If you’re interested in either the School of Spiritual Direction or the School of Mercy and Justice, then this is for you. Both schools are run by Sustainable Faith, and the local cohorts of both are taught by Suhail Stephen.
At this interest meeting you’ll get to meet the Winnipeg cohort teacher (Suhail Stephen) and hear from some former students. We will overview the syllabus for the fall 2020 cohorts and there will be time for questions and answers.
Hey WCV Kids – this is for you! In this video Dynel Davidson tells the story of Mary – we hope you find it fun and encouraging.
Parents, make sure you’re receiving emails from Dynel with resources and ideas. You can contact her at kids(at)wcvchurch.ca if you want to be added to the list.
These are times we need to be leaning into prayer of all kinds. St. Theresa of Avilla said, “prayer is nothing more than being on terms of friendship with God.” I hope this is becoming a greater reality for you as you carve out space and time to cultivate an awareness of God in your life in these times.
Tomorrow (Wed, April 1), we’re going to gather again online
for a prayer meeting. We will pause to become more aware of God’s presence with
us, we will intercede for each other, our community and beyond, and we will
connect with God and each other! We come together with the confidence knowing
that we can approach God and ask for anything according to his will, that he
will hear us (1 John: 5:14). What a great thing!
If you’d like to join, we are using Zoom – an online video conferencing platform (instead of Facebook Live). To join, please email the office for the link! If you have not used Zoom before, we recommend you join 10 minutes early so that you have the time to get your device set up. You’ll be able to join on a computer, tablet or smartphone as long as your device has a video camera, microphone and speakers. It’s not too difficult but there are a few steps that Zoom will guide you through, including testing your microphone and speakers. Once you’re in, Andy will introduce the other features, then Daile will lead us in prayer again.
See you Wednesday at 7 pm!
Update (April 21): Please note that you do not require a Zoom account to participate. If you are accessing the prayer meeting with a computer, nothing needs to be installed – just follow the link in the email and subsequent prompts. If you are accessing it via a phone or tablet, you will be required to install the Zoom app.
This is what our Online Prayer Meeting looked like on April 1 – join us next Wed!
We want to make sure you’re aware of a few key ways we’re pursuing connection in this time of Covid-19. Be sure to check out this video that highlights a few important items.
Online Connections:
Sunday Gatherings Online – 10am via Facebook Live. facebook.com/winnipegcentrevineyard
Online Prayer Meetings – Wednesdays, 7pm. We will be sending out an email invitation to Zoom (an interactive video platform). If you want to be invited please email the office.
Daily (or semi-daily) Encouragements – We’ll be posting encouraging meditations, thoughts, stories, scripture reading and the like on a regular basis to both our Facebook and Instagram pages. Just another way to be encouraged and foster our sense of connection.
Kids – Dynel Davidson (interim Kid’s Director) will be providing resource on a regular basis to help our kids connect with God in this time. Parents and guardians, watch your inbox for more.
Youth – Dustin Davidson (interim Youth Director) is curating ways for our youth to connect and engage primarily via Instagram. If you’re a youth make sure you follow “vineyardyouthwpg”.
Care:
In this time of uncertainty, many needs may arise in yourself, or those you know. We’d like to encourage us all to lean into God and each other. If you’re part of a House Group, make sure you communicate. If you need to talk to someone, or be prayed for, please reach out. The entire Leadership Team is available, and you can always call the office and Vanessa will be sure to forward your request.
If you or you know of someone who has some physical needs, please email the office. We’re keeping track and want to be helpful as and when we can.
A Note about Facebook Live:
I know this is not a “natural habitat” for some of us! A few thoughts to help:
Live feeds are accessed at our WCV Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/winnipegcentrevineyard).
We’ll always start the Live feed a few minutes before we’re scheduled to start. This will give opportunity for people to find the video feed and jump on.
Live feed videos are recorded and left on the page to watch later. If you’re not able to attend live, you can always watch later.
Use the comments to interact. One of the primary purposes for us to do this to to provide a space of togetherness and connectedness. Even short simple comments help to do this.
