Do you want to Grow this Year?

Posted on December 28, 2016January 25, 2017 by Andy Wood

Admittedly, this is a bit of a redundant question. Of course the right answer to the question is, “yes, I want to grow this year!” Yet conditions for growth require more than a willingness on our part – even if that willingness is full of passion. Perhaps this is why growth is often difficult to see, even though most of us readily admit we want it.

God is creative. Ever since he spoke the world into being and ever since he bent down and formed the first humans out of the dirt and breathed into them, he has been creating. Astronomers understand that the universe is continuously expanding outward – as if the life-giving power of God’s words “Let there be…” haven’t stopped forming. Creation is ongoing, generating new expanses of space, but also newness in us, should we choose to allow it. For followers of Jesus, this creative energy is moulding us into being more like him – restoring our image of God-ness. This is a deep and beautiful task and it is the setting, the backdrop, and the reason we engage in the Outer Circle process each year.

Imagine, getting together regularly with 2 or 3 other people and sharing three areas of growth God has invited you into for the year. Imagine being honest about your strengths and allowing God to fill you with his laughter and delight. Picture yourself being prayed for as you posture yourself in deliberate and intentional ways to be formed into Jesus’ likeness. What growth might be visible in a year from now if you stuck with it? What might you see formed in those 2 or 3 friends? What if you tracked your friend’s journeys in specific ways? What might the Holy Spirit do in you and in them if given the chance?

Do you really want to grow this year? You might want to consider forming a Triad and being part of the Outer Circle process for 2017. Our first gathering is on Saturday, January 14, 5:30pm – 8pm.

By then you should have identified your 3 areas of strength (Grace received) and 3 areas of growth for the coming year (Grace needed) and have made a plan. If this doesn’t make sense to you, read more here.

Contact the office to sign up. The Outer Circle is one way to be a member in the Vineyard. For more on membership go here.

For more detailed explanation of the Outer Circle process go here.

Coming Home – Christmas Greetings

Posted on December 22, 2016December 28, 2016 by Andy Wood

We’d like to take this opportunity to wish everyone in the WCV community a merry Christmas. It’s amazing that we’re here again – another revolution around the sun and on the eve of another new year.

Throughout this Advent season we’ve been exploring the gospel of John and the idea of homecoming. We hope you’ve enjoyed using the “Heart has a Home” booklets. Please let us know if they’re helpful.

We’ve been praying for a deeper understanding of the events we celebrate at Christmas, primarily the incarnation – God becoming fully human in the form of one of us. It’s quite astonishing that God would make his home among us as one of us. It’s even more astonishing that he would take up residence in a young woman’s uterus for 9 months and would subject himself to the beautiful mess of the birthing process, in an animal stable no less! That he would live as a son of a carpenter in a backwater region of the Roman empire and that he would learn to talk, walk, laugh, cry – all the experiences that make us human, are all signs of the depth to which he came to live with us as one of us. This is God making his home among us and it’s simply astounding.

However, our reflections haven’t centred only on events that happened 2,000 years ago, as amazing as they were. We’ve also looked for his coming in our daily lives in the present. In all our comings and goings we’ve been listening for his whispers, trying to perceive his fingerprints, and opening ourselves to his presence with us. The hope of Christmas is, in part, that the incarnation continues today and that he makes his home amongst those who welcome him.

And finally, we’ve been looking with anticipation to the final homecoming when Jesus, who is the Lord of all creation, comes to take his rightful place once again. John paints a grand picture of heaven and earth coming together again at last as he records the angel’s ecstatic shout, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them…” (Rev 21:3). This is our ultimate hope – that our home will be with God. Jesus made a way, we experience it now in part, and we long for it’s fulfilment in the age to come. This is not a disembodied hope in a vague afterlife. It’s is real life grounded in a renewed earth with fully alive renewed bodies and pure hearts. Jesus models the way for us. Paul calls him the “first of a great harvest” (1 Cor 15:20-23). What happened to Jesus, will happen to those who are at home with him. This is our great hope, which is stirred as we look to Jesus’ birth, made real as we experience the Father’s loving presence through the Spirit today, and is fanned into flame like a warm crackling fire in the hearth as we look to the final day of Jesus’ final return home.

