Ma’wa’chi’hi’to’tan – Journeying in a Good Way

Posted on March 1, 2018March 1, 2018 by Andy Wood

The Journey Continues…

Ma’wa’chi’hi’to’tan is Plains Cree for “let us gather together.” The conversation and gathering continues this year and we hope you’ll consider being part of it. If you are indigenous, or you work directly with indigenous people this gathering is for you.

>>Info and registration here.

>>View the Brochure

Note: WCV is a partner in this event. The registration is handled by Inner City Youth Alive (the primary sponsor). However, any WCVers who want to attend and who need a registration subsidy can request one by contacting Vanessa by April 10. If you do this, you still must register with Inner City Youth Alive.

Plenary Sessions
▪ Casey Church (Potawatomi) – Contextualization: A Christian Indigenous Practitioner’s View
▪ Casey Church (Potawatomi) – All Tribes Gathering: How We Started a Contextual Ministry 22 Years Ago
▪ Terry LeBlanc (Mi’kmaq-Acadian) – The Old Testament of Indigenous Peoples
▪ Terry LeBlanc (Mi’kmaq-Acadian) – Culture and Conscience: A New Testament Perspective
▪ Shari Russell (Saulteaux) – Stepping into the Circle: Indigenous Leadership Principles

Workshops
▪ Anita Keith (Algonquin/Mohawk) – Walking in my Moccasins: Indigenous Realities in 2018 in Canada
▪ Larry Wilson (Cree) – Blanket Exercise
▪ Casey Church (Potawatomi) – The “How To” of Contextualizing Rituals and Ceremonies
▪ Arlene Mason (Settler/Ally) – Addiction, Trauma, and Recovery in Community
▪ Howard Jolly (James Bay Cree) – Journeying with the Tension of Faith and Culture
▪ Shari Russell (Saulteaux) – Peace Together: Reconciling our Identity as Indigenous Followers of Jesus
▪ Terry LeBlanc (Mi’kmaq-Acadian) – Community as a Context for Healing: Asset-based Ministry

Schedule
Friday, April 20, 8:30am – 9:00pm
▪ Welcome
▪ Plenary Session
▪ Workshops
▪ Lunch (provided)
▪ Plenary Session
▪ Workshops
▪ Supper (provided)

Saturday, April 21, 9:00am – 8:00pm
▪ Plenary Session
▪ Workshops
▪ Lunch (provided)
▪ Plenary Session
▪ Panel Discussion
▪ Feast (provided)

Cost:
General Admission: $60
Food Voucher: $20 (includes 2 lunches & 2 dinners)

Location:
Jubilee Place, 173 Talbot Ave, Winnipeg, MB

Sponsor:
Inner City Youth Alive

Partners:
Winnipeg Centre Vineyard, North End Family Centre, First Nations Community Church

Presenters:
Indigenous Pathways

Questions? Contact Kristin (from Inner City Youth Alive):
(204) 582-8779

How Good are Your Answers? (Questions to grapple with re LGBTQ)

Posted on March 1, 2018March 1, 2018 by Andy Wood

In the spirit of graciousness, understanding and respect, we have been posturing ourselves to hear multiple perspectives on the issues surrounding human sexuality and gender. We’ve learned that “listening is love” and that we don’t have to agree with someone in order to listen to them. We’ve also said that “every voice matters” but also, “not every voice has equal weight.” In other words, we are attempting to be a community under the direction of the Holy Spirit, that listens and loves deeply while not always agreeing with each other. We have genuine differences but we’re still part of one body. Unity is not uniformity.

At times we are able to hold a simple position on an issue because we have not faced the tough questions that other perspectives ask. This applies to both sides in this dialogue! The only credible positions, postures, or biblical interpretations are ones that have heard and answered the most powerful critiques from the other side.

We’ve compiled a list of questions that the two primary perspectives we’ve been dialoguing with regarding LGBTQ must deal with. These hard questions are intended to help you deal with scripture faithfully and others kindly. In other words, they’re both theological and practical. We know the greatest commandment is love (God and each other). However, the test comes in how we treat those with whom we disagree. These questions will foster a “love your adversary” mentality as well as drive you deeper in understanding other people’s perspectives as well as your own. If you find that you are able to answer these quickly, it may be that you have oversimplified these issues. May God give us grace to take the time and care we need to wrestle with ourselves, each other, and the scriptures to find good and beautiful answers to our questions.

>>If you’d like to access these questions, please contact the office or pick one up from the Info Wall.

