New Murals for Winnipeg… and us!

Posted on August 31, 2016September 22, 2016 by Andy Wood

Anyone driving by 782 Main Street these days, will notice some exciting new developments on the South side of our building. We were approached by Synonym, a local art consultation duo, who asked if we would be interested in hosting two murals on the South side of our building. We were intrigued for a number of reasons:

We love beauty and want to be a place that encourages artistic and creative endeavours. We are made in the image and likeness of our Creator, who is the consummate and continual creator.
We want to bring a sense of hope, life and awe to our neighbourhood. God is the source of all these things and we want to work with him wherever we see the Spirit moving.
We want to work for the good of our city. Jeremiah exhorted the ancient Hebrews to “work for the good of the city in which you dwell”. We want to partner with our neighbours and discover the ways God is at work in the lives of those around us.
World class artists painting parts of our story on our walls in a way that is larger and more beautiful than we ever dreamed sure sounds like a God set-up to us!

Symbols are extremely important because of the message and weight they can carry. For this reason, we required that the Elder team (Pastoral and Lay Elders) would give final approval to the mock-ups of the proposed murals. To help the artists understand who we are and what we stand for, we got together with the organizers a number of times and told them some of our stories and shared our deep values and why we’re here. These were great times, and they were moved by what we shared.

After we received the mock-ups, we consulted all kinds of people – artists and non-artists alike, professionals, young, old, indigenous, WCVers and non church goers. While we did seek the input from many of you, we were not able to get to everyone. Thank you for those who did give feedback and reached out to us with comments, questions or concerns. Art is subjective – everyone has an opinion. For this reason we simply wanted to ensure that we nor Jesus were misrepresented in any way. Additionally, we wanted to ensure that our people and the people from our neighbourhood could connect with the proposed murals – that they wouldn’t feel isolated at all. The Elders feel that both murals exceed expectations – in fact, one elder said, “it’s like they’re telling our story on our wall!” Throughout our consultations there were a few cautions that were carefully and prayerfully considered (like ensuring that neighbourhood people don’t feel isolated and that the messaging aligned with our values). We feel right and excited about proceeding.

What both artist duos have come up with is amazing. We believe these public works of art will have far-reaching impact and will hold the keys to many encounters with the God who loves, creates, and is always ready to bring hope to those who are open to receive. We think they will woo and arrest people (in a good way!) In the end, we are a Kingdom people and we are always looking for those places and times when his Kingdom of love and justice breaks in. We think these murals will provide the backdrop for many Kingdom break-ins! To us, it’s obvious the Spirit is at work here! And, while this didn’t influence our decision at all, these murals are a gift.

You will be seeing the progress of both murals over the next 2 weeks. We’ll keep you in suspense regarding the final products (so don’t ask to see the mock-ups). Watch for more details (like how these murals will be part of the Wall-to-Wall mural festival and highlighted during Nuit Blanche on Oct 1)!

2016 Men’s Lake Getaway – No man is an island

Posted on August 16, 2016August 31, 2016 by WCV Administrator

What:

A sand beach on a lone island can be a beautiful place for solitude and retreat. There is joy and peace in being alone in nature and with God.

However, isolating from life in a world of our own can be risky and dangerous. Community and friendship provide perspective, support, and fun,and help us experience the love and care of God.

A healthy balance of solitude and community is desirable in life. At the Men’s Getaway this year, we want to hear stories and experiences, to learn and talk about this balance. We want to give and receive from each other. The mix of personalities and lifestyles we all bring will be exciting and fun.

Rick Hill, pastor of Elim Chapel and a friend of the Vineyard, will lead us as we consider these themes. He is a seasoned leader and will bring some men from his church to be with us.

Worship, teaching, prayer, fellowship, and recreation – all at the Lake of the Woods – will blend together for a great time. And, of course, the food will once again be spectacular!

Where & When:

September 9-11 starts Friday night at 7:30 p.m. and ends at noon on Sunday.