Wherever you are, and whatever your situation is this Christmas, we pray these realities will give you strength and a tangible hope for today. Merry Christmas!

Christmas Scheduling:

Christmas Eve service:

Dec 24, 6pm – 7pm.
We will worship together and will end with a candlelight celebration.

Christmas Day Sunday Gathering:

Dec 25, 10am – 11:15am

Celebration Sunday:

Jan 1, 10am – 11:45am
We’re going to enter 2017 worshipping together! We’ve also got a few interesting prayer exercises we’ll do together. Come prepared and expectant.

Office Hours:

Normal office hours are Mon – Thur 9am – 4pm.
For the week between Christmas and New Years the office will be open Wed, Dec 28, 9am – 3pm.

Year-end Giving:

If you are planning on making a year-end financial contribution to WCV we need to receive all funds by Dec 31, 2016. Post-dated cheques, or other contributions, received in 2017 will only be applied to 2016 if:

The cheque is dated for 2016 and is mailed and Canada Post has processed and stamped the envelop in 2016, or
You have contacted Lillian by Dec 31, 2016, and stated your intention to contribute towards 2016. You can call her at (204) 582-2900 x15 (leave a message), or email.

In both cases cheques must be dated for 2016. If we receive a gift in 2017 (even if the cheque is post-dated) and neither the above conditions are met, we will not be able to apply the gift towards 2016.

Thank you!

God’s Expression of Love for Us ~ Kids Service Sunday

Posted on December 15, 2016 by WCV Administrator

Every year before Christmas, we designate a special Sunday for our kids to lead us throughout the morning. For the past 6 weeks and during advent, our kids have been putting together this special Sunday for us. Here are some things you can expect for this coming Sunday, December 18th, 2016:

There are many ways we can worship God. One of those ways is to worship God through “play”. There will be three four-square stations available during our musical worship that folks of all ages are invited to come so they can play & worship. The 4-square on the stage will be reserved for the youngest children.

During these past 6 Sundays, the kids and youth have had a chance to reflect on how God has made them and what their interests are. They’ve selected a class based on their interest.

Some of the kids chose sports. In that class they learned that God made all the places we play in and the stuff we play with, and described it as good. God is creative, intelligent and relationship-oriented. We are made in His image, and our play reflects our creativity, intelligence and need for community. In this way, play can be an expression of gratitude to our God for His good gifts to us.

We normally worship by having musicians, dancers, and artists “play” or create in front of us and they invite us to join them. This coming Sunday we are including sportive play as well. All are invited to watch or participate in this play as an act of worship to God.

So, how do we play as an act of worship? Just like singing, each of us does it in our own way. But here are some keys:

Remember that play includes cooperating and competing at the same time. Each player has different talent and skill levels but all are valuable and loved creations of God. Treat your fellow players accordingly.
Thank God for all the components of play that He created, e.g. the air in the ball and your lungs, the playing surface made from trees, your body that can move skillfully, the joyful emotions that you are experiencing, and the people you are playing with/against and those enjoying watching you.

Other activities the kids chose were Flags, Dance, Drama, Cooking, Creative Arts, and Musical Worship. Some of these activities you will be able to see and experience this coming Sunday, but let’s recognize and appreciate all our kids this Sunday as they have poured their hearts out into their passions and interests.

A Third + Bird Thank You

Posted on December 1, 2016 by WCV Administrator

Written by Debra Kelly:

On behalf of the Nepali Women’s Co-op I would like to thank all the volunteers of WCV who participated in the Third + Bird Christmas Market this past weekend. These volunteers included:

Bakers, many bakers who went above and beyond what they committed to bake and baked more. Thank you for your creations… they were fully enjoyed.

Volunteers at the sale. You sold cookies, scarfs, raffle tickets…. you were a friendly face but you worked hard to make a sale and I am proud of all your assertiveness to raise money.

For those who helped with setup and take down. Hard work but so appreciated.

Jessie Penner and Mercy Au who committed their entire weekend to being at the sale.

Krista Heide for making great signs and helping with creative vision.

