BAPTISMS FOR SEPTEMBER:  

Inspired by the congregational pledge made in the service of Holy Baptism (see page 228, EvLW), we  will be including names of those baptized at

St. Luke's Zion in our monthly newsletters. We hope this will be a reminder to lift them up in  prayer, wherever they may be in their faith-walk. 

The following were baptized in the month of September in previous years: 

Jessica E. P.

Landon W. C. C.

Lisa M. G.

Hannah E. G.

Emersyn R. K.

Shasta D. E.

Tiara E. E.

Taven E. F. E.

Richard A. J.

Aubrie N. S. W.

Charlie A. H.

Aria B. T.

IN OUR PRAYERS:  

Please remember in your prayers our shut-in’s in long term care:     

Phyllis A. - Concordia Place   

Laura G. - Red River Place, Selkirk  

Doreen S. - Luther Home  

Alfred T. - Red River Place, Selkirk   

Melita T. - Luther Home   

Alice V. - Middlechurch Home   

THINGS YOU MIGHT WANT TO KNOW:

+ the food bank continues to operate every other Thursday at St. John’s Presbyterian Church

+ The Urban continues to hand out bagged meals and emergency food and hygiene items

+ The sermon and prayers are posted on our website weekly (stlukeszion.ca).

+ The mail is secure.  It does not get delivered to the  church door.

SLZ MONTHLY NEWSLETTER:

We are updating our email information so that the newsletters can be emailed to you all during this pandemic. We will continue to mail out to those who do not have internet. If we do not have your current information and you would like to be included please email your information to stluzi@mymts.net.

Stay Safe!!!  May God Bless You All

MONTHLY CALENDAR:

While we could be printing a calendar with the newsletter each month, almost everything on it would be subject to change.  Because of this, our calendar appears online each month on the St. Luke’s Zion website under Current Events (www.stlukeszion.ca).  Events are added as they are confirmed, or changed as needed.

SURVEY QUESTION:

When you think about gathering together for worship, what do you miss the most?

(Pastor Lynne welcomes your answers)

OUTDOOR CONFIRMATION WORSHIP:

  We are planning an outdoor confirmation service for Aidan Johnson and Kaiden Govereau for Sept. 20th at 10:30 a.m.  Of course, this is weather-dependant and may depend on gathering sizes permitted for outdoor worship at the time. 

Our rain dates are Sept. 27th or Oct. 4th if needed.

  As before, the service will still be live streamed for those who wish to join in at home.  This time, we would hope to celebrate Holy Communion as a central part of our outdoor worship.  It will, however, be “bring your own elements.”  In other words, bring your own bread and wine or juice.  While a small amount will be available for those who forget, we would hope that the majority of people will bring their own.

  Other things to bring include a lawn chair, coffee, water, or other beverage, and a mask if you have trouble keeping your distance from other people.

  Because we need to know how many people will be attending, and need to have a list of those who are present, please phone, email or text Joanne Janzen to indicate your intention to come. Cell: 204-223-5187.  Email: joannejanzen007@mymts.net

  Also, help will be needed before, during and after the service.  If you would like to volunteer, please let Pastor Lynne know!

BRING YOUR OWN COMMUNION:

  This is a strange idea for most of us, but there is actually a precedent in the early church.  As the Christian community gathered in Corinth, they all brought their own food, as well as bread and wine for the Lord’s Supper.  However, soon the divisions between rich and poor showed up in their gatherings.

  Paul writes to them and gives them heck for how they were missing the whole point of the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:17-34), for some were going hungry while others were getting drunk.  They were not “discerning the body.”  In other words, they were forgetting that all of them are part of the body of Christ.  They were approaching the Lord’s Supper as individuals, and not as members of a community.  Hence, our practice of giving each person approximately the same amount.

  Because of the close contact inherent in actually serving communion, this practice is discouraged right now in health regulations.  Some churches are using “pre-packaged” communion, but that creates a lot of unnecessary waste.  Certainly, it is not the same as we are used to, but can still be received while believing the words “given and shed for you.”  We can still receive the love of Jesus, and for this – thanks be to God!

ORDINATION SERVICE:

Some of you will remember Luke Hollander, husband of Rev. Lisa Janke, who was here during Lisa’s internship with us.  Luke will be ordained to the ministry of Word and Sacrament on Friday, September 4, 2020 at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Rochester, MN.  Part of the service will be pre-recorded, and part will be live (online) with just a small number of people gathered in person.  Please remember Luke in your prayers as he embarks upon this next stage of his journey in ministry.

SLZ WORSHIP SERVICE DURING CoVid19:

Since March 22nd our worship services have been live streamed online on the St. Luke’s Zion Facebook page. If you missed them, you are still able to view the videos if you have a Facebook account. The worship services have been appreciated and welcomed by many. We are blessed to have the technology to still be able to connect with our church family and beyond.

