Easter at the Vineyard

Posted on March 21, 2018April 5, 2018 by Andy Wood

The events celebrated during Holy Week are epic. Jesus’ passion, crucifixion, burial and resurrection are not only central to the Christian calendar, they are the central events of all of history. In terms of importance Easter ranks higher than Christmas – a fact that is lost on most of our children and many of us adults too. We just like the cradle more than the cross. In a similar way, we typically skip over the discomfort and pain of Good Friday preferring to jump straight to Easter Sunday – joyfully imbibing all the excitement and energy of the resurrection. We are right to be excited and energized by Jesus’ resurrection (and our eventual resurrection too, by the way!). However, in our excitement for Sunday, we miss the gifts offered in Good Friday and Holy Saturday.

If we resist the urge to short-circuit, and if we linger in the way of the cross on Good Friday, and the nothingness of Holy Saturday, our celebration on Sunday will take on a whole other quality. Light is most brilliant when juxtaposed with darkness.

Here’s what’s up this Easter at the Vineyard:

Palm Sunday (March 25):

Joyce Rees from Epic Vineyard in Calgary will be sharing with us. She will be here with a team.

Good Friday (March 30): Into the Shadows

Walk of the Cross, 6pm – 6:45pm

During this year’s Walk of the Cross we will journey with Jesus as we read and listen to the scriptures concerning his final supper in Jerusalem, the agony of the knowledge of what was to come in Gethsemane, his betrayal on the Mount of Olives and his Trial in Jerusalem. As we walk with the physical cross we will stop at various points throughout the neighbourhood to consider our own crosses – find our own ways to connect with Jesus on this guided journey. Wear appropriate attire and walking shoes. This event will be child friendly. The Walk of the Cross leads thematically into the Good Friday Service – we recommend that you participate in both.

Good Friday Service, 7pm – 8pm

Then we’ll come back to 782 Main St. for our Good Friday Service to consider and experience his journey to what they called Golgotha, the “place of the skull”, where he was crucified. We will also be with him as they laid his body in the tomb. This service will employ all the senses. It will be a visceral experience. We encourage everyone to participate in both the Walk of the Cross and this service, however if you can’t make it on the walk, you’re still welcome to join this Good Friday service. Children are welcome (we will talk about death and the crucifixion and will nail our own stuff to the cross, literally, but it won’t be gratuitous). We end by placing the cross in the basement.

Fasting: Friday – Sunday

Our Fasting will begin on Friday continue through Holy Saturday, a day of apparent nothingness, and be broken on Sunday. The seed placed in the ground. Waiting. Our fasting echoes this “giving up” that Jesus did. You can fast for the whole weekend, or part of it. You can choose to fast from food, or anything else you feel God may be inviting you to give up. Ask him. This small sacrifice isn’t to earn favour, nor is it an attempt to twist God’s arm into getting something you want. Rather, it’s a physical act of solidarity with Jesus. It’s a discipline and it’s a pain. Every time your stomach reminds you that you’re hungry (or every time you go to check your phone – if you’re fasting from social media), etc, you can recall what Jesus did and is doing, and you can offer a prayer. When we break the fast on Sunday morning, we are rising with him – emerging from darkness to the glorious light of his resurrection – feasting on the new life he has for us and the whole world!

Darkness to Light (God’s Joke): Sunday, 10am

Of course, this brings us to Easter Sunday. We will party, worship and celebrate God’s accomplishment all morning. Emerging from the shadows of the weekend, and blinking from the dazzling, blinding light of the resurrection, we will celebrate the first stunning glimmers of the new creation – and we’ll invite more (and he’ll show up)! On April Fool’s day, we will celebrate God’s great surprise ending – the ultimate joke.

You are encouraged to contribute to the festive atmosphere in any number of the following ways:

>>Bring an acoustic instrument (drums, rattles, guitars, etc) or any other tool of worship.

>>Bring plants or flowers to decorate the space with signs of life. You’ll be invited to bring your items forward at a specific time in the service. Afterwards, you can gift your flowers to someone in our community as an act of sharing God’s love with them.

>>Bring your Dancing Shoes (literally and figuratively).

