Manitoba/Northwestern Ontario Synod

Trinity Lutheran Church rocks. Trinity Youth Group rocks. MNO Youth rocks. Well, we know for sure they threw curling rocks.

Trinity, Starbuck, Man., had the pleasure of hosting a funspiel for the Mani- toba Northwestern Ontario Synod Retreat, Feb. 3–4. Forty-five youth and chaperones enjoyed two days of curling at the Starbuck Curling Club, just a “stone’s throw” from Trinity.

The calibre of participants ranged from those who never curled before to those who compete provincially. Because this was a “funspiel,” curling expertise didn’t matter. Scoring rules after each end ranged from “all rocks outside of the house count” to “those with the most Winnipeg Jets clothing count their rocks” to “normal scoring” etc.

After curling Saturday afternoon, a supper was provided by Trinity Youth and parents followed by “get to know you” games arranged by Jessica Halstead. Evening devotions were led by Trinity’s pastor

Rev. Debra Johnston with Rev. Tyler Gingrich giving our message. Music was provided by Sonja Rasmussen, Alyssa Houde and Emma and Lucas Kushnier. Pastor Tyler’s message reflected on the prophet Isaiah’s emphasis of God giving strength to the weary and the importance of rest and renewal.

Who knew our early Christians knew so much about curling!

Pastor Tyler chose scripture to relate to the weekend’s theme: Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone (John 8:7). Clearly the leads are the most virtuous! I will return to my house from which I came.When it comes,it finds it empty, swept,and put in order (Matthew 12:44). Our competitive curlers made sure of this!

On Sunday, after breakfast, the youth joined the congregation for worship. We experienced the joyous occasion of Ronan Roland Zinn becoming a child of God through the Sacrament of Baptism.

During the Saturday devotions, we had been reminded of the most important commandment that Jesus proclaimed, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength and to love your neighbour as yourselves(Mark 12: 30–31). Lunch was provided by Trinity’s Sunday school who sponsored a “Love Your Neighbour Chili Lunch” which raised over $400 for The Urban in Winnipeg.

Curling resumed in the afternoon and at the end of the funspiel, Hillary DeVries’ team from Messiah, Winnipeg, won first place with the most points. Her team consisted of Jillian DeVries, Cody Van Dijk and Matt Ammeter. As winners they had first pick of the prizes. In the spirit of a funspiel, all curlers were given a prize.

During the retreat, all of us witnessed the love, kindness, sportsmanship and faithfulness of our MNO Youth. With God’s guidance, we are in good hands now and in the future.

“On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand, All Other Ground is Sinking Sand”

— Carrie & Robert Livingston