Month: May 2018

Lillian is Retiring!

Posted on by

It’s with excitement (for her) and a little sadness (for us) that we announce that Lillian is retiring. As of June 1 she will be officially retired from the Bookkeeper position, which she has faithfully, diligently and cheerfully occupied since near the beginning of WCV. It is a big shift for her and for us.

Lillian, thank you for all the love and care you’ve poured into your job and those you’ve worked with. It certainly has been more than just a job for you, a fact that is evident in the extra care and attention to detail you brought, as well as your keen sense of helping our books line up with our mission. It’s never been just about money for you – it’s been about the Kingdom of God advancing. This has been such a gift to WCV. From all of us we say a big and hearty “Thank you!” We pray that you will experience a continued and deepening sense of calling, love and passion for this next stage of your journey… and rest!

Lillian has been training Vanessa Lewis for the past month. Vanessa is our new Bookkeeper and will also continue to contribute to part of the administration of WCV. Jessica Williams is our new receptionist.

A New Way Forward – an indigenous perspective & one response to the TRC

Posted on by

I (Andy) have had the privilege providing some leadership to Vineyard Canada’s Engage initiative for the past number of years. When the Truth and Reconciliation Commission came out a few years ago we considered how to respond at both local and national levels. One exciting initiative that has only just come out is a video series we produced called “A New Way Forward”. It is anchored by an interview with indigenous theologian, Dr. Terry LeBlanc and is supplemented by interviews with our very own Nathan Rieger and Sherry Ansloos. The purpose of the series is to explore what it looks like for indigenous and non-indigenous people to walk together in a good way. We hope this series will contribute to understanding and reconciliation in the spirit of Jesus.

A New Way Forward is being posted on Vineyard Canada’s website. Each video in the series is short and contributes to the whole conversation. Here is the intro:

>>Check out the other videos that are currently posted here (more added weekly).

“Your Sons and Daughters will Prophesy.” Acts 2:17

Posted on by

This past Sunday we gathered together to celebrate Pentecost, an important day on the church calendar that commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit to all people. If you were there, you may have noticed the kids (and some adults, too) working away on a community art project as we worshiped. The children were asked to respond to the question, “What is God like?” It was a moving experience to watch their answers unfold. This is what they said:

“God is the best, God is a protector, God is comfort, God is light, God is joy, God is nice, God is mercy, God is happy, God is strong, God is humble, God is caring, God is aware, God is peace, God is life, God is forgiving, God is kind, God is a loving father, God is a mama bear, God is encouraging, God is hope, God is powerful, God is love, God is powerful love.”

Above all of this, we wrote the words, “They were praising God together.” This is one way to describe what happened at Pentecost and what happens among us now. If you have a chance to look closer at this wall, please do. The children’s joy was palpable and their whimsical wisdom flowed free.

 

 

WCV Community Campout 2018

Posted on by

Our annual WCV Community Campout is just around the corner. Good things happen gathered around a fire and we’d love for you to be there! Join us June 29-July 1 at Birds Hill Park. The cost is $30 per tent for the weekend. If you are unable to make it out for the whole weekend consider coming for the day on Saturday or Sunday. Our regular Sunday service will be held at the campground followed by a baptismal service at the beach.

This weekend provides a place to connect as a community in new ways. Please contact the office or fill out the form below to register.

[gravityform id=”19″ title=”true” description=”true”]

Immanuel Prayer Training & Workshop

Posted on by

“For the broken places in our lives . . . ”

One of the consequences of living in a broken world is that we experience emotional pain. That pain often results in an emotional wound. An emotional wound, just like a physical wound, needs to heal or it has life-long consequences.

Immanuel Prayer is a model for inner healing ministry that revisits the places of emotional pain and wounding in our lives. Jesus knows where those areas of our lives are and faithfully and lovingly visits them with us, speaking healing words of truth and grace. This model of inner healing prayer is based on the meaning of Immanuel: God with Us. Jesus was there in the most painful moments of our lives whether we were aware of his presence or not. Immanuel Prayer is ministry to the unresolved emotional pain we carry with us.

The more whole we are, the more room there is for others in us. The more whole we are, the more capacity we have to love.

We will be hosting an Immanuel Prayer Training and Workshop with Danny Mullins.

Saturday, June 9th | 782 Main Street | 9:00am-4:00pm | $25 per person or $40 per couple

There are a limited number of subsidies available upon request. Please contact the office for payment and registration here.

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me… He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,”  Is. 61:1-2

Spiritual Formation Schools: SOSD & SOMJ

Posted on by

This fall, we are hosting two Sustainable Faith schools: the School of Spiritual Direction (SOSD) and the School of Mercy and Justice (SOMJ). Both schools offer spiritual formation with an emphasis on the contemplative life.

Particularly, the SOSD is designed to develop your skills of being attentive to others on their journey with Jesus; the SOMJ is designed to help you cultivate a vibrant, interior life with God as you engage in mercy and justice work. Both schools are open to pastors, church leaders, and laypeople alike from any church or denomination. You do not have to be part of the Vineyard to take either training.

Both schools involve five modules (each two days, every other month from October to June), practicing spiritual disciplines, spiritual direction, reading, and written reflections. For specific information, see the syllabi below.

  • Note: Each school typically has no more than 12 students.

We’re hosting an interest meeting at WCV at 6 pm, Sunday, June 3 where you’ll receive an overview of the curricula and be able to meet the teachers and former students.

DATES ETC.

SOSD (Year 1) (US$1,850 / ~ CAD$2,378.01) *

  • Syllabus (2018-2019) [PDF]
  • Module 1: Spiritual Direction Foundations Part 1
    • Oct. 12-13, 2018
  • Module 2: Spiritual Direction Foundations Part 2
    • Dec. 7-8, 2018
  • Module 3: Self-Understanding and Image of God
    • Feb. 1-2, 2019
  • Module 4: Group Spiritual Direction and Discernment
    • Apr. 29-30, 2019
  • Module 5: The Soul’s Path – Movement toward God
    • May 24-25, 2019

SOMJ (US$900 / ~ CAD$1,165.45) *

  • Syllabus (2018-2019) [PDF]
  • Module 1: The Story of Our Life and the Life of Christ
    • Oct. 5-6, 2018
  • Module 2: Compassion and Grief
    • Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 2018
  • Module 3: Humility and Power
    • Jan. 25-26, 2019
  • Module 4: Mercy and Justice
    • Mar. 22-23, 2019
  • Module 5: Rhythm and Rule
    • May 17-18, 2019

* excludes books.

Our 2017 SOSD graduates.

Our 2018 SOMJ cohort.