Fixed on Jesus Creative Reflections

Posted on March 14, 2018March 19, 2018 by Andy Wood

Come to the Table

by Johanna Giesbrecht – Yarn and metal.

As we were approaching our “Fixed on Jesus” sermon series I was part of a discussion about how each of us come to worship together with our own thoughts and feelings; we come with our own theories about life and our spirituality. This is represented in the variety of colours and texture of this piece.

We often fool ourselves into believing that every person around us sees the world as we do and it is a shock when we uncover the ways that we differ. This shock can often result in trying to push out the voices that are different and lift up the voices that best match our own.

The questions were, “how do we make space for God?”… “how do we keep God at the centre of it all?”

This piece was born out of that conversation. It is the idea of a round table where every voice is allowed a seat and that a important part of making space for God means making space for each other.

Rooted In Love

by Krista Heide – acrylic and collage on canvas, 16″ x 20″

When I choose to embark on a reflective painting, I come with a hint of an idea. For this particular piece, I came with the idea of Ephesians 3: 17, “being rooted and grounded in love.” I allowed myself to become curious about this imagery. How would this look collectively? What is the basis of love that we can draw from? How would growing into love connect us to one another?

I decided to begin with a heart. I spent a few hours combing through scriptures and an old hymnal, collecting and cutting out passages that spoke of love. God as love, loving our neighbour, loving our enemy, love bearing all things, enduring all things, hoping all things, love never gives up, being slow to speak and quick to listen, bearing one another in love, love is patient and kind, the fruit of the spirit, etc. These words and songs represent the well from which we can draw from. The legacy of love that is so beautifully demonstrated in God’s deep self emptying love for us, and in the songs our tradition has formed in reflecting on this beauty.

Once the heart was created, it came time for the trees. I began painting individual tree trunks – each tree representing a different person in our community. Many beautiful people, choosing to live lives alongside one another. Walking with one another. Witnessing each others journey. Seeing, and encouraging one another towards growth.

Then came the roots. As I began to paint the roots I could see that as these trees would dig deeper into their source of life (love / God), the roots would become enmeshed. Entangled with one another in the quest to drink deeply from love. The taller and stronger these trees would grow, the harder it would be to be able to decipher where the roots of one tree ended and another began. Deep, unseen connection.

And then the canopy. Have you ever noticed how trees growing next to each other need to make space to accommodate one another? The branches dance – finding new pathways, making space for their neighbour, all extending outwards and upwards, farther towards the light. A canopy extending far and wide, providing coverage, shelter, shade. And fruit.

Fruit. The result reaching deep into love, and extending wide and tall towards light. Fruit is a beautiful offering — ready to be extended, freely offered anyone who come near. This outward giving is not the source of love, but rather the expression of deep roots. Giving of this fruit does not have to exhaust the trees, for deep roots connected to an unending source mean a new crop of fruit is always at hand.

This is my prayer for our community. That we can dig deep into love. Loving God through choosing to love one another. That on this journey towards love, our roots can become enmeshed, and our branches can make space for one another, creating a canopy that can provide shade and protection for anyone who needs, and fruit that we can freely offer to anyone who comes hungry, knowing that our God, our source and giver of love is limitless.

Lord, let it be so.

God Have Mercy On the Middle

by Stephanie Woelke

As we have grappled with diversity, we have (understandably) mainly given voice to those with diverse views. However, I wanted to express something which represented the experience of being somewhere in the middle and validate that experience as a place of wrestling conscience and sifting new information as opposed to passive ambivalence. Here’s the poem:

God have mercy on the middle
With arms stretched up to the sky
Unable to reach,
Intercept or even
Hold
Your lob pass
Or
Your lob pass
Don’t mistake my empty hands
As feeble or small minded
I heard you
And then
I heard you
And was compelled by your humanity
More than your arguments
I will not be hurried onto any bandwagon
With my skirt getting caught in the wheel
Of anyone’s sureness of their own insight
Or confidence in what knowledge can be gained
From a mountaintop either born on or travailed to
Because I heard what you said
And then
I heard what you said
(Both going back to the original, cultural, metaphorical, literal meaning which is right there staring back at us if the lighting is just right and you squint just a little….)
Don’t mistake me
I learned a long time ago that
Certainty can be a bully
But passivity a silent witness
And Harm is done both ways
Let me be clear
I want no part of that
But for now I must stay here with my arms
stretched right out
Reaching straight up
Towards God
Wrestling this side
And
Wrestling this side

I will search for wisdom
I will search for compassion
until I can cradle peace
and hold it to my chest
God have mercy on the middle

Beating Through a Wall

Sherry Ansloos also shared a poem for us (it was read on March 4 during the gathering) and it was previously posted here.