Rademaker Cabins on Lindsay Rd., Clearwater Bay, Ontario

20 minutes (30 km) East of Ontario-Manitoba border just 2 kms East of Clearwater Bay. Right on Lindsay Rd., drive straight into Fire Rd. 5 or 6.

Register:

Cost $50 (partial subsidy available if needed)

Bring sleeping bag/bedding/tent if required. We have limited beds (first come basis) but lots of deck space for tenting or mats!

Please include cash or cheque to the Church Office or Cornelius. Make cheques payable to ‘Winnipeg Centre Vineyard’ with “Men’s Getaway” in the memo line.

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Theology Training – Every Church – Every Nation – maybe you?

Posted on August 15, 2016August 15, 2016 by Andy Wood

Do you have a desire to know God more and study his word? Do you have a feeling there is something more for you in his Kingdom work, and don’t know what your next step might be? Do you want to pursue further training and get better equipped to do what you’re already doing? Perhaps the Vineyard Institute is for you. VI is a modular, video and cohort based training program within the Vineyard. Check out more at the Vineyard Institute. The application deadline for the Fall Quarter is approaching quickly.

You can talk to Andy for more info.

Why Enroll in Vineyard Institute? from Vineyard Institute on Vimeo.

Project Timothy youth are back!

Posted on August 8, 2016August 16, 2016 by Jodi Labun

We are back! Nine of us just came back from Landenberg, PA where we were a part of Project Timothy; a US Vineyard discipleship bootcamp. (There are a few in this photo who we sort of adopted and they couldn’t resist joining our team pic)! While there, we participated in teaching, worship, prayer, outreach and more.

We were challenged to be leaders who die with nothing left in our bottles. We get filled up by being at events like Project Timothy. A lot of Christians just want to keep the water. Sometimes there’s comfortability that comes with experiencing this living water. It’s amazing and we want to keep it! As Christian Dunn stated on Friday, “Jesus didn’t say, I’ve come to give you stagnant puddles.”

We want to live like those Paul talks about in Philippians 2:17…those who are poured out as a drink offering. We can drink living water, get filled up from Jesus (at events like this) and pour out our lives to love Him and others. (Giving to the needs to those around us: the sick, broken, hungry, lonely). “Those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 4:14

There were over 130 leaders and adults (over 100 youth, 30 adults) together for a week. Together we experienced God’s presence. We laughed, we ate, we jumped at sky zone (even me!), we swam, listened, prayed, worshiped, made new friends and renewed old friendships, and we served. Our faith was deepened and our stories have changed. There’s a fresh, bubbling spring within us and we look forward to sharing it!

Look out for the updates for when we will share in Sept.

Thanks again WCV-ers for all your generosity in our fundraisers, your time, and your prayers!

: Worship

: Prayer ministry during a session

: Buffalo Wild Wings

: The whole group!

Women’s Retreat Reflection

Posted on July 28, 2016 by WCV Administrator

The Women’s Retreat impacted so many. Here’s a reflection from the weekend by Janelle Hacault:

“The women’s retreat was a catalyst in bringing me back to where God is calling me. I feel that it came at the perfect time when I was open to God’s voice and He met me there. I LOVED connecting with the incredible women of our church. Wow, I was so encouraged by their vulnerability in sharing their stories, their bravery in reaching out to others, and their courage in trying new things.

I’m still blessed by the goodie bag that greeted me the day I arrived! As a tea-granny-at-heart, the china tea cup, chai tea and the personal note of love really set the tone for me.

The prayer tent was fantastic and reminded me how powerful prayer is and how much I love intercessory prayer. Having so much free time was a huge huge huge thing for me. Our lives are so overstimulated, bombarded, and busy that having the time and space to just be still in such a beautiful environment made all the difference.

The worship and everyone’s openness really blessed me. I can’t put into words how pivotal and precious the retreat was for me. I cannot believe it’s taken me 13 years to finally come! Oh my!

I just love our church!”

