Author: WCV Administrator

Kathmandu Rebuild Update – August 2017

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The rebuilding of the KTM VINEYARD HUB is well underway. The old apartment is gone. Church meetings are still held in the old sanctuary. Access is difficult because the building materials can only be delivered by truck on Saturday / Sundays, which means the people need to single file along a narrow path to the sanctuary. There is no open space now. But the excitement of the new facility transcends all the inconvenience.

We have completed the second level floor slab called First Floor. The building is 45’x45′ with 12 column pillars and floor beams holding the structure. It is a solid building with only the best quality materials. The workmanship is top class. The main sewage pipe is buried, the elevator lift cavity and the stairwell area is in place. This has all been accomplished in 8 weeks. We have used excavation equipment and a cement lift to speed things up. The contractor is doing a great job and is easy to work with.

The HRV leadership team of Noel Isaacs, Ramesh Bisht and Raju Ragar have everything in hand with meticulous reporting and logistics management. Careful oversight is necessary to ensure no quality compromise or materials slippage.

The plan is to complete the Hotel’s 4 1/2 floors (we’ve added a half floor increasing our rooms to 28) by Dec 31. This will include the building exterior envelope and one floor left open for the church services while the new sanctuary is built. The old church and remaining buildings will then be demolished. The new church will be completed late 2018. Then the hotel will be completed and open in late 2019.

The WCV and HRV directors together will form the financial management team for the future Boutique Hotel Enterprise operations. We anticipate that finances from this will allow HRV Churches to move towards self-sustainability. We see this as a provision from God for the increasing needs of HRV.

THINGS TO PRAY FOR

  1. Safety and speedy construction logistics to continue
  2. Costs of construction to stay within our cost estimates.
  3. Provision of the remaining $500,000 CDN required to complete the project.

This is a mighty endeavour for the Kingdom of God to advance in the Himalayas. We know that God is leading us. The 20-year history of God’s presence is not lost on us and we continue call out to Him to lead.

The Leadership team of the KTM REBUILD PROJECT

>> See the KTM rebuild floor plans . . . 

 

Project Timothy Update

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We’ve had an incredible week in Landenburg, PA @ Project Timothy.  We’ve grown together with over 100 youth.  We’ve worshipped together, absorbed teaching, allowed for personal formational time with God, participated in prayer ministry, small group and outreach.  We’ve discovered more about ourselves and become more aware of God’s movement in our lives.  We’ve created friendships from all over the US Vineyard to help us forge ahead on this journey we are called to as we go our own ways…until next year!

Thank-you WCV’ers for supporting our youth this year and investing in these young lives.  We could not have done this without you!

Jodi

Youth Leaving for Project Timothy

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The apostle Paul met Timothy when Timothy was very young.  Paul saw his potential and spent years investing in Timothy’s gifts, training him as a leader, and releasing him into meaningful ministry.  Project Timothy’s goal is to inspire, motivate, train, and release a group of young leaders in the Vineyard!

We are so excited to send seven of our youth to PT to be in this environment and have God continue His work of transformation in their lives.

Pray for our team as 7 youth and 2 leaders fly to PA. Seven of us are flying out on Friday morning, and the other two on Monday.

We will be in PA from July 28-Aug 5.

Thanks for your prayers!

Women’s Retreat Reflections 2017

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Every year, we are pleasantly surprised with the way God moves in the hearts of the ladies at the Women’s Retreat. Here are a few reflections from the weekend by a few ladies:

“Life is busy. As a mum of little ones, I’ve never been so busy in my life. There’s never enough time, and always too much to do. That’s why I went to the women’s retreat. It’s a way to make space for God in my life, and connect with my community. 

“I didn’t have big expectations for the weekend. In fact, my entire thoughts could be summed up as “Time without kids!!!” This year’s theme was “Come as you are”, and that sounded pretty awesome to me, especially without much mental space to prepare myself for time with God. I’m very thankful for the team who did the planning and preparation for me! 

“But the thing about God is that if you give Him an inch, sometimes He waltzes in and grabs a mile. That’s what happened to me. In His infinitely gentle and patient way, God took the time and space we all created at the retreat, and broke some of the walls I created between myself and my pain. It started with another’s loss, and a hug from a friend, and moved into ugly messy tears. The awkward, noisy kind. (And I don’t like making any sort of a scene!) But when I looked up, I was surprised and humbled to see a circle of friends surrounding me, in love and prayer – and Kleenex. I’ve never felt so enfolded in compassion. As I calmed somewhat, these dear women prayed for and over me, and then tendered God’s invitation for me: “you have to feel it”. I had more to grieve. And so, surrounded, supported, and held up, in the midst of my circle, I was safe enough to let God excavate pockets of hurt in my life that I hadn’t been able to expose and remove before. 

