Author: WCV Administrator

“Beating Through the Wall” – A poem by Sherry Ansloos

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The following piece was written in response to the call for artistic submissions about the Hot Button Topics.

I thought we were together, but after some clumsy words about an assumed similarity,

I found that we were not as together as I had originally thought

I was “here” and you were “there”

I said “this”

Then you said “that”

Then I said “this” again but louder so you would listen

Then you said “that” even louder to me, as if it would somehow make me understand

 

Instead of agreement

I felt an invisible wall slam down between us

As though there were some cosmic line drawn in the shifting sand of relationship

that would stop us from ever being together again

 

On my side of the wall

I felt alone yelling my truth

Pounding my fists in futility

Feeling my cheeks flush hot with indignation

You not listening

 

You kicked hard on the other side

Defending your truth

Spitting words with an equal ferocity

Oblivious to my assertions

 

This fire of division burned for a while,

But like the promise of a calm after a storm

The fire and brimstone we threw at each other

Became flickering embers at our feet

 

I leaned against that wall in exhaustion

You did the same

Our backs to each other

 

I was still and so were you.

In the quiet we listened to the silence

 

Then suddenly

I felt a subtle tapping against the wall

My irritation bristled,

I thought you were at it again with your reasoning and contentions

Your pointing and kicking

So I climbed up that wall in anger to let you have it

 

Little did I know, you felt it too, that tapping on your back

Assuming it was me, you jumped to give me a piece of your mind

Up that wall you clamored ready to go at it again with renewed conviction

 

Our eyes met at the top of the wall.

I yelled for you to stop kicking

And you screamed at me to stop pounding

 

I said in confusion, but I didn’t pound

You said in bewilderment that, you didn’t kick

And there we were

Eye to eye

Chest to chest

Hanging on our sides of the wall

 

Out of breath from the exertion, we stared at each other

In that moment, I saw my friend

And you saw me too

I remembered the time we laughed so hard until we cried about some silly joke between us

You remembered the days when we were inseparable and we had each other’s back

Then once again, we both felt that rhythmic tapping

Steady and strong

 

Sometimes revelation comes in silence

Like a gift left at the door

It surprises and delights at the same time

And leaves you indebted by love

 

When we stopped the noise

We could feel each other’s heart

It was our hearts beating through the wall

 

Then a wave of remorse came over me

And regret overtook you

A swell of connection, in spite of our differences

 

And in this face to face

The dividing wall seemed to shift and disappear

There we stood

Connected by our humanity

 

I thought we were divided, but after some clumsy words about an assumed difference,

I found that we were not as divided as I had originally thought

I was “here” and you were “there”

But we were in it together

I said “this”

Then you said “that”

And we listened to each other with our hearts

Then I said, “I love you friend”

And you said, “I love you too”

Sherry Ansloos

Imaginative Prayer

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Hey parents of kids Grades 1-7!

We’d like to help you understand how the Imaginative Prayer book can power you up in spiritually leading your kid/youth/family.

What we’ve been doing: After a wonderful season in Gifts4God, we are back in our regular rhythms in Kids Church and Youth Sundays. We are really excited about how we’ve been exploring the Imaginative Prayer book with the Grade 1-4 class @ WCV. The Grade 5-7 class are also following along! The first six weeks we’ve had various leaders lead in the Imaginative Prayer in the large group. All four of us who have led in some way so far, have been a part of Spiritual Direction in these last two years. What a delight it is to now be able to lead the kids in this. Jared Boyd, the author of Imaginative Prayer, was our teacher and is our friend! Thanks to Gloria Fligg and all of our small group leaders in Kids church.

Using the “Imaginative Prayer” book to power your spiritual leadership:

The parent or mentor section: It can be easy to go through our week, not giving time or space for God to speak to us, especially with the busyness of our schedules, but the book can save you time by giving you something to build off of. We encourage you as parents to briefly/deeply look at the “parent or mentor” section of the chapter with your kids.

This past week: Small group leaders led the kids in week 8. This coming Sunday, Jan 28th, we are exploring week 9. Dig in and find out how you can follow up and discuss with your child. See Jodi if you do not yet have a copy of Imaginative Prayer.

We’re in sync: If you have kids in elementary and youth (grade 1-7), you will be happy to know we are in sync with them, so we’re using the same chapter on the same week.