The WCV staff who faithfully support what we do.

Chandra Kremski and Charla Smeal (Third + Bird) who have the vision and have worked incredibly hard to make the sale what it is today. They have graciously invited Nepali Women’s Co-op to partner with them even when the market outgrew this church building. Their open heart, passion and generosity is truly appreciated. We look forward to partnering with you in many more sales.

Over $8, 300 was raised at the sale just through the three tables. The next tailoring school is planned for February 2017 in Gorhka.

The Nepali Women’s Co-op will be set up after next Sunday’s service (December 4/16) in the comfy couch room. If you didn’t make it to the Christmas market and want to peruse/shop, items will be for sale. Including scarves, mitts, and slippers. Come by and check it out!

Outer Circle 2017 – Posturing for Growth

Posted on December 1, 2016December 1, 2016 by Andy Wood

Our goal is growth. We want to grow into a rich fertile field that produces a lot of Kingdom fruit. Ok, ok – so that’s a little vague and is a little heavy with “Christian-ese”! Let me spell it out like this:

Jesus, in his 3 years on earth, was involved in a number of groups, each with unique strengths and purposes.

He had a group of 12 close disciples who lived with him, observed what he did, and ultimately participated in the establishment of the church. From among those 12 he had 3 who were especially close and were privy to a number of personal and intimate moments with Jesus. He could share things with them, he couldn’t with the group. It’s also clear that he had many more than just 12 people who followed him. There were a number of women (which was quite counter cultural for the time), and others who were impacted and attracted by who he was and what he did. Finally (for our purposes here at least), Jesus had a mission field – a target group he was aiming to impact.

We can think of WCV in a similar way. We have some structures set up to help encourage everyone to be involved in at least one of these levels.

The Triads in the Outer Circle process are designed to be an incubator for growth for 2 to 4 people – kind of like Peter, James and John with Jesus. They provide a venue to be involved in specific and real areas of other member’s lives. Triads are reminded to keep track of each other, pray for each other, and support each other in the particular areas God is celebrating in each person for the year, as well as the ways he’s inviting growth for the coming year for each member of the Triad.

House Groups are also quite intimate, but meet different needs than the Triads in the Outer Circle process. They are more like Jesus’ 12 disciples – great opportunities to develop community, to share needs and joys, to learn and worship together, and to provide safe places to practice many of the skills and gifts we want to see developed in our church (praying for each other, worshipping authentically, practically supporting each other, and leadership development, to name just a few).

Both the Triads in the Outer Circle Process and House Groups provide opportunities for people in WCV go beyond just meeting together on a Sunday morning (which are essential but can only accomplish so much). They are invitations to friendship where we can regularly and honestly connect with each other. For both the goal is to provide a place for spiritual growth in the context of community. Of course there are other ways this can happen outside of WCV’s structure – and we encourage that too!

Jesus also had crowds of followers (until he ended up on the cross, but that’s another story and is also where this metaphor breaks down a bit… ). These crowds provided many opportunities for the Kingdom to advance and for Jesus to pursue his mission. Our Sunday gatherings and our weekly Drop-ins are great spots for this kind of activity. They have advantages of feeling part of something bigger, preaching the gospel and instruction, public celebration, worship, etc.

And finally, we have our mission field. Our goal is to create a opportunities for growth at every sphere of interaction. We want to cultivate a rich environment for each person who calls WCV home to grow in their relationship with God and with each other – and we want to grow to see more people come to know Jesus in real and life-changing ways.

Because of their emphasis on personal growth and discipleship, we’ve identified the first two areas, Triads in the Outer Circle, and House Groups as a requirement for membership in WCV (Outer Circle or a Similar Group – like a House Group).

For those who are looking to be part of a Triad in the Outer Circle process for 2017, now is the time to be preparing for it. Go here, or grab a booklet from the info table for more.

Updating the Church Directory

Posted on December 1, 2016January 4, 2017 by WCV Administrator

Hey Folks, we’re updating our church directory again for a 2017 edition!

Our Church Directory is important because it keeps us connected with each other, for prayer, house groups, or any other extra church activity.

If you would like to be included in this coming year’s Church Directory, please email the office with any additions or changes.

