Weekly Newsletter

Posts that will appear in the weekly WCV Newsletter.

Lillian is Retiring!

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It’s with excitement (for her) and a little sadness (for us) that we announce that Lillian is retiring. As of June 1 she will be officially retired from the Bookkeeper position, which she has faithfully, diligently and cheerfully occupied since near the beginning of WCV. It is a big shift for her and for us.

Lillian, thank you for all the love and care you’ve poured into your job and those you’ve worked with. It certainly has been more than just a job for you, a fact that is evident in the extra care and attention to detail you brought, as well as your keen sense of helping our books line up with our mission. It’s never been just about money for you – it’s been about the Kingdom of God advancing. This has been such a gift to WCV. From all of us we say a big and hearty “Thank you!” We pray that you will experience a continued and deepening sense of calling, love and passion for this next stage of your journey… and rest!

Lillian has been training Vanessa Lewis for the past month. Vanessa is our new Bookkeeper and will also continue to contribute to part of the administration of WCV. Jessica Williams is our new receptionist.

A New Way Forward – an indigenous perspective & one response to the TRC

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I (Andy) have had the privilege providing some leadership to Vineyard Canada’s Engage initiative for the past number of years. When the Truth and Reconciliation Commission came out a few years ago we considered how to respond at both local and national levels. One exciting initiative that has only just come out is a video series we produced called “A New Way Forward”. It is anchored by an interview with indigenous theologian, Dr. Terry LeBlanc and is supplemented by interviews with our very own Nathan Rieger and Sherry Ansloos. The purpose of the series is to explore what it looks like for indigenous and non-indigenous people to walk together in a good way. We hope this series will contribute to understanding and reconciliation in the spirit of Jesus.

A New Way Forward is being posted on Vineyard Canada’s website. Each video in the series is short and contributes to the whole conversation. Here is the intro:

>>Check out the other videos that are currently posted here (more added weekly).

Immanuel Prayer Training & Workshop

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“For the broken places in our lives . . . ”

One of the consequences of living in a broken world is that we experience emotional pain. That pain often results in an emotional wound. An emotional wound, just like a physical wound, needs to heal or it has life-long consequences.

Immanuel Prayer is a model for inner healing ministry that revisits the places of emotional pain and wounding in our lives. Jesus knows where those areas of our lives are and faithfully and lovingly visits them with us, speaking healing words of truth and grace. This model of inner healing prayer is based on the meaning of Immanuel: God with Us. Jesus was there in the most painful moments of our lives whether we were aware of his presence or not. Immanuel Prayer is ministry to the unresolved emotional pain we carry with us.

The more whole we are, the more room there is for others in us. The more whole we are, the more capacity we have to love.

We will be hosting an Immanuel Prayer Training and Workshop with Danny Mullins.

Saturday, June 9th | 782 Main Street | 9:00am-4:00pm | $25 per person or $40 per couple

There are a limited number of subsidies available upon request. Please contact the office for payment and registration here.

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me… He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,”  Is. 61:1-2

Spiritual Formation Schools: SOSD & SOMJ

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This fall, we are hosting two Sustainable Faith schools: the School of Spiritual Direction (SOSD) and the School of Mercy and Justice (SOMJ). Both schools offer spiritual formation with an emphasis on the contemplative life.

Particularly, the SOSD is designed to develop your skills of being attentive to others on their journey with Jesus; the SOMJ is designed to help you cultivate a vibrant, interior life with God as you engage in mercy and justice work. Both schools are open to pastors, church leaders, and laypeople alike from any church or denomination. You do not have to be part of the Vineyard to take either training.

Both schools involve five modules (each two days, every other month from October to June), practicing spiritual disciplines, spiritual direction, reading, and written reflections. For specific information, see the syllabi below.

  • Note: Each school typically has no more than 12 students.

We’re hosting an interest meeting at WCV at 6 pm, Sunday, June 3 where you’ll receive an overview of the curricula and be able to meet the teachers and former students.

DATES ETC.

SOSD (Year 1) (US$1,850 / ~ CAD$2,378.01) *

  • Syllabus (2018-2019) [PDF]
  • Module 1: Spiritual Direction Foundations Part 1
    • Oct. 12-13, 2018
  • Module 2: Spiritual Direction Foundations Part 2
    • Dec. 7-8, 2018
  • Module 3: Self-Understanding and Image of God
    • Feb. 1-2, 2019
  • Module 4: Group Spiritual Direction and Discernment
    • Apr. 29-30, 2019
  • Module 5: The Soul’s Path – Movement toward God
    • May 24-25, 2019

SOMJ (US$900 / ~ CAD$1,165.45) *

  • Syllabus (2018-2019) [PDF]
  • Module 1: The Story of Our Life and the Life of Christ
    • Oct. 5-6, 2018
  • Module 2: Compassion and Grief
    • Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 2018
  • Module 3: Humility and Power
    • Jan. 25-26, 2019
  • Module 4: Mercy and Justice
    • Mar. 22-23, 2019
  • Module 5: Rhythm and Rule
    • May 17-18, 2019

* excludes books.

Our 2017 SOSD graduates.

Our 2018 SOMJ cohort.

Outer Circle & Spiritual Formation

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Our next instalment of the upgraded version of the Outer Circle (OC 2.0) is Monday, April 30, 7 – 9pm.

The Outer Circle has become a time to focus on training for spiritual transformation together. This means that after beginning with coffee and dessert there will be a short teaching on the spiritual exercise we’re exploring that evening, then we’ll practice it right there together. The purpose is to give practical tools and experiences that we can use to create space for God to meet us.

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.

Transformation isn’t something that results from our own efforts. Neither does Christlikeness just happen. Rather, if we create spaces in our lives – rhythms and practices – that give room for God, transformation will result. A caterpillar does not become a butterfly on their own effort. Rather they submit to the process of metamorphosis. In other words, they set up the necessary conditions for the mystery of transformation then they simply give themselves over to the process. In us, it is a work of divine love that causes change. The practices we’ll be exploring this year are similar to the necessary ingredients that are needed for a caterpillar to create their cocoon. What you do with these tools is between you and God. History proves that if you take them up and learn to use them, great things will happen in your life and in the lives of those around you.

This Monday, Beckie Wood will share how engaging in a few spiritual practices has impacted her life. Then Suhail Stephen will lead us in a short teaching and experience of a way of reading scripture called Lectio Divina. As will become usual, there will be tools you can take home to add to your toolkit.

The Dates and Topics of the Outer Circles for the year are:

  • March 10: Scripture (Gospel Contemplation)
  • April 30: Scripture (Lectio Divina)
  • May 28: Rest (Sabbath)
  • October 1: Prayer (Silence)
  • November 5: Discernment (Examen)

If you missed the first Outer Circle in March, you can access the resource (Gospel Contemplation) here.

>>Mark your calendars.

>>Everyone’s welcome!

Monday, April 30, 7pm

 

>>What’s Changed in OC 2.0?

  • 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 in OC 2.0?:

  • 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.

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 is one of the markers of belonging (as is being part of a House Group). This isn’t changing.

 

 

New Receptionist & Bookkeeper

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Lillian Poetker

We’re in the midst of a few big shifts in the office.

Lillian Poetker is retiring at the end of May. Lillian has been keeping our books in order since nearly day one. She has contributed welcome, wisdom, thoughtfulness, and attention to detail that has been a true gift to us all. Her week-day presence in the office will be missed. Lillian, congratulations on an exceptionally well done job. You’ve earned this!

Vanessa Lewis, our previous administrator, has been training to take over from Lillian. Vanessa will assume Bookkeeping duties while retaining some of her current administrative tasks. This hand-off will be complete by the end of May.

Lastly, we’d like to welcome Jessica Williams to the office team. Jessica will be working as our new receptionist in the office and will be responsible for managing communication, offering hospitality and welcome to those who contact the office, and assisting the bookkeeper among other duties. She began this past week.  Welcome, Jessica!

 

Rhythms of Rest: Jodi’s Sabbatical

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We all need rest and rest always produces life. It’s a natural law that applies to us humans as much as any other living thing. This is especially obvious during this time of year when we see dormant trees slowly waking up after a long period of “rest”. When we notice the first tulips and prairie crocuses pushing their way through the freshly thawed soil we’re reminded not only of the beauty of new life but also the bulbs and various seeds that were “resting” in the ground before they germinated. We humans are the similar, and we can surmise from the Genesis narrative, so is God (who rested on the 7th day). We’re made to live in rhythms of work and sabbath.

