Latest News
Below you will find some of the latest news from Prairie Presbyterian Church. The most up to date news is always sent out in our email updates. To sign up click here.
In-person worship services and other in-person activities of Prairie Presbyterian Church have been cancelled until further notice because of Covid-19.
We will be live-streaming our services on Sundays at 10am.
Read our latest Email that went out about this, including Lenten Resources, and more details about how we are responding.
Please read through our latest email concerning our worship service on March 15th, including ways to connect online…
We are thrilled to announce that Jen Ostash-Gooch has been hired into the new role of Worship and Community Leader and has begun working this week. This is a half-time role and expands her role into new areas of ministry beyond the work with young adults that she was doing for Prairie last year.
As per our process, the Presbytery was consulted on this role and gave their approval on Jan 18. Members of Prairie's personnel committee (Janice Anderson and Amelia Sheocharan) and the minister (Matt Brough), interviewed Jen on Jan 29th, and recommended to session that she be hired. The session passed the motion offering the position at their meeting on Feb 3rd.
This position is part of our new staffing model for 2020 which was presented to the congregation in November 2019. You can access the document that outlined the model, job descriptions, and process that were sent out - Download it here
This ministry outreach is to connect with neighbourhoods and individuals through basic cooking classes. The goals of the project are:
1) To provide a healthy meal, including leftovers to take home, to those who are in need in several constituencies.
2) To provide education on healthy eating on a budget.
3) To facilitate community among participants and create space for mutual support and encouragement.
4) To provide pastoral care through appropriate follow up with participants / to assist the existing staff and volunteers at Winnipeg Inner City Missions with their own pastoral work
5) To create opportunities for faith, spiritual, and gospel conversations around a common table.
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” — Matthew 25:35
Our aim is to operate 4 distinct programs:
a) Fort Richmond - connecting with Food Bank and Families living in Manitoba Housing areas.
b) South Winnipeg Community - Connecting with University Students living away from home
c) Partnership with Winnipeg Inner City Missions - Flora House Teen Day Camp
d) Partnership with Winnipeg Inner City Missions - Single Adults
Not only do we want to provide some meals for participants, we hope to provide education about nutrition and food selection and most importantly how to do this on a tight budget. We hope to be able to bring in some expert speakers, giving participants the opportunity to learn more and also spark their creativity or their interest on areas they may want to further explore. We have a desire to use this opportunity to make community connections beyond the participants. We believe there are potential partnerships to form to support what is currently out there and what we feel called to create.
Dates in July have been tentatively booked for the Flora House and Single Adults groups. Both groups will be held at WICM and will also have a celebration at the end of their classes.
The location and dates for the University Students and the Families are to be determined. We want a neutral space for people to feel comfortable walking into, as well as taking the opportunity to build other community connections.
This will be a gathering of individuals in the Transcona / East Kildonan area: for worship, Bible Study, discipleship, and conversations around what a new expression of Church might look like for them and for their neighbours. Jen Ostash-Gooch (Prairie’s Young Adults Pastor) along with her husband, Matthew Gooch, has begun conversations with a handful of people who live in the area, and who are not currently connected with Prairie. Together they will have discussions about what vibrant faith looks like in families as the majority of the initial group have children under the age of 4.
While initial gatherings will take place in a home with a shared meal, the hope is to eventually use a non-church space that is neutral for people who may have baggage about “churches” or for those who have never been to a church before and have some preconceived notions about what “going to church” means. The vision and mission is to facilitate a safe space where people can come from all walks of life to encounter Jesus, explore faith, explore what it means to be in community, and engaged missionally in the world.
As well as doing the work of discernment with this small group, Jen and Matthew will also make special effort to become familiar around the community. Attending the Market Garden (farmer’s market) on a regular basis, finding ways to volunteer, and frequenting locally run coffee shops or restaurants will be the main way to achieve this familiarity. It will also help the group discover what God is already doing in the community and guide the discernment process.
Prairie has had a prayer group for a number of years, but we are now starting a new prayer ministry that anyone can participate in, from anywhere, at any time. The prayer group won’t be meeting anymore, but this ministry allows the whole congregation to be the prayer group! In addition to your regular prayers, we will provide a focus prayer for the season, and a few prayer items.
Please pray the Prayer for the Season daily if possible. We are also asking that every group in the church pray the Prayer of the Season at some point during their gathering or meeting. Whether it is a board or committee meeting, or a Bible study, we wish to work to unity in prayer. The Prayer for the Season can be a great way to open a meeting or gathering. (see below for the Prayer for the Season of Lent)
For centuries the core practice of Christian spirituality was the daily reading and praying of the 150 Psalms every month. You are encouraged to incorporated daily praying of the Psalms (just 5 Psalms per day) into your own time with God.
