Coffee House - Erin Funk

Spring is in the air and what better way to usher it in then with music, art and caffeinated drinks.  Don't forget the Coffee House this Friday, Feb. 26th, at 7:30pm at the eXchange, 116 Main St. 

The evening will feature local musicians such as Amy Bergman-Loewen, Paul Bergman, Erin Martens, and Erin Funk.

Erin Funk, friend to Erin Martens and Amy Bergman-Loewen, has often played along many of her singer/songwriter friends but never entered the performance circuit herself.  With an indie/folk sound, Erin will be making her debut on the 26th to appease her roommates who repeatedly comment on how she MUST play, have given her no other option then to participate at this Coffee House.  Having sung and played guitar for the past decade, Erin is somewhat apprehensive yet excited about this opportunity:)

All proceeds from the Art Auction and Coffee House will go towards Build a Village - El Salvador.

Coffee House - Art Auction - This Friday

A Silent Art Auction will be taking place through out the night with paintings from Lloyd Letkeman (South America), Wanda Friesen (Africa), Richelle Wiebe (Asia), and Erin Martens.  Among the art selections will be the Global Christmas Paintings that are currently hanging in the Worship Centre at the eXchange.


Cover is $3 at the door, and all proceeds from admission, the cafe, and art auction will go to Build A Village - El Salvador Project.

"Who Loves You Baby?" - Ted Needs A Haircut. - UPDATE

As we come down the wire, it is looking like a nice trim is in the cards, unless the "baldies" pick up the pace.  As of Wednesday morning "Trim" leads with $320 pledged and "Shave" trails with $175.  It is not to late to honor the great the Telly Savalas.   Remember all money will go to support the latest newcomer family in Altona through Build a Village.

To vote with your pledges email trim@seedschurch.ca  or shave@seedschurch.ca

Coffee House - Amy Bergman Loewen

To go along with February's theme of JOY, Seeds has decided to put on a Coffee House Feb. 26th, at 7:30pm at the eXchange, 116 Main St. , Altona, as a way for people to overcome the winter blues through music, espresso drinks, desserts, and community.

The evening will feature local musicians such as Amy Bergman-Loewen, Paul Bergman, Erin Martens, and Erin Funk.

Amy Bergman Loewen, singer/songwriter from Altona, MB draws listeners in with her smooth indie/folk songs that reflect much of Southern Manitoba's simple lifestyle. Amy has been in the music scene for the past 8 years, and will debuting some new material on the 26th, which will be sure to satisfy her fans who have been eagerly awaiting hear her latest projects.

His Banner Over Me

He has taken me to the banquet hall.  And his banner over me is love.

-Song of Songs 2:4

Everyone can use a word of encouragement every now and then.  Even if it can be difficult to receive, even difficult to believe sometimes, those words of encouragement somehow make their way into our hearts and minds and nourish us right where we need it most.

So if a word of encouragement from another person is so meaningful, how much more meaningful is it to have a word of encouragement from the Lord?  That is at the heart of banner reading:  asking the Lord, on behalf of someone else, to reveal a word that speaks his thoughts about that person.

It has been the iPray Team’s humbling privilege to ask the Lord to reveal his banner over people in the Seeds community these past two weeks.  We’ve had the experience of praying with both the Branches and the Twigs ... and being delighted at seeing God’s banner revealed over our teens and tweens.  The Branches were even further involved and got to be on both the receiving and giving ends of banner reading during the service two weeks ago.  We’ve also read banners over people who requested it that morning, which was a faith-building experience in itself.  Personally, I had opportunity to do banner reading for people that I am not in close relationship with, and even for people that I did not even have a face for the name.  When an encouraging word comes to me for a person that I do not even know, I have to trust that it is from the Lord.

So, for those of you who requested to have your banner read and received a word through the iPray Team, I pray that it penetrates your heart and soaks into your being.  It truly is God’s word for you.  For anybody reading this that feels they missed their chance, or would like to have their banner read, please contact the iPray Team:  ipray@seedschurch.ca.

-Candice Letkeman

Seeds iPray Team

Missional Opportunity! - Refugees

On February 24th, a nine person family from Palestine will FINALLY have a new place to call home! It's been a long wait, and there will be many adjustments and struggles ahead, but they will have a place to call home! There are more refugees from Palestine than any where else in the world.  

This will be a new and exciting challenge for us, as we welcome a new family, and learn a new culture! In preparation, we are preparing the place where they will move into....the "transitional home" just north of W.C. Miller Collegiate. 

We need new sheets (1 Queen size, and multiple Twins), blankets, towels and some toiletry items. If you are willing to help out with supplies, please e-mail darlene@seedschurch.ca 

The journey of friendship and support with newcomers has been absolutely incredible for myself (and others!) It's certainly not without complexities and "mess", but something so worth the time and energy!  If you want to become involved in welcoming refugees and supporting their transition to Canada, please e-mail darlene@seedschurch.ca

Ted Needs a Haircut - UPDATE!