Talk to Jodi if you have any questions. As the spiritual influencers in your home, we pray that God would lead you and nudge you as you parent your most precious gifts.

Worship Pathways

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Anyone who is interested in being involved in worship at WCV is invited to join us for three successive evenings on February 15th, 22nd, and March 1st, 2018 at the Ansloos’ home from 7-9 pm. We will worship together, share an overview of Vineyard values in worship, and give information about our worship teams & opportunities at church. Youth and those already serving in worship at church are also welcome!

Christmas at the Vineyard, 2017

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Hey folks! So the Christmas season is upon us once again! (Hold on as I pour myself another mug of eggnog).

Below are a few events I’d like to highlight that will be happening at the Vineyard for this 2017 Christmas season:

  • Our kids and youth will be leading us in worship and throughout the morning on December 10th for our annual Kids Service Sunday.
  • On December 17th right after the service we want to celebrate and feast together as a family and community for the annual Christmas Feast!
  • On December 24th, as it is both a Sunday and Christmas Eve, we will gather in the morning for a shortened Christmas Eve Service from 10-11:15 a.m. Please note there will be no evening service on this day.
  • We will also have a shortened service on December 31st from 10-11:15 a.m. for a New Year’s Eve Service.

Through all the hustle and bustle that the Christmas season brings, let’s remember our Centre, whom we are celebrating.

Blessings!

Two Psalms by Brent Woelke

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The first Writer’s Circle happened last Friday. A lot of great material was shared. Here are two modern day psalms that Brent shared.

If you were to write and pray your own psalm to the Lord, what would you say?

The next Writer’s Circle is November 24th.

A Lament

The hand of the Lord is on me,

for I am still being broken.

Who can I call to for rescue?

Who can pull me from your grasp?

 

The Lord has humbled me,

The Lord has brought me low.

What more can be taken from me?

What more can be stripped away?

 

Everything I had hoped for in the Lord

is in cardboard boxes.

Everything I loved

is sold or is sitting in the back lane.

Everything I cherished

has walked away;

it mocks me, speaking lies and accusations.

 

But the Lord will be my judge.

He has weighed my actions

He has determined my punishment.

Who will come to defend me?

 

My friends gather around me,

they look upon me in silence.

They whisper about me,

for you have exposed my sins.

 

They say,

“Here is one who trusts in God,

here is one who calls on Jesus’ name.”

 

A Song of Ascent

My son, consider the path of God.

His laws are stones that ascend His mountain.

Study and search so that you may find your way.

 

For His path is not obvious or straight

and all who approach Him must toil and labor.

The path of His Son is a path of suffering.

See now that His blood lines the trail,

His precious blood shows the way.

Has He not placed every stone before you?

Every rock as a firm foundation under your feet

every boulder as an obstacle and trial to overcome.

 

Take heart in your time of need.

Call out so your strength is failing.

For all who seek Him, shall be found by Him.

All who look to Him, will be lifted up.

 

For the Lord is high above all the earth.

He sees all who travel upon His hill.

None escape his sight,

and all things are subject to Him.

The very roots of the mountain are in His hands.

The mountains rise and fall by his decree.

 

But those who trust in the Lord will not fall.

Those who fear Him shall behold His majesty.

 

Woven Together: The Art of Textiles

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Flatlanders Studio is proud to present Woven Together: The Art of Textiles, by Naila Janzen and Johanna Giebrecht. Woven Together is a celebration of art that can be found in everyday lives; from the items that are daily utilized to the relationships forged.

We find ourselves in a society that has devalued traditional crafts. We have lost the ability to see and appreciate the artistry of well crafted items. “We would like the world to see that just because a work of skill can be put to a purpose does not diminish its artistry.”

Two perspectives brought together by two friends. “As we share our lives together, and our love for our craft, the threads of our lives find overlapping themes and we are woven together.”

Nov. 3 – Dec. 30, 2017 in the Flatlanders Studio. Free Admission!

Gifts 4 God & Imaginative Prayer

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Hey parents of kids Grades 1-12!

We’d like to catch you up with what we have been doing in Elementary kids church and to prepare you for the break as we launch into our Gifts4God season. You literally can “catch up” as we break until the regular program resumes on Jan 14th. We’d like to help you understand how the Imaginative Prayer book can power you up in spiritually leading your kid/youth/family.

