In-Person Services Resume - Sept 5th

In-Person Services resume on Sept 5th. We are excited to welcome you back, and at the same time we acknowledge that not everyone will wish to return to in-person services at this time. We are continuing our livestream option as well.

We are not having any pre-registration, so if you plan on attending you simply need to show up a few minutes before 10am.

IMPORTANT -> Read the Guidelines for Attending in Person Worship BEFORE attending - Updated Sept 10, 2021

Erin, W, Prairie’s clerk of session, provides details about in-person services.

Practicing and Preparing - A Series on Spiritual Practices - Fall 2021

How do you move forward in times of uncertainty? What can you grab onto that provides some stability? Where can you find direction, not just for yourself, but in your community, and Church?

In this time of wandering, the most important thing is what God is up to, how God is leading. If we need direction, it must come from the Spirit of Christ, and not simply for our own ideas or imaginings.

Led by Rev. Matt Brough, this series is about putting the Triune God at the centre of it all, providing key building blocks for developing your relationship with God, and for discerning the work of the Spirit in your life, your community, and for the congregation.

Sep 5 - Stopping Busy

Theme and Practice: Sabbath and Rest 1

Texts: Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 5:12-15; Leviticus 23:3; Mark 2:23-28

Rev. Matt Brough’s Message + Resources and Practical Helps

Sep 12 - Rest for the Weariest

Theme and Practice: Sabbath and Rest 2

Text: Leviticus 25:1-24

Rev. Matt Brough’s Message on Jubilee

Sep 19 - With God Without Agenda

Theme and Practice: Quieting yourself and Centering Prayer 1

Text: Luke 10:25-29

Rev. Matt Brough’s Message + Resources and Practical Helps

Sept 26 - By Yourself But Not Alone

Theme and Practice: Quieting yourself and Centering Prayer 2

Texts: Luke 5:15-16; Luke 6:12-13

Rev. Matt Brough’s Message - By Yourself But Not Alone

Oct 3 - Remembering With Grace

Theme and Practice: Thanksgiving and Forgiveness 1

Text: Luke 22:14-21

Rev. Matt Brough’s Message - Remembering With Grace

Oct 10 - Remembering and Letting Go

Theme and Practice: Thanksgiving and Forgiveness 2

Text: Luke 6:37-42

Rev. Matt Brough’s Message - Remembering and Letting Go

Oct 17 - In and For the Neighbourhood

Theme and Practice: Paying Attention to Location and Relationships 1

Text: Jeremiah 29:1,4-13

Rev. Matt Brough’s Message - In and For The Neighbouhood

Oct 24 - Missional Spirituality

Theme and Practice: Paying Attention to Location and Relationships 2

Text: Acts 16:11-15

Rev. Matt Brough’s Message - Missional Spirituality

Oct 31 - Sustaining the Spiritual Life

Theme and Practice: Integration, Walking, the Examen, and More

Text: Mark 8:22-26

Rev. Matt Brough’s Message + Resources and Practical Helps

Plans for Fall Sunday School 2021

The following was written by Bonnie Zimmer, an elder at Prairie and outgoing Children’s Ministry coordinator.

We are especially thankful for Bonnie’s work in this important volunteer role over the last number of years. In September, Bonnie is stepping back from the coordinator role.

See below for the current plan, how the coordinator role will be divided up, and how you can be involved!

As many of you will know, Prairie has continued Sunday school throughout the pandemic through the use of puppet shows and mini lessons in the form of “Things to think about”, all available on the Prairie You Tube channel.

As well, since Easter Week, children have had special packages delivered to their doorsteps. These packages contain a variety of craft materials and activity sheets supplied by Sheila Anderson, and  books for the youngest children supplied by Janet Simpson.

We have not been able to meet in person since March of 2020 but we are hoping that will change as we move into the fall!

We anticipate that September will be a “transition” month, and will have a revamped form of Sunday school for at least that month, to be reassessed at the end of September. Here is how it would work: 

  • The activity bags would still be created and delivered at the beginning of each month, complete with the stories for the weeks in that month.