Deadline: December 31st, 2016.

Invitation to Pray – Invitation to Grow

Posted on December 1, 2016December 15, 2016 by Andy Wood

2016 Budget: $441,580
Offerings to date: $369, 842
What we still need for December: $71, 738

These, simply, are the numbers regarding our current 2016 financial reality. While they are, in one way, our current situation, there is another reality at work behind these numbers. That is the simple truth that God provides and always has provided for us. This should induce hope and faith, and dispel panic and worry. It should not, however, cause us to become complacent. The staff and Board of Directors diligently and prayerfully set budgets and keep track of expenses and income throughout the year, and each year around this time we are reminded of our dependence on God. This annual reminder of our reliance on him in this way has changed us for the better – it’s formed us. Yes, we all need to be diligent and faithful in our giving (thank you for that), but ultimately, it comes from him.

With that in mind we’d like to invite you to join us in holding our collective financial situation up to the Lord, knowing that as we do so, he hears us, provides for us and changes us. The Staff, Pastoral and Lay Elders and the Board of Directors have been fasting and praying on Tuesdays. You are invited to join us!

This call to prayer and fasting is not a manipulative attempt to get WCVers to “dig deeper”. Far from it! It is a call to lay our cares before the “Lord of the harvest” – to offer our concerns and cares up to him – and as we do so, we are changed. We become more reliant on him. We become more trusting in his provision. Gratitude is stirred in us for the ways he does provide for us collectively. The exciting opportunity is that we are changed in the process!

Will you join us?

Nepal Recovery – Be Strong, Build Strong

Posted on November 24, 2016November 24, 2016 by Andy Wood

Jeff Leighton and I recently had the privilege to travel to Nepal to be with our Himalayan Region Vineyard family. The purpose of my trip was twofold: 1) to report on the earthquake recovery and rebuilding efforts, and 2) to be together and celebrate God’s goodness and presence in a conference right at the epicentre of the first earthquake.

Here are two videos, that are well worth the watch.

The Himalayan Region Vineyards are just getting to the finishing stages of the main rebuilding and recovery effort. The team has been tireless and has done an amazing job at responding to needs in appropriate ways. It’s quite amazing what’s been accomplished in the past 18 months. This video gives a brief overview of the work (also detailed below) and offers four 2 minute stories of recovery.

The village of Nareshwahr, in the District of Gorkha was host to two big events in the past 18 months – it was the epicentre of the first earthquake and it was the host to 500 guests from across the Himalayan Region Vineyards who converged to celebrate God’s goodness, and look to the future together. It was a significant undertaking, many people travelling days and spending up to one month’s salary just to get there – just to be together. It was also a significant in that it marked the end of the recovery phase right at the earthquake’s epicentre. Mountains were moved once more. You’ll get an inside look at some of the sights and sounds of our powerful time together in this video:

An overview of the Relief, Recovery and Rebuilding efforts since April 2015:

424 Homes Built or Subsidized.

54 – Provided 100% material & construction.
40 – Provided 100% of materials.
150 – Subsidized 25 – 50% of materials.
180 – Subsidized 5 – 15% of materials.
Subsidies were determined based on need.

Over 217 lots cleared

Cleared of rubble in preparation for rebuilding.

9 Church Buildings Constructed.

2 other church buildings subsidized (providing building materials the congregation couldn’t afford – non-Vineyard friend communities).

Started or Upgraded 36 Businesses

For the urban poor in Kathmandu. This was the creative response to the housing crisis in central Kathmandu where there are no affordable safe houses. These businesses will increase the capacity of our people there to secure more affordable housing for themselves.

Bikka Land Purchased

11 families in a high mountain village now have land who were previously squatting on government land. They are low caste, and didn’t have anywhere to rebuild their homes.

Kids Helping Kids

Completed one Children’s Playground, one more is planned.
Funded by some Canadian Vineyard Kids!

Supplies

Recently, distributed over 217 sleeping bags.
Throughout the past 18 months over 7,400 rice bags delivered.
360 Tarps, 50 tents, 60 pots, pans and various and sundries numbering in the 100’s.
600 Blankets.