Each season we will provide a few items that we can all be praying about that impact the life of the Church. These may be things that relate to the congregation or to the wider church. (see below for this season's community prayers)
The Prayer for the Season, Praying the Psalms, and Community Prayers are meant to provide a prayer focus for our congregation and for you in your own walk with God. Of course, you will have your own prayers as well. Remember that as you pray the prayers of the Church, that God always hears your personal prayers as well.
PRAYER FOR EASTERTIDE
O God, the Fountain of Life,
who raised Your Holy One from the dead and exalted him to the right hand of Your majesty;
Cause Your face to shine upon us, and allow us to freely rejoice in His victory with glorious and unspeakable joy. As we remember the empty tomb and the resurrection of our Saviour Jesus Christ, unite our hearts by faith in Him over whom death has no more dominion.
May the risen Christ be with us today; fill us, O God, with the divine energy of Christ’s life, working in us according to the power by which He rose from the dead. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
(this prayer is adapted from a Prayer of Invocation for Easter, Book of Common Order, Presbyterian Church in Canada 1964, pg. 276)
COMMUNITY PRAYERS DURING EASTERTIDE
During this season, please pray for:
Note: Eastertide is the 50 day season from Easter Sunday to the Day of Pentecost. This year Pentecost is on May 15
Merciful God,
You created us from the dust of the earth, and breathed your Holy Spirit into us. You recreate us in Christ through the waters of Baptism, that we might share as a people in your fullness of life.
While in these forty days, may our fasting strengthen us to seek your justice, may our prayer lead us to become makers of peace, and may our sharing exalt and magnify your reign.
Be present in all human hearts, as we await with joyful anticipation, the mystery and resurrection of Jesus your Son. In who’s name we pray. Amen.
Please pray for:
In 2012, Rev. Matthew Brough discussed with the session the possibility of an extended study leave at some point in the future. When Rev. Brough’s call was approved by the Presbytery of Winnipeg, it allowed for the following provision.
“To give two weeks study leave annually, plus one further week to be banked toward a sabbatical, and to provide $1,200 per year for the pursuance of study leave, and that these benefits shall be cumulated up to five years.”
In 2013, the session planned for this extended study leave (sabbatical) to happen sometime in 2015. These plans were put on hold through the amalgamation conversations that led to the formation of Prairie Presbyterian Church.
In the spring of 2015, the session of Prairie again discussed the extended study leave plans. Specifics were put in place last fall, and approved by the Presbytery of Winnipeg at their meeting on January 16th, 2016.
Matt’s study leave will be for eleven weeks - this includes all accumulated amounts plus the full three weeks allocated for 2016. He will likely need to use all accumulate study leave money as well.
Keep in mind that as per the terms of the call (and standard for all clergy in the PCC), Matt receives 5 weeks of holidays annually as well. Matt is taking one week of vacation in February, and will likely use some of his vacation time immediately after the study leave. The exact timing of this is still to be worked out.
Throughout the time when Matt is away, arrangements will be made for guest preachers and worship leadership from within and outside the congregation. Arrangements will also be made for ministers to be on call for pastoral emergencies. The session, board, other committees and teams, will of course, continue to operate as usual.
Below is the proposal for study leave that was submitted by Rev. Matthew Brough and approved by the Presbytery.
Purpose: Sabbath and an exploration of preaching and writing.
1) One of the main purposes of an extended study leave is to have an extended break from ministry. I have been serving in ministry for 12 years now and the longest break has been five weeks. I will likely use some of my holiday time to have a longer than 11 week break and to have some needed rest.
2) Both preaching and writing are gifts that I wish to further develop and things that I love doing. Because one of the main purposes is rest, I hope to advance these gifts not through intensive study, but through reading, reflection, and some conferences.
Structure
I intend to structure my study leave in the following way:
3 weeks
April 18 to May 7 - Reading, preparation, prayer. This time would be used for reading primarily for the C.S. Lewis program.
3 weeks
May 8 to 13 - The Life and Works of C.S. Lewis: Inspiration, Belief and The Power of Language. Held at Montreat Conference Center, near Asheville, South Carolina.
May 16 to 20 - Festival of Homiletics in Atlanta.
May 22 to 26 - Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held at at LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center, near Asheville, North Carolina
5 weeks
May 27 to July 3 - Reflection, writing, planning.
I plan to use this time to reflect on the conferences attended and to write both fiction and non-fiction. Particular attention will be paid during this time as well to planning how the gifts of writing and preaching might be used in a more fulsome way in the life of the congregation.
The total time for study leave will be from April 18 to July 3
Two Candlelight Services Celebrating the birth of Jesus
5:30pm and 7:30pm
Nov 25 - The Advent Candles
This night we will explore the symbolism and significance of the Advent Candle and discuss how we can focus this sometimes hectic season around the themes of hope, peace, joy, love, and ultimately Christ.
