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.

Past Editions of MCEC Connect

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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

  1. Please pray for the MCEC community of congregations; this week we hold Église Bethésda Mennonite de Saint-Hyacinthe in prayer. Amuri Ayeba provides pastoral leadership for this congregation. Pray for this congregation, begun in 2020, as they serve their community just east of Montreal. 

  2. Pray with the leaders of the Friends of Grace Church Association, the network that surround Tom and Christine Poovong, MC Canada International Witness workers, and their colleagues in Thailand as they elect a new president for their association. Pray for guidance, wisdom and a spirit of unity in the churches.

  3. Pray for pastors in China, whether in small house churches or large cathedrals, as they navigate a complex time in their society. "Growth, as you Canadians should know well, does not only happen in summer, but winter is important for deep roots and strength," shares one church leader. "We are seeing God at work in the church in China in beautiful ways!" Thanks be to God.

  4. 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:

  1. 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.

  2. 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

  3. 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. The Annual General Meeting portion of our gathering from 1:30 - 4:00 p.m will be livestreamed - link will be at www.mcec.ca.

  4. 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!

  5. 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.

  6. 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

  • 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.
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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. 

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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’ 


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CommonWord Bookstore and Resource Centre  

Church season resources

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. 
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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.

Hub Information

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