If a connection is lost, just wait, and the presenter will be back shortly. If it doesn’t reappear, go back to the WCV Facebook page. If it’s your own internet connection… well, you’ll have to figure that out.
On Sundays we will always have two different live feeds – one for the Worship portion, and the other for the speaking portion. When it comes time to switch, the worship leader will give us all a heads up that we’ll be transferring to another feed.
We are also exploring using Instagram for a live feed as well. Stay tuned…
It’s with great sadness that we need to let you know that our dear auntie Edna passed away March 24 – exactly one month after Richard her husband of 40 years. She died peacefully at Deer Lodge. She was in a weakened physical state struggling with pneumonia and the recent deaths of Richard and Kenny (her son) hit her very hard. In the end, it was all too much.
We are happy that she is no longer suffering, and yet saddened by this loss. Please pray for her family as they come to terms with yet another death. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18) – let’s pray that this is their experienced reality in these difficult times which are made more difficult by the inability to gather to say goodbye.
Note: Due to Covid-19 all gatherings are postponed. We will update you with info as it is available.
We are meeting exclusively online on Sundays until Sept 13. To catch our time together head over to our Facebook page. We will be broadcasting a live feed starting at 10am. Tune in for worship in music, prayer, inspiration, and simple connection. The broadcast will remain up on our Facebook page afterwards as a video in case you miss the live feed. We’re going to keep it organic, intimate and simple. Nothing flashy, nothing fancy. Just simple connection with God and each other. Sounds good, right?!
On Sept 13 we will begin to meeting in person again, while remaining online for those who need that option. Read more about how we are starting up our in-person gatherings here.
We are hiring again! This time we have two part-time positions open:
To Apply:
Please forward a cover letter and resume to:
Should you be invited to participate in the next stage of the hiring process, we will be asking for a reference from a current or recent leader or employer.
Applications will be accepted until March 23, 2020Revised date: April 6, 2020.
Thank you, Vanessa!
For the past five years Vanessa Lewis has been our Administrator and when Lillian retired two years ago she also became our Bookkeeper. She will be resigning this Spring. We are so grateful for the way Vanessa has served with diligence, faithfulness and love in these positions. She’ll be missed in the office but we’re excited for this next step in her journey!
NOTE: This post was originally published March 5, 2020. Due to uncertainties surrounding Covid-19 we have extended the application date from March 23 to April 6, 2020. Thanks for understanding.
There are some changes in our Kids and Youth ministries that we’d like to keep you informed of. Beyond the obvious challenges Covid-19 has presented us (not meeting together on Sundays as well as postponing all kids and youth group activities – read about that here), we have recently had a change in leadership.
After having served faithfully since last summer, Andy Arthur has stepped down for personal health reasons. Andy has done a fantastic job with both our kids and youth. Also, volunteers have expressed appreciation for his organization and diligence in equipping them with what they need to see successful and thriving programs for our kids and youth. Thank you, Andy, for all this, and we wish you peace, grace and healing for the road ahead. You’ve done well!
Thankfully, Dustin and Dynel Davidson have stepped in to be our Interim Directors of Kids and Youthministries. Dynel will be overseeing the kids and Dustin will be working with our youth. They both will start immediately. Having Dynel and Dustin step up right now, is a real gift and will help to ensure our kids and youth will have as little disruption with Kid’s church and Youth Groups as possible. At present we are planning on posting permanent positions for these jobs later in the Spring.
Last fall we embarked on a process to discern who God was inviting into eldership at the Vineyard. Lindsay and Lois Ward, Rick and Luanne Hill, Cornelius and Tania Martens and Christy Chan came to the forefront of our discussion and prayer. We’ve since invited each of them to be prospective elders. This means that they will come to our meetings and participate in normal elder activities in the Vineyard. At the end of this prospective period (April 2020) we will determine if they would like to have their names stand to be elders. If it seems good to us and the Holy Spirit (Acts 15:28) the membership of WCV will vote on them.
