deciding who gets a new home.

Nepal Recovery: Raju explains rebuilding permanent homes from WCV on Vimeo.

The View from Chhampi

Here is a report and a few stories from the village of Chhampi (a small village just outside of Kathmandu).

Nepal Recovery: The View from Chhampi from WCV on Vimeo.

Kathmandu Vineyard Tour

Here is a quick tour of the Kathmandu Vineyard church.

Nepal Recovery: Kathmadu Vineyard Tour from WCV on Vimeo.

Temporary Shelter

Ever wondered how 1,000s of Nepali people are living in the aftermath of the earthquake? This video shows a typical temporary shelter. This one is made of tin, many are made of tarps or tents.

Nepal Recovery: Temporary Shelter from WCV on Vimeo.

Kothgaon – House on the Rise

Here is a new home being built in the village of Kothgaon (a small village just outside of Kathmandu).

Winnipeg Centre Vineyard

Worship . Community . Justice

Month: October 2015