What sets the Presbytery of Winnipeg apart from others is the high proportion of resources it devotes to aboriginal ministry. The presbytery of 12 charges supports three aboriginal outreach centres: Flora House and Anishinabe (both in Winnipeg), and Anamiewigummig located farther north in Kenora, Ont. Together, they receive almost 30 per cent of the presbytery's budget and require the most resources — both financial and human. "Our purpose is to meet the spiritual, emotional and physical needs of the people in our area," said Warren Whittaker, director of Flora House. "We try to follow Jesus' model in Luke — to bring liberty to the captive and sight to the blind."
Flora House and Anishinabe are sister missions supported by Presbyterians Sharing. Although talking about faith isn't a distinct part of daily activities, Christ is part of the mix. Sundays at Anishinabe offer a worship service that draws about 70 adults and 40 children. It's so popular that the centre often closes its doors because the room is filled to capacity.
Originally a place for people to stay when they first came to the city, the centre now caters to the inner-city community, with a drop-in program attracting mainly 30 to 50 year olds. People can hang out and have coffee, or take advantage of other services including monthly food packages, blankets and towels, a computer lab, a children's after-school program and counselling. About 85 to 100 people drop in each day. Relationships formed at the centre help build trust between the Native community and the church. "We feel like it's a God-directed thing," said outreach worker, Susan Currie. "Healing has to take place, and they trust us. It feels like home here."
Established in 1962, Flora's primary focus is on youth and children's ministry. An after school program for 30 children runs five days a week and focuses on teaching skills in recreation, fine arts and academics. A nurse is on hand once a week, a teen program operates weekly, and the centre is open for casual drop-ins. Not including the 90 adults who pass through the food bank twice monthly, Flora House welcomes about 50 people through its doors every day. "As a church, we have to be involved in outreach — not only overseas, but in our own cities," said Whittaker, who has worked at Flora House for 26 years. "We have to be ambassadors of the church and bring people the gospel."
The presbytery's devotion to original projects includes its maintenance of Kildonan Cemetery in Winnipeg, dating from 1851. In its soil are the graves of Scottish settlers to Manitoba, including William Ross, who ran the area's first post office. Rev. James Robertson is also laid to rest there. Robertson was the first Presbyterian superintendent of missions in 1881. Based in Winnipeg, where settlement was increasing with the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway, he supervised regional development, visited mission stations and distributed funding to prairie missions. In 1874, Robertson was called to Knox Church (now Knox United). During his seven year stay, the 70-member church grew to 400. The presbytery adopted the cemetery when the local congregation that originally laid claim could no longer meet the rising expenses. At nearly 14 per cent, the upkeep is now one of the most significant items in the budget.
Although most of the presbytery's charges are in or near Winnipeg, the boundaries stretch far to the north and east, including St. Andrew's, Thompson, which lies eight hours north of the city, First, Kenora, actually located two hours past the border into Ontario, and Pinawa Christian Fellowship, on the shores of the Winnipeg River and two hours north east of the city.
Pinawa itself has a unique story to tell as it consists of Anglican, Mennonite, Presbyterian and United Church members. It incorporates all four traditions in its worship services, creating a unique community.
Founded in 1963, the church has never had its own church building, but has rented office, educational and worship space as needed. The decision releases the congregation and its minister, Rev. Robert Murray, from the frustrations of maintaining a building. Money saved goes to paying the minister, maintaining denominational ties and outreach.
Although churches in remote areas of the province may struggle to maintain membership, there is hope for growth. Prospects lie in the southwest corner of Winnipeg, where plans are underway to establish a new church to meet the area's growing population.