Let’s continue to pray for all of them, as well as the rest of the elders and Leadership Team.
Lindsay and Lois Ward
Lois and Lindsay have been part of WCV tribe since the mid 1990’s having experienced significant God encounters through Prairie Fire (Winnipeg) and the Toronto Airport Vineyard (Toronto Blessing).
“Church planting was a significant initiative within the Vineyard movement and encouraged by a John Wimber conference leading to plants being seeded in Winkler, Portage la Prairie, Brandon and locally in Transcona and South Winnipeg. In 1998, two couples, the Musselmans and ourselves embarked on a journey of ‘doing the stuff’ in the South end of the City meeting in various locales under the auspices of WCV. What a ride! There are lots of ‘out and back again’ stories in the Bible, and we’ve been part of that story. WCV has been our home for a quarter of a century (ouch) yet we look ahead with confidence and some trepidation to what God is planning for WCV.”
Luanne and Rick Hill
Luanne and Rick Hill have been involved in ministry for over 35 years (youth, church planting, parachurch and church consulting). They became acquainted with WCV in 2001 soon after they arrived in Winnipeg from Ontario with their three children (Esther, Caleb, Micah). Luanne has recently retired from her full-time position as a Nursing Instructor at Red River College (although she has returned on a temporary basis). WCV has served as a spiritual home for them between periods of Rick’s work as a transitional pastor/consultant in several churches throughout Winnipeg.
Rick and Luanne are both trained Spiritual Directors (Sustainable Faith) and are passionate about helping people cultivate a deeper connection with God. They are excited to have welcomed their two new daughters-in-law and a future son-in-law into their family over the last few years.
“We are full of hope and looking forward to see how God moves within WCV in the future.”
Cornelius and Tania Martens
Cornelius and Tania Martens, along with their four children: Lukas, Annalie, Tobias, and Larissa have been attending WCV since 2007. They are especially passionate about the Kids and Youth ministries. They have served as Youth Leaders, Club 56 Leaders, and Sunday School teachers over the years. Tania currently administrates and teaches ages 4-6 kids ministry. Cornelius enjoys being part of the regular worship rotation and he also serves on the Board of Directors.
Christy Chan
Christy has been a part of WCV since around 2001. Over the years she has enjoyed helping with Sunday School, the Breathe program for moms with little ones, and co-leading a house group with her husband Andrew and their 3 boys. She has recently become a Spiritual Director (Sustainable Faith) and is enjoying the gift of hearing peoples stories and praying with them.
These are certainly interesting times. We want to update you on some active steps we’re taking to care for our community and plans being made in a season that can be quite unsettling for many. In the midst of these stormy waters we say, like the Psalmist before us, that the Lord is a “solid rock under our feet; breathing room for our souls” (Ps 62). We can stand firm and protected amidst what can feel like crashing waves and not be shaken. Even in those times when we are swept away by a wave of insecurity or instability, we can always find our way back to the solid rock and find space to breathe. Phew.
Sunday Gatherings Cancelled
As of this morning (March 17), the Government of Manitoba recommended that “all gatherings of 50 people or more should be cancelled”. This is to help contain the Coronavirus in a strategy to help “flatten the curve”. More specifically, it will provide some level of protection for the most vulnerable among us as well as some relief to what could quickly become an overburdened health care system. We will follow the direction of the health officials in this matter.
Starting this Sunday (March 22) we will not be gathering at 782 Main St as normal. This will be for at least the next three weeks (up to and including April 5). In addition, we will be cancelling our Youth, men’s and women’s groups for the same time period. House Groups will gather based on their own discretion. We ask that you take all the proper and necessary protocols that our health authorities are recommending: Don’t attend if you’ve recently travelled internationally or are feeling sick. If you do gather, don’t share food, do practice social distancing and do wash your hands properly! Please watch for updates on the duration of this cancellation.
But Wait – there are Options…
Instead of meeting in person, we will be meeting online. We will be preparing a simple live-streaming service so that we can still gather together to worship, pray and be encouraged by a meditation from scripture. This will be done on Facebook. You can go to WCV’s Facebook page to access this. Watch for more details about this in the coming days.