~ Janelle ~

6 Month Financial Update

Posted on July 21, 2016July 21, 2016 by Andy Wood

A few years ago we began sharing our financial situation in the bulletin on a weekly basis as opposed to once a year at our Financial Info Nights. This was a direct response to an increased desire from WCVers to be “in the know” and to “own the financial situation of the church.” This letter is written in that same open spirit. We hope this information will help us carry our financial situation together as a whole church, each person taking ownership without manipulation.
As always, we hold this situation in prayer and ultimately look to God for provision and wisdom. We feel writing this update is part of that. Ultimately, this situation is not in the BOD’s, Pastoral or Lay Elder’s nor even the congregation’s hands. It is firmly in God’s hands – we’re simply trying to be obedient to our part.

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” Psalm 20:7

Here’s the 6-month situation as of June 30:

The current deficit of $36,702 compares to $14,595 in 2015. This deficit includes the $13,280 buffer surplus that we used to cushion the shortfall and needs to be replenished. This deficit is alarming given that it is only mid-year and so high.

There are two reasons the significant deficit this year:

Our regular offerings are down and in line with the income shortfall (other sources of income, like rentals, are not down). Our donations for June were at a 3-year low and the trend from the past few months is down.
Our expenses to operate are increasing with no option but to pay.

As your Staff and Board we consider this situation to be unprecedented enough to make some recommendations that may help immediately. We ask you to prayerfully consider responding.

Here are a few ways to respond:

Review your current giving level and year-to-date totals. If you have a shortfall please consider topping-up immediately.
If you haven’t already done so, consider signing up for pre-authorized withdrawals. This helps tremendously with cash-flow.
Consider increasing your giving level.
Pray for God’s provision of our financial needs. We rely on His supernatural provision at all times but sometimes forget to thank Him in times of plenty and continue asking for His help in times of scarcity.

We continue to believe that WCVers have the potential to meet all our annual budget needs. Whatever your interpretations are about tithing (10% to the local church – be generous in every situation – or something in between), the call to us as followers of Jesus is to be generous and the call to us as a local community of believers is to hold our local needs up in prayer and practice. Again, we trust in the Lord, not in finances (or horses or chariots!). He will see us through this, but not without forming us a little more into Christ’s likeness first. As leaders, we will continue to manage well and communicate info as relevant. Thanks for walking with us through this – thanks for your support – and thanks for your prayerful consideration of this letter!

Prayerfully & Thankfully,

Your Staff and Board of Directors

Healing in the Waves – a story from the Women’s retreat

Posted on July 18, 2016July 18, 2016 by Andy Wood

This is a submission from Janet Blatz:

I love the water. I love sitting on the beach watching the waves form with such great gusto and roll in to meet the sand and then disappear like a whisper. Watching the waves come and then go over and over makes my soul very happy and at peace. However leading up to the Ladies retreat my soul felt like it wasn’t watching the waves from the shoreline but instead it was being crashed by the endless waves in the middle of the ocean; waves of stress, waves of worries and waves of grief and I felt like I was drowning. Just like waves in an ocean, these waves of thoughts and emotions at times had more power than other times but the impact of them still can tire a person over time.

It was for this reason I was looking forward to the retreat – I thought maybe a change of setting and schedule could bring relief and rest to a tired soul. The soothing of the soul didn’t come from resting in nature like I thought. It came in when I found myself painting during a session; it came when I was prayed for during the Saturday prayer time; it came while swimming in the lake late one night.

Has my soul been totally healed? No. I was reminded over the weekend that my circumstances may not ever change, however, if I change my focus from trying survive the waves (or even question why I am facing those waves) to the Creator of the waves, healing will happen. Letting go of old ways of dealing with stress, of worrying, of grieving is hard but trying to continue to embrace for the impact of those waves again and again is harder. When I choose to seek the Creator, instead of embracing for the next wave, a little part of my soul finds itself on the shoreline, sitting and watching the waves that once caused so much pain and anguish, slowly roll in and disappears without disturbing the peace.