Outer Circle Reboot & AGM

Posted on March 8, 2018March 8, 2018 by Andy Wood

The inspiration for the Outer Circle was a result of a prophetic word given a number of years ago. It’s the picture of Musk Oxen who form a protective circle around the vulnerable members of the herd in times of trouble. This is a glimpse of the kind of community God has called us to be. This hasn’t changed. However, the Outer Circle has changed over the years. This year we’re doing a complete reboot. Here’s what it’ll look like:

Three simple words: Transformation, Training and Togetherness.

When we gather we will have a short inspirational training and practice on a particular spiritual exercise. It is designed for anyone in a Triad or a House Group, as well as for anyone else who gets together with others for the purpose of pursuing spiritual growth on a regular basis. Everyone is welcome to any of the gatherings.

Everything that was part of the Outer Circle gatherings and process in the past has changed, except the existence of Triads and the actual gatherings, which will be less involved and more focussed on equipping (and dessert) – keep reading!

Transformation

Being formed in Christlikeness is arguably the primary task (or result) of following Jesus. While it most certainly involves us, this formation is primarily a work of the Holy Spirit. However it isn’t only about our own transformation. As we grow closer to God we get closer to the heart of God which, at its core, is missional. You’ll never catch God navel gazing! The journey inward will always lead outward. The question is, what do I find on the inward journey and what kind of person will I be on the outward journey? How does my world experience me? Do I bring with me the hope, peace, love and joy of the gospel or am I offering something else? In reality we’re all a mix of both – but the point is we bring who we are. The purpose of the Outer Circle is to focus on spiritual transformation so that we can become the kind of people – the kind of community – that God is calling us to become. This means getting in touch with God, our core desires and longings and watching the process unfold!

The purpose of the Outer Circle is to focus on spiritual transformation so that we can become the kind of people – the kind of community – that God is calling us to become.

Training

Some of the most basic building blocks of spiritual transformation are practices that have been around many years. A number of us have been exploring some of these practices as a result of our involvement in the Schools of Spiritual Direction – and we can tell you, they’re transformative! At each Outer Circle gathering we will focus on a particular practice, or exercise. We will teach it and then practice it right there together. The purpose is to expose you to a way of being with God that you may not have experienced before. This will be helpful in the moment but will also prove valuable for House Group leaders, Triads, and for any other groups you may be in. They are tools that can be used in other places. Certainly some of the exercises are meant to be practiced alone. These too will produce fruit and will be useful for sharing in Triads and House Groups. Each Outer Circle gathering will have practical resource to take home (experience & hand-outs).

Together

The Outer Circle is a place of connection. Life isn’t meant to be walked alone. Beyond Sunday mornings, people connect in a number of important and life-giving ways. Triads are small groups of people (usually 2 – 4) who regularly meet together to support, care for, share and pray for one another. House Groups are a little larger but have the same basic reason for being. Some House Groups will have a more specific focus than others, but connection and support for the journey are always key components. There are a variety of other ways people connect in WCV. The Outer Circle is a place for these groups to receive encouragement, training and support. The Outer Circle is meant to serve what’s happening elsewhere.

>>What’s Changed?

Less involved gatherings (no more meals with childcare).
More focussed gatherings emphasizing transformation & training.
No more “Prayer, People, Plan process”.
No more annual renewal.
Don’t have to commit to an annual process.
The purpose of Triads is connection and support – not to keep track of each other’s plans.
The time (7pm – 9pm).