2020 FALL CONFIRMATION SCHEDULE:

Not all sessions will be in person.  The maximum time frame each Tuesday is 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

We would hope to be outdoors at Abundant Life for  the first session.

OPTIONS FOR OFFERINGS:

1. Sign up for PAR.  This is an automatic debit on the 20th of each month.  It costs 50 cents a month.

2. Give through the MNO synod website (mentioned below).  However, Canada Helps receives 4% of each donation.

3. E-transfers are now available by contacting Sharon Appler.

4. Send in the mail.

5. Drop them off at the church.

Thank you!

SLZ SUNDAY SCHOOL:

We are in the planning stage for our 2020/2021 Sunday School year. An email has been sent out to our families with children attending Sunday School. Until plans are in place we will continue posting the weekly lessons on our Google Classroom.

YOUTH:

Fall 2020 SLAW youth schedule

Sun. Sept. 13th “Blessing of the Backpacks”

Outdoor worship at Abundant Life 9:45 a.m.

Please bring a lawn chair and your backpack

We will be selling youth raffle tickets from Spring (now Fall) raffle

Gift card raffle Prizes

1st prize $250 seasonal gift cards / 2nd prize Movie package  /  3rd prize Chamois gold wash

Tickets are also available by contacting Lisa van Dijk.  Her cell # is 204-293-6357 and her email is splc-youth@live.ca - Tickets are $5.00 each. 

Sun. Sept. 20th Confirmation Sunday

Outdoor worship at St. Luke’s Zion 10:30 a.m.

Come support Aidan and Kaiden as they are confirmed

Please bring a lawn chair

We will be selling youth raffle tickets from Spring (now Fall) raffle

Sun. Sept. 20th MNO Fall kick off and worship

Outdoor event / worship with Prairie Fire at St. Luke’s Zion 3:00-6:00 p.m.

Sat. Oct. 3rd “Thanksgiving retreat in a box”

Outdoor event with bonfire at Abundant Life 6:30-9:00 p.m.

Fri. Oct. 23rd Corn Maze

Deer Meadows Farm 6:30-9:00 p.m.

Grades 3-6 youth

Sat. Sept. 19th games/ scavenger hunt

Meet at Kildonan Park 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Watch for details

October Deer Meadows farms date and info TBA

MNO SYNOD YOUTH SERVICE:

An outdoor service with Prairie Fire will be held on Sun. Sept. 20th at 4:00-5:00 p.m. at St. Luke’s Zion.  Those who are not youth and wish to attend, please speak to Pastor Lynne, as we need to have a record of who is coming.    Please watch the MNO Synod announcements, as well as the St. Luke’s Zion website for further details!

CLAY interrupted:

For those of you who do not know – earlier this spring -this summers youth gathering (CLAY) in Calgary Alberta was postponed to next summer 2021. SLAW youth and leaders gathered on Saturday August 22nd to watch the CLAY interrupted online video; presented by the CLAY 2020 planning committee. We listened to speakers and hummed along with the music but most of all we celebrated that we were able to meet together in person. We also recognized that this year has been full of changes, disappointments and so many things that were missed. For the SLAW youth and leaders missing CLAY was huge, we have worked very hard to for more then two years to build our community, friendships and relationships among the youth and leaders. We have fundraised tirelessly so that all youth would be able to participate, we planned a pre-gathering retreat, sending service, camping trip to Luther Village and much more. None of these things were able to happen this year.

In our efforts to keep the group engaged and excited we designed our new SLAW youth hoodies (which turned out awesome- even our Pastors are wearing our new SWAG).  Excitement once again turned to disappointment, sadness and maybe even a little anger, when I had to share the news that the CLAY gathering next summer 2021 would not be happening in a way that we expected; there will not be a gathering of youth and leaders from across Canada – there won’t be large group gatherings and late night dances, we won’t be there to support Lucas in the CLAY band, we won’t be taking a gondola up the Rocky mountains or sitting in the  hot springs in Banff, we won’t be sleeping on church floors or spending hour riding on a bus. We won’t stay up till 3am sharing our experiences and how our Faith has been impacted by this gathering.

 We really don’t know what we will be able to do next summer, so many things are unknown at this point. Right now, we do know that CLAY 2021 will be an online only event and will wait for more details.           We will continue working hard to see how we can make the best of that and have SLAW youth come together to continue “On the Journey”

Please keep the future of youth ministry, SLAW youth, youth of the MNO synod and ELCIC in your prayers.

Lisa van Dijk

Youth Ministry Coordinator

LUTHER VILLAGE:

LABOUR DAY WEEKEND (SEPT.4-7)

*Sunday morning worship at 10:30 am

As our first official fall program, we wanted to offer a time where families and friends can come and relax, and enjoy a perfect ending to their summer. But be careful, you may not want to leave Luther Village after our Labour Day celebrations, especially because of our BBQ!     