Invitations to Lent

Posted on February 14, 2018March 21, 2018 by Suhail Stephen

Dear People of God: The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord’s passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a season of penitence and fasting. This season of Lent provided a time in which converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism. It was also a time when those who, because of notorious sins, had been separated from the body of the faithful were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to the fellowship of the Church. Thereby, the whole congregation was put in mind of the message of pardon and absolution set forth in the Gospel of our Savior, and of the need which all Christians continually have to renew their repentance and faith. I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s holy Word. And, to make a right beginning of repentance, and as a mark of our mortal nature, let us now kneel before the Lord, our maker and redeemer. ~ 1978 Book of Common Prayer

Today is Ash Wednesday. Today, we begin the season of Lent – a 40-day preparation for and pilgrimage towards the Holy Triduum (the three days of Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday) – where we celebrate Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.

During Lent, we are especially reminded of the divisive and destructive nature of sin – of the ways in which it dilutes, distracts, and outright opposes loving relationship with God, our neighbours, and creation. Through the illumination and power of the Spirit, we are invited to a vigorous time of struggle against temptation and sin – reminiscent of the Israelites’ 40 days in the wilderness and Jesus’ 40 days in the desert – that we may be led more fully into the life and joy set before us.

This life and joy is the real theme of the season. The English word “Lent” comes from the Old English word lencten, which means “lengthen,” and refers to the time in spring when daylight begins to lengthen. We consider, struggle with, and repent of our sin because God is making all things – including us – new. The glorious daylight of his kingdom is coming and Lent is a way for us to respond to and participate in this exciting renewal.

Christians throughout history have taken on several practices during Lent in order to facilitate this renewal. I commend the following to you as concrete rhythms through which you may more fully enter the heart of the season. May the Father’s love, Jesus’ truth and grace, and the Spirit’s conviction and comfort be with you.

Examination and Repentance
- With his help, ask God where have you sinned against him in thought, word, and deed, by what you have done, and by what you have left undone? Where have you not loved him with your whole heart? Where have you not loved your neighbour as yourself?
- Trusting in his immeasurable kindness and unquestionable grace, ask God for forgiveness and mercy.
- Ask God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to strengthen you in all goodnesss that you may be led in the way of life everlasting.

Prayer, Fasting, and Generosity
- Fasting is a form of self-denial whereby we voluntarily set aside something for a time in order to intensify attention to and awareness of God (this attention and awareness is prayer). The things we are most reluctant to set aside are the very things that probably get in the way our life with God.
- Fasting is a helpful, practical way to focus prayer and realize that God – not food, Facebook, friends, or what have you – is the real source of all pleasure, goodness, and satisfaction.
- In tandem with fasting, Christians have often given special attention to generosity (“almsgiving”) during Lent as a way to avoid self-absorption and to inspire self-giving in love and service to others (e.g. fasting from food might give you more money to share with those who don’t have as much food).

The Word of God
- Hearing, reading, and meditating on the scripture is customary for Lent.
- There are a number of Lent devotionals and resources available online; here are some that I’ve found particularly helpful for daily prayer:

Listening In & Speaking Up

Posted on January 25, 2018January 31, 2018 by Andy Wood

Speaking Up

Thank you for all your participation in our series thus far. Many of you have voiced appreciation, apprehension, curiosity, concern and a whole host of other feelings and related thoughts. We deeply appreciate this. These are all signs of engagement. We also deeply appreciate your prayers. They are critical. However, we’re also aware that we haven’t heard everybody. We know that there may be some who are waiting silently in the wings – waiting to see what we’ll say, how we’ll act, waiting for courage…

We know that there may be some who are waiting silently in the wings

There is a small piece of graffiti on the wall in the church sanctuary. It’s on stage left and is obviously from another era. Well before our time in the building. It reads “Don’t go away mad. Just go away.” Can I encourage us all not to do that! Part of our vision statement is to “build a safe community”. Can we try to be that for everyone in these conversations? Can I encourage you, if you’re one of those waiting in the wings, who haven’t voiced your thoughts or feelings to anyone in leadership – when you’re ready, we’re ready. For real. Even if you’re not in the wings, so to speak, if you need to chat with someone in leadership, please know that we’re all ready for that – we welcome it. The pastoral and lay elders are here to hear.

Listening In

Also, we are keenly aware that we’re being watched. Not in a creepy way, but there haven’t been too many churches in our circles who have attempted to do what we’re doing. There are some and we’ve learned from their mistakes and successes. However, this also means that we want to be careful about the audio we post – especially the audio from our Hot Button evenings. For the first Hot Button evening we posted a recording of the two people doing GYVE together as well as the commentary by the facilitator. However, we did not post any of the discussion afterwards. If you came you’ll know that the discussion was rich. If you missed it, you can request a link to the audio, but we will not be sharing it with anyone outside of WCV.

