On the Mountain of the LORD – a call to Pray

Posted on December 10, 2015December 10, 2015 by Andy Wood

There’s something powerful and unsettling about recognizing our own inadequacy. Abraham must have felt something of his own inability to provide, as he was witness to the miraculous conception and birth of his son Isaac. Abraham’s firstborn was God’s living, breathing promise – a skin and bone sign that God would honour his vow to make Abraham a father of many descendants. Imagine, then, what must have been going through Abraham’s head as he trudged obediently and perhaps reluctantly, up the mountain for three days to sacrifice Isaac. Was God going to turn back from his promise? Did God really ask this of him? Did he hear God correctly? What was going to happen when they got the top?

In the end, God walks with Abraham into his greatest fear and delivers him from it. Instead of sacrificing his son, like other nations around him, God provides. Jehovah Jireh is the name Abraham uses for the LORD when he sees God’s provision in the form of a Ram for the sacrifice.

“On the mountain of the Lord, it was provided for” is what they still say of that event. “On the mountain of the Lord it was seen.” The connection between God providing and God seeing a need is deep. Jehovah Jireh can be translated equally, “God who provides” and “God who sees”. Abraham knew when God sees, he also provides. Whatever was going on in his heart that day, his actions declared, “the Lord will see to it”. This same idea caused the Hebrew people to cry out, “Remember us, O LORD” (Jer. 14:21) and “Hear us, O, LORD!” (1 Kings 8:30). As soon as God remembers, it is provided. As soon as he hears, it is provided. As soon as he sees, it is provided.

In this season, we are joining with Abraham and the ancient Hebrew nation in calling out for our financial provision. We are joining together to ask God to remember us, to hear us, to see us and, ultimately, to provide. We may not feel the same kind of desperation Abraham might have felt as he ascended the mountain, but we are confident we will see provision – that God knows our situation and will hear our prayers. He walks with us into our own inadequacy and meets us there. On the mountain of the Lord it was provided for – it was seen (Gen 22:14). Let it be so in our situation as well!

Please consider joining the Pastoral and Lay Elders as we fast and pray every Tuesday in December.

Third + Bird Christmas Craft Sale

Posted on November 26, 2015December 11, 2015 by WCV Administrator

This weekend commences the annual Christmas Craft Sale by Third + Bird! We have more vendors than years past, meaning the sale will be lengthened to two weekends! This is a time to support many local vendors and crafters as well as supporting the Nepal women’s co-op. We have had more cookie bakers baking for Nepal than ever before. 100% of the funds earned from our cookie table, raffle table, and Nepali table will be supporting the Nepali women’s co-op.

What a great opportunity to continue supporting not only Nepal, but also young entrepreneurs starting their local businesses. So get your craft on! Join us at 782 Main Street beginning this Friday, November 27th, till the 28th, AND on December the 5th! We will see you there!

Entrance fee: $3 (Kids under 12 enter for free!)

Cookies for Nepal

Posted on November 25, 2015 by WCV Administrator

Hi Everyone,

I was so moved by how a few people from our drop in community responded to making cookies for Nepal that I wanted to share it with you.

Gordon (aka “Blackie”) and Georgina came to all three cookie sessions. They were so wonderful and engaged. We worked hard for a good three hours each Friday. These two told me that they have never made cookies before! I don’t know if that’s true, communication is interesting, but I think it’s likely. There’s something about this that shakes me a little.

Anyway, Kenny also came one week. Kristin Dahl came the first week. And Richard Sinclair came twice. He only missed the last session because of a doctors appointment.

They worked really hard! They also paid a dollar each time they came. And they talked about how good it was to be able to do something to give to Nepal. It was beautiful to me.

Another highlight: One of the requirements to attend was that you had to be sober. The first week Blackie and Georgina told me that they were walking up Main in the morning and some friends had invited them to have a drink. They said, “No. We’re going to make cookies today.” They came sober every week.

My heart could burst.

In the end, 200 cookies were made. But I have a feeling this was about more than that.

~ Jessica Williams

Flatlanders Inn Update

Posted on November 19, 2015November 19, 2015 by WCV Administrator

For those of you who were not in the Downstairs Gathering last Sunday, this little update is for you. There have been changes in Flatlanders Inn.

Tara

We want to welcome Tara Glowacki as our new Flatlanders Inn Administrator! Tara began working on a part-time basis last week. We’re excited for the passion, connection and expertise she brings to the position. Welcome, Tara!

We have also had some changes to the Leadership Team. Jeff & Amanda Leighton have been around a long time and are founding members. Laura Dahl has recently finished a prospective Leader phase and we’re excited to have her as a full-on Leadership Team member! Ian & Jessica Williams moved in a year ago to explore what living at Flatlanders was like. Together, we’ve been feeling like they should be exploring what being leaders in Flatlanders looks like. So we’ve invited them to be prospective Leadership team members. This is a 6 month process which is meant to see if it’s a good fit for them. Andy Wood is also on the Leadership team and provides pastoral oversight.

: Amanda & Jeff Leighton

: Laura Dahl (pictured with Raymond Funk)

: Jess & Ian with Kai, Jayden & Davin

: Andy Wood

Kelly & Brendan Dvorak have recently moved out after having lived and led in the community for the last 5 years. They’ve been a tremendous blessing in so many ways. We sincerely thank them for all they’ve done and the ways they’ve opened their lives up to those who have called Flatlanders Inn home these past years. While community living with people who are at risk of homelessness always has challenges, the past season has been more difficult than normal. It’s a sad and hard departure.

On Sunday, we prayed for the current team. They appreciated it and felt the love and support of the church family. Thanks for that!

More info on Flatlanders Inn.

A Gift: The Light That Leads Us Home

Posted on November 19, 2015December 11, 2015 by Andy Wood

The first Sunday of the Advent season is November 29. Advent is the official beginning of the “worship year” in the Christian calendar. It is a season of preparation and waiting for the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah. We celebrate his first coming – our Saviour, born in a manger. We expectantly look for his appearance in our lives today. And, our hearts are drawn to the future as we long for his final returning when he comes again.

There are many stories that compete for our attention and allegiance in this season. There is only one Light, one real story, that has the power to transform our lives and our world. This is what we’re reaching for.

This year we are going to enter the true story of Christmas together. We have a small devotional gift for you! It’s a little booklet entitled “The Light that Leads Us Home”. It contains weekly scriptures and a short thought you can read by yourself, or with others. We will be handing them out this Sunday, November 22. You can get one from an usher or at the info table. If you’re going to be in the kid’s area, Jodi will distribute them to you. Our hope is that they will enrich this season of preparation for you and those you celebrate with.

Blessings as we enter this season of waiting, anticipation and preparation together!

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).

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