Weekly News
Welcome! Here you will find all the news and events that your congregation will need for the week - MCEC Prayer and Event Highlights, Mennonite Church Canada Updates, Announcements. Check out the hot buttons to ministry opportunities and pastoral transitions. Administrative Assistants: make sure to see the Bulletin Cut and Paste. Bookmark this page and check back regularly for updates. New items will begin to appear on Monday and the newsletter will come to your inbox on Wednesday.
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Bulletin Cut and Paste
Administrators: Thank you for sharing the MCEC story with your congregations. Please continue offering valuable feedback on how we can tailor announcements to empower you in your ministry.
Prayers
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Please pray for the MCEC community of congregations; this week we hold East Zorra Mennonite Church in prayer. Ray Martin and Mike Williamson provide pastoral leadership for this congregation. Pray for this congregation who is rooted in Christ, growing together in faith and extending God's love to each other and to their neighbourhoods.
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Pray for our siblings in faith in Cuba as they live into increasingly desperate conditions. Sustain them with daily bread, courage and hope. Give thanks for the gift of companionship, and for MC Canada's support of SEMILLA seminary in Guatemala as they equip and train Cuban pastors to serve faithfully.
- Pray for Bethlehem Bible College and all who teach, study and lead there; here President Jack Sara's call that we to pray for peace and to stand in solidarity with our family of faith in Israel and Palestine. Deepen our shared ministry as MC Canada walks alongside Bethlehem Bible College, bearing hope, courage and love in difficult times.
- Mennonite Church Canada Indigenous Relations invites us to pray for the work of The Legacy of Hope Foundation, a national, Indigenous-led, charitable organization who works to promote healing and reconciliation in Canada.
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Holy God, hold our hurting world in your compassion and bring healing where there is conflict, fear and grief. Strengthen all who work for peace and justice, and guide us to be instruments of your hope. Surround every community with your wisdom and light, that we may walk together toward reconciliation and renewal.
Announcements:
- MCEC Financial Zoom Call, April 15, 2026, 7-8 p.m. online. Review the MCEC financial story prior to our Annual Church Gathering. This online conversation provides an early opportunity to ask questions ahead of the Annual Church Gathering. Register today
- MCEC Youth Ministry Leaders Lunch Meetup, Friday, April 24, 2026, 12:00 p.m., Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church, 57 Stirling Ave. N., Kitchener. Join Stephen Kennedy and Carrie Lehn as youth pastors, leaders and anyone working or volunteering in youth ministry gather for a lunchtime meeting to talk about youth ministry, share ideas and learn from each other. More information and to register at mcec.ca/events.
- MCEC Pastors Gathering: A Conversation with Pablo Kim, April 24, 2026, 7 - 8:30 p.m., MCEC, 50 Kent Ave., Kitchener, ON. Come connect with Pablo Kim Sun, author of Building Mennonite Belonging, for an evening of thoughtful intercultural dialogue. We’ll look at how congregations can respond with creativity and faithfulness to cultural, ethnic and racial diversity. Offered in conjunction with the MCEC ACG, pastors are warmly invited to participate in this meaningful conversation on leading communities through change. Register Today
- MCEC Annual Church Gathering, April 25, 2026, 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Steinmann Mennonite Church, Baden, ON. Be part of a life-giving day at MCEC's Annual Church Gathering! Come worship, learn and dream together as we dive into interactive workshops that will spark creativity and strengthen our shared ministry. Discover the workshop lineup, schedule and business sessions — Register Today
- MCEC Intercultural Worship Gathering, April 25, 2026, 7-9 p.m., 800 King St. E., Kitchener (Home of Shalom Worship & Healing Centre and First Mennonite Church). Join us for the MCEC Intercultural Worship Service, a joyful gathering where congregations unite to celebrate our diversity in Christ. Offered alongside the MCEC ACG, everyone is welcome. We will also celebrate the ordination of Anthony Siegrist, MCEC Executive Minister. Plan to attend!
- MCEC Intercultural Competency Conversation, May 9, 2026, 9 a.m. - noon, Lao Canadian Evangelical Mennonite Church, Toronto. Join us for an engaging and interactive workshop open to all who are curious about how intercultural understanding can deepen relationships and enhance ministry effectiveness. Register today.
