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 Église de Dieu Réparateur de Brèches in prayer. Ronald Alexandre and Rachelle Demosthene provide pastoral leadership for this congregation. Pray for this congregation composed of Haitian immigrants that has been based in Montreal for over 25 years. They worship in French, Creole and English and are drawn to the simplicity of the Anabaptist/Mennonite vision in its call to a life of discipleship rooted in Jesus.
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Anthony Siegrist was ordained at the MCEC Intercultural Worship Gathering on April 25, 2026. Pray for Anthony and the MCEC community of congregations as we celebrate his calling to ministerial leadership. To share your encouragement and support with Anthony, you can reach him at executiveminister@mcec.ca.
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Please pray for the Mennonite Church Canada Joint Council (executive body) as they meet May 1–3 in Calgary, Alberta. Pray for wisdom, unity, and attentiveness to the Spirit as they discuss and together discern important matters affecting the nationwide church. May their conversations be guided by grace, humility, and faithfulness. Please pray for Ben Cassels, Daniel Tela and Anthony Siegrist who will represent MCEC.
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God of peace, amid the recent waves of violence, loss and unrest unfolding across our world, we come before you seeking your steadying presence. Hold close all who are grieving, fearful or displaced, and soften hearts where anger and division have taken root. May your peace take hold in communities and nations, guiding us toward compassion, restraint and hope.
Announcements:
- 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
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Continuing Education Bursaries Available
The MC Canada Company of 1000 bursary committee is reminding prospective applicants to submit their bursary requests by May 15. Bursaries of up to $500 per course are available to support continuing education. If you have questions or would like guidance, please speak with your Regional Church staff person responsible for pastoral leadership. - 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
Pray with the leaders of the Friends of Grace Church Association, the network that surrounds Tom and Christine Poovong and their colleagues in Thailand. Meetings on April 21-23 will elect a new president for the association. Pray for guidance, wisdom, and a spirit of unity in the churches.
Pray for pastors in China, whether in small house churches or large cathedrals, navigating a complex time in their society. One church leader put it this way, “Growth, as you Canadians should know well, does not only happen in summer, but winter is important for deep roots and strength. We are seeing God at work in the church in China in beautiful ways!” More information.
Climate Action &
Indigenous Relations:
Climate Action
People around the world will celebrate Earth Day on April 22! To see what faith communities across Canada are doing to celebrate during this season, check out the activity map here: Earth Week – 2026 – For the Love of Creation FLC is a effective and active connection between MC Canada’s faith family and other faith families in Canada that are taking action to care for Creation!
Indigenous Relations
On May 5, Communities across Canada will gather for vigils and walks to raise awareness and care for the families of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women. As congregations of MC Canada we can bring prayers for our hurting neighbors in this season. Here is a prayer to use from a Candlelight Vigil for MMIW – written by Dr. Kelly Sherman-Conroy (Oglala Lakota).
‘Our hearts are heavy as we come to you, God, seeking your mercy and grace for Indigenous women and girls who have been taken from us too soon. Provide the families and communities with comfort and peace. We pray for guidance and strength as we fight for justice on their behalf. We will not forget those who have lost their lives or the love that remains in their wake. Today, we honor their memory in prayer, grateful for the hope you provide in times of heartache and injustice. Hear us as we offer our prayers and plea for justice. AMEN’
CommonWord Bookstore and Resource Centre
Church season resources
- Easter season (April 5 - May 24)
- Earth Day (April 22)
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
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.
- Bite-Sized Book Club conversation, Thursday, May 7, 7:00 PM (CDT) with editor Carolyn Beard, “A Sure Way.” Register to receive the Zoom link.
Discount Shelf
Good options for small group study or personal reading, while quantities last.
Together in Worship Resources
- 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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