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 Crosshill Mennonite Church in prayer. Norm Dyck provides pastoral leadership for this congregation. Pray for this rural congregation as they care for each other, their neighbours and their communities. 

  2. Hizbay Nigusse will be licensed toward ordination at Shalom Worship and Healing Center - Guelph on March 22 2026. Pray for Hizbay and the congregation as they celebrate his calling to ministerial leadership. To share your encouragement and support with Hizbay, you can reach him at guelphshalom@gmail.com.

  3. Pray for Dann and Joji Pantoja as they retire from their official ministry with the Malipayon Peace Hub, PeaceBuilders Community Inc. and MC Canada International Witness. Pray for the new leaders who are committed to continue building peace in the Philippines. Pray for Dann and Joji as they transition to different forms of service.

  4. We pray for our world today, especially for all who are living through violence and fear in the Middle East, Ukraine, Myanmar, Israel/Palestine and so many more places across God's creation. May God bring protection to the vulnerable, wisdom to leaders and comfort to families facing uncertainty and loss. We pray for healing, courage and a path toward justice and lasting peace for every community caught in conflict. Lord hear our prayers.

Announcements:

  1. 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. Registration opens next week.

  2. 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.

  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. Discover the workshop lineup, schedule and business sessions — registration opens next week.

  4. 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. Registration opens next week.

  5. 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. Mark your calendars!

  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

  • Mennonite Church Canada Winter Campaign
    We have one month left to reach our Global Companionship goals for this year. We are inviting your support for an additional $48,000 by the end of March.     
    Why Global Companionship?
    The goal of mission is not primarily aid (humanitarian assistance); it’s not even partnership. We engage in mission to establish friendships that lead to the formation of a new people in the world... If we are in Christ, we have become part of a new creation.  Donate Here 

  • 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.
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International Witness

South Africa Pilgrimage Info Night
Are you curious about what Mennonite Church Canada’s pilgrimage to South Africa Oct 5-18th would include and how it connects to Indigenous Relations in Canada? Come to the info night, March 23rd, 7 pm Central. Register for the zoom link.

Dann and Joji Pantoja
Praise God for a joyous and moving celebration at the Malipayon Peace Hub, Mindanao, Philippines on March 11, 2026.  Representatives from the Bangsamoro Muslim community, Philippines Council of Evangelical Churches, the Bagawa Tagabawa Indigenous community, and Mennonite Church Canada gathered to tell stories of the ministry of Dann and Joji Pantoja and to wish them well in the transition to different forms of service.  They also welcomed the new leadership of PeaceBuilders Community and committed to continue to work together to continue efforts at building peace in the Philippines.


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Climate Action &
Indigenous Relations:

Climate Action

Congregations like yours are upping their energy efficiency game with help from the Mc Canada emissions reduction grant - Check out these stories! 

Indigenous Relations

The Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery offers free trainings for folks interested in building their skill and capacities to join in reconciliation and right relations efforts. Moving towards Right Relations:  Skills for settler-descendents engaging Indigenous Justice movements. & Decolonizing and Organizing for Systems Change: Skills for grassroots organizing in a decolonizing framework. Learn more and sign up here.

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CommonWord Bookstore and Resource Centre  

Church Year Resources

Materials to buy, borrow or access online. Includes Together in Worship Resources.

Lenten Guided Prayer Experience
The annual contemplative prayer resource for individuals, small groups and congregations from the Mennonite Spiritual Directors of Eastern Canada.

Together in Worship Resources

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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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