>>What stays the same?:

Triads are still an essential and live-giving way to find connection and support in the Vineyard.
Triads and House Groups are still primary ways of belonging in the Vineyard (but not the only ways).
The basic vision of encouraging growth remains the same.
The day (still on Saturdays).

A Word about Membership at the Vineyard

Membership at the Vineyard is spelled out here. In short it means “Belong, Serve, Give”. Participation in a Triad in the Outer Circle process has been one of the markers of belonging (as has being part of a House Group). This isn’t changing.

>>Saturday, March 10, 7pm – 9pm

6:50pm: dessert & coffee
7pm: AGM – 2017 financial report & 2018 budget
8pm: Outer Circle – Vision and Exercise

NOTE: There will no longer be childcare.

Ma’wa’chi’hi’to’tan – Journeying in a Good Way

Posted on March 1, 2018March 1, 2018 by Andy Wood

The Journey Continues…

Ma’wa’chi’hi’to’tan is Plains Cree for “let us gather together.” The conversation and gathering continues this year and we hope you’ll consider being part of it. If you are indigenous, or you work directly with indigenous people this gathering is for you.

>>Info and registration here.

>>View the Brochure

Note: WCV is a partner in this event. The registration is handled by Inner City Youth Alive (the primary sponsor). However, any WCVers who want to attend and who need a registration subsidy can request one by contacting Vanessa by April 10. If you do this, you still must register with Inner City Youth Alive.

Plenary Sessions
▪ Casey Church (Potawatomi) – Contextualization: A Christian Indigenous Practitioner’s View
▪ Casey Church (Potawatomi) – All Tribes Gathering: How We Started a Contextual Ministry 22 Years Ago
▪ Terry LeBlanc (Mi’kmaq-Acadian) – The Old Testament of Indigenous Peoples
▪ Terry LeBlanc (Mi’kmaq-Acadian) – Culture and Conscience: A New Testament Perspective
▪ Shari Russell (Saulteaux) – Stepping into the Circle: Indigenous Leadership Principles

Workshops
▪ Anita Keith (Algonquin/Mohawk) – Walking in my Moccasins: Indigenous Realities in 2018 in Canada
▪ Larry Wilson (Cree) – Blanket Exercise
▪ Casey Church (Potawatomi) – The “How To” of Contextualizing Rituals and Ceremonies
▪ Arlene Mason (Settler/Ally) – Addiction, Trauma, and Recovery in Community
▪ Howard Jolly (James Bay Cree) – Journeying with the Tension of Faith and Culture
▪ Shari Russell (Saulteaux) – Peace Together: Reconciling our Identity as Indigenous Followers of Jesus
▪ Terry LeBlanc (Mi’kmaq-Acadian) – Community as a Context for Healing: Asset-based Ministry

Schedule
Friday, April 20, 8:30am – 9:00pm
▪ Welcome
▪ Plenary Session
▪ Workshops
▪ Lunch (provided)
▪ Plenary Session
▪ Workshops
▪ Supper (provided)

Saturday, April 21, 9:00am – 8:00pm
▪ Plenary Session
▪ Workshops
▪ Lunch (provided)
▪ Plenary Session
▪ Panel Discussion
▪ Feast (provided)

Cost:
General Admission: $60
Food Voucher: $20 (includes 2 lunches & 2 dinners)

Location:
Jubilee Place, 173 Talbot Ave, Winnipeg, MB

Sponsor:
Inner City Youth Alive

Partners:
Winnipeg Centre Vineyard, North End Family Centre, First Nations Community Church

Presenters:
Indigenous Pathways

Questions? Contact Kristin (from Inner City Youth Alive):
(204) 582-8779

How Good are Your Answers? (Questions to grapple with re LGBTQ)

Posted on March 1, 2018March 1, 2018 by Andy Wood

In the spirit of graciousness, understanding and respect, we have been posturing ourselves to hear multiple perspectives on the issues surrounding human sexuality and gender. We’ve learned that “listening is love” and that we don’t have to agree with someone in order to listen to them. We’ve also said that “every voice matters” but also, “not every voice has equal weight.” In other words, we are attempting to be a community under the direction of the Holy Spirit, that listens and loves deeply while not always agreeing with each other. We have genuine differences but we’re still part of one body. Unity is not uniformity.