Dec 2 - A Night of Worship with the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church
Rev. Karen Horst, moderator of the PCC, will be preaching on “Sustaining our Faith” at this special worship service. Some of the young adults from Prairie are providing leadership for the service.
Dec 9 - The Real Meaning of Christmas
“Jesus is the reason for the season” - It’s true, but does this tell us the real meaning of Christmas? We will look at the Christmas story as told in Scripture and discuss why the incarnation is so important.
Dec 16 - Decorating and re-Gift Exchange Party
A fun evening of games and decorating the Church for Christmas. Bring a wrapped gift to exchange as well - but there’s a twist. Don’t buy anything. Find something you already have, wrap it up and re-gift it. It can be something funny, quirky or meaningful.
Nov 29 - A Branch Will Spring Up - Hope
The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfil the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David. Jeremiah 33:14-15a
Dec 6 - Prepare the Way - Peace
Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth;
and all flesh shall see the salvation of God. Luke 3:4b-6
Dec 13 - Ready for the Awaited One - Joy
John answered all of them by saying, ‘I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Luke 3:16
Dec 20 - Children’s Presentation - Love
The Children of the Church will be presenting something special for the congregation this day.
The session of Prairie has decided to support the Churches for Freedom Road campaign by placing a sign outside our building. The campaign is being supported by many churches across different denominations as a way of supporting the construction of a road for the people of First Nations Shoal Lake 40, and to promote just relations between the City, Province, Federal government and Shoal Lake 40. We take note that the city and province have committed funding for the road and the Federal government has agreed in principle to supply funds as well. We wish to commend the levels of government for the steps they are taking, but also wish to show our support until the time when the funds will actually be in place and construction can begin.
You may be interested to know that the Presbyterian Church has a long history with Shoal Lake. One of the two Presbyterian run residential schools was originally located there. The Presbyterian Church in Canada made a confession to the First Nations people in 1994 and we continue to look for ways to work toward reconciliation, particularly in our support of Winnipeg Inner City Missions and the Kenora Fellowship Centre.
More information about Churches for Freedom Road can be found here: www.churchesforfreedomroad.ca
Other helpful links:
Steve Bell's blog - Winnipeg singer/songwriter, Steve Bell, has been instrumental in raising awareness about the road needed at Shoal Lake 40. He posts regular updates on his blog.
What's with the Sign? - By Stephen Swan, pastor of the King's Fellowship. A very helpful discussion of why their congregation is supporting Churches for Freedom Road. Swan provides good context and some excellent links for learning more. He describes the campaign as "political in the sense of concern for the polis, the city in which we live," something which he argues is part of our Christian imperative to love our neighbour.
In the last few months, the session of Prairie Presbyterian Church has been discussing the best ways to provide good congregational pastoral care. In the past, within the Presbyterian Church, the minister was the central person providing pastoral care with the elders each having a list, or “district,” whom they were to visit as a way of offering spiritual care and support.
The session has tried this model, and after considering some other models, believe we ought to try a model that has been implemented at Knox Presbyterian Church in Milton, ON. Here is a slightly edited explanation from their Web site…
We believe that although the [elders’ district] method has served the church admirably for many years it is predicated on an outdated model. The urbanization of our nation, the mobility of the workforce, the dual income family, the integration of multi-ethnic communities have all conspired to change our social fabric. The church, however, is still practicing its pastoral care as if the social situation was a pre-industrial agricultural community.
We believe this puts extraordinary pressure on the people elected to be elders in the church, requiring a skill base and time commitment that is too great. Therefore, we desire to separate the two primary responsibilities of an elder. The ruling elder will be elected to provide spiritual oversight of the congregation as outlined in our Book of Forms; including pastoral care.
However, the actual delivery of this pastoral care will not be the direct role of the ruling elder. Instead, we will develop a team of trained pastoral visitors whose sole responsibility will be to provide this function within the congregation. They will be selected on the basis of possessing the gift of care-giving, and they will receive training for this responsibility. The team of visitors will report through its leadership to the Session on a quarterly basis.
The primary role of the pastoral visitor will depend upon the type of visiting they are asked to undertake. There will be four types of visits and three types of visitors as outlined below:
We are looking for anyone interested in being part of the Congregational (Pastoral) Care Team or being a visitor who simply reports to the team. If you are interested please let Reverend Matthew Brough know(matt@prairiechurch.ca).
There will be an initial information session for those who wish to be part of the team or be a visitor in the next few months, so that the team can begin its work in the fall.
Our congregation is located in Winnipeg, which is on Treaty One Land, first entrusted by Creator God to the Anishinaabeg, Anishininewuk, Dakota Oyate, Denesuline, Nehethowuk nations, the homeland of the Red River Métis.