~ Janet

Metanoia National Gathering Audio

Posted on July 7, 2016July 19, 2016 by Andy Wood

Back in June we hosted Vineyardites from across the country (and a few others as well!). It was a wonderful time of experiencing God’s presence, being re-tooled for the season ahead and being challenged to “think again” about a number of topics.

Michael Raburn brought some amazing teaching on being people who tell the truth. If you listen to his talk from Thursday night, you’ll be sure to want to listen to the follow-up from Saturday morning. David and Anita Ruis shared about what it means to be a people who “dwell in the borderlands”. Be sure to add these sessions to your summer “listening playlist”.

>>Listen here.

Celebrating Baptisms!

Posted on July 7, 2016July 7, 2016 by Andy Wood

What a wonderful time on July 3! We celebrated together as six people followed Jesus into baptism. Congratulations to Shirl, Carolina, Serena, Kayla, Clayton and Lindsay! May you see Jesus more clearly, experience the Father’s love more deeply, and know the Holy Spirit’s presence with you more freely as you walk the journey!

Baptisms – Apostle’s Creed

Posted on June 29, 2016June 29, 2016 by Andy Wood

We’re going to be celebrating baptisms July 3 in the Greenspace (weather permitting). In case you want to know beforehand what we’re going to be doing, below are the call and responses of those getting baptized. Also, together we will publicly declare our trust in Jesus by saying the Apostle’s Creed – an old statement that has been affirmed by the vast majority of the church throughout the centuries. Let’s use this time to re-affirm our own trust in God as we witness and participate in this sacrament which speaks to the reality of dying to our sin, being raised to new life, and joining the community represented in the church.

PS. Afterwards, we’re going to have a BBQ, and set up the Bouncy Castle and have a few other fun activities as well! If it’s nice the children may want to bring a swimming suit for the slip-n-slide.

Elder: Do you reject Satan?

Person: I do.

Elder: And all his works?

Person: I do.

Elder: And all his empty promises?

Person: I do.

Elder: Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour?

Person: I do.

Elder: Do you turn to Jesus as Saviour?

Person: I turn to Jesus.

Elder: Do you submit to Jesus as Lord?

Person: I submit to Jesus.

Elder: Do you come to Jesus, the way, the truth and the life?

Person: I come to Jesus Christ.

The Apostle’s Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy universal Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.

Amen!

Elder: Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayer?

Person: I will, with God’s help.

Elder: Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?

Person: I will, with God’s help.

Elder: Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?

Person: I will, with God’s help.

Women’s Retreat 2016 (+ new note from Amanda)

Posted on June 27, 2016July 5, 2016 by Andy Wood

By all accounts, it was a great time!

Here’s a note from Amanda Leighton:

Hi Women Retreaters,

I just wanted to take a few minutes to acknowledge some things I noticed this weekend…..

First of all. Those gift bags were such a blessing. That someone handpicked the teacups and wrote out individual notes was such a gift to us. I personally saw the significance in the things in my bag, including the colouring page! So thank you for giving the time and thought to each woman, and that, upon arrival, we would already being receiving the richness of our community’s love.

I am also just over the top grateful for the use of the physical space and I think it’s safe to say that we all were blessed by John, Violet, Lillian, Darryl and Robin. I know we wrote them notes so they can just read those for further gratefulness and loving!

I also have really reflected on those of you who took special care of Lindsey. Thank you to those of you who were willing to just sit and be present to her. The love of this community is really something.

Another thing that I loved was that there were youth among us. That just brought such a wonderful dynamic that, until now, we’ve been missing at these retreats. So thank you for coming and thank you to the parents who encouraged and brought their kids. It will be hard to forget seeing the circle of dancers that included both the youngest and the eldest doing that hip arm dance combo. Such a beautiful (and hilarious) picture.

The laughter this weekend was equally unforgettable. and the tears.

It is just really wonderful to be a part of this amazing community of women. So rich.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Love, Amanda