After a tepid day of voting, it is looking like Ted is getting his head shaved!  If you want to save the curly, thick, yet greying hair, you will need to start "upping the ante".  (That is latin for "show me the money").  There is still 10 more days to vote with your pledges to Build a Village - Refugee Ministry.   All money raised will go directly to supporting and sponsoring refugees in Altona.

To vote via pledge email to shave or trim  .

If you would like to follow this blog and get reminders you can become a follower, or subscribe on the right side of the blog.

Coffee House - Paul Bergman

To go along with February's theme of JOY, Seeds has decided to put on a Coffee House Feb. 26th, at 7:30pm at the eXchange, 116 Main St. , Altona, as a way for people to overcome the winter blues through music, espresso drinks, desserts, and community.

The evening will feature local musicians such as Amy Bergman-Loewen, Paul Bergman, Erin Martens, and Erin Funk.

Paul Bergman, lives in Southern Manitoba and writes and sings folk songs.   Paul also is a member of The Decomposers, a Blue-Grass Folk band who has played at many Southern Manitoba venues. Paul has played at Back Forty, Folk Fest Singer-songwriter workshop, and many other Canadian venues.  Just returning from a Western Manitoban Tour, Paul will be showcasing his songs on the 26th, many which are often based on other, older songs.  Check out his Myspace for more info http://www.myspace.com/paulbergmanmusic

Radical Joy - Ted Needs Help and a Haircut

As Ted (Co-Pastor) shared this past Sunday morning, he is in dire need of a haircut, but there is some controversy over what he should do next.  Some people favor a simple trim, while others are ready for a complete shaved head.  Now is your opportunity.  Over the next two weeks you can have a say.  Will it be a trim or a shave.  To influence the outcome you can vote with your money and pledges.  All money raised will be given to Build a Village to help support refugees.  To vote with your dollars send your pledges to shave@seedschurch.ca or trim@seedschurch.ca .  The winning decision will take place on Soup Sunday on February 28 at Seeds.

Coffee House - Featuring Erin Martens

To go along with February's theme of JOY, Seeds has decided to put on a Coffee House Feb. 26th, at 7:30pm at the eXchange, 116 Main St. , Altona, as a way for people to overcome the winter blues through music, espresso drinks, desserts, and community.

The evening will feature local musicians such as Amy Bergman-Loewen, Paul Bergman, Erin Martens, and Erin Funk.

Erin Martens, is a Fine Arts Major and singer/songwriter from Neubergthal, Manitoba.  Erin's Indie/Folk style and fresh lyrics gotten her performing at many Coffee Houses throughout Southern Manitoba and Winnipeg.  As a painter, her artistic ability is evident in her creative poetic lyrics, which create compelling imagery and speak of the simple beauty life has to offer.

Cover is $3 at the door, and all proceeds from admission, the cafe, and art auction will go to Build A Village - El Salvador Project.

Radical Joy - Coffee House

To go along with February's theme of JOY, Seeds has decided to put on a Coffee House Feb. 26th, at 7:30 as a way for people to overcome the winter blues through music, espresso drinks, desserts, and community.

 The evening will feature local musicians such as Amy Bergman-Loewen, Paul Bergman, Erin Martens, and Erin Funk.  A Silent Art Auction will be taking place through out the night with paintings from Lloyd Letkeman, Wanda Friesen, Richelle Wiebe, and Erin Martens.  Among the art selections will be the Global Christmas Paintings that are currently hanging in the Worship Centre at the eXchange.

There will be a variety of dessert and espresso drink options available by donation, so come on out and support some of Altona's Local Talent!

Cover is $3 at the door, and all proceeds from admission, the cafe, and art auction will go to Build A Village - El Salvador Project.

"Penny for your Thoughts" - Centering Prayer

We have approximately 60,000 thoughts a day!  Of these 60,000 thoughts many of them are repetitive or cyclical.  This is what is noticed by many when they start doing Centering Prayer.  On February 6^th Seeds hosted Jack & Judith Klaverkamp of Contemplative Outreach Manitoba. They taught us how to be present to God in silence while navigating an onslaught of thoughts. Both the morning & afternoon involved teaching sessions along with a 20 minute centering prayer time. For more info on the practice of centering prayer, check out the following link: 

Over the course of the next couple months a small group of us will be getting together to watch some follow up videos, take part in a communal 20 minute sit and share about our experiences. The topics include: prayer in secret, the discipline of centering prayer, what centering prayer is & is not, the principles & method of centering prayer.

If you’re interested in attending or have any questions, please Andrea Bergman at fanice95@hotmail.com or 324-1778.

Andrea Bergman - iPray Team

Christmas Unlimited Update

 

In our lead up to Christmas we had the opportunity to purchase alternative Christmas gifts of  Water, Hope, Food, Shelter, and Comfort.

Seeds responded with radical generosity and purchased $9322 of Alternative Gifts.  On December 20 the Seeds Community had a blast as we opened all of the alternative gifts and celebrated the Unlimited gift of Jesus.

EnJOY - Surprise Dance - Video

Sometimes joy is viral like the common cold.  Maybe you will catch some of it from this video.