In the Bulb There is a Flower

“In the bulb there is a flower, in the seed, an apple tree; in cocoons, a hidden promise, butterflies will soon be free! In the cold and snow of winter, there’s a spring that waits to be, unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.”

Ann L. Schultz, Executive Team Leader - We have just sung this simple yet profound hymn by Natalie Sleeth at Mennonite Church Eastern Canada’s Annual Church Gathering. Sleeth had a gift for composing texts on challenging and complex theological ideas that were still accessible to people from all walks of life.  While this anthem has most often been used at funerals or memorial services with its reference to “our end is the beginning,” I believe this text speaks beautifully and poignantly to the journey we are on at MCEC: that of transformation. 

Transformed by the love of God, to be inspired by the hope we find in Jesus, and to be called to action by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Over the last number of years, the MCEC staff and Board have listened to you, the membership, on what you have wanted to prioritize in the coming years. Out of the Courageous Imagination process, we defined five strategic priorities: navigating change, developing leaders, supporting intergenerational discipleship with a focus on youth and young adults, embracing diversity, and seeking peace and justice. And out of these priorities, we defined an overall vision for MCEC that is helping us to define our direction for the next five years for MCEC…. to be transformed by the love of God, to be inspired by the hope we find in Jesus, and to be called to action by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Soon you will receive the spring edition of Sprout. We are focusing our stories on transformation, sharing how locally, nationally and internationally we are being transformed by the love of God. 

• You will be inspired as you learn about the work of Bock Ki Kim and Sook Kyoung Park, our International Witness workers in South Korea.
• You will reflect on how Rachelle Desmosthene, a Haitian business women, flower shop owner and Pastor of Église de Dieu Réparateur des Brèches, has been transformed on her own journey, and how her work is now transforming others.
• An important area in the life of our churches, is being intentional about how we think, act and transform our congregations in the area of safe space. Read how some congregations reflect on their journey to do just that.
• And finally, Norm Dyck who recently led a Study Tour to the Philippines, will share a story of how he was transformed as he learned about the experiences of our indigenous partners from the Philippines, and how this experience brought him to reflect on our story in Canada.
  

“From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery, unrevealed until is season, something God alone can see.” 

As we enter these early days of realizing our Strategic Priorities, may the words of Fanosie Legasse, keynote speaker at ACG remind us that “we choose to live a life of constant transformation, unceasing inspiration [being] filled with courage to stay strong in our calling.” 

And may we hold in hope that “from the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery, unrevealed until is season, something God alone can see.” 

May the spirit of a God transform, inspire and call us all to action by the power of the Holy Spirit.