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

----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

Prayer:

1. Please pray for the MCEC community of congregations; this week we hold Hochma in prayer. Daniel Perron and Lyne Renaud provide pastoral leadership to this community in Montréal, QC. God, bless the people of Hochma with wisdom, unity and a deep love for You, that they may be a faithful witness to Christ in their community.
   
   
2. Pray for Chip Bender and Wendy Janzen, co-pastors at Erb Street Mennonite Church and Wendy also at Burning Bush Forest Church, upon the death of Chip's father, Delmer Bender, on October 26, 2026. Visitation will be held at Mark Jutzi Funeral Home in New Hamburg on Thursday, October 29, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. A funeral service will be held at East Zorra Mennonite Church on Friday, October 30, at 2 p.m. Read more in Delmer's obituary. As a community of congregations, one way we can care for our pastors is by holding them and their families in prayer during times of grief, asking God to surround them with comfort, strength and peace. 
   
   
3. Give thanks for the 30 people who gathered at the MCEC/Together in Worship Intercultural Worship Workshop at Grace Lao Mennonite Church in Kitchener this weekend to reflect on the worship needs and opportunities of diaspora congregations. May they return to their congregations inspired and equipped, helping communities grow in faithful worship, transformation and hope.
   
   
4. Pray for wisdom and clarity in preparation for a nationwide Mennonite Church Canada Youth Ministry Consultation, November 23-25 in Winnipeg. Pray for Marilyn Rudy-Froese, MCEC Leadership Minister, who will be attending.
   
   
5. God, we come to you troubled by the increasing violence in our world, troubled by wars and threats of wars, troubled by hate and discrimination. We pray that your Spirit would shape us into people of shalom, recognizing our neighbours, pursuing justice, challenging violence and sustaining a hopeful witness of peace together. Lord, heal our land; hear our prayer. (From MC Canada/MC USA Binational Prayer, October 2026)
   

Bulletin Announcements:

1. When God calls someone to leadership, a journey begins. Perhaps you are on that journey. Perhaps you are looking for mentors and companions along the way. Mennonite Church Eastern Canada invites you to join Journey: A Missional Leadership Development Program. This program is for lay leaders, pastors, church planters, and other emerging leaders who are called without specific training for ministry or who are exploring a call to ministry. The early application deadline to apply for spring 2027 is November 13, 2026, with the final application deadline on December 11, 2026.. For more information visit www.ambs.edu/journey, or contact your pastor, Marilyn Rudy-Froese mrudyfroese@mcec.ca; or Yoel Masyawong ymasyawong@mcec.ca.
   
   
2. MCEC Pastors Fall Retreat, November 9-10, 2026, Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp, New Hamburg, ON. Join David Boshart, AMBS President, as we reflect on Anabaptist Spiritual Leadership to deepen our understanding of leadership in today's ministry contexts. Registration closes Thursday, October 29. More information and to register.
   
   
3. MCEC Young Adults Together, next meeting November 10, 2026, 7-8 pm. Bi-weekly Zoom conversations every other Tuesday evening to connect Young Adults across MCEC for a time to celebrate, learn about and pray along our walk with Jesus together. More details and to register.
   
   
4. MCEC Day of Fasting and Prayer, November 21, 2026 - Set aside November 21 to join congregations across MCEC for a shared day of prayer, fasting and seeking God together. Whether you fast from food, a meal, social media or another activity, this is an opportunity to deepen your dependence on God and listen for the Spirit's leading. Conclude the day at a regional prayer gathering from 6-9 p.m. at MCEC in Kitchener, or gather locally with your congregation(s) as we unite in prayer across the region. More information at mcec.ca. 
   

MCEC Connect Subscribe

Subscribe and stay connected with inspiring stories, resources and events from MCEC!