mnobishop, Author at MNO Synod

Images of CLAY 2025

mnobishop2025-09-09T13:18:56-05:00

Youth and leaders from at least 10 MNO Synod congregations and 3 Diocese of Algoma parishes were part of the group that gathered for CLAY 2025 in Saskatoon, SK from Aug. 21-24. Each day began with a Large Group Gathering in St. John's Anglican Cathedral, where the group engaged in learning and worship. The day continued with a variety of experiences, including a day of learning at the Wanuskewin Cultural Heritage Centre and small group workshops. Evenings were filled with fellowship and fun. Thank you for praying for and supporting the youth and leaders of this synod as they experienced a [...]

Images of CLAY 2025mnobishop2025-09-09T13:18:56-05:00

Synod Youth Ministry T-Shirt Design

mnobishop2025-08-12T11:52:54-05:00

The winning design for this year's MNO Synod youth ministry t-shirt was submitted by Jessica Charleson, from St. Mark's, Winnipeg. The final design was designed by Pr. Zsófi Schmiedge. The design incorporates the CLAY theme "Rooted and Rising." The roots of the tree are hands, to remind us that our roots are strengthened when we join hands with others and stay connected in community. The tree reminds us of the biblical themes of abiding in the life-giving branches of God's love (John 15:5) so that we bear fruit in love and service to our neighbour. The water reminds us of the [...]

Synod Youth Ministry T-Shirt Designmnobishop2025-08-12T11:52:54-05:00

Sharing our Hearts with Art

mnobishop2025-08-12T11:39:31-05:00

by Rhonda Gorham, Ministry Manager, Lutheran Urban Ministry We are the hands and feet of God in this world, and the face of God is in everyone we meet. The fellowship and sharing during our art therapy project really demonstrated the feelings and experiences that we have as women, and that we’re all in this life together. During the spring of 2025 our Women’s Sharing Circles at the Urban had a lot of creative fun! We are grateful to have received a grant from the MNO Synod that gave the Lutheran Urban Ministry (the Urban) the opportunity to offer a wonderful [...]

Sharing our Hearts with Artmnobishop2025-08-12T11:39:31-05:00

2025 ELCIC National Convention Re-cap

mnobishop2025-07-24T16:30:51-05:00

The 2025 ELCIC National Convention was held in Winnipeg July 10-13 at the University of Manitoba campus. The convention, under the theme “Rejoicing in Hope,” gathered voting delegates and guests from across Canada for full days of conversations, important elections and other church business. The convention was a result of many national staff and volunteers putting in hours of work getting ready for delegates, visitors, and guests. A special thank you to all the volunteers from throughout the MNO Synod who served as volunteers at the convention--especially Faye and John Schultz (Sherwood Park Lutheran, Winnipeg) who served as co-chairs of the [...]

2025 ELCIC National Convention Re-capmnobishop2025-07-24T16:30:51-05:00

Leaders Gather at Government House for Conversation and Learning

mnobishop2024-09-18T10:36:32-05:00

Pr. Ken Kuhn, Pr. Zsófi Schmiedge, Pr. Paul Gehrs, Pr. Tyler Gingrich and Pr. Ron Long were among those gathered contributed by Pr. Zsófi Schmiedge MNO was well represented among those who were invited to the Government House for a roundtable conversation with other religious and secular thought leaders and teachers to discuss the opening prayer read at each Legislative Assembly. The group from MNO included Pr. Ken Kuhn, Pr. Tyler Gingrich, Pr. Paul Gehrs, and Pr. Ron Long. The group was invited to talk with each other about whether to change it or get rid of it, whether [...]

Leaders Gather at Government House for Conversation and Learningmnobishop2024-09-18T10:36:32-05:00

New Synod Council Member: Pr. Debra Johnston

mnobishop2024-08-08T11:27:02-05:00

Meet Pr. Debra Johnston, appointed as a Clergy at-large member of the Synod Council: My name is Debra Johnston and I am currently the pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Starbuck. I came to Starbuck in 2018 from Ontario. Most of my ministry experience prior to coming to the MNO Synod was in the Eastern Synod. I began full time parish ministry as a member of the ELCA Deaconess community. I was invested as a sister of that community in 1987. I served as a Parish Deaconess from that time until I was ordained to the Office of Word and Sacrament [...]

New Synod Council Member: Pr. Debra Johnstonmnobishop2024-08-08T11:27:02-05:00

New Synod Council Member: Chairperson Gabriella Balog

mnobishop2024-08-08T11:24:30-05:00

Meet Gabriella Balog, who has been appointed as the Synod Council Chairperson: Hello! I’m Gabriella. I am very excited to be joining the MNO Synod’s leadership team. I’ve spent the last 10 years working in the public sector, and am passionate about continuous improvement, communication, and process documentation. Outside of my professional life, I love to bake and play golf. I am a member at Grace Lutheran, where I actively participate in special music during services and am a member of the Worship Planning Committee. I also recently joined the Board of Directors at Luther Home. I became interested in serving on Synod [...]

New Synod Council Member: Chairperson Gabriella Balogmnobishop2024-08-08T11:24:30-05:00

Accompaniment Visit with Pr. Marie Besong

mnobishop2024-07-05T10:28:44-05:00

The MNO Synod Global Mission Committee was thrilled to invite Pr. Marie Besong to the MNO Synod for an accompaniment visit. Pr. Marie is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cameroon (EELC), and is studying at Martin Luther University in Waterloo, pursuing a PhD in Psychotherapy. The purpose of her visit to MNO was to build relationships as she shared with us and we shared with her stories of faith, leadership, and community engagement. During her visit, Pr. Marie was able to attend the women's retreat at Luther Village, share in food, fellowship and learning at First Lutheran [...]

Accompaniment Visit with Pr. Marie Besongmnobishop2024-07-05T10:28:44-05:00

Abundance Leads to Generosity

mnobishop2024-06-05T09:45:35-05:00

The food at the Convention was catered by The Feast Cafe Bistro in Winnipeg and was amazing, but there were still lots of leftovers at the end of the weekend. Voting delegate Karen Colquhoun from Grace stepped up and volunteered to deliver the leftovers to some agencies in Winnipeg. She shared about the impact of those gifts: To let you know about leftovers: At least 80 pieces of bannock went to The Urban to enjoy with their taco soup on Sunday. All the breaky wraps and the muffins( 4 large bags) went to North Point Douglas Womens Centre on the Monday following [...]

Abundance Leads to Generositymnobishop2024-06-05T09:45:35-05:00

Lutheran/Anglican Bishops Invite Participation in Pride

mnobishop2024-05-29T13:59:34-05:00

Greetings fellow disciples in the Diocese of Rupert’s Land and the MNO Synod: In Canada, Pride Season refers to a series of events that take place from June-September when community members and allies gather together to spotlight the resilience, talents, and contributions of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. As your bishops we are inviting you to support and take part in this year’s Pride Season. In particular, we are inviting you to join with your fellow Lutherans and Anglicans who will be participating in the parade on June 2nd. We have a float that you can sit on or you can walk behind it [...]

Lutheran/Anglican Bishops Invite Participation in Pridemnobishop2024-05-29T13:59:34-05:00