At times we are able to hold a simple position on an issue because we have not faced the tough questions that other perspectives ask. This applies to both sides in this dialogue! The only credible positions, postures, or biblical interpretations are ones that have heard and answered the most powerful critiques from the other side.

We’ve compiled a list of questions that the two primary perspectives we’ve been dialoguing with regarding LGBTQ must deal with. These hard questions are intended to help you deal with scripture faithfully and others kindly. In other words, they’re both theological and practical. We know the greatest commandment is love (God and each other). However, the test comes in how we treat those with whom we disagree. These questions will foster a “love your adversary” mentality as well as drive you deeper in understanding other people’s perspectives as well as your own. If you find that you are able to answer these quickly, it may be that you have oversimplified these issues. May God give us grace to take the time and care we need to wrestle with ourselves, each other, and the scriptures to find good and beautiful answers to our questions.

>>If you’d like to access these questions, please contact the office or pick one up from the Info Wall.

Being Imitators of Christ (short video invitation)

Posted on February 27, 2018 by WCV Administrator

Jodi shares some critical needs in the generations ministry.

Being imitators of Christ from WCV on Vimeo.

Invitations to Lent

Posted on February 14, 2018March 21, 2018 by Suhail Stephen

Dear People of God: The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord’s passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of penitence and fasting. This season of Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism. It was also a time when those who, because of notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to the fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregation was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith. I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word. And, to make a right beginning of repentance, and as a mark of our mortal nature, let us now kneel before the Lord, our maker and redeemer. ~ 1978 Book of Common Prayer

Today is Ash Wednesday. Today, we begin the season of Lent – a 40-day preparation for and pilgrimage towards the Holy Triduum (the three days of Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday) – where we celebrate Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.

During Lent, we are especially reminded of the divisive and destructive nature of sin – of the ways in which it dilutes, distracts, and outright opposes loving relationship with God, our neighbours, and creation. Through the illumination and power of the Spirit, we are invited to a vigorous time of struggle against temptation and sin – reminiscent of the Israelites’ 40 days in the wilderness and Jesus’ 40 days in the desert – that we may be led more fully into the life and joy set before us.

This life and joy is the real theme of the season. The English word “Lent” comes from the Old English word lencten, which means “lengthen,” and refers to the time in spring when daylight begins to lengthen. We consider, struggle with, and repent of our sin because God is making all things – including us – new. The glorious daylight of his kingdom is coming and Lent is a way for us to respond to and participate in this exciting renewal.

Christians throughout history have taken on several practices during Lent in order to facilitate this renewal. I commend the following to you as concrete rhythms through which you may more fully enter the heart of the season. May the Father’s love, Jesus’ truth and grace, and the Spirit’s conviction and comfort be with you.

Examination and Repentance
- With his help, ask God where have you sinned against him in thought, word, and deed, by what you have done, and by what you have left undone? Where have you not loved him with your whole heart? Where have you not loved your neighbour as yourself?
- Trusting in his immeasurable kindness and unquestionable grace, ask God for forgiveness and mercy.
- Ask God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to strengthen you in all goodnesss that you may be led in the way of life everlasting.

Prayer, Fasting, and Generosity
- Fasting is a form of self-denial whereby we voluntarily set aside something for a time in order to intensify attention to and awareness of God (this attention and awareness is prayer). The things we are most reluctant to set aside are the very things that probably get in the way our life with God.
- Fasting is a helpful, practical way to focus prayer and realize that God – not food, Facebook, friends, or what have you – is the real source of all pleasure, goodness, and satisfaction.
- In tandem with fasting, Christians have often given special attention to generosity (“almsgiving”) during Lent as a way to avoid self-absorption and to inspire self-giving in love and service to others (e.g. fasting from food might give you more money to share with those who don’t have as much food).

The Word of God
- Hearing, reading, and meditating on the scripture is customary for Lent.
- There are a number of Lent devotionals and resources available online; here are some that I’ve found particularly helpful for daily prayer:

He is Risen! Let’s celebrate…