The annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be celebrated in Winnipeg from January 17-24, 2016. The theme and resources for 2016 were prepared by a group of representatives from different parts of Latvia. The theme “Called to proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord” (cf. 1 Peter 2:9) highlights the relationship between baptism and proclamation, and the calling shared by all the baptized.

The 2016 Week of Prayer will begin with a City-wide Ecumenical Worship Service at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 17, 2016 at Saint John XXIII Roman Catholic Church, 3390 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg. All are cordially invited to participate in this opening celebration with church leaders and in the other various gatherings that will be held throughout the Week of Prayer. For more information on the opening service and the ecumenical choir being formed for the occasion, please see the poster on the church bulletin board. Please see the schedule for a listing of events throughout the city during the Week of Prayer.

ECUMENICAL CHOIR FOR CITY-WIDE CELEBRATION

An ecumenical choir is being formed to lead music at the forthcoming celebration on January 17^th which will mark the opening of the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. No audition is required. Anyone who can carry a tune and wishes to sing in the choir is welcome! Rehearsals will be held at Saint John XXIII Roman Catholic Church, 3390 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 3, 2016 and on Sunday, January 10, 2016. A short final rehearsal will be held immediately before the Ecumenical Worship Service on Sunday, January 17, 2016. For further information, you may call Michele Barr at 204-453-5016 or contact her via email: mbarr41@shaw.ca

It occurred to me as I started writing, that if stewardship is about the use of resources, we are not the only ones who are stewards; actually, I’d say God is the Master Steward, but in God’s case the resources aren’t so much material or environmental, rather a vast resource of faithful servants through whom God enters our lives.

When I think about how God has acted in my life, what I see is that over much time God has employed a pretty diverse group of witnesses (certainly not all Anglicans), to shape my faith and ministry. Actually, I’m not even sure when this process began. Was it with my baptism when just under 3 months old? Was it when I was taken (i.e. “dragged”), to Sunday School as a child by my mother? Was it during Confirmation preparation? Just before the fateful day our rector asked if I felt any inclination toward going into ministry, to which I replied “no” while thinking “not in this lifetime”. Was it during my mid-teens when mom began going to a new parish where I was drawn into a youth group and participated for a couple of years. But what about faith? As I told our rector, the most interesting part of the services were actually his sermons, but when it came to saying the creed there were parts I didn’t believe, so those I just didn’t say.

In my later teens I dropped out of church; it wasn’t important and I had other interests. After high school I entered the photographic arts program at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute. During that period of my life I met Liz (an Anglican), and Cathy (a Baptist), both nursing students and long-time friends, and more significantly evangelical Christians who were not shy about sharing their faith, nor about challenging me regarding my beliefs, or lack thereof. But it’s surprising how we can change when we’re challenged. I was challenged and surprised into faith, not by Liz or Cathy’s arguments about faith and God, though they were certainly part of the process, but by a very quiet, undeniable experience of God’s presence one night as I lay in my room. From that experience there was no going back. So, in a way that was the beginning, or was it?

Through Liz I met a number of Inuit patients at the Toronto Sanatorium, which led my venturing north to a summer job in Iqaluit. In my third year at Ryerson I met Luke (Canadian Reformed), and Wilbur (former director of Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship). Both significantly influenced the growth of my understanding and faith as a new Christian. Luke led me to a greater understanding of Christ as a person of the Trinity; Wilbur introduced me to a number of Christian authors, particularly C. S. Lewis. After graduation, I went back to the Arctic looking for some form of Christian service (not to mention a livelihood). From there I met the bishop of the Arctic diocese, went to seminary on the prairies, met Mavis (a Lutheran), who became my spouse, encountered the charismatic movement (a group of Anglicans, Roman Catholics and Pentecostals), and entered life and ministry in a new culture and language. Eventually it even led to Rupert’s Land. Looking back, God certainly used a lot of resources along the way and looking at the present, it seems as though God has not stopped doing so, but that’s another story.

Thursday, Christmas Eve – Family Service at 7:00 p.m., Dean Paul N. Johnson preaching, Honorary Assistant Brian Ford presiding;  Sung Eucharist (‘Midnight Mass’) at 11:00 p.m., Dean Johnson preaching, Bishop Donald Phillips presiding

Friday, Christmas Day, Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord – Eucharist at 10:30 a.m., Dean Paul N. Johnson preaching and presiding

First Sunday of Christmas, December 27 – Eucharist at 10:30 a.m., The Rev. Canon Richard Condo preaching and presiding (Third Day of Christmas)

Second Sunday of Christmas, January 3 – Eucharist at 10:30 a.m. (Tenth Day of Christmas)

Baptism of Our Lord, January 10 – Sung Eucharist at 10:30 a.m.  Dean Paul N. Johnson preaching and presiding.  With our Lord we also celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism: Several will be baptized.

Christmas is coming — Let’s ready our hearts. 

Come and join us for an Advent Quiet Day. This day will provide us with an opportunity to explore the mysterious relationship between the material and spiritual realms in our Advent focus. Using visual images, poetry and music we will have an opportunity to quiet and prepare ourselves as we anticipate the coming of Christ.  The day will involve periods of silence for personal reflection.

The Advent Quiet Day will provide an opportunity to find quiet space within yourself to sustain you through the busy days ahead and find meaning in your celebration of the Christ Child.

Saturday, November 28^th, 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM
At St. John’s Anglican Cathedral, 135 Anderson Ave.
Cost: $10.00 at the door (includes lunch)
Registration (required) deadline is Sunday, November 22nd
To register phone (204) 586-8385 or email: office@stjohnscathedral.ca

A six-week gap between buildings won’t keep the North End Family Centre from building communit… – The Times – Winnipeg Free Press.

Source: Temporary home for family centre

The Assembly of First Nations (AFN)
and the University of Manitoba invite you to attend

A PUBLIC LECTURE BY
AFN NATIONAL CHIEF PERRY BELLEGARDE

Closing the Gap:
First Nations’ Priorities are Canada’s Priorities

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 11:30 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.
MULTI PURPOSE ROOM – 2ND FLOOR, UNIVERSITY CENTRE
FORT GARRY CAMPUS

This is a free event and everyone is welcome.
Light refreshments will be served.
To find out more: umanitoba.ca/indigenous.

New Arrivals ready to put down roots

Over the past few years we’ve lost too many trees (to storms, disease etc). Help us to restore the Cathedral’s canopy! Donate a tree (or two or three or more). You buy ‘em, we’ll plant ‘em, and the squirrels, crows, hawks
and other critters (including Wallace) will thank you. Please call Carol (204) 586-8385 or email office@stjohnscathedral.ca for more details. Various species are available.

Donate today and watch your investment grow!!

Each year on 21 September the World Council of Churches calls churches and parishes to observe the International Day of Prayer for Peace. 21 September is also the United Nations-sponsored International Day of Peace. For more information on the International Day of Prayer for Peace, please click here.

You are invited to join us in celebrating the harmony and cultural diversity of the citizens of Manitoba by ringing bells for peace. Along with communities both locally and internationally, St. John’s will be participating in the celebration of peace and compassion by ringing bells on September 21st at 12:01 PM. For more information on local events, please click here, or go to the peacedays.ca website.