  • If children are not physically in church on a given Sunday, they can do the story and activities at home, as they have been doing in recent months.

  • When they are able to be in church, we will encourage them to bring their activity bag with them, but extras will be available for anyone who is not able to do this, or forgets to bring them.  

  • This system will greatly reduce pressure on teachers to provide activities as they will be already organized.

  • Teachers, then, will be performing more of a “supervising “ role as they will have little to no preparation to do in advance, other than familiarizing themselves with the story. 

  • We anticipate having two classes, one for children from Kindergarten  to Gr. 4 or 5 and another for grades 6 and 7.  

  • We anticipate that the nursery will be available for use by preschoolers and their parents.

Assuming that classes will go ahead as usual in the fall, we would like you to consider whether you would be able to help with one of the following areas: 

  1. supervising/teaching classes

  2. scheduling teachers/supervisors

  3. seeing that criminal record checks for volunteers are up to date

  4. ensuring that basic supplies are in the supply cupboard

  5. being a storyteller

  6. coordinating/overseeing  the above roles

You will notice that the above roles have traditionally fallen under the heading of “coordinator”.  We feel that by having roles divided up as above, it will be a great help to the coordinator.

We are grateful that a couple of major areas are already being covered –Janet  Simpson has agreed to continue to conduct the Orientation session that we are required to hold each fall.  Thanks, Janet! As well,  a huge thank you is due to Sheila Anderson for looking after activity sheets and crafts!

Please give these needs some prayerful consideration and let us know where you think you might be able to help out.

Our children are experiencing a great deal of stress at present, and it is our hope that by helping them build a strong foundation of faith, it will help them through not only the current times, but through the inevitable difficulties they will face as they navigate life’s future challenges.

Staffing Updates at Prairie

Dear friends,

The session of Prairie is in the midst of a review of our staffing model. In Feb 2020, we adopted a new model with: 1) a half-time minister of Word and Sacrament focussed on teaching and leadership and 2) a half-time worship and community leader, with this position filled by Jen Ostash-Gooch. We also anticipated hiring a part-time admin person.

Obviously, a month later things changed with the onset of Covid, and in those early days we all thought it would be somewhat back to business as usual in maybe a few months. We all know that didn’t happen.

Wesley Keeley began doing more and more Audio-Visual work for us on a volunteer basis, but it became apparent that the Audio-Visual work was a priority. In the summer of 2020, the session decided to hire Wesley on a contract to continue this work, and to improve our A/V and tech capacity rather than hiring an admin person.

The plan was originally to conduct a review of the staffing model by the end of 2020, but this wasn’t practical in light of so much being in flux, so the review was postponed.

There has been great flexibility and adaptive leadership shown by our team.

Changes

From Matt: I am so grateful for the congregation and session’s support while I have worked half-time at Prairie, enabling me to work half-time as the national coordinator of Cyclical PCC (our denomination’s Church starting network). Over the last few months I have discerned that I will not continue as the coordinator of Cyclical PCC beyond October 31st. I have informed session of this decision. I have also really appreciated the opportunity to work within a staff team over the last number of years and see the real value in having a group collaborate in ministry at the staff level. I would like this to continue, I am also hoping to focus more on my writing, which has taken more of a backseat with the extra demands of the national church work. The session and I will be working on the possibility of me working for Prairie at 3/4 time after the Cyclical work is complete. In some ways not much will change from what was stated as half-time, although I have suggested that I might preach more (my current arrangement is for 3 times per month).

From Jen: Over the last number of months, having consistent childcare has been a rollercoaster for our family. Over the same time, I was sensing that God was leading me to focus much more on momming and I’ve realized 25 hrs a week of work is simply not sustainable. I’m so grateful for the support that the Session has offered in being flexible with my circumstances. It’s not a daily life I ever imagined for myself, but I’m embracing it and allowing God to continue transforming my heart and my way of existing in this world. We thank you all for your prayers and support as we figure out new rhythms of life. Through the staff model review process, I asked for my hours to be reduced and I am grateful that the session has agreed that beginning July 1st, I will be working 12.5 hours per week.