“For those of you who surrounded me, thank you. 

“For those who quietly prayed outside the circle, thank you. 

“For those who talked to me after, and told me I was noticed, thank you. 

“For those who simply sat near and made space for me, for the awkward, uncomfortable, ugly crying, thank you. 

“I was asked that night where Jesus was in this, and I didn’t know. I couldn’t see him. But I see him there now. He was in each of the women present, over and above us all, orchestrating healing and grace. I came as I was, but I didn’t leave the same as I came. Thanks be to God!”

~ Sara Epp

“I would like to share with you a few images I took of the weekend. Photography is such a healing thing for me. When I have no words, I seem to be able to express my thoughts or the awe of God through capturing images. I call it the ministry of photography.

This weekend I was really blown away with God’s beauty in His creation. Not meaning only nature, but His daughters and His precious ones in whom He delights as well. 

Thank you to the Rademakers for making available the platform with which I was able to see and experience God.”

~ Vanessa Lewis

2017 Community Camp-Out Reflections

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The annual Community Camp-out was a wonderful success. We had a huge range of folk come out, ranging from young to older, singles to families, and even dogs to poison ivy (oh yes, tonnes of that). The weather was very favourable, and there were plenty of opportunities for organic connection, not only with each other, but with nature and with God!

Sunday morning we had a smaller service in Birds Hill at our Group Use Area, led by Nathan Rieger, and Jeff & Amanda Leighton. A beautiful moment during worship occurred. Some of our youth (and one mom!) engaged in some play with a volleyball, reminding us that we can worship with our bodies while we play too!

After a wonderful feast provided by Bill Feniuk & Katherine Peters that fed everyone to overflowing, some trekked and some drove down to the beach where we gathered for the baptisms. We drew many eyes and curious glances as we witnessed two lovely ladies, Georgette and Ramona, confess their faith and Jesus Christ, and be baptized in the chilling lake. And as is our custom, we surrounded these two individuals and lifted them up in prayer and blessing for their new path set before them.

Did you miss the camp-out? There are more opportunities to connect in fun ways this summer! July 19th is our Community Potluck, and July 30th is our Farm Day out at the LBE farm! Hope you can join us!

Women’s Retreat Survey & Reflections

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While the weekend at Clearwater Bay is still fresh on your memories, please share with us any exciting stories, or God moments, or any reflections you may have had from the Women’s Retreat. Whether it be a sweet moment during a session, any revelation from our Father, even a goofy moment with friends.

We’d love to hear your stories!

Grief & Joy – Needs of the Community

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There are a few families in our community that are going through immense grief and great joy. Please keep these families in your prayers.

Joe & Michelle Saunders – are mourning the passing of Joe’s mother, Eileen Saunders. She passed away last week. Her funeral will be at the Vineyard, 782 Main Street, on Thursday June 29th at 1 p.m. Joe & Michelle are also celebrating the birth of their daughter, Lovely Eileen Faith Saunders, who was born during the same week. To celebrate and mourn at the same time is immensely difficult. Please pray for this family and consider blessing them with a meal by signing up for their meal train.

AJ & Ang Falk – are celebrating the birth of their newborn son, Oliver Solomon Falk, born on Friday, June 23rd! Please consider signing up for their meal train to bless this family.

Ian & Jessica Williams – are mourning the death of Jessica’s father, Gary Knight, who passed away this past week. The funeral is in California. Please contact Ian & Jessica if you want to bless them in any way or to help them travelling to California.

Winnipeg Mural of the Year

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Earlier today, WCV hosted an award ceremony for Winnpeg’s Mural of the Year in our Flatlanders Greenspace. The beautiful mural ‘Mending‘ on our south wall facing Main street won first place among the 30 new murals in Winnipeg for 2016!

The following are a few thoughts and reflections from John Rademaker regarding the ceremony:

“The Vineyard Church feels privileged and honoured to be the venue for the 2016 Mural of the Year. This project has turned an ugly wall into a significant statement in this locale for the entire city to see and enjoy.

The artistic Craft has been loud and victorious in its expression of a message for all to see. This location has a history of tragedy and compassionate responses to events that have blighted our city in the past. From finding the body of a young aboriginal lady behind the now demolished Yellow Warehouse, to the Memorial Garden commemorating the loss and hurt murdered and missing aboriginal women, this new reminder of our hearts response adds to the voice and sigh of who we as a city really want to be. From the most violent to the most compassionate seems to fit well with who we really are as a city. The mural depicts the many acts of heart mending that occur every day. Whether it’s a humanitarian or spiritually motivated response, the end result is good and right. A broken heart is not something for anyone to carry. Only through our compassion can we help to heal.