PERSONAL RETREAT (SEPT.11-30) 

Cost: $30/day + HST

*You are responsible for your own meals and bedding

It is time for some YOU time. This autumn, we are offering the chance for everyone to escape the busy city life and come and relax at  LV. This personal retreat can be booked 1-5 nights at a time, and the cost includes morning coffee, muffins, and fruit. Come and see the beautiful nature and scenery at LV this fall! 

Download registration form https://www.luthervillage.ca/fall-programs.     

MNO SYNOD: COVID-19 Updates:

The Government of Manitoba has developed a more detailed set of guides for various gatherings--including faith-based gatherings.  Rather than continuing to update the synod guidelines, we recommend these to you as you consider the needs in your context.  We are available to help you and your congregation translate these guides to your specific situation.
The guidelines for Ontario can be found https://covid-19.ontario.ca/?mc_cid=ab87700237&mc_eid=e071f15fd1

You can still reach us by email:
Donna Jackson:  mnosynod@elcic.ca
Deacon Michelle Collins:  mcollins@elcic.ca
Bishop Jason Zinko:  mnobishop@elcic.ca

Please continue to check the MNO Synod website and the ELCIC website for updates and resources. If your congregation's worship information is not  listed on the synod web page, please send it to Donna Jackson (mnosynod@elcic.ca)

LUM:

Aug. 2020 News from your Ministry Manager

  The Urban is back in full swing after our July holiday closure. The hot and humid weather is particularly difficult for struggling people in the West End as so many must always walk to their destinations, sometimes long distances. Physical disabilities add an extra effort for many in the heat.

  Until further notice, the Urban is continuing the suspension of all regular programming (sit-down community meals, coffee hours, sharing circles, men’s group, worship services, etc.) in the lower level of Lutheran Church of the Cross, due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

  The Lutheran Urban Ministry is committed to enforcing 2 m social distancing on the church grounds of Lutheran Church of the Cross during bagged lunch distribution.

  As of September 2, 2020: Masks (cloth or disposable) are now mandatory for everyone entering the church property (sidewalk and parking lot) to pick up bagged lunches.

  During this pandemic time, we are continuing to provide physical and spiritual nourishment in the best way we can in the present circumstances: Bagged lunches (sandwich, dessert, juice box, etc.) to take home are given outside the door in place of sit-down meals at our four regularly scheduled mealtimes. This schedule is posted on the north side door of Lutheran Church of the Cross. Our meal teams are happy to help us in this way and we are so very grateful for this. Our website calendar shows available dates for meal teams.

  Fellowship is happening in the parking lot!

  Wednesday and Sunday devotional messages for printing are sent to me weekly from Pastor Barry Bence who has preached once a month at the Urban. This is tucked into every Wednesday and Sunday lunch bag. Spiritual care provided with the sandwich!! Pastor Barry’s devotional messages are lifting spirits further in this way as well.

  On Thursdays and Sundays, our board member Monica volunteers at the Urban. Monica is a social worker and on her way home she stops at bus shelters and gives away any bagged lunches that might be left over. We have so much gratitude for our volunteers and the meal teams, for the prayers, and for all those who provide financial support toward our operating expenses.

  Continuing: Winnipeg Harvest Foodbank at the Urban. Those registered for our 560 Arlington St. Winnipeg Harvest Foodbank will continue to pick up their hampers on foodbank days. However, each hamper is brought outside the side door to the recipient. Winnipeg Harvest has recently reduced foodbank dates to once a month for registered clients.

  Please keep our vulnerable Lutheran Urban Ministry community in your prayers.

  Please visit our website! (www.theurban.ca). Links to our 2020 Ride for Refuge fundraiser for the Urban - October 3. It’s exciting this year with lots of Freestyle options besides walking or riding! Join an Urban team, form an Urban team or donate to one of our participants! This is a national fundraiser for charities and non-profits working with the vulnerable and disadvantaged. Please contact me: rhonda@theurban.ca for additional information, or to have your meal team added to the calendar.

  Kind regards, Rhonda Gorham

  Ministry Manager, Lutheran Urban Ministry

WEST KILDONAN HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY:

This year the board decided to hire the SWEEP team, a program which is part of the Marymound School located on Scotia Street in West Kildonan. 

It is a landscaping program for young adults who are creating a new and healthier lifestyle for themselves.  Under the direction of a small group of club volunteers, they worked together each Wednesday in July and August for three hours a week. 

The Arboretum is now looking amazing because of this group of people so definitely stop by and enjoy the results.  Our park is looking great but for these young people they have new garden skills, improved social and communication skills and references and experience to put on their resume. 

A great experience all around. 

However, with all these new open spaces we are now in need of any hardy, brightly colored perennials, shrubs etc.  (no day lilies please)

If you have anything to donate please call Joanne Janzen at 204-223-5187. 

Thanks for your support