- MCEC Small Church Theology Workshop, May 14, 2026, 6-8 p.m. online. Discover the gifts of small churches. This workshop explores, from an Anabaptist perspective, how small churches offer unique strengths and essential lessons that enrich the wider Church. Register at mcec.ca/events
Mennonite Church Canada
- Pre-Budget Zoom Gathering
As a nationwide community of faith, our budget reflects our collective mission and values. This pre-budget Zoom gathering will provide insight into ministry initiatives, stewardship goals, our Key initiatives, and Nine Actionable Items while creating space for thoughtful dialogue and discernment. Your voice matters. Come be part of the conversation as we prayerfully consider how God is calling us to steward our resources together. April 9th, 7 pm Central. Register. - New and Renewing Church Conversation
“The average age in our congregation is 67. We have tried a few things to attract new people. We have much to offer but are concerned about our future.” If your congregation is feeling stuck, stretched, or simply ready for a fresh vision, join us on Thursday, April 16th, on Zoom for a practical conversation that will offer encouragement, real-life stories, and space to connect with other leaders who share your heart for the church. Come ready to listen, share, and imagine together what renewal could look like in your congregation. Register.
International Witness
Join siblings in faith in Cuba in prayer as they live into increasingly desperate conditions. Hear directly from BIC Cuba president Luis Hernandez from a video prepared for the Mennonite World Conference Online Prayer Hour.
As we commemorate Jesus’ path to the cross, and celebrate the mystery of resurrection, hear these words of lament and hope from Jack Sara, president of Bethlehem Bible College, as he asks for our prayers for peace as well as to stand in solidarity with our family of faith in Israel/Palestine.
Climate Action &
Indigenous Relations:
Climate Action
Canada Emissions Reduction Grant Celebration Event
Congregations across Canada are upping their efficiency game, and yours can too! Join us on April 14 to hear directly from 2025's Emissions Reduction Grant recipient churches. You'll also learn how to apply for the grant which offers up to $3000 to help your church pay for projects such as insulation upgrades, switching to LED lighting, upgrading heating and cooling systems, window replacements and more! To register.
Indigenous Relations
Water is life! Pray for Water Protectors everywhere. A planned geological repository for nuclear waste storage in Ontario lies on the watersheds of the Rainy River and the Wabigoon River, which both flow to Lake Winnipeg. Free Grassy/Grassy Narrows Solidarity is leading the movement to protect the water, which means protecting all of us! The risk of nuclear waste storage might be out of sight but the dangers are extreme and irreversible. Take Action by signing up for their newsletter and show up when and where we are invited.
Please pray for the work of The Legacy of Hope Foundation (LWF). LWF is a national, Indigenous-led, charitable organization that has been working to promote healing and Reconciliation in Canada for over 25 years. The LHF’s goal is to educate Canadians about the history and existing intergenerational impacts of the Residential School System.The LHF works to encourage people to address racism and discrimination so as to contribute to the equality, dignity, and just relationships among all. Learn more about the LHF.
CommonWord Bookstore and Resource Centre
Meet our new staff team – here to serve you!
Arlyn Friesen Epp, AnaSara Rojas, Abreham Jember
Contact us with your resource inquiry, your recommendation, your original creation, your loan, purchase or special order.
Church season resources
- Easter season (April 5 - May 24)
- Earth Day (April 22)
Save the Date
Book Launch on Monday, May 4, 7:00 PM (CDT) with Sheila Klassen-Wiebe on the new Believers Church Bible Commentary – in person or via livestream.
Discount Shelf
Good options for small group study or personal reading, while quantities last.
Together in Worship Resources
- Visual Art - Stations of the Cross
During this Holy Week, visual art can help root us in the sacred narrative of Jesus life, teachings, death, and eventual resurrection. This art series is by Jerry Holsopple, and takes that traditional Stations of the Cross (which normally focus on Jesus final days leading up to his crucifiction) and refocuses them on his life and ministry. Find the artist's statement and all images in the series here. - Eastertide / Sundays after Easter resources
As we approach Easter, we also prepare to exit the season of Lent and enter into the season following Easter, sometimes called Eastertide. TiW has lots of resources specifically for this season - if you don't find what you're looking for here, consider searching our catalogue by scripture reference or keyword. - Video and Guide - A Creative God: The Visual Arts in Worship
Using visual art in church can be daunting in communities that don't have a lot of experience with that. This video and accompanying guide provide some ideas and practical support for those wanting to try integrating visual art into worship for the first time, or for those who have been at it for a while but want a fresh take and new ideas.
Nationwide Web-Hub - All MCEC congregations are welcome to join
If you are considering a change to your website, definitely consider the new nationwide web hub. It is much more than a web building tool. Contact Lisa Williams, Director of Communications, for more info.
Click below for information about the features, pricing, testimonials and links to launched websites.
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