Next Steps

Over the summer, Matt, Jen, and Wesley will look carefully at their job descriptions and task lists to map out the areas that they have been focussed on, plan for what their work might look like going forward, and identify any potential gaps that we might need to fill.

By the fall, the session will complete the review process and look at any other possible changes to the staff configuration. This may include revised job descriptions or even the addition of another part time staff member.

If you have feedback or questions about the review process, please contact Erin Whittaker or Janet Simpson. (Elders on the review team)

From the Session of Prairie Presbyterian Church

Why work so hard to get more people involved in the Advent And Christmas Eve Worship Services?

As we move into the Advent and Christmas seasons, our congregation would usually start planning a bunch of special things for our services. Choirs would rehearse, a pageant would be prepared, special solos would happen.

And this year, we are on YouTube - but we still want you involved.

The work to have people record videos in their homes and edit everything together is significant, but it is totally worth it! Just like it is worth the work in other years.

The main reason it is worth it is that worship at its best involves and includes many people of God working together. In previous years, our rehearsing would be part of what we offer to God. Getting costumes ready would be part of our worship. Going over readings would be part of our worship. And then when we would actually come together as a community, a few people would lead lead, while everyone worships together.

This year, instead of a people coming together in the building to light candles and hear the story (which is wonderful!), we get to collaborate to make a video that is our worship of God as we celebrate the incarnation.

Whether you appear on screen, where you edit video, whether you gather your household together to light your own candles and listen to the ancient story that shapes our lives, or whether you send a few “peace be with you” messages in the chat, you are worshipping God this season.

No, it’s not the same as in-person. Neither will our YouTube videos “work” for everyone. But for many in our community this year, this is our way of focussing on and celebrating the incarnation, of rejoicing in hope as we remember the birth of our Lord.

Are there more things we will do as God’s people? Of course!

We will join small groups to strengthen each other’s faith. We will do what we can to care for each other, with encouraging emails, phone calls, care packages, etc. We will support Winnipeg Inner City Missions, Kenora Fellowship Centre and Place of Hope Indigenous Presbyterian Church. And We will continue to learn on our own and together, whether from prophets, or preachers, or puppets, or pastors!

But most importantly, our worship, our service, and our giving reminds us that as God’s people we together point to the one worthy of worship—The Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Matt Brough
Minister of Word and Sacraments
Prairie Presbyterian Church

Participating in Communion Without a Physical Gathering

On Sundays where we are celebrating communion, all those who trust in Jesus as Lord and Saviour are welcome to participate in your home. In order to participate, make sure you have bread and wine or grape juice readily available for your household. Rev. Matt Brough will be leading you through this time. 

Two things to keep in mind as we celebrate communion.

  1. Our Church has an open table. This means that anyone who trusts in Jesus as Lord and Saviour is welcome to participate. It doesn’t matter whether you belong to a different congregation or denomination, it doesn’t matter how frequently you have come to church. Having a full understanding of communion is also not a pre-requisite. Children are welcome to participate at the discretion and under the supervision of their parents of guardians.

  2. The celebration and participation in communion is intended to be done together as a community. Obviously, this is more challenging in a time when we cannot gather together. As much as possible, please try to join the celebration of communion when we are live on YouTube at 10am. We recognize that this is not possible for everyone, and that some will join later by watching the replay. Although not ideal, we see this as similar to the minister visiting someone in their home later in the day or the week to provide communion for someone who was unable to be present in worship.

In 2012, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada approved guidelines for providing communion using technology. Since these provisions are already in place, and as Prairie celebrates communion once a month, we believe it is important for our practice to continue.

We hope that sharing in communion in your home will be meaningful for you.

Worship and Community Leader

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

Food Ministry Project: In the Kitchen and Around the Table

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.

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.