What we’ve been doing: We are really excited about how we’ve been exploring the Imaginative Prayer book with the Grade 1-4 class @ WCV. The Grade 5-7 class are also following along! The first six weeks we’ve had various leaders lead in the Imaginative Prayer in the large group. All four of us who have led in some way so far, have been a part of Spiritual Direction in these last two years. What a delight it is to now be able to lead the kids in this. Jared Boyd, the author of Imaginative Prayer, was our teacher and is our friend! Thanks to Gloria Fligg and all of our small group leaders in Kids church; we’ve had a wonderful start this fall.

Using the “Imaginative Prayer” book to power your spiritual leadership:

  1. The parent or mentor section: It can be easy to go through our week, not giving time or space for God to speak to us, especially with the busyness of our schedules, but the book can save you time by giving you something to build off of. We encourage you as parents to briefly/deeply look at the “parent or mentor” section of the chapter with your kids.
  2. This past week: Cliff led us in Chapter 6.  Dig in and find out how you can follow up and discuss with your child. See Jodi if you do not yet have a copy of Imaginative Prayer.
  3. We’re in sync: If you have kids in elementary and youth (grade 1-7), you will be happy to know we are in sync with them, so we’re using the same chapter on the same week!

 

What’s coming up: Gifts4God starts this coming Sunday Oct 29th-Dec 3rd.

What is Gifts4God?   Gifts4God is a time when we get to celebrate how God has made all of our kids and youth in a special way. When we read Psalm 139, we discover that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Kids get to choose what they love to do, whether it’s art, sports, dance, drama or cooking and they can sign up for what they love! We are so excited to begin this season again.

When?  Gifts4God will be for the next 6 Sundays Oct 29-Dec 3.  The Christmas Kids & Youth service will be on Dec 10th.

Why?  “I was just getting into the Imaginative Prayer book with my child. Why the change?” Gifts4God is an annual rhythm at WCV. The kids and youth look forward every year to this special time. This break in the regular program will give you some space to check out the book more and discover how it can work for your family in the New Year. We will be on Week 7 on Jan 14 and look forward to having families follow along. Please see Jodi for your free copy and read more about how to use the book.

Please note which class your child has signed up for, so when you are at the computers on Sunday am, you sign them up for the correct class. The list will also be available by the computers on Sunday. Any adjustments that need to be made, we will make them as we go! Please be aware of the various drop off rooms at WCV and pick up spots that will be new for these six weeks. The times remain the same as a regular Sunday with drop off at 10:45 and pick up at 11:45. (Please note that sports will start 5 minutes earlier due to the walk to YFC building. As well any kids or youth in sports must have a waiver signed by parents).

>>WCV Youth Waiver

~ Jodi Labun

Sunday Morning Kids Check – Download the App!

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During Sunday mornings, parents are missing part of worship because of the line-up at the KidCheck computers.  You might be one of them! If you have a smart phone, we want you to make the line-up shorter by following the instructions. If you don’t have one of those phones, be glad that people are doing this so you can get in faster too!

Get your password and app:

  1. On your phone: Download the KidCheck app from your app store OR at a computer: go to go.kidcheck.com
  2. Choose: “Forgot My Password”
  3. You will be asked to enter an email.
  4. You will be emailed a password (re)set link
  5. Create a password
  6. Log onto the app using the password

Time-saving tip: Before you click “Submit,” click on the gear key in the bottom right hand corner.  You will see “Remember Username,” and “Remember Password” appear, with little sliding circles to the right. Slide them so a blue area appears, and you won’t have to input the information again, unless you delete and reinstall the app.

Signing into Kidcheck on Sunday – When you get to church on Sunday, sign in like this:

  1. Open your app
  2. If you didn’t sign in, see #6, above
  3. In the bottom left corner, choose “Check-In”
  4. Choose “Use Express Check-In”
  5. Choose “New Check-In”
  6. Follow the prompts
  7. Pick up the tags at the station without a computer

Note: If you’re in the downstairs gathering, you can get your seat and sign in from there, then go and pick up your tags!

Imaginative Prayer Launch in Kids Church

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Parents, we are so excited as we launch into Imaginative Prayer with the Grade 1-7 this fall and winter!

Jared Patrick Boyd is the author.  Jared was my spiritual direction teacher in my first year at the School of Spiritual Direction.  He is a pastor and a father to four children.  His heart is amazing and you can read all about his vision in his introduction to Imaginative Prayer or hear Jared here.