It is a message and picture for all to see and own. Many have already driven by or sat in the park and contemplated the message. And many more will.

This church is a patron for healing. The musk ox (on the hat) have their own way. The weak go to the middle of the pack for protection until they are strong enough to come to the outside circle of strength. As a church, we expose the spiritual healing of Jesus’ love and compassion for mankind. Over the years many have seen comfort in this. 

Today as we celebrate all the people that made this mural happen, let’s meditate and internalize the “spirit of mending” towards others and for ourselves.

We thank the committee, the artists, and the organizers for selecting this venue for this marvelous work of art. It will be a lasting tribute to the heart and direction of our city.” ~ John Rademaker

See the MyToba website for more.

Flatlanders 10 Year Anniversary Reflections

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Ten years ago, Flatlanders Inn officially opened its doors on the second floor above our heads, and eight people moved in. Some were leaders, others interns, and others were people who needed a safe place to live. There were even children! Since then, Flatlanders Inn has expanded to the third floor, adding a second kitchen, a second living room area, and a dozen more suites (including two family suites) in 2009 and 2010. Right now, Flatlanders Inn is home to 24 people, and its mission continues to be “to cultivate a positive, nurturing, and relational place to live for people who want to get their feet back under them”. 

Community Supper

Over the past 10 years, 112 people have called Flatlanders Inn their home. The community has celebrated many good times and weathered a number of hard times as they continue learning to live in the way of Jesus by loving each other and our neighbourhood. Flatlanders Inn continues to be home to a diverse group of people, including interns, leaders, children, and transitional members.

On May 28th, the Flatlanders Inn community celebrated its 10th anniversary with Flatlanders alumni and with our church. We heard from current and past Flatlanders residents on making friends at Flats, on enjoying the food and community meals, on the things (good and bad) that community teaches our children, and on living with each other on bad days. Flatlanders Inn thanked some of the people who have supported us over the years, and we took a minute to remember and pray for the relationships that have ended badly, where reconciliation has yet to take place. We got to tour the Flatlanders space, and enjoy soup and desserts. To hear the audio from this morning, see here.

There was an art station, a jumping room for the children, and some Flatlanders Inn residents graciously agreed to leave their rooms open so we could see what the suites look like. 

Flatlanders Inn is grateful for the support of our church family as we celebrate this milestone together, and to those who have supported us through the years. We named a few people at the anniversary, but there are many more who have cared for us over the years, and we appreciate each one of you.

If anyone is interested in connecting more with Flatlanders Inn or even in talking about living at Flatlanders Inn, please contact the Flatlanders Administrator by calling 204-338-3528 or by email.

To learn more about Flatlanders Inn, visit our website, or browse through a copy of our 10th anniversary newsletter, where numerous Flatlanders residents and alumni describe their experiences living here. The newsletter can be found here, or pick up a paper copy at the info table at church.

Community Camp-Out Sign Up & Details

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The summer months are approaching soon! And with it comes our annual Community Camp-out at Birds Hill Park. We are so excited to celebrate Canada Day (150 years this year!), the warm weather, and the Lord’s beautiful creation altogether as community!

Friday, June 30 – July 2, 2017. Our site this year is Group Use Area 1, Site 6. Cost is $30 per family/tent for the whole weekend. Online sign-ups are closed, but you can still come! Make sure you bring your own tent, sleeping bag, and adequate food + water for the weekend. You can also bring payment for yourself to the camp-out and you can give it to Vanessa Lewis.

We will also be including our Outer Circle gathering in the Sunday morning service on July 2nd with a BBQ lunch following! Everyone is welcome to join us for our Sunday morning service. There will be no service at 782 Main street, but a bus will be leaving in the morning for those who need a ride. Stay posted for more details about this.

Celebrating 10 Years of Flatlanders Inn

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In the summer of 2007, Flatlanders Inn opened its doors. In the 10 years since that time, we have been through many changes, including several expansions, and we have been home to a total of 112 people!

It is now 2017, and we are celebrating our 10 year anniversary! We invite you to join us in the celebrations. 

It’s hard to sum up what the past 10 years have meant for us. How do you describe 10 years of the joys and challenges that come with living in community and taking in people who need a safe and nurturing place to get their feet back under them? To get a sample of some of the things it means, we invite you to check out our special edition 10th Anniversary Newsletter, where we have collected writing from current Flatlanders residents, memories from friends and former Flatlanders residents, and photos from across Flatlanders’ lifespan. Look it up on our website or pick up a copy at the info table.

We will be celebrating on Sunday, May 28, 2017, and you are invited to come celebrate with us! Flatlanders Inn will be running the morning church service (10am), then at noon we will have lunch, live music, an open house, and a living museum.

~ Tara Glowacki