Medical

Health and hygiene packets have been designed, packaged and delivered all over the region. Special attention has been given to packages designed specifically for women.
5 medical outreaches including minor operations and treatment of illness’ to over 2,000 people.
19 People provided with hospital care.

Road Built

5 km (3 mile) road built to the epicentre village where we have a church.

Pastoral Care

Trauma counselling has been a huge part of the pastoral work across the region. Our team has been nothing short of amazing in the amount of care and healing they have brought to body, soul, mind and spirit. The toll on our care givers has been great, but the fruit is overwhelming.

Gathered 500 people from all over the Himalayas to celebrate the goodness of God at the Gorkha conference.

Over 35% of all funds used to date have gone to families and people outside of our church communities – to our “neighbours”.

44 People have been baptized in the earthquake zone.

Over 21,000 people impacted through the HRV efforts in over 30 Villages in 12 Districts.

There is one more major need – rebuilding the condemned buildings of the Kathmandu Vineyard – the main hub for the Himalayan Region Vineyard Churches. Demolition will begin in January. Stay tuned for more information and opportunities to be involved.

Standing With Standing Rock

Posted on November 24, 2016November 24, 2016 by Andy Wood

by Jessica, Amanda & Chloe

Two weeks ago the three of us loaded up some camping gear and drove down to Standing Rock Sioux Nation. We went. Sixteen hours of driving (round-trip) provided ample time to talk about why. Why were we going? Why now? Why this?

Our church has recently journeyed through a sermon series on dreams and calling. I think it has challenged most of us to jump into the things we feel we were made for. This particular action felt like this to all of us. It came from within us. Though we each held different thoughts and motives, we all agreed that we were following our hearts, and it was beautiful to have the chance to affirm that in one another. The week prior to leaving, the topic of the sermon was discerning our dreams through asking three simple questions. Do I want it? Should I want it? And can I do it? This was a good metric for guiding our preparation.

The desire was there. We all wanted to go. As soon as one of us said, “Hey. . . want to go to Standing Rock?” the “yes” echoed.

But – should we? The Manitoba Energy and Justice Coalition held a meeting to discuss how Winnipeggers could support Standing Rock. We attended and found ourselves moved by so much of what we heard that night. We asked the question, “is it helpful for us to go?” and we were told yes. We were told to go, or to come, and to stand in prayer together, with the people of Standing Rock. This settled our spirits, aligned with our motives and gave practical information about what to expect.

And, finally, can we? Another yes. It worked for our families. They were willing to let us step into the unknown a bit because we all agreed that this was important and our hearts were moved to be a part of it. We were willing to take a risk. Usually standing up to power involves some kind of risk, and though we felt our risk was minimal, it was still a concern.

At the border we were met with a smile and asked why we were going to Standing Rock. Chloe answered brilliantly. “There are people crying out and we are going to listen.”

Yes. We were going to listen.

This idea was expounded on as we walked the ground, watched the people and participated in ceremony. During an impromptu interview with CBC, Amanda answered that question again by saying, “Sometimes we judge before we know. I want to know before I judge. I want to see with my eyes and to hear with my ears so I can speak what I’ve seen and heard at home.”

Jessica’s response was similar. “I am here to put my feet where my heart is. So often I care about a place. I talk about it, I pray about it, I learn about it. But it isn’t that often that I get to go.”

This time we did. We put our feet on the ground. We added our tobacco offerings to the fire, our voices to the song and our coats to the collection. We touched the elders. We listened to the youth. We passed the pipe. We bore witness. That is what we did.

And now we are home wondering what it means here.

We know that Indigenous people have been abused and oppressed throughout history. It is our knowing that moved us to go. But knowing isn’t enough. Justice happens when wrongs are made right and we hope to be people who find ways to help that happen. At this moment in history, it seems that the call for us is to show up and to listen. The indigenous voice is rising. People are standing up, they are standing together, they are saying enough. We don’t want to miss it – or to get in the way of it.

We want to hear the rising.

So each of us in our own way will aim to show up, to quiet ourselves, to lean in and to listen. And when we can, we will do what is asked of us. That is what we did at Standing Rock and we can do that here, too.