In Kids Church we will be going through a lesson per week.  You can follow along as parents and follow-up with your child.  As Jared states on page 25-26 “This book is not a guide for busy parents.  It’s an invitation for busy parents to slow down, take some deep breaths, and recognize that you are the most important person in your child’s life and spiritual formation.  There is no environment your church can create to compete with the kind of connection that you are able to nurture with your child.”  You’ll find if you give yourselves to this process (even if you can’t do all the exercises), you will experience growth.

Here’s what our fall calendar will look like.  Feel free to follow along!

  • Sept 10 – Week 1
  • Sept 17 – Week 2
  • Sept 24- Week 3
  • Oct 1 – Week 4
  • Oct 8 – Thanksgiving – No Kids Church
  • Oct 15 – Week 5
  • Oct 22 – Week 6
  • Break for Gifts4God until the New Year . . .

There are also some new changes to our structure.  Grades 1-4 will continue to meet upstairs in Kids Church with our AMAZING team. Grades 5-7 will have a new youth team meeting with them in the youth room.  Grades 8-12 will meet in the Comfy Couch Room.

“This book is about connection because of the way Jesus asks us to imagine our life with him – he is the vine, his Father is the gardener, and we are connected to him.  This is how we bear fruit.  This is the image he give us.  This is what he asks us to imagine.”  (13, Imaginative Prayer)

WCV is providing one copy per family.  (More copies of this book are on order and will be here the week of Oct 13)

Filled with hope at what’s ahead . . .

~ Jodi Labun

Flatlanders Studio Show: Selcouth

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Flatlanders Studio is hosting a new art show Selcouth: A Look Into the Upbringing of Winnipeg’s Metal Musicians by Amy Lee Zinn.

Selcouth traces 20 individuals who are active members of the metal community at large in Winnipeg, representing many different sub-genres, roles, personalities and backgrounds, while still remaining just a small snapshot of the much larger metal family in our city. More than just contradicting stereotypes, Selcouth looks to explore the individual people who make up and help create the metal scene to which they belong, and discover who they are as a person, their journey into the scene, and what surprisingly common threads tie each person together in a “scary” subculture that relies on community, cooperation and support to keep itself together.

All profits will be donated to The Manitoba Conservatory of Music & Arts.

For more, see the Flatlanders Studio page.

Opening Reception:
Saturday 09 September | 7PM – 10PM

Nuit Blanche Venue:
Saturday 30 September | 7:00PM – 10PM

Exhibition:
09 September 2017 – 22 October 2017

Gallery Hours:
Wednesday’s | 7pm – 4pm & Saturday’s | 1PM – 4PM

VENUE
782 Main St, 3rd Floor
Free parking on site behind building

ADMISSION
Adult – $5
Children – FREE (Under the age of 16)

Parking Lot Movie Set

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Our parking lot is becoming a movie set for one week in September.  Netflix will be filming a scene in a “post tsunami disaster in Seattle” movie called “How It Ends”.  The props will include numerous smashed vehicles which will be piled up against the building by the disaster (the cars won’t actually touch the building).  

We want to you know about this so you are not alarmed!  There will be 24/7 security outside and a fence to secure the set.  Access to the building will still be at the South doors during normal office hours.

The parking will be compromised for one Sunday, Sept 17.  Access will still be available at the South and West doors via established corridors.  However, a portion of the parking lot will be occupied by the set. However the city of Winnipeg has allowed parking on either side of the street of Sutherland Avenue between Main Street and Derby Street. That means for us that latecomers will have to walk slightly further! So make sure you arrive at 10 a.m.!
This is a major rental for WCV that will contribute significantly to our income budget.  We hope any inconvenience you experience will be minimal.  Please direct any questions or concerns to John (228-0042) or Jeff (295-2349).

While there may be a few Hollywood stars on set, Jesus is still our True North!

A New Season of Breathe – 2017

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It’s almost that time of year again. A new season of Breathe is on the horizon, and anticipation is in the air! 

We are starting out with a Welcome Party, September 20th, followed by: Stories of Us, Worship, Skill Workshops, Special Guests, a Workshop Series facilitated by Naila Janzen, and more.

All women of all ages are welcome! Looking forward to seeing you there!

~ Naila Janzen