With these rhythms in mind we want to let you know we’re sending Jodi on a sabbatical.  It’s not that she’s burned out. Rather we want to give her time and space for extended rest, refreshment and rejuvenation.  The intertwining of pastoral and personal life is a delicate mix and sabbaticals are a normal part of staying fresh in pastoral life.  Her sabbatical will be May – July. Because of the interweaving of family life, Mike will also be stepping away from volunteer responsibilities during this time.

Here are the relevant hand off details in case you need to know who’s covering for what responsibilities:

Sunday am:

  • Caterpillars (Nursery):  Christy Chan
  • Butterflies (2,3 &4 year olds):  Tania Martens
  • Dragonflies (Pre K & K):  Merv Scott
  • Elementary (Grade 1-4):  Gloria Fligg & Andy Arthur
  • Kid Check:  Janet Blatz & Andrew Chan
  • Youth (Grade 5-7):  Doug & Rachelle Houlbrook & Kristin Kennedy
  • Youth (Grade 8-12):  Jason Eheler

Sat evening:  

  • Club 56:  Jeff Leighton & Kristin Kennedy
  • Sat Junior High:  Brent & Steph Woelke & Ian & Jess Williams
  • Senior & Junior Events:  Jason Eheler

Thursday:

  • Senior High:  Jason Eheler & James Ryan
  • Project Timothy:  Jason Eheler

Summer video series:  Tania Martens

The Lord Is Coming – A poem by Brent Woelke

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Where is the Lord?

And where can He be found?

The children and wise seek Him together.

Let them search the secret places

And hear in wonder the ancient texts.

 

They do not know that the Lord is coming,

And has already come.

 

If God is in heaven,

How shall we reach Him?

If God is on earth,

Let Him display His works,

So that we may discern if He is good and worthy of praise.

Let Him stand before us,

So that we may measure Him with our eyes.

 

Have they not heard that the Lord is coming,

And has already come.

 

See how the children gather to Him,

The poor and broken gather at His feet.

For His kingdom is made of such as these,

 

His glorious kingdom that is coming,

His kingdom come and without out end.

 

Is there hope among the ashes?

How long must we suffer?

Where is God in the darkness?

And how will the blind see their king?

 

For the coming light is warm on their faces.

 

The wicked flee in terror before it,

For it has exposed their sins.

 

The light is coming,

and the proud are humbled

The light has come,

and the humble acknowledge their sin.

 

Let the children dance in the light,

 

He has come.

 

by Brent Woelke

 

 

The Holy Spirit and the Road to Pentecost (Spring Series)

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Jesus’ resurrection was and is just the beginning. After Easter comes Pentecost, but those forty days is a journey. For Jesus’ disciples the time between the upper rooms was confusing, exhilarating, surprising and empowering. You remember both upper rooms, right? In one they gathered to hear Jesus talk about his betrayal and death. In the other they experienced something so mind boggling that Luke, who records the whole incident, can only say the “blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house” and something that “seemed like tongues of fire came and rested on each of them” (Acts 2)! Whoah…

This Spring, we’re going to explore the person and work of the Holy Spirit on the road to this remarkable day called Pentecost. Far from leaving our Hot Buttons behind, we’re going to explore what gifts God has for us, how we may be empowered and encouraged to live our lives between the upper rooms, so to speak.

Each Sunday there will be supplemental material to the sermon which you can take home for personal use or group study. Make sure you collect them all – One per household.

 

We’re Hiring…

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We are hiring a part-time receptionist for the office. If you are interested in being part of the office team, and if you have the suitable skills for the job, we invite you to consider applying for this job position.

General duties include:

  • Provide a warm and welcoming presence in the office while on the phone, online and in person.
  • Manage all avenues of communication from the office to the church.
  • Assist in Bookkeeper in financial tasks.
  • Administer other general secretarial activities.

Details:

  • 17 hours / week.
  • $15 / hour for 3 month probation period.
  • $15.50 / hour after 3 month probation period.
  • Application deadline: Tuesday April 10, 2018.
  • Submit resume and cover letter along with references to the office or here.

Click here to view or download the WCV Receptionist Job Description.

Easter at the Vineyard

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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).

 

 

Outer Circle Reboot & AGM

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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.