For the 2nd Hot Button evening on Feb 11, we will not be posting any of the audio. However, if you’re part of WCV, you can certainly request a link to the audio.

Thanks for understanding!

>>Here is the audio from our first Hot Button evening.

>>If you want to request the conversation afterwards, email Vanessa at the office.

Join the Conversation – Hot Button Evenings

Posted on January 18, 2018January 18, 2018 by Andy Wood

We’d like to remind you – and invite you – to join the conversations around the Hot Button topics. We know that many of you are having conversations among yourselves. This is great! Please keep having them.

Also, please make sure you participate in our two Hot Button evenings. We’ve intentionally tried to keep the next two months free of any major community events in the evenings (postponed the Outer Circle for example) in order to make it as easy as possible for as many people as possible to participate in these. It would be best if you came to both. One of the primary purposes of these evenings is to model how to do GYVE well. You’ll recall that GYVE is a tool for how to love well in diversity – it’s about listening deeply to someone from another position and uncovering some of the underlying values and stories that formed their values, which has led to their position. It’s a wonderful model, and often amazing things happen as people submit to the Holy Spirit in this process.

>>Jan 21, 7pm – Creationism & Evolution (Our origins)

>>Feb 11, 7pm – Affirming & Traditional (Human sexuality & gender)

P.S. We may schedule more Hot Button evenings at a later date. Let us know what you think!

>>Listen to the sermons here.

>>Read the articles here.

>>Read about GYVE here (or download it as a booklet).

Here’s the complete schedule our our series:

January 14: Introduction & Call to Prayer
January 21: Creationism & Evolution
January 21 Evening: Doing GYVE with Creationism & Evolution.
January 28: Nailed it, Failed it
February 4: Affirming & Traditional
February 11: Nailed it, Failed it
February 11 Evening: Doing GYVE with Affirming & Traditional
February 18: Celebration Service
February 25: Poverty & Prosperity

Fixed On Jesus Part 3: In Non-essentials, Liberty. What are the Hot Buttons?

Posted on January 11, 2018February 14, 2018 by Andy Wood

This winter marks the return to our “Fixed on Jesus” series. We’re going to be exploring three Hot Button topics that you think the church should be talking about (thanks for participating in the survey).

The point is to hear each other – to listen deeply – to love well, especially those we may disagree with

As mentioned previously, the point of this series is not to nail down where we stand (as a church or as individuals) on these nor any other hot button issues we may encounter. For this series, the point is to hear each other – to listen deeply – to love well, especially those we may disagree with. Our model for this is Jesus, and our tool is GYVE. We explored this in November and have provided a resource booklet for your use.

The Hot Button topics we’ll be addressing (and we may address more as time goes on… there are many) are:

Creationism & Evolution (our origins and how we came to be)
Affirming & Traditional (human sexuality / LGBT2SQ+)
Poverty & Prosperity (our relationship with money)

There are a few other topics that were also high on the list, and some of your suggestions didn’t really fit into a neat and tidy category. We tried our best to accurately categorize the various topics. We are going to tackle them in a very systematic manner.

Each of the topics will have a Sunday morning devoted to sharing the various perspectives of the issue, zoning in on how each perspective is represented or interpreted in scripture. We will then have two Sunday evenings devoted to hearing two people do GYVE together for the first two Hot Button Topics. We encourage you to come to both evenings (Jan 21 & Feb 11) – they will be special and it will be helpful to have a witnessed the model in action before we get to the hottest button (Affirming & Traditional / LGBT2SQ+)!

In between these Sundays, we will be exploring how the church has either nailed or failed dealing with diversity in the past. There are many examples, some quite humorous to our sensibilities. Of course we will also be digging into scripture, as is our habit. All along we will be engaging in ways to “double down on our centre” – we also have a Celebration Service scheduled which will help keep us focussed on Jesus as we tackle some of these “non-essentials.”

Here’s the schedule:

January 14: Introduction & Call to Prayer
January 21: Creationism & Evolution
January 21 Evening: Doing GYVE with Creationism & Evolution.
January 28: Nailed it, Failed it
February 4: Affirming & Traditional
February 11: Nailed it, Failed it
February 11 Evening: Doing GYVE with Affirming & Traditional
February 18: Celebration Service
February 25: Poverty & Prosperity

>>Register here.

>>Sunday, March 18, 7 – 9pm

>>Read more about these questions here.