Caring for the Vulnerable
In an effort to care for the most vulnerable among us, as well as to care for those who do not have access to internet, we will have a small team of people present at 782 Main St to meet with, pray together, and offer a small bag of lunch for those who come not knowing we’ve cancelled Sunday gatherings. We want to ensure that those who are less-privileged than us who are reading this, are cared for as we are able.
Additionally, we want to take this opportunity to encourage you to notice who may be falling through the cracks of care.
Do you or someone you know need:
A visit?
An encouraging phone call?
Prayer?
Food?
A ride to an appointment?
Help with shopping?
Toilet paper?!
Something else?
Let’s think about our neighbours and fellow community members with the eyes of Jesus and respond as needed. If you have specific needs, or you know of someone else who does, let’s be the hands and feet of Jesus in this time. Go for it! Practice safe social distancing, and wash your hands a lot, but go for it! This is what the church has always done in times like these.
You can always call the office or contact anyone on the Leadership Team if you’re not sure what to do, or if you need some assistance yourself.
I’m Bored / Scared / Lonely…
In times of isolation, you may find yourself with a little more time on your hands. Right now there are many resources popping up to bring encouragement, peace and teaching to the people of God. Here are a few:
Music. Vineyard Worship has been posting live worship sessions. They’re simple, beautiful and intimate. You can access them on their Facebook Page here.
Prayer. There are a number of churches and organizations helping people connect with God in a variety of ways. Vineyard Ann Arbor has made Fixed Hour Prayers using Phyllis Tickle’s books available. You can select the Central Time Zone and the appropriate prayers for that time of day will be displayed.
Community Prayer Nights. Currently we are still planning on having our community prayer nights (unless the recommendations for groups gathering shrinks below 50 people). Watch for details about when and where these are.
Teaching on Philippians. N.T. Wright mentions that Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians from jail and in a time of great unrest and personal crisis. He thinks that Philippians may be timely to this season of alarm and unrest. He is making his online course, “Paul and His Letter to the Philippians: Small Group Edition“, available free of charge for the next three days (starting today). Email Andy for more information on how to enrol. Sara Epp – thanks for the tip!
Do you have any resources that are helping you? Leave your recommendations in the comments below!
Giving
Lastly, we want to be upfront and honest about our financial situation. We are currently behind budget for the year, carrying a deficit of $15,600 (as of March 15). Cancelling Sunday Gatherings likely won’t help. Can we encourage you to keep regularly giving to the church? For the next few weeks we won’t have baskets to pass around, but we do have online ways to give. E-transfer is the best. Simply send tithes and offerings to vanessa@wcvchurch.ca.
Thank you for your faithfulness in this matter.
May the peace of God which nobody can completely understand guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
CarePortal is an online platform specifically designed to connect real-time needs of children and families with local partnering churches. Congregation members & community are promptly able to respond relationally to local needs through the local church.
God is using the church to have a direct impact on Child Welfare! Please take a look at the 2-minute testimonial video about CarePortal and the impact they are having on lives in our community.
We will be launching CarePortal in our own church very soon! We will host an interest lunch after Sunday morning service in the coming weeks. Please stay posted for more details!
CarePortal is an online platform specifically designed to connect real-time needs of children and families (identified by partnering child serving organizations, such as SafeFamilies & CFS) with local partnering churches. Congregation members & community are promptly able to respond relationally to local needs through the local church.
CarePortal started piloting in Winnipeg May 2019 and officially launched November 2019. So far, they have 12 churches working together to serve the needs of 2 referring agencies. They have seen 51 children’s needs met through CarePortal and are looking forward to being a part of the greater number of over 50,000 children served through CarePortal Internationally.
God is using the church to have a direct impact on Child Welfare and they are answering the call by saying yes to caring for the vulnerable children and families in our communities.
>>>Please note: WCV is postponing its launch date and interest lunch that was scheduled